2.1 AMP & Speakers for PC

[laserloui]

Hi there!

I would love to get a decent 2.1 stereo setup for my PC. I am not gonna buy a Logitech or Bose 2.1 System but would rather have something that delivers better sound.
I only have 1 source, being my PC. So a really good USB connection would be appreciated.

Do i only need an AMP? Or do i need a DAC as well? I would prefer having 1 box to connect my speakers/sub/headphones with and be done with it.

Regarding the sub. I heard its important to be able to set the crossover frequency. So i guess i would need a sub where i set it to 80/150hz right? Because most AMPs only have sub-out. Or how does this work?

Finding the right AMP is my priority right now, but of course i am also looking for decent 3-5inch speakers (should be small for my desktop) as well as a sub.

So far i've found following AMPs:
- SMSL AL200 (no sub-out. can i connect it with L/R chinch to sub that has crossover control?)
- SMSL DL200 (same as AL200)
- SABAJ A30a (a bit pricy and not available in black) xD
- Marantz PM6007 (has no USB - could i connect with something else?)
- Nubert nuConnect ampX (pricy.... but would it be worth it for USB usage?)

My price calculation:
- AMP: 500€
- Speakers: 300€ each
- Sub: 400€

So in total i am looking at 1500€.

A cheaper alternative would be to just buy a decent set of active speakers that have AMP/DAC included. Would this be the better choice for my simple requirement? If so, which one would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[staticV3]

I would prefer having 1 box to connect my speakers/sub/headphones with and be done with it.

Regarding the sub. I heard its important to be able to set the crossover frequency. So i guess i would need a sub where i set it to 80/150hz right? Because most AMPs only have sub-out. Or how does this work?

For a setup with Active sub and Passive mains, the Sabaj A30a would be ideal in that you can properly low-pass the sub and high-pass the mains and configure the crossover point between them:


However, there's no Headphone Amp included so you'd have to buy that separately.

Alternatively, you could buy a DAC+Headphone Amp AIO (DX1, DX3Pro+, M300 SE, DL200), then couple that with a subwoofer with built-in crossover and active studio monitors.

 

[laserloui]

For a setup with Active sub and Passive mains, the Sabaj A30a would be ideal in that you can properly low-pass the sub and high-pass the mains and configure the crossover point between them:
View attachment 304731

However, there's no Headphone Amp included so you'd have to buy that separately.

Alternatively, you could buy a DAC+Headphone Amp AIO (DX1, DX3Pro+, M300 SE, DL200), then couple that with a subwoofer with built-in crossover and active studio monitors.

I actually already have a DAC (Steinberg UR22 MKII) with Studio Headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250Ohm).
But then i would need active speakers right? Would that be so bad? Sound Quality with such a setup would be far better than any Bose Companion 50 thingy or so?
I mostly listen to Spotify or to Youtube on my PC.

Do you have any recommendations regarding the Active Speakers / Sub?
I wouldn't mind buying a 200-400€ AMP/DAC solution... that way i could get passive speakers (which is better longterm right?)

 

[twsecrest]

Me, I would go for a pair of studio monitors and a sub, it's an easy setup.

Thomann Active Nearfield Monitors

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Thomann Subwoofers

Subwoofers at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty

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[staticV3]

But the Steinberg has no AMP so i could only get active speakers right? With active sub and passive speakers hooked up to the Steinberg DAC... would that work?

Which one is it?

 

[laserloui]

Which one is it?

Sorry... misstyped. Steinberg is pure DAC... so passive speakers wouldn't work i guess.

 

[staticV3]

Sorry... misstyped. Steinberg is pure DAC...

The UR22 MKII is among other things, a DAC and Headphone Amp.
You could use it for headphones and for outputting sound to an active sub + active speakers.

 

[Snoopy]

Buy genelec or Neumann speakers and add a subwoofer later if you are not professional music mixing or something important you will probably be fine without subwoofer