EndersShadow

Hello everyone. It’s been quite a bit since I posted here last. I am going to be getting a new desk here shortly and it has very little space. As a result I may need to streamline my current office setup and need your help on figuring out the best way to do so. Currently I have all my music on my computer and that isn’t going to change. I have it connected to a Harman Kardon 3490 receiver via coaxial. My computers motherboard does have SPDIF, but the header is broken so it’s not a viable option. From there I am using a pair of Infinity Primus P162’s as my fronts and that’s my setup. I am thinking of selling the HK 3490 and going with a nice set of powered monitors, like the KRK Rokit 5’s, 6’s or AudioEngine A5’s. However I still need to get the audio to them either via RCA or XLR and also need a way to control the volume. My two options that I see are either a M-Audio Firewire solo or the Musiland Monitor. I would wire the Firewire solo by going firewire to it and then go 1/4" TRS Male to XLR Male for the KRK’s or just good old RCA for the AudioEngine’s. The Musiland Monitor would be connected via normal RCA’s to either speaker set and obviously via USB to the computer. I would still need a way to control the volume as from what I understand the software you use for the Musiland Monitor does not allow you to control volume from your computer. Curious as to which setup would be better for me as well as which unit’s DAC’s are better. Thanks in advance! Link to Musiland Monitor info: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/443786/musiland-monitor-02-us Link to Firewire solo: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo.html

Here is the layout of the bedroom. It should explain why I dont have lots of options for mounting the speakers.

Unfortunately due to the configuration of my room and my desk (it is L shaped) it is not possible to set them up as you describe. I am hoping next year to move into a two bedroom apartment and I would be able to do something like that then, but based on what I have in my room already (dresser, queen size bed, desk, entertainment center, bookshelf, 2 nightstands) it currently just isnt possible. How much of a difference will I notice if I put them on my desk about 4 inches from the back of the wall and probably about 35 to 40 inches apart?

I am trying to purchase Active Monitors and from the looks of it those are not Active, but rather passive.

My main concern is that I plan on putting these on my desk at my apartment. I do not think I have enough space (see link in first post) for the 8's (they are MASSIVE). I cannot put them on stands next to the desk as I have a Home Theater setup next to it. I had thought about trying to mount them above my computer monitors (a 26" monitor and a 19" monitor mounted vertically), but even then I would almost have to put a shelf above my desk to do so. Overall my apartment bedroom is not that big (11 x 15 x 9) and I am Ok if the sound doesnt fill it completely as long as its accurate. My main concern is just the area the desk is in (and its in the bottom left corner of the floorplan)(http://genebglick.com/library/v3/helpers/popup/floorplan/popup_frameset.asp?imgdata=kcHvlBqte8MPLpiOK8UR38ST38Zse8UR3QdnlQ5tMo1tk0iSl0iuluZQKjHRLJCQK2xnlw-_K0Cv3hWF3W-w28njl0772WM11CiJk8R2I0HH2bZ1gPM7hBAkM0UHgi1V2QnJKcA0MbUaiWd125FH28NsiJH7IBi1lbFV28njlb77JQHSIICh1vRXI5sn2Wde3vsThbd8ipKq3oM0K7) Space was one of the reasons I was going to go with the 6's (besides price). I also thought (and I could be wrong) that the 8" would produce more bass, but at the cost of some of the mid range sound. Am I right in thinking this? If I can manage the 8's I might consider them as my options are: 1. Spending an extra 100 dollars on the 8's and not needing a sub, thus being able to use the DAC linked earlier 2. Spending another 300+ on the sub and having to purchase a DAC with more connections (that also costs more)

The Genelec are a little more expensive and higher quality that I need. I am just looking for the best "bang for my buck" studio monitors and these seem to be them. After listening to all the others (but not Genelec) I think the KRK are my best bet. I want to make sure I have all the right parts however. I am going to purchase the M-Audio FireWire Solo (http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-FireWire-Solo-Mobile-Audio-Interface-102951837-i1154073.gc), and a pair of KRK Rokit Powered 6 Generation 2's (http://www.guitarcenter.com/KRK-Rokit-Powered-6-Generation-2-105130256-i1401613.gc) and possibly later on the KR 10s (http://www.krksys.com/product_krk10.php). I understand I would be running the audio from my computer via firewire to the DAC, from there I would have two cables running to my KRK's, but would this setup allow for the possible addition (at a later date) of a sub, or do I need to change the DAC I was looking at? I doubt I would need a sub but want to plan for it now so I have that option later if I want it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I had previously read that review and also noticed that site. I dont save too much using the open boxes (20 bucks per speaker), so I think I will go the brand new route (unless I can find used on Craigstlist or the like).

I think after also discussing this with a friend of mine who does recording and plays every instrument known to man that I will be going with the KRK 6's. Those were actually the speakers he has on his list to purchase when he has some cash lying around. I am going to pair it with an external DAC as recommended and more than likely the one you listed as my friend also recommended that as well. Thanks for the input though, it helps to have people that know their stuff agree with me.

Currently I have a set of Logitech X-530's connected to my computer. They currently work fine, however I know there is much better out there. I know that the next logical step up from computer speakers is a decent set of Studio Monitors. I would like to purchase a nice set of Monitors for listening to music ONLY, mostly while surfing the web. For movies, I am running currently running HDMI from my computer into my receiver a Sony STR-K1000 which will be upgraded shortly to one that decodes audio via HDMI. From there I have a set of Polk Monitor 40's for my fronts, a Polk Monitor CS1 for my center and a Sony HTIAB sub to complete the setup. The video is displayed on my 32" HDTV as opposed to my two computer monitors. Pictures of my setup can be found here: http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1034254747&postcount=6 I will be running the Monitors straight from my Asus P5E motherboards built in soundcard (unless overwhelming evidence shows I need to upgrade). This purchase will be made in the next 3-5 months as I need to sell some other stuff to make room on my desk for any of these speakers. I am only looking for a right and left, preferably with an option of hooking up a sub later on, but that is up for grabs. I have seen the following sets recommended time after time on [H]ardOCP and AVSFORUM. I am posting here due to a recommendation do to so from those sites. Between these sets which would you get and why (keeping in mind I might add a sub later but this is initially strictly for listening to music while working on my computers). I also am more than open to other brands, but would prefer something I could actually listen to at least once and is under 400 for the pair. 1. M-Audio AV40's ~140 in store for the pair (prob can find a discount coupon somehwhere to lower this) http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-AV40-104302922-i1322223.gc 2. KRK Rokit Powered 6 Generation 2 199.99 per speaker at Guitar Center, total cost around ~400 http://www.guitarcenter.com/KRK-Rokit-Powered-6-Generation-2-105130256-i1401613.gc 3. M-Audio Studiophile BX5a ~300 for the set http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-BX5a-Deluxe-Active-Monitors-104837133-i1406020.gc 4. Audioengine 5 ~350 for the set http://www.audioengineusa.com/a5_home.php 5. Mackie MR5's ~300 for the set http://www.guitarcenter.com/Mackie-MR5-Active-Studio-Monitor-104786603-i1386321.gc I have listened to the KRK Rokit 5's at Guitar Center as well as the 8's. They sounded magnificent. I am going this weekend to listen to the BX5a's with some freinds. My concerns with the AudioEngine's and M-Audio AV40's are that they only have one amp for both speakers while the KRK's and BX5a's have one per speaker. I do not know how big a deal this is. Also while the AV40's are at the low end the AudioEngine 5's are right between the sets that have an amp per speaker, so they might get eliminated simply due to that. It has also been recommended that I purchase an external DAC and use that rather than my computers built in soundcard. I am open to the idea but have no idea where to start and what brands to look at. Thanks in advance