audiophile 2.1 setup for PC

[Angrybiker]

OK PH Massive - augment my research please:

I currently have an old Bose companion 3, which I've had for about 10 years or so. Currently re-doing the office to accommodate the other half, hence taking the opportunity to grandfather some current kit to her and get some new kit for myself. I'm an audiophile so while I'll listen to the hifi if I actually want to do some serious listening, I know I'll just be dissatisfied and critical of my speakers if I don't have a decent set.

In a quandary about PC speakers. Is there a realistic decent actual upgrade for my Bose out there, or should I just stick with it and get her some 2.0 speakers of her own? (she doesn't need a sub).

[benz0]

Bose is not audiophile standard equipment. That said, I hate the term.

If it were me, I would get some active studio monitors. If you think it still needs a sub, then that's usually easy to add; many monitors have their own subs which will make integration a doddle

[SwissJonese]

benz0 said:

If it were me, I would get some active studio monitors. If you think it still needs a sub, then that's usually easy to add; many monitors have their own subs which will make integration a doddle

^^^ This. I love music and tried all type of PC Speakers, all where awful even the expensive ones. I bought a pair of Active Studio Monitors (Yahama ones, the smallest ones I could find). Coupled with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB and the sound quality is amazing. I have used them daily for last 6 years and they still sound perfect to me.

[Angrybiker]

SwissJonese said:

benz0 said:

If it were me, I would get some active studio monitors. If you think it still needs a sub, then that's usually easy to add; many monitors have their own subs which will make integration a doddle

^^^ This. I love music and tried all type of PC Speakers, all where awful even the expensive ones. I bought a pair of Active Studio Monitors (Yahama ones, the smallest ones I could find). Coupled with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB and the sound quality is amazing. I have used them daily for last 6 years and they still sound perfect to me.

I know Bose aren't 'audiophile', I too scoff at them in the grand scheme of things (I have Sonus Faber / Krell downstairs) but these are just PC speakers more for games than anything; if I want to actually listen I'll go downstairs. Don't need to bother with USB DACs, just want to plug it into my soundcard.

Studios are likely going to be a little too big form factor now that I'm giving half the room to the other half. At least if I went that route I'd have to check out how much space I have when all the furniture is in - but likely once I've factored in new 32" screen, phone and general gubbins then 150mm each side might be stretching it.

[SwissJonese]

If space is an issue try listening to the Sound BlasterX Katana:-
https://uk.creative.com/p/speakers/sound-blasterx-...

[legzr1]

A little 20w Class D amp and a pair of tiny Wharfdale diamonds should do the trick.

[talkssense]

BeoPlay S8

2.1, loads of connection options, small, look nice and sound superb.

[gmaz]

M - Audio do a decent 2.1 system. Quite a respected studio quality make

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017340ZVE/ref=twister...

[Crackie]

Not sure what the budget or what the reason is for 2.1 over 2.0. Bass from a pair of active Focal Alpha 50s should be just fine when listening in the nearfield i.e pc. Worth an audition.

http://www.dv247.com/search/2940/0/ManufacturerNam...

Also worth checking out the active Adam Audios and KRKs too.

[Angrybiker]

hmmm. interesting suggestions there.

Budget is flexible but not ridiculous. I spent 350 on my current bose companion 3s. Only reason I'm curious is that my OH doesn't have any speakers at the moment so I can either just get her a cheap pair or give her mine and get something better myself. (space permitting).

Above all looks interesting but I'm not sure whether they'd be a big enough step up from my current. I'm not dis-satisfied with my bose; there could be a little more midrange if I'm picky but they're perfectly fine. I'm not trying to create a hifi here or go nuts - I already have a good one.

I want a sub - no bookshelf speakers are going to have a sub-bass rumble like a sub and that's good for games.

I suspect I'm tending towards getting her a pair and keeping my companion 3s... Unless I have lots of space for decent mini monitors and a budget of 800 doesn't sound like there's anything obvious that's a step up. Bit disappointing, that, considering my bose are about 10 years old now, I'd have thought tech would have moved on but, looks like it hasn't.

[TonyRPH]

My son has a pair of Q Acoustics BT3 they sound pretty good to me (and I regard myself as an 'Audiophile' lol).

They seem to be between £180 and £200 online at the moment.

Highly recommended.

[Crackie]

Angrybiker said:

hmmm. interesting suggestions there.

Budget is flexible but not ridiculous. I spent 350 on my current bose companion 3s. Only reason I'm curious is that my OH doesn't have any speakers at the moment so I can either just get her a cheap pair or give her mine and get something better myself. (space permitting).

Above all looks interesting but I'm not sure whether they'd be a big enough step up from my current. I'm not dis-satisfied with my bose; there could be a little more midrange if I'm picky but they're perfectly fine. I'm not trying to create a hifi here or go nuts - I already have a good one.

I want a sub - no bookshelf speakers are going to have a sub-bass rumble like a sub and that's good for games.

I suspect I'm tending towards getting her a pair and keeping my companion 3s... Unless I have lots of space for decent mini monitors and a budget of 800 doesn't sound like there's anything obvious that's a step up. Bit disappointing, that, considering my bose are about 10 years old now, I'd have thought tech would have moved on but, looks like it hasn't.

OK, understood regarding wanting some deep LF for gaming. For £800ish I'd go for these http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/krk-rp10-3-g...

Review here.... https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/krk-rokit-rp1... .plenty of LF and it can be adjusted too.

[scovette]

Crackie said:

OK, understood regarding wanting some deep LF for gaming. For £800ish I'd go for these http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/krk-rp10-3-g...

I've got those happily filling a 6000 cu feet room. They've got more (much) bass than the Bose.

[C&C]

Obviously you'd need a separate amp/DAC, but in terms of very small speakers that produce really good sound (and are ok to mount on a bookshelf/next to the wall), the Neat Iota certainly sounds really surprisingly good for something so small.

[clived]

Best audiophile PC speakers?

http://www.eclipse-td.com/uk/products/td-m1/index....

https://www.focal.com/en/home-audio/multimedia-and...

[entropy]

Not sure if I'm late but Tibo Plus 2 are active bookshelf speakers with subwoofer output https://www.richersounds.com/tibo-plus-2.html

Check out the What HiFi review for mid-range budget rivals https://www.whathifi.com/tibo/plus-2/review

[Angrybiker]

Yep thanks for the suggestions, all. Turns out my new office configuration with my new 32 inch 4k screen definitely has no room for anything other than satellites on top. I ended up keeping my Bose and getting her an acceptable for her 2.1 setup for about 70 notes. Also looks like there's no significant upgrade available at a similar price point to the companion 3s.
I might look to swap out at some stage to the Eclipse plus sub at some stage, but I'll wait till I have some cash burning a hole in my pocket. There's nothing so annoyingly wrong with my companion 3s that I feel desperate to spend a bag to upgrade right now.

[AllyBassman]

I've got a pair of Yamaha HS5's coupled with a KRK 10s sub. I find it a pretty good setup, even better with a good audio interface, Focusrite are pretty decent.

[Angrybiker]

AllyBassman said:

I've got a pair of Yamaha HS5's coupled with a KRK 10s sub. I find it a pretty good setup, even better with a good audio interface, Focusrite are pretty decent.

yeah wish I had room for bookshelfs