2.1 System for Gaming PC

[rolltide]

Hello friends - I need your advice on improving my Windows gaming PC 2.1 setup. Budget is around $2,000 and I have plenty of desk space. I just use the PC for single player games like Cyberpunk, Alan Wake II, and Baldur's Gate 3 (no music or movies). I currently have:

1. Gaming PC with MSI MPG X870E CARBON WIFI motherboard with SPDIF and 3.5mm audio outputs
2. Denon S730H receiver
3. Two KEF Q100 speakers
4. Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" subwoofer

I was interested in upgrading the speakers and potentially replacing the Denon S730H with a DAC and/or amp. Also open to powered speakers.

What do you recommend?

 

[Doodski]

Get some really nice headphones...

 

[Doodski]

O' and get PEQ... Major improvement with PEQ.

 

[Doodski]

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[kemmler3D]

Get a pair of Neumann kh120ii, sell the KEFs, get another sub and lastly a UMIK for room correction and you're in good shape.

The KH120s look to be on sale for around $1600 open box, so I think this is very doable.

 

[rolltide]

Get some really nice headphones...

I'd prefer speakers (don't like wearing headphones).

I'll check out PEQ - thank you!

 

[rolltide]

Get a pair of Neumann kh120ii, sell the KEFs, get another sub and lastly a UMIK for room correction and you're in good shape.

The KH120s look to be on sale for around $1600 open box, so I think this is very doable.

Wow these look great - thank you!

 

[Berwhale]

I would research how you setup speakers properly in the near field, buy yourself a measurement mic like the MiniDSP UMIK-1 and then learn how to use REW to measure and correct your speakers before you spend any money on anything else.

 

[Doodski]

For PEQ... Are you using Windows? I know you are a gamer but I have to ask.

 

[rolltide]

I would research how you setup speakers properly in the near field, buy yourself a measurement mic like the MiniDSP UMIK-1 and then learn how to use REW to measure and correct your speakers before you spend any money on anything else.

Thanks, I have a UMIK-1 and will use it with REW in my office. Thanks again!

 

[rolltide]

For PEQ... Are you using Windows? I know you are a gamer but I have to ask.

Yes, I'm using Windows 11. Thanks.

 

[Doodski]

Yes, I'm using Windows 11. Thanks.

If you want to install PEQ this is the stuff to have. Install them in the order posted and then open Peace EQ. Disable auto updates and adjust to your hearts content.

Equalizer APO

Download Equalizer APO for free. A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11. Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista.

sourceforge.net

Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO

Download Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO for free. System-wide PC Audio Equalizer and Effects app for Windows 7 to 11. Before reading on, note there's scam website called 'peaceequalizer,com'. Only this site here on SourceForge is the actual website by me, Peter Verbeek.

sourceforge.net

 

[rolltide]

Get a pair of Neumann kh120ii, sell the KEFs, get another sub and lastly a UMIK for room correction and you're in good shape.

The KH120s look to be on sale for around $1600 open box, so I think this is very doable.

What DAC/interface would you recommend to connect my PC to the Neumann KH 120 II speakers?

 

[kemmler3D]

What DAC/interface would you recommend to connect my PC to the Neumann KH 120 II speakers?

They take digital input, so if your PC already has an optical or coaxial out, that's ideal but you will also need a way to connect the subs.

I personally use a Topping DX5 Lite which has XLR and RCA output you can use at the same time, so I connect my montors via XLR and subs via RCA.

This is probably more than you really need to spend, but anything with the same connectivity should work.

 

[Sam Ash]

@rolltide - What did you end up getting?