Hi,

Right now on my computer I have an M-Audio Revo 7.1 and Bose Mediamate speakers. I'm looking to use bookshelf speakers with my computer. I only need stereo. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a new soundcard/speaker/etc. (whatever else is necessary) setup less than or around $500-700 US that would be better than my current setup. Thanks.

It won't be hard to get something obviously better, but if you want the best for you you need to state your preference for music, and what you want from your speakers.

Hi, thanks for responding. I listen mostly to rock, some classical, some techno. The speakers will be mainly for listening to music. I play a few games but I want something for music listening. I hope that helps.

Ever consider headphones? The bang for the buck is orders of magnitude higher for headphones than for speakers...

Well there are great cheap options for sound cards and amps, so I would spend most of the budget on speakers. In your budget I would get the E-MU 0404m and a Tripath amp (Sonic impact with efficient speakers, otherwise TEAC A-L700P). Depending on speakers I could give some other good options used. I only know about classical music. you'll have to decide whether you need bass and how much. Paradigm might be a good option, though there are certainly better for classical. Von Schwikhert if you raise your budget a little.

I already have headphones, but most of the time I prefer not to use them. Just personal preference.

As for speakers, I don't need a lot of bass, just a little punch. Definitely nothing booming. There is absolutely no bass whatsoever on the speakers I have now, though, so I would like a little. Thanks for the recommedations. Do you think you could point me to some specific models, and possibly also where to would be a good place online to buy the various components (I know places to get the soundcard). One more thing, I have heard some good things about the Infinity Primus 150's, would you recommend those?

Thanks.

The Sonic Impact is cheap but hard to find in stock; go to Audio Circles where they will tell you how to get it. The TEAC you can get from J&R; note that you will have to do volume control from PC, which with the E-MU 0404 should be fine. Audiogon is a good place to look for speakers. The Audio Asylum has a lot of information about speakers. I don't know what to recommend here exactly; I only know what I found in the process of building my current system. You'll be taking a big jump in quality so whatever you get you'll be impressed .

Thanks for the help. Man, I know so little about this type of stuff. I thought I knew some, but then I visited some of those sites, and I was totally overwhelmed Thanks for the help though.

Hi, it's been a while. I still have not decided what to buy (part of it is my financial situation - currently in between jobs). If I wanted to get a subwoofer along with the speakers, what would change with my setup (besides the obvious adding of the subwoofer)? Would I still be able to use either of the amps CSMR recommended? Sorry if that's a stupid question, but I don't know too much about this stuff yet. Also, if those amps will not work, what will work? Thanks for any responses.

Subwoofers are normally active, with an integrated amplifier. the crossover is sometimes in the subwoofer; sometimes you have to use the amp's crossover (probably not so effective) or an external one. Setting up subwoofers is difficult, and you can expect a noticeable loss of quality in exchange for the bass extension for your budget - that's the received opinion. You might look for large full range speakers if you want bass extension.