Hello everyone. I'm a newbie trying to replace his broken speaker. Could use some advice.
Budget: Around $1500.
Usage: Primarily for songs (played from htpc or Spotify), and then for movies/tv shows.
Current setup: Xbox (for blu-ray) and Raspberry pi (will be replaced by PC soon) connected to Sony 4K TV, which is linked to my now broke Mackie CR3.
Bought that speaker w/o any research to just have some improvement over my TV's speakers. For $100 it did an ok job. Now, I'd like to step things up.
Room: 25 x 10, small studio apt. I sit 6 feet from my TV. Can play songs reasonably loud, since I don't share a wall with my neighbor.
These are some possible options suggested to me:
Active monitors (bookshelf):
Focal Alpha 65 ($800) - seems reasonable.
Neumann KH 120 ($1400) - is this worth the price and significantly better than other in list?
Audioengine HD6 ($700) - not very keen on bluetooth and fancy features
DAC
I was told a DAC would be better me than an AVR. And with a DAC I could also make use of optical connection. But I'm not sure if I really need a DAC, do I? If I do, what would be a good enough DAC?
Can you help me make a decision? Audio is subjective but I want to make a good start. Also I don't want to buy something under the illusion that just because something is expensive/popular it's going to sound better. Thanks!
Budget: Around $1500.
Usage: Primarily for songs (played from htpc or Spotify), and then for movies/tv shows.
Current setup: Xbox (for blu-ray) and Raspberry pi (will be replaced by PC soon) connected to Sony 4K TV, which is linked to my now broke Mackie CR3.
Bought that speaker w/o any research to just have some improvement over my TV's speakers. For $100 it did an ok job. Now, I'd like to step things up.
Room: 25 x 10, small studio apt. I sit 6 feet from my TV. Can play songs reasonably loud, since I don't share a wall with my neighbor.
These are some possible options suggested to me:
Active monitors (bookshelf):
Focal Alpha 65 ($800) - seems reasonable.
Neumann KH 120 ($1400) - is this worth the price and significantly better than other in list?
Audioengine HD6 ($700) - not very keen on bluetooth and fancy features
DAC
I was told a DAC would be better me than an AVR. And with a DAC I could also make use of optical connection. But I'm not sure if I really need a DAC, do I? If I do, what would be a good enough DAC?
Can you help me make a decision? Audio is subjective but I want to make a good start. Also I don't want to buy something under the illusion that just because something is expensive/popular it's going to sound better. Thanks!