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Edifier MR4 + Presonus Sub 8BT vs. bigger speakers

Hardtogain

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Feb 7, 2024
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Hello, I want to invest in a PC desktop setup and after some reading and information gathered (good and bad) I came to these options:

1. Edifier MR4 + Presonus Sub 8BT + Focusrite scarlett solo 3rd = 400 euros
2. Mackie MR524 or JBL 305p MK II + Focusrite scarlett solo 3rd = 350 euros

Room size is 4m x 6m
I'm more incline at the Edifier option being that is a smaller speaker = more desk room and by ading the sub would get me more or less the same sound quality as the second option (atleast this is my thought process regarding this subject)

So feel free to jump in with other options\thoughts.

Thank you.
 
another option for you: kali lp-unf
designed to be used on a desk, front firing ports for more placement freedom, built in DAC and usb input so if you don't want to record you can skip the interface
 
The 1st option is more practical, more "flexible" and giving a superior sound.
 
another option for you: kali lp-unf
designed to be used on a desk, front firing ports for more placement freedom, built in DAC and usb input so if you don't want to record you can skip the interface
You are right regarding the audio interface, I don't need such an expensive one being that I don't record.
I just need one for the speakers and my AKG K371 headphones so I will look for something cheaper.

As for kali lp-unf being so new can't find too much information/reviews about them but so far I see them as a niche product but time will tell.


The 1st option is more practical, more "flexible" and giving a superior sound.
That was also my presumption, thanks.
 
I've recently got the Presonus Sub 8 BT mentioned in the 1st comment.
I'm listening the the near field, with the MR4s on stands on my desktop.

Using the subwoofer crawl method and a Dayton IMM-6 smartphone microphone I've decided to put the sub on the floor, slightly to the left and behind the MR4s.
The sound is really enjoyable and bass goes deeper and louder than I expected.
Early measurements in the android AudioTool app shows that it goes to about 30 Hz.

One nitpick, though: the system is very sensitive to noise now.
Previously I was connecting my USB sound card's unbalanced line out to MR4 and they were dead quiet.
Now, I connect the unbalanced line out to the sub, and then the sub to the MR4s using the balanced TRS cables.
It's very noisy when connected to the laptop, less noisy when connected to a USB port in my USB-C monitor.

I will try a USB isolator, but until then, I get no noise when connecting my smartphone using the Samsung USB-C dongle or a Shanling M0 BT receiver with LDAC codec.

I'm planning to do further optimization after taking some MMM measurements with the Dayton IMM-6, but already it's quite nice to hear some bass from my modest setup.
 
It's very noisy when connected to the laptop, less noisy when connected to a USB port in my USB-C monitor.
Does your laptop's power supply have a three pin connector (with earth) or just two pins? (live and neutral)
 
@komhst 1 laptop has a 3-pin connector, another laptop takes power from monitor's USB-C port.

I have the following devices connected to the same power outlet (with a ground pin), to a power strip (with ground pin for all sockets):
- Monitor (3-pin)
- Presonus Sub 8 (3-pin)
- Edifier MR4 (2-pin)
- Lenovo T460S (my personal laptop) charger (3-pin)
- USB charger (2-pin)

My work laptop (Lenovo L14) is taking power (and video) from the USB-C input / output of the monitor.
The monitor itself has 3 USB ports that are exposed to the connected PC when connecting via USB-C.

The audio source can be a sound card with a line-out (Creative GC7), Samsung USB-C dongle, Shanling M0 (small DAP with USB DAC and LDAC receiver functionality), or laptop's headphone jack.

The audio source is connected to the subwoofer using a 3.5 mm jack to 2x RCA cable.
The sub's balanced TRS output is connected to MR4's balanced TRS input, with HPF enabled.

I get noise in the following situations:
- audio source is connected to a monitor's USB port
- audio source is connected to my work laptop's or personal laptop's USB port.
- work laptop's headphone jack is connected to the subwoofer
- Shanling M0 is transmitting over Bluetooth, but is connected to a laptop's USB port for charging.

I get no noise in the following situations:
- personal laptop's (the one with charging port and no USB-C) headphone jack is connected to the subwoofer. It doesn't matter if the charger is connected or not.
- smartphone's headphone jack, Samsung Dongle / Creative GC7 / Shanling M0 connected to the phone's USB-C port.
- Shanling M0 playing over Bluetooth and not connected to any laptop / charger.

The USB isolator should arrive today - I'll post an update.
 
The isolator arrived.
It has two micro USB ports - one for data, which is isolated, and another one for external power.
The receiving device is then connected to a USB port on the isolator.

It blocks the noise, but it has limitations - external power is required for my GC7 and I need to connect a phone charger there.
Also, the cheaper ones only support USB Audio Class 1 devices. due to a limitation on 12mb/s bandwith.
 
You will need to high pass the MR4's for success. That isn't a small space and they are severely output level limited on content containing deep bass unless you high pass them.

If you're solely listening in the near field or using them for background music you'll be fine.
 
@komhst 1 laptop has a 3-pin connector, another laptop takes power from monitor's USB-C port.

I have the following devices connected to the same power outlet (with a ground pin), to a power strip (with ground pin for all sockets):
- Monitor (3-pin)
- Presonus Sub 8 (3-pin)
- Edifier MR4 (2-pin)
- Lenovo T460S (my personal laptop) charger (3-pin)
- USB charger (2-pin)
It seems that you have some kind of ground loop. A friend of me had a similar problem in the past with a Sony Vaio laptop in the following chain:
Sony's original power supply (Three pin with ground) => Sony Vaio laptop => USB DJ console => Professional power amp => Passive Speakers

The problem was solved 100% when he replaced the original Sony Vaio's three pin power supply with an after market compatible power supply having only two pins (live and neutral) with no ground pin, using a cable like this:


xlarge_20240220151327_kalodio_reymatos_trofodosias_dipoliko_gia_laptop_power_cable_ac_laptop_e...jpg
 
Last edited:
It seems that you have some kind of ground loop. A friend of me had a similar problem in the past with a Sony Vaio laptop in the following chain:
Sony's original power supply (Three pin with ground) => Sony Vaio laptop => USB DJ console => Professional power amp => Passive Speakers

The problem was solved 100% when he replaced the original Sony Vaio's three pin power supply with an after market compatible power supply having only two pins (live and neutral) with no ground pin, using a cable like this:


View attachment 371023
Yes, I think that as long as the source doesn't have a ground pin, there should be no ground loop.
 
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