What pc speakers for music?

[elise2000]

Hi

I’m sure this will get moved to a different forum, but posting here for a reason!

I want a decent pair of speakers to plug into the pc- this is for the purpose of listening to music on YouTube/spotify and then notating it into sheet music into Sibelius.

My current rubbish ones just haven’t got enough clarity to distinguish all the parts. Whereas if I listen in the lounge through the b&w floor standers, it’s easy.

Any recommendations? Not a set budget, but don’t want to spend the earth as this is only something that I have to do on an ad hoc basis.

I’m aware that the pc soundcard will have limitations, but I thought replace the speakers first and then see where we are.

Thanks in advance

[LunarOne]

I have an ancient pair of Logitech Z4 speakers which include a pair of desktop speakers and a subwoofer. Sound plenty clear enough and I've had it for many years. However, I often think about using a Hifi amp (I have a few kicking about) which would sit underneath one of my monitors and then using a proper pair of speakers. Only the smallest thing I've got is an old pair of B&W DM602s and they're too large for the space I have available. I also have an old 1990-vintage Sony MHC-3600 Mini system behind me that I could use. But I'm not convinced it sounds much better than the Z4s so I haven't bothered yet.

[njw1]

Plug the PC into your B&W's?

[elise2000]

LunarOne said:

I have an ancient pair of Logitech Z4 speakers which include a pair of desktop speakers and a subwoofer. Sound plenty clear enough and I've had it for many years. However, I often think about using a Hifi amp (I have a few kicking about) which would sit underneath one of my monitors and then using a proper pair of speakers. Only the smallest thing I've got is an old pair of B&W DM602s and they're too large for the space I have available. I also have an old 1990-vintage Sony MHC-3600 Mini system behind me that I could use. But I'm not convinced it sounds much better than the Z4s so I haven't bothered yet.

The little pair I’ve got at the moment are Logitech but are tiny cheap things. Don’t really want to faff around with an amp, but coincidently I also have a pair of dm602s that are currently not in use!

[elise2000]

njw1 said:

Plug the PC into your B&W's?

Different room sadly

[wyson]

Just get the best active speakers within your budget.

https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/best-desktop-co...

[danb79]

elise2000 said:

Hi

I’m sure this will get moved to a different forum, but posting here for a reason!

I want a decent pair of speakers to plug into the pc- this is for the purpose of listening to music on YouTube/spotify and then notating it into sheet music into Sibelius.

My current rubbish ones just haven’t got enough clarity to distinguish all the parts. Whereas if I listen in the lounge through the b&w floor standers, it’s easy.

Any recommendations? Not a set budget, but don’t want to spend the earth as this is only something that I have to do on an ad hoc basis.

I’m aware that the pc soundcard will have limitations, but I thought replace the speakers first and then see where we are.

Thanks in advance

How much room have you got for the speakers (do they need to be desktop or can they be on stands)?

For desktop; Eidifier are good (good on stands too); powered, not active; but c£100 on Amazon you'll get a good set

I had these as a temp solution in my home office connected to my Mac; they're now in the garage and they're brilliant for their price: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth...

If you've more room and can utilise stands (or desktop isolation pads); what about JBL 305P Mk IIs with a USB interface?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JBL-Powered-Active-Refere...

With:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-A...

Any TRS cables of your choice and a USB C cable etc, ie: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twozoh-Quarter-balanced-M...

I have the JBL 308P Mk IIs in my office with an SMSL DAC connected to my M4 MBP and I use a Wiim Mini for AirPlay2 into the Dac; sounds superb and they really are belting speakers. Speakers are sat on Atacama SLX600 stands mass-loaded with atabites etc

They replaced a Cyrus 8DAC amp and Kef R3 speaker set up, IMO, that's how good the JBLs are for not a lot of £££ at all!

[elise2000]

wyson said:

Just get the best active speakers within your budget.

https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/best-desktop-co...

Thanks will take a look

[elise2000]

danb79 said:

elise2000 said:

Hi

I’m sure this will get moved to a different forum, but posting here for a reason!

I want a decent pair of speakers to plug into the pc- this is for the purpose of listening to music on YouTube/spotify and then notating it into sheet music into Sibelius.

My current rubbish ones just haven’t got enough clarity to distinguish all the parts. Whereas if I listen in the lounge through the b&w floor standers, it’s easy.

Any recommendations? Not a set budget, but don’t want to spend the earth as this is only something that I have to do on an ad hoc basis.

I’m aware that the pc soundcard will have limitations, but I thought replace the speakers first and then see where we are.

Thanks in advance

How much room have you got for the speakers (do they need to be desktop or can they be on stands)?

For desktop; Eidifier are good (good on stands too); powered, not active; but c£100 on Amazon you'll get a good set

I had these as a temp solution in my home office connected to my Mac; they're now in the garage and they're brilliant for their price: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth...

If you've more room and can utilise stands (or desktop isolation pads); what about JBL 305P Mk IIs with a USB interface?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JBL-Powered-Active-Refere...

With:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-A...

Any TRS cables of your choice and a USB C cable etc, ie: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twozoh-Quarter-balanced-M...

I have the JBL 308P Mk IIs in my office with an SMSL DAC connected to my M4 MBP and I use a Wiim Mini for AirPlay2 into the Dac; sounds superb and they really are belting speakers. Speakers are sat on Atacama SLX600 stands mass-loaded with atabites etc

They replaced a Cyrus 8DAC amp and Kef R3 speaker set up, IMO, that's how good the JBLs are for not a lot of £££ at all!

Thanks for this.

I was thinking of mounting the speakers on the wall, so no issue with space.

The Eidifier look very good value- may be worth a short.

JBL is tempting, although not sure whether I want to spend that amount at the moment.

Will have a ponder

Thanks

[TheBinarySheep]

i have these, love them, great with a subwoofer too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanto-2-Way-Powered-Deskt...

[elise2000]

TheBinarySheep said:

i have these, love them, great with a subwoofer too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanto-2-Way-Powered-Deskt...

Thanks will take a look

[danb79]

elise2000 said:

danb79 said:

elise2000 said:

Hi

I’m sure this will get moved to a different forum, but posting here for a reason!

I want a decent pair of speakers to plug into the pc- this is for the purpose of listening to music on YouTube/spotify and then notating it into sheet music into Sibelius.

My current rubbish ones just haven’t got enough clarity to distinguish all the parts. Whereas if I listen in the lounge through the b&w floor standers, it’s easy.

Any recommendations? Not a set budget, but don’t want to spend the earth as this is only something that I have to do on an ad hoc basis.

I’m aware that the pc soundcard will have limitations, but I thought replace the speakers first and then see where we are.

Thanks in advance

How much room have you got for the speakers (do they need to be desktop or can they be on stands)?

For desktop; Eidifier are good (good on stands too); powered, not active; but c£100 on Amazon you'll get a good set

I had these as a temp solution in my home office connected to my Mac; they're now in the garage and they're brilliant for their price: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth...

If you've more room and can utilise stands (or desktop isolation pads); what about JBL 305P Mk IIs with a USB interface?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JBL-Powered-Active-Refere...

With:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-A...

Any TRS cables of your choice and a USB C cable etc, ie: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twozoh-Quarter-balanced-M...

I have the JBL 308P Mk IIs in my office with an SMSL DAC connected to my M4 MBP and I use a Wiim Mini for AirPlay2 into the Dac; sounds superb and they really are belting speakers. Speakers are sat on Atacama SLX600 stands mass-loaded with atabites etc

They replaced a Cyrus 8DAC amp and Kef R3 speaker set up, IMO, that's how good the JBLs are for not a lot of £££ at all!

Thanks for this.

I was thinking of mounting the speakers on the wall, so no issue with space.

The Eidifier look very good value- may be worth a short.

JBL is tempting, although not sure whether I want to spend that amount at the moment.

Will have a ponder

Thanks

I've got my Eidifiers on wall stands in the garage and they're spot on.

I'd recommend them over the JBLs in that instance ad they're not as fussy, the JBLs need room to breathe

[Stiggolas]

What you really need for this scenario is studio monitor speakers. These have a very flat response curve so picking out nuances is easier. Some cheaper versions like the KRK Rokits or Presonus Eris range are a good starting point.

[elise2000]

Stiggolas said:

What you really need for this scenario is studio monitor speakers. These have a very flat response curve so picking out nuances is easier. Some cheaper versions like the KRK Rokits or Presonus Eris range are a good starting point.

Thanks will check them out

[AB]

I have the KEF LSX II plugged into my Mac Studio in the office and they are perfect for what I need them for. From low volume Smooth Country while I work to filling the entire office with decent sound. They're pretty versatile if you decide to use them with a TV/Phone.

[JoshSm]

Any particular reason for not just using a decent set of headphones?

Having had very expensive DAW setups + calibrated monitors I'd still think about rolling back to headphones if it was for a careful detailed listening task, especially if I wanted easy hookup to a regular PC.

[Mutton]

Another vote for KEF LSX ii here. They replaced my Logitech satellite / sub setup and are obviously on a different level. The app gives enough adjustments in expert mode to tailor to your room, and the sound is very balanced across the frequency range and the center imaging is pin sharp. The only speakers I would replace them for is a set of Genelec monitors if I were heavily into music production / editing, but the KEFs are very nice for just listening to music.

[elise2000]

JoshSm said:

Any particular reason for not just using a decent set of headphones?

Having had very expensive DAW setups + calibrated monitors I'd still think about rolling back to headphones if it was for a careful detailed listening task, especially if I wanted easy hookup to a regular PC.

No particular reason- just prefer speakers. Admit you’re probably right re headphones being better though!

[elise2000]

Mutton said:

Another vote for KEF LSX ii here. They replaced my Logitech satellite / sub setup and are obviously on a different level. The app gives enough adjustments in expert mode to tailor to your room, and the sound is very balanced across the frequency range and the center imaging is pin sharp. The only speakers I would replace them for is a set of Genelec monitors if I were heavily into music production / editing, but the KEFs are very nice for just listening to music.

Thanks

[danb79]

The OPs already said he doesn't want to fork out for the JBLs I mentioned which would be c£300 for the pair

So the likes of KEF LSX's wouldn't be right unless they crop up dirt cheap 2nd hand

They are great little speakers though; I had for predecessors, the KEF X300As many moons ago; excellent speakers

Better, IMO, than the LS50s were that I had soon after

But now for me, studio monitors like the JBLs win hands down; their sound is as it should be, not coloured nor trying too hard; bad recording, it'll show you that. But they'll also show you how music should sound, IMO, more so with a decent source

But for simple plug n play; the Eidifer's via Amazon are very hard to beat and c£100 - a bargain!