Looking for some good sounds.

[WannaBNerd]

I was thinking about getting a set of good speakers (not the best but not the worst) for my newly made comp. i just have onboard sound but i was going to go buy a better sound card and sum speakers...ne suggestion on what to get?? ^.^ all suggestion well appreiciated!

[andyl33t]

Are you looking for surround sound? Do you want a subwoofer?

[Mr. Chambers]

You definitely need to post wether you have a budget or not. And if your primary use will be for movies/games or music.

[WannaBNerd]

mainly it will b music and budget well...not to expensive 150 mayb..

[WannaBNerd]

and yes i want a sub

[Mr. Chambers]

For $150, you're obviously looking at a computer speaker set. For example something from Logitech, or Klipsch.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=36-121-121&DEPA=0

OR

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=36-119-101&depa=0

[mofei1]

is that $150 for speakers and the sound card?

[WannaBNerd]

like 200$ with a speakers and card if possible

[WannaBNerd]

how much usually r cards?? on average??

[veryhumid]

how much usually r cards?? on average??

the huge amount of professional cards available would certainly put that average way over your price range ;) expect to spend maybe $75 for a "good" one. I also recommend Klipsch. I didn't always like them, but they make a lot of sound, esp. bass for the money.

[WannaBNerd]

200$ isnt my limit ~_~...once i fix my comp's probs. i plan to put a few hundred in it..and its just for new psu and sound so like 300-400

[eNightmare]

Maybe check out audigy or m-audio cards i would say. Do you know what kind of onboard sound you have?

[WannaBNerd]

uhmm not sure..nuthing rly good i want to upgrade with sound card

[drenader]

I reccomend the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 line. I have them and love them. Best 2.1 syetem for the price according to Computer Shopper Magazine.

[cetoole]

Not sure if it is an option for you, but you could get a headphone rig that kills any speakers costing several times more, for under 250, you could get something like Sennheiser HD580, Chaintech AV710, and a CMoy amp, very similar to the setup I am running right now, and it sounds amazing.

[WannaBNerd]

hmm ya nvr thought of just using a headphone set up instead of speakers but that sounds like a pretty good idea...how do they like...do u need a sound card for headphones and stuff??

[Emon]

How could you not need a soundcard for headphones?

[cetoole]

hmm ya nvr thought of just using a headphone set up instead of speakers but that sounds like a pretty good idea...how do they like...do u need a sound card for headphones and stuff??
Headphones need a soundcard, and if you look at my previous post, you will see my recommendation. In sound quality for the money, this can't be beaten, my headphone rig is the best sound I have ever heard, but I am still upgrading. I have 2 headphone amps I am building right now, and yesterday, I litz braided 10' of silver/copper wire for a headphone replacement cable for my HD580s.

[WannaBNerd]

ooook whats a headphone amp?? part of a sound card?? part of the headphones them selves?? or sumthing totally different??

[cetoole]

Here is the one I have finished, the CMoy, not nearly as comlicated as the ones I am building now (which actually are pretty simple):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cetoole/CMoy/CMoy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cetoole/CMoy/Inside.jpg
And the cans:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cetoole/CMoy/Cans.jpg
For much more information on headphones, headphone amps, and everything related to headphones, check out another home of mine, www.headfi.com

[WannaBNerd]

dude..thats awesum and those headphones look HUGE!

[WannaBNerd]

another question...what like..measures how loud the headphones are?? like im looking on newegg and stf just browsing sum headphones, what can i look at to measure sound or quality or nething?

[cetoole]

dude..thats awesum and those headphones look HUGE!
Those are the Sennheiser HD580, they sound amazing with an amp, and while big, are not nearly the biggest out. They are circumaural, so go over your ear instead of sitting on top of them.
another question...what like..measures how loud the headphones are?? like im looking on newegg and stf just browsing sum headphones, what can i look at to measure sound or quality or nething?
Newegg is not a good place to get the high end headphones, but a good place to look for information on headphones is Head Fi (www.headfi.com), there will be many suggestions, and lots of good information. How loud headphones are is a product of the amp more than the headphones, with my setup, when I accidently turn it all the way up, I am worried that my ears will start to bleed.

[WannaBNerd]

Whoa, thats a lil to loud for me :P...i just want a nice pair of headphones that will actually o ovr my ear like those 1s shown...and a lil amp...nuthin real fancy.....ne suggestions?

[cetoole]

Whoa, thats a lil to loud for me :P...i just want a nice pair of headphones that will actually o ovr my ear like those 1s shown...and a lil amp...nuthin real fancy.....ne suggestions?
Yeah, that setup or something similar, just don't turn it all the way up, you have a volume control for a reason.

[WannaBNerd]

lol ya...1 question...would a cheapie head phone amp like 1 made of an altoids container rly given noticeable effect to ur sound??

[cetoole]

lol ya...1 question...would a cheapie head phone amp like 1 made of an altoids container rly given noticeable effect to ur sound??
All depends on the headphones, the amps in altoids tins are usually CMoys, if you have a picture, I can probably identify it. With inefficient headphones, like the HD580, and amp is really necessary to get the full sound out of the headphones, and it makes a huge difference. There is some improvement usually from easier cans, but not nearly as significant. If you want to take this conversation to AIM, feel free.

[WannaBNerd]

ya it was a CMoys..i plan on trying to make my own ... and those 580s..how big r the ear parts?? like definately full coverage of the ear??

[cetoole]

ya it was a CMoys..i plan on trying to make my own ... and those 580s..how big r the ear parts?? like definately full coverage of the ear??
The CMoy is easy, if you havn't seen it yet, check out Tangent's (http://tangentsoft.net/audio/) page about building it. I am currently building a Pimeta and Mint, they are also found on his page. The HD580 covers the entire ear, so the padding is sitting on the side of your head. I find them quite comfortable, and can listen for hours without problems.

[WannaBNerd]

oook thnx 1 question...is there one like them like how they fit mayb a little cheaper??

[cetoole]

oook thnx 1 question...is there one like them like how they fit mayb a little cheaper??
I don't know, the cheaper sennheisers are not supposed to be as good, I got mine for $150 shipped several months ago, you could probably pick some up used for a bit less, but they hold their value very well. I just finished my Pimeta amp, and I am testing it with the HD580's, so far so good, best sound yet.

[Emon]

Sennheiser as good and not so good cheap models. They're out to make money and to make quality products...so you get jewels on the low end like the HD497, PX 100, PX 200, PXC 250, the MX series, HD 280 Pros, some of their headsets, etc. But crap models all inbetween.

If you want something to run unamped, look at the HD497s, HD 280 Pros, HD515s and HD555s, that's in the order of increasing quality, price tag and difficulty to drive without a headphone amp. There are others but I'm not too familiar with them so I won't comment. There are of course other brands such as Beyerdynamic and Grado which can get you some great sounds for cheap.