Best <$301 PC audio set up?

Lets start by saying this: I have very limited knowledge of audio lol.

 

I want a nice set of external 2.1 speakers (L-R Speakers+Sub). All I have to start with is some space and the on-board sound card of my Maximus V Formula.

I was looking around, though utterly clueless, I managed to come to the conclusion that these speakers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117426 (Pioneer SP-FS52), and this sub: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=9723&seq=1&format=2 (Monoprice 12" 150W) are rather good for my price range. Could some one back be up on this, or suggest better options?

 

With that said, what kind of cables, amps, etc. will I need to get these things up and running? If it is relevant I will use then for many purposes, but I really use use them for enjoying hip hop/rap and the occasional dubstep. And whatever else floats my way lol. Space is not a concerd, however my room is smallish.(Approx 12'x9' but it opens op through the 6' gap into a much larger room).

 

Thanks,

 

Nick

You only need an amp for those Pioneer speakers, some simple speaker wire to connect them, and 4 RCA cables. I'd recommend a LP-2020A+ Lepai amp. Simple and cheap.

However, if you're sitting close to these speakers, I'd highly suggest you get some smaller bookshelf speakers or near-field studio monitors. eBay usually has good used options if interested.

Do I need an amp for the subwoofer? Do I need an amp for each speaker? The speakers will be about 2.5Ft from me,  so should I get bookshelves?

Bookshelves will sound better when closer to you - floorstanding speakers are meant for large rooms like home theaters.

That subwoofer has an amp built in, and the Lepai is stereo. You only need one amp for two passive speakers.

If you were to get studio monitors you wouldn't need an amp at all, and for small rooms some people might not even want a subwoofer. Here's a pair that looks good: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Edirol-MA-20D-MA-20D-MA20D-Active-Studio-Monitor-PAIR-CLEAN-/121168353423?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speakers_Monitors&hash=item1c3632588f

Ok thanks.

Well I want a subwoofer. ;)

I would prefer that the speakers are black, and I will need some stands for them to be elevated off the floor, I have 3 monitors and not enough desk space. ;) How about these they look nice? http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-MS20-Recording-Studio-Equipment/dp/B000IKWBHW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1305809933&sr=8-9

They look good, but you'll hear mixed reviews about Behringer on the web and I've never owned any of their products myself. I suspect most of the bad reviews are from professionals who move the equipment around a lot and expect very durable gear, but I don't know for sure.

As far as stands go, there's more of those to choose from than speakers, and in such various heights. Wall mounts? http://www.amazon.com/Pinpoint-AM-40B-Clamping-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002UV03MW/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1386468635&sr=8-13&keywords=bookshelf+speaker+stand

Thanks for the help.

How much of an audiophile are you?

I only ask because I came from using the onboard audio on the asus crosshair v formula-z, and ended up getting the ASUS Xonar Essence STX because I was just not happy enough with the onboard sound from even the ROG board. 

With that aside, I honestly have been hearing some pretty amazing things about the Corsair SP2500, like REALLY amazing things. I would honestly consider it for myself if I had the money to spend, and I already have a pretty respectable audio setup. Everything they did, they did to please the audiophile on budget. With just from what I have read in reviews, reading the specs on them, and knowing the Corsair name, I would say the SP2500 would be my #1 pick for you.

Seriously have not read one negative review on them from someone using a clean source (no onboard audio). That is one thing about good audio gear. It will show flaws in your system that may have not been noticeable on cheaper gear. This is why I am emphasizing a good dedicated Soundcard/DAC.

That's all hype and marketing about the Corsair SP2500. Good studio monitors will outperform "gaming grade" computer speakers.

....I'm basing what I said on what reviewers have said, not what is on Corsair's website. I mean if you have seen a bad review, or have had personal experience with them, I would love to hear more so I can see what they did not like about them (As I said, I am considering them myself). However if you are simply putting them out of the equation just because you feel like they are "gaming grade" and therefore obviously can't be of good quality, than that is just as bad as someone calling them amazing based on what they see on Corsair's website.

Near-field studio monitors have their place for flat response, and accuracy. They do, however, lack bass, and I mean the bass you feel, not just hear. Games, movies, and some music are simply lacking without this. I recommended the SP2500 because on his original post he stated he wanted a 2.1 system, and his original idea was 2 tower speakers (which put out plenty of bass in their own right) WITH a subwoofer. He even stated he listens to Dubstep and Hip-hop, which are all very bass heavy, which would mean he would be very disappointed with just studio monitors. That, and the SP2500 seems to be the highest rated 2.1 system available in that price range.



OP, as someone who also loves to blast dubstep/EDM music, unless you want to REALLY rattle the walls, a good set of tower speakers will put out plenty of bass! This is actually what I did, with the Infinity Primus P363 speakers. They rate about the same as the Pioneers you originally mentioned, and honestly you can't go wrong with either one. If possible, listen to them side by side to see which you like better, but again, if that is the route you want to go, both the Infinity and Pioneers are amazing when they go on sale for ~$100/piece. The fun part about towers is that they are usually tall enough to where they are positioned perfectly as far as height, and when you face them in toward you, sitting in the middle, the sound actually feels like it is coming from behind the monitor. It is a strange effect knowing the sound is coming from 3 feet out from the side, but I swear it works amazingly well. This is actually what I did, and couldn't of been happier just running 2 tower speakers on my PC. Again, you may be surprised with how much bass towers can put out, and may not even find a need for a sub. This is where the amp comes into play:
 

If the towers are positioned less than 3'-4' away from you, anything beyond 30watts/channel is just overkill. I ran mine for a while off a FiiO E9, which is only rated for 14watts/channel, and believe me, it was LOUD! I ended up switching to a Marantz 2325 receiver that my dad is letting me barrow because it does have a cleaner bass response and warmer sound, which works great with the very bright Infinity's. I think the highest I turn it to is 1/4-1/3 volume though. The Lenpai LP-2020A is a good recommendation for something to start out with for you if you decide to go towers. Hooking a sub up to is properly may be the biggest trouble if you should ever decide to go that route, though the Monoprice sub may make that job easier with its high-level inputs. For this, having a good preamp-out/line-out or a dedicated sub plugin is going to be the way to go, though this is going to usually require a receiver/integrated amp of some kind. A decent one can be had for just a few hundred dollars on the used market, but at this point when you also factor in the cost of the sub, you are going to be way over your budget.

Or if mixing, matching, and always trying new audio gear doesn't sound fun to you, then do something like the Corsair SP2500, and I'm pretty sure you will be very happy; Also look into a new sound-card down the road no matter what you decide on.

I'm basing what I say about the Corsair SP2500 on the fact that most reviews are by people who either a) have to say nice things about the product (like professional product reviewers) or b) have not heard anything better (most gamers) who then just regurgitate whatever marketing they heard about the product. There are better setups you can get for the money is all I'm saying. If you want a single box you can pick up at Best Buy and plug a few cables into your computer for decent sound, it's not like the Corsair SP2500 is the only product that does that either.

Near-field monitors should provide bass you can feel when you're sitting close to them. Sure, not make-your-girlfriend-wet, house-shaking levels, but if that's what you want then you can always add a separate subwoofer which'd likely be better than whatever you get in a packaged deal anyways. 

And don't even get me started on how much of a waste a soundcard is for speakers.

I get excellent sound with a small 30 W per channel amp, like the tripath "T amp" or similar (Topping, SMSL, Dayton audio).  Unless you need to play loud in a large room, the low power is adequate.

The Sony SSF-5000 have 3 drivers and therefore 2 crossovers instead of one, but every speaker design has disadvantages.  I bet these are better than any all-in-one package.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-5000-Floor-Standing-Speaker/dp/B000OG4E1G/ref=pd_cp_e_1

There are bookshelf versions for a little less.  I'm sure there are better speakers out there but they cost a little more.

 

Those floor standing speakers are made for home theater systems, e.g your television.

If you want awesome sound quality, I would invest in an external DAC, and a pair of studio monitors.

Here is my own personal setup:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett2i2/ - This is an audio interface/dac. You can use it for recording if you ever do that stuff.  It has TRS output which is a balanced signal(Less noise).

For my speakers, im running the Mackie MR5MK3 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MR5mk3

The DAC connects to your computer through USB, Dac to speakers with TRS-TRS or TRS-XLRmale

This may be a little over your budget of 300 but it is well worth it.