Submitted by vpriyan on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 23:15
Hi
I'm looking for a good all-in-one computer speaker + dac under $500. I am replacing my existing setup (Marantz + Monitor Audio) due to space constraint
Could anyone in this forum please tell me which would be the right choice (which can compete with Marantz+Monitor Audio) among the three/
Focal XS 2.1
Audioengine 5 + ASUS Xonar Essence STX
B&W MM-1
Your response is highly appreciated
Thanks & Regards
VPriyan
I haven't heard the Focals or the B&Ws - but I've a friend with the Audioengine 5s, and I've gotta say they sure do sound good. I haven't heard the Xonar, but people on this site and others do seem to like it.
-TS
Audio Rig: Transporter -> Behringer DEQ2496 -> Transporter -> Creek Classic 5350 SE -> Paradigm Studio 60s v.5 -> Treated listening room
Headphone: Roku Soundbridge M1000 or HTPC -> iBasso D10 -> Sennheiser HD595s
..the thing it they're all gonna be very different. B+W tends to make stuff sound 'nice'. The Focals generally have amazing imaging and transient response. Can't say anything about the Audioengines. It's really a matter of having a good A/B listening test to see which YOU prefer.
Hope that helps.
I am going to be partial to the Focals. I have owned other Focals and really enjoyed there sound. I have heard both the Focal and Audioengene that you are considering but I have not auditioned them extensively. My ear jumped to the Focals for detail and imaging.
iMac OS 10.6.4>iTunes 10.0 library> Apple Lossless>Wadia PowerDAC 150 Mini>Dynaudio Excite X12 speakers
I love the A-5s. They sound terrific, they have 2 inputs (I believe the MM-1s have a mini-jack input as well), and you can connect a sub to the A-5s if you like as well. Plus for the price of the MM-1, you can buy the A-5s and an inexpensive DAC.
withdrawn
and personally really couldn't be more pleased. I haven't auditioned the B&Ws or the A5s, so my skewed perspective is pretty obvious, though. However, I find the sound to be very clean and powerful for such small units, not at all taxing on the ears during long listening sessions, and very esthetically pleasing. The iPod dock built right into one of the stands is awfully convenient for charging, too. I have these speakers on my secondary set-up in my upstairs office, so they probably get more actual listening time than the set-up in my living room.