2.0 system for $200ish

Originally Posted by EdGaRRRRR

Right now 5 speaker set up is out of the question. These speakers will be sitting on top of my desk facing me so i only have room for the 2. The thing is with that 3 speaker set up...how would that work in windows? Would that me a 3.0 setup? Or would that be taken care of by the receiver? If the center speaker is low enough(height wise) i might be able to do that set up. But the speakers need to be able to sit on top of my desk and face me. I will not be able to mount them or have them sit on the floor.

Originally Posted by kkl1014

There's no 3.0 setup in terms of audio, so you'll be doing 5.1 without the sub and two surround speakers.

I don't know of any game that has 3.0, so you'll have to select 5.1, but then you'll lose whatever's being sent to the surround speakers.

The receiver will be taking care of all the audio for you so you don't have to do anything setting wise in Windows. The way it will handle the audio will depend on both the source signal (from your computer) and the receiver settings.

If you are just listening to music you will need to set the receiver to whatever settings corresponds to straight stereo, otherwise the center will not play any music. If you are watching a movie with 5.1 it will play it in 5.1 only you will not have the rear surrounds. You can however modify that within the receiver settings.

So to make a long story short you will need to read the manual on this and make the proper settings work for each type of music. Doing 2 speakers or 3 in this instance wont really matter as either way you will may need to make some adjustments so it sounds right.

I wouldn't do three speakers on a desk unless your willing to elevate the center channel over the monitor.

For the best sound you want to eliminate what they call first order reflections. Thus if you place a center channel right below your monitor - its going to reflect sound right off your desk and muddy it.

Also you want your tweeters to sit right at the your ear level.. so again this is very hard with that third speaker on your desk. If its elevated over your monitor it might work..but it seems like a lot of trouble..Even then its likely your tweeter would be too high but that would still sound better.

Pete

So then what speakers should I get? 2.0 and around $150 not including shipping.

I'd take a long hard look at these, although Polk and Infinity have speakers in the same price range.

I haven't heard any of them unfortunately, but all three brands are pretty well regarded in terms of sound quality. If you want to determine the "best" you'd probably be better off asking at a dedicated audio forum, as there will probably be more people who have had experience with these and others. Are there any shops near you where you can audition speakers?

New only right? No size restrictions?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC200

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290010


Those two come to mind. However at only 150.00 you might want to check out Ebay or Audiogon..
I'd go for the Energy but only because I like my RC-10's. I haven't tried the C-200s but people seem to like them.

Pete

Originally Posted by EdGaRRRRR

So then what speakers should I get? 2.0 and around $150 not including shipping.

Originally Posted by GuyClinch

New only right? No size restrictions?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC200

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290010


Those two come to mind. However at only 150.00 you might want to check out Ebay or Audiogon..
I'd go for the Energy but only because I like my RC-10's. I haven't tried the C-200s but people seem to like them.

Pete

What Pete said. I own the Monitor 40's and they sound great. I know Energy has a great rep, but havent heard them myself. With that said the Monitor series mesh's well with each other so in regards to adding more speakers as long as you stay within the Monitor line you will not have any timbre matching issues.

Both should suit you fine. Keep in mind the depth of these things. The Monitor 40's are by no means small. They are 15 inches tall, 7 inches wide and 12 inches deep

Would like new speakers. Will have these facing me on my desk about little over 2 feet from me. My ears are about 18 inches above the desk.

Originally Posted by EdGaRRRRR

Would like new speakers. Will have these facing me on my desk about little over 2 feet from me. My ears are about 18 inches above the desk.

Either the Energy or Polks will work great. They are both about the same size overall and you will have more than enough power to drive them. You may be missing some of the low end bass as neither has really large woofers (compared to a sub) but a sub later on can be had for like 100 bucks from Polk, Energy or Daytona.

Somewhat relevant: I just won some Sony SAVA 7's for ~75 shipped and they might apply to you.

After I get them, I'll post a mini-review of them.

Looks like ill be getting

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...r-Black/1.html
receiver

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290010
speakers

Sound good?

Originally Posted by EdGaRRRRR

Looks like ill be getting

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...r-Black/1.html
receiver

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290010
speakers

Sound good?

Depends on if you'd want to return/replace them or not. The speakers are non refundable and non returnable with Newegg. I wouldn't suggest this.

* Return for refund within: non-refundable unless shipment is refused
* Return for replacement within: non-replaceable

Just noticed that The Speaker Company is running a deal for 20 percent off on most speakers using this code: Most15. Also free ground shipping on orders over 50 bucks.

If returning them later is an issue, TSC does have a 30 day return policy on its speakers.

The reason why I was going with Polk because I was gonna get the newegg 2 yr warranty. Because even with the warranty it's still cheaper then the energys because they charge shipping and newegg doesn't. Make sense? Once again, sound good? thx guys

Originally Posted by EdGaRRRRR

The reason why I was going with Polk because I was gonna get the newegg 2 yr warranty. Because even with the warranty it's still cheaper then the energys because they charge shipping and newegg doesn't. Make sense? Once again, sound good? thx guys

Don't purchase the newegg warranty. You already have a 5 yr warranty with Polk since Newegg is an authorized dealer. This is straight from their website:

Polk Audio Warranty Information

This section contains warranty information to products that were purchased directly from www.polkaudio.com or an authorized Polk Audio dealer.

5-Year Limited Warranty on Home Audio Speakers
3-Year Limited Warranty on Powered Speakers and Powered Subwoofers
2-Year Limited Warranty on Outdoor Speakers

Polk Audio home loudspeakers have a 5-year parts and labor warranty. The amplifiers used in our "powered speakers" and "powered subwoofers" have a 3-year warranty. All outdoor speakers, such as Atrium Series, have a 2-year warranty. Signature Series (SR), MM (Mobile Monitor) Series speakers and db Series mobile speakers have a limited 1-year warranty. Polk/MOMO Series mobile speakers are warranted for 3 years; Polk/MOMO and PA Series mobile amplifiers are warranted for 1 year. The XRt12 Reference XM Tuner, SR-H1000 Sirius Tuner, I-Sonic Entertainment System, I-Sonic Entertainment System 2, SurroundBar 360 DVD Home Theater, Surround Bar SDA Instant Home Theater and miDock products have a limited 1-year warranty.

The warranty is VOID if the serial number of the speaker has been removed or defaced. For the precise and legal terms of the warranty on a given product, refer to the owner's manual. An Acrobat Reader file of the owner's manual can be found on each product's web page. If you have any questions about your warranty coverage, or you think you need service, call Polk Customer Service at 1-800-377-7655. We're here to help you get the most from your new audio equipment

Here is the newegg policy:

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge

* This program provides replacement coverage for PC peripheral products and consumer electronics
* The coverage begins after the manufacturer’s warranty ends
* The product will be replaced one time only in case of malfunction
* Shipping expenses will be reimbursed if the product needs to be returned
* Customer Support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year
* The Contract is fully transferable
* Coverage is provided by Service Net
* See Terms & Conditions for additional details of this plan

You don't really need to have a 7 yr warranty on speakers. By the time the Polk Warranty is up if they go bad there will probably be something much better on the market worth buying.

ok im stumped again...lol. For the final time hopefully. Which speaker should i get out of the 2? The energy or polk? I'm set on the receiver just need speakers now thx guys. Shipping would be free with newegg. Energy would be about $34 more for shipping. If the energys are better i'd be willing to pay shipping. I just want the better speaker for the $150 range(without shipping).

IMO low-end Polks are a little too constrained and lack detail, but that's just me, and might not relate to this specific model, and I can't say that the Energy won't have their own issues...and I'm used to electrostatics. Low-budget Polks were awesome when I was coming off Logicrap. If your budget is so constrained, it might make more sense to get the Polks as it is...$34 on a $200 budget may or may not seem significant, but you could probably add a fairly decent pair of headphones to the order for that.

I dont need headphones. Im just looking for a good entry level pair of speakers. Barely dipping my tip into passive speakers as ive never heard of it until recently. I just want something decent to introduce me into what ive been missing with those shitty logitechs. Later on if i do end up liking receiver+passive speakers combo(which im sure i will) ill bone down and get a higher end setup. But for now entry level is good(that does bluray ).

Originally Posted by EdGaRRRRR

I dont need headphones. Im just looking for a good entry level pair of speakers. Barely dipping my tip into passive speakers as ive never heard of it until recently. I just want something decent to introduce me into what ive been missing with those shitty logitechs. Later on if i do end up liking receiver+passive speakers combo(which im sure i will) ill bone down and get a higher end setup. But for now entry level is good(that does bluray ).

IMO I would say the Polks. The 34 bucks in shipping can be saved for something better later on (like some low gauge speaker wire from Monoprice). But I say that admitting I am slightly biased as my setup is currently fully Polk

Heck, buy $34 bucks worth of pizza if that's what you want. If you can't decide between two relatively equivalent products, and one is $34 cheaper, keep the $34 for something else.

Polk it is . Last question I see some floor standing Polk monitor 50's on newegg for about $170 shipped. Would those sound better then the bookshelf monitor 40's?