Stereo setup for "Music" - 15k

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ANP !!!

ANP !!!

Forerunner
Hello again.

Since my Z5500 blew I am in the market for a good replacement (for now).

Please take the time to read every word :).

From the start, the day I got the Z5500, I gotta admit it wasn't the best setup for music, I hated listening to music on it, at first (3years ago) I liked the slow bass and boom boom of the sub, but now I absolutely hate it (after exposure to better sound, car audio, IEMs), I like faster and tighter bass now. but had to use it anyways since I didn't want to go through all the hassle to sell one. However gaming was absolute fun on it, but I don't game much anymore, so 5.1 is out of the question as well. For movies, I use the HT more, which will soon be getting a decent setup of 5.1 within a few months.

So i am in the market for a decent stereo setup for music.

  • I am not a bass freak, I personally like Vocals/Mids clarity over bass.
  • 75% music 15% gaming 10% movies
  • I was looking forward to the MX5021 but also considering a decent pair of bookshelves
  • I will add a dedicated sub soon if I get bookshelves, but the bookshelves should have decent amount of bass.

My XFI xtrememusic also died recently and I am currently using the Realtek HD sound card that came with the DFI motherboard.:(



I am confused to which one to get.

  • MX5021 + Xonar DX

    or
  • Audioengine A2/ M-Audio Studiophile AV40 + Xonar DX

    or
  • Bookshelves + amp (Wharfedale Diamond 9.1/9.2, Sirocco S30, Mordaunt Short Avant 902i or suggest something)



Since I am currently also running DSLR upgrades + Leh trip plans, I cant spend more on the PC part :P



PS: I already used the search option. But most of them didn't answer my queries.

Thanks for reading this far

ANP !!!
 
Altec Lansing has released a new pair of speakers MX-6021 Expressionist Ultra.

expressionist ULTRA

Don't confuse these with the older MX-6021 crappy 2.1 speakers.

These new Expressionist Ultra are considered as the successor to MX-5021.

AudioEngine A2's are superb set of bookshelf speakers but they are too costly right?

you can check the following models too:

1) Klipsch Pro Media GMX-A
2) Creative Gigaworks T3 2.1
3) Razer Mako 2.1
 
At that budget, the only thing you'd be able to squeeze in is Norge if you want bookshelves. Else spend 3-4k more and get the AudioEngine A5
 
Never knew Altec Lansing was a subsidiary of Plantronics! :O

Abhi, did you send the mail to Rashi yet?
 
Thanks for the replies :)

desiibond said:
Altec Lansing has released a new pair of speakers MX-6021 Expressionist Ultra.

expressionist ULTRA

Don't confuse these with the older MX-6021 crappy 2.1 speakers.

These new Expressionist Ultra are considered as the successor to MX-5021.

AudioEngine A2's are superb set of bookshelf speakers but they are too costly right?

you can check the following models too:

1) Klipsch Pro Media GMX-A
2) Creative Gigaworks T3 2.1
3) Razer Mako 2.1
Click to expand...

MX6021 seem to be great, and I have heard great things about it, how much do they cost ??
Audioengine A2 costs 9.5 - 10k thus I can add a Xonar DX to the source too and be well around my budget of 15k, I was also considering the MV40 which seem to be having a broader soundstage then A2 according to reviews, If I am in Mumbai this week I will audition them both and see which one suits my ears more.

The creative GW T3 seem to be great, but I feel the lack of a dedicated tweeter will hinder the highs a bit ?? I really liked their triple sub design, which I feel will give tighter bass :D.
Chaos said:
At that budget, the only thing you'd be able to squeeze in is Norge if you want bookshelves. Else spend 3-4k more and get the AudioEngine A5
Click to expand...

How much does a decent Norge amp cost me if I pair it with the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1

Gannu said:
Never knew Altec Lansing was a subsidiary of Plantronics! :O

Abhi, did you send the mail to Rashi yet?
Click to expand...

I will calling them today and see what they say then I will email logitech.
 
A norge amp with the Wharfedale would cost you around 16-18k but you wont be doing justice by using onboard soundcard.

The best bet would be AE+DX.

MV 40s are monitors and will sound great only if you are in close range. If you are gonna seat >7 feet away then suggest u go for AE.
 
Abhi ,as i told you on the phone yesterday get the Audio Engine A5 , from what you described yesterday I feel the overall sound and bass of the A5 will appeal to you. If not you can add a sub in the future(I thinks ).A2 is also good but lot of people have been complaining about the build issues of the same.

From what I read from reviews the MX-6021 Expressionist Ultra is not as good as the MX-5021. Most of the new Expressionist Ultra models are available locally now but from what I could see they have focused more on the bling,looks part .I got to audition a model similar to VS4121/ATP 3 and didn't sound all that great.

I wouldn't suggest the MX5021 as well for such a good budget unless you can take the pain to mod it etc , even then it wouldn't be as good as A5 i guess.

The other option is to increase the budget slightly and get a amp + bookshelves by taking suggestions from Sangram,Chaos etc.

Also have a look at these , http://www.techenclave.com/dealers-paradise/lynx-india-qinpu-home-amplifiers-speaker-154235.html

Haven't tried them but they are well regarded in the audio community so i have a feeling they sound good / better than most active PC speakers.

Amarbir might have sets for audition , if you can travel to Chandigarh :P
 
ripesoul said:
A norge amp with the Wharfedale would cost you around 16-18k but you wont be doing justice by using onboard soundcard.

The best bet would be AE+DX.

MV 40s are monitors and will sound great only if you are in close range. If you are gonna seat >7 feet away then suggest u go for AE.
Click to expand...

I will be sitting about 1 metre from the speakers. I heard the A2s bass goes boom boom, which I dont like much, is it the case ??

FaH33m said:
Abhi ,as i told you on the phone yesterday get the Audio Engine A5 , from what you described yesterday I feel the overall sound and bass of the A5 will appeal to you. If not you can add a sub in the future(I thinks ).A2 is also good but lot of people have been complaining about the build issues of the same.
From what I read from reviews the MX-6021 Expressionist Ultra is not as good as the MX-5021. Most of the new Expressionist Ultra models are available locally now but from what I could see they have focused more on the bling,looks part .I got to audition a model similar to VS4121/ATP 3 and didn't sound all that great.
I wouldn't suggest the MX5021 as well for such a good budget unless you can take the pain to mod it etc , even then it wouldn't be as good as A5 i guess.

The other option is to increase the budget slightly and get a amp + bookshelves by taking suggestions from Sangram,Chaos etc.
Also have a look at these , http://www.techenclave.com/dealers-paradise/lynx-india-qinpu-home-amplifiers-speaker-154235.html
Haven't tried them but they are well regarded in the audio community so i have a feeling they sound good / better than most active PC speakers.
Amarbir might have sets for audition , if you can travel to Chandigarh :P
Click to expand...

Yea, I actually thought about the A5s, but then it would sound crap on onboard audio. As I said I am saving for a Canon 50D and some decent lenses, thus I don't have much money to buy a good pair speakers (as of now), I have to compromise a bit on SQ here, but no matter what I get, it will end up sounding a mile better then my current Z5500 :D. Later maybe within a 3 months I would probably upgrade to A5 or Wharfedale +amp.
 
ANP !!! said:
Later maybe within a 3 months I would probably upgrade to A5 or Wharfedale +amp.
Click to expand...

Then get a AS5, and add a soundcard whenever possible. AS5 >> Z5500 even on onboard :)

P.S. - You shifting camp to canon? Why not the d90?
 
zhopudey said:
Then get a AS5, and add a soundcard whenever possible. AS5 >> Z5500 even on onboard :)

P.S. - You shifting camp to canon? Why not the d90?
Click to expand...

A5 at 20k is still out of budget, I will see if I can increase the budget a bit and still get the Xonar DX.

PS: In my photographic group in Surat, all uses Canon and now my last Nikon companion also shifted to Canon (5D mk2), thus i am the only one left with Nikon. If I get canon I can use their amazing L lenses ranging from 10-22 - 100-400L 70-200 2.8 upto Sigma 600mm and lots of flashes and Macros, which I always miss out using being a Nikon user, I would miss the Nikon grip and metering a lot, but well have to compromise a few things to gain a few things :D.
 
AE5 has a more tighter bass than AE2. That was the reason I bought AE5. Theres a good offer going on where its being sold for 18K.

You need to keep in mind how the speakers are placed. The more space you leave in the rear for the speakers, the lesser boomy will they sound. You keep them closer to the wall, that will increase the bass.

AE speakers are easily driven. They make an ipod sound like a mid fi system too. As zhopudey mentioned, onboard sc is more than acceptable. You can upgrade later.

You can consider the MV 40s too if you are in the one meter range. They sound as good as A5s though a different sound signature.
 
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Thanks Ripesoul for you inputs :).

The speakers will be 1.25 feet away from the wall and about 2.2mts apart from each other, facing at 45deg. So I guess I should audition MV40 and A2 first and even the A5, if I think the difference is justified I will get the A5 then.

[Edit] Today I tried out the Roland MA-15D, they were quite decent, the mids/highs were very clear and loud, bass was acceptable cause they were positioned horribly for the demo but it had some acceptable amount of bass, they cost 10k.

How are the Behringer MS40 ? from the review they seem to have better mids/highs but not that great bass compared to Maudio AV40.

There is also another set in the price range that is the Behringer B2030P, any inputs on this set ??
 
Have not heard any of the Behringer. But if you can get in touch with Aashu from Bajaoo.com. He may be able to arrange for a demo.

The price difference between A2 & A5 is def justified.

ANP !!! said:
Thanks Ripesoul for you inputs :).

The speakers will be 1.25 feet away from the wall and about 2.2mts apart from each other, facing at 45deg. So I guess I should audition MV40 and A2 first and even the A5, if I think the difference is justified I will get the A5 then.

[Edit] Today I tried out the Roland MA-15D, they were quite decent, the mids/highs were very clear and loud, bass was acceptable cause they were positioned horribly for the demo but it had some acceptable amount of bass, they cost 10k.

How are the Behringer MS40 ? from the review they seem to have better mids/highs but not that great bass compared to Maudio AV40.

There is also another set in the price range that is the Behringer B2030P, any inputs on this set ??
Click to expand...
 
@Gannu, I have finally decided on a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 or PSB Alpha B1, will audition both side by side and will buy the one which suits my ears :). I will be going Mumbai this weekend.
 
^ oyee ! At which place are you auditioning them ? Please get in touch when you are here.If time permits , would like to give you company and checkout the speakers as well :D
 
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