Looking for advice on PC speakers

[skace]

Ok, I'm not an audiophile, won't pretend to be either. My main interest is computing but the obsession tends to spread like a virus from high end computers, to desks, chairs, and audio. Many years back, when I wanted a decent computer sound system, I ended up with the reasonable $400 VideoLogic Sirocco Crossfires. These served me well and I've never really had any major complaints with the actual sound, but a few years into them I stopped using the rear speakers and subwoofer all together as I found my needs and tastes changing (the rears are no longer connected, the sub is, but the control for it is turned 95% of the way down).

Then somewhere along the line, a great deal came up on here or head-fi or some other site I no longer remember with HD600s being sold at around $300 or so. That was when I got my first taste of high end audio. Even though they were being powered by my lower end VideoLogic amp, I still loved the hell out of them. And I've been using the HD600s for several hours a day ever since.

So that brings me to current day. My amp's headphone jack has fallen apart, most likely from being constantly violated by the HD600s, My HD600s have been recabled and the cushy parts have (somewhat) fallen apart. Over all though, I simply just want to upgrade and I feel like I've had absolutely no path for quite some time now. Every time I check the PC speaker market, it looks like it has gone backwards instead of forwards.

About 2 weeks ago, I had finally planned that my next move would be from the "pc speaker" world straight into the full home audio world with whatever I needed to acquire, speakers, amps, recievers, etc. I was willing to read and learn whatever needed to occur to make this happen. Then 3 days later I stumbled across the Headroom's desktop package and realized someone may have created exactly what I've been looking for. However, the price was a big jump for someone who was doing ok on $400, to go to $5000... it's not so much that I can't afford it, but the dollar gap in between those products cannot be denied.

I guess my problem is that I've never dealt with digital audio. So I got as far as this page and then said "WTF? USB?". I mean, I want high end audio, but I actually want this thing to be compatible with everything my computer can do also. That means games, movies, etc. I realize the setup can allow for other configurations and read a few threads about the subject but did not seem to get the clarity I was looking for. I'm willing to use USB as long as that is 100% perfect compatability if not, I'm willing to buy whatever sound card I need to (short of Creative Labs, may they rot in hell) as long as it will work properly with the desktop configuration.

Feel free to tell me to RTF<url> because I'm willing to read any source of info at this point that is actually helpful but I can't promise I'll understand it.

Cliffs for those who hate reading:

1. Is headroom's desktop package the right move to make for someone who plays games (old and new), runs Vista64, and listens to music via foobar?

2. What's the deal with USB? Is that the method I want to use?

Thanks.

[grawk]

Don't buy an audiophile system hoping to improve your gaming. If you want gaming, spend whateve rit takes to get a good gaming system. The headroom desktop will complement it, not contradict it. I can say their desktop system soudns really nice.

[Voltron]

Welcome to Head-Case Skace, hope you don't have a thin skin.

That is a big leap you are considering but the HeadRoom desktop setup is a high-end audio solution right on your desk. You could also use it with other audio sources like CD player or Squeezebox or whatever both on your desktop or in a non-desk home setup. It is very good and the sound is amazing. The flexibility of using it for speakers or for headphones is great, and I have half of the setup right now--the HD Desktop Amp with DAC--and have contemplated getting rid of my powered speakers and going with the rest of the Audiophile Desktop setup.

As far as USB goes, it is a good option and will take all digital audio sources from your computer and turn them into quality sound in your HR setup. The DAC in the HR amp will be much better than your sound card in your computer. If your computer has a s/pdif or optical digital output then you can use those. My laptop dock has s/pdif out so I use that and think it works great. There is no real downside to the USB option, however, so don't get hung up on it. Any HR amp/DAC taking any digital signal from your computer will give you sound like you have not experienced through your computer speaker setup.

Lastly, I will point out that if you just want to skip a lot of the cost and the gear, you could get powered speakers. There are several threads on this site and on Head-Fi that talk about options. There is one that has a DAC in the speakers, although those things cost a lot of cash as well.

Good luck, but you can feel comfortable dealing with HeadRoom because it is a great company. Its owner, Tyll Hertsens, is a member here so you can always ask him your questions too.

[skace]

My fear, in regards to USB, is because when I started researching it, I stumbled across ASIO. I don't know if that ends up being the required sound driver or just the recommended one. It sounded like people were customizing only their foobar, where as I want to make sure what driver ends up driving my sound functions with everything, from foobar to dosbox. I've never had a sound solution where I completely bypassed my sound card, it's a foreign topic to me. I mean, I can understand that the hardware in the sound card could now be part of my audio solution, but I still realize that the OS needs some sort of method of interfacing with that device.

Don't buy an audiophile system hoping to improve your gaming. If you want gaming, spend whateve rit takes to get a good gaming system. The headroom desktop will complement it, not contradict it. I can say their desktop system soudns really nice.

That's the thing though. I don't necessarily want a gaming configuration, however I do game. For instance, I gave up on EAX and all the crazy "positional sound" ages ago. By and large, foobar is what is running on my computer 24/7, when I'm awake, when I'm at work and when I'm asleep. For instance, Foobar will usually be my highest source audio, sometimes I will mute games, other times I will just mute the music and lower the effects, and other times I will have ventrilo running also. So I have a large reliance on sounds from various applications but music is by and large the biggest contributor and the real reason I care about my audio at all. In other words, I mention gaming because I don't want to break it, but I also don't want some Logitech 7.1 system and a fatal1ty sound card, I'm not that kind of gamer anymore.

And yea, I don't have thin skin, feel free to call me a retarded bastard, it probably shows by now.

[skace]

Oh yea, and the real reason I want to buy this is for those freakin stands. I'm mildly OCD over my desk space and those things are calling to me. Plus the little amps that fit in the stands, my current amp is HUGE. It's like putting a VCR next to your keyboard - size wise.

[grawk]

Then you definitely can't go wrong with the desktop setup. It's awesome. Go for the harbeths!

[Hopstretch]

Oh yea, and the real reason I want to buy this is for those freakin stands. I'm mildly OCD over my desk space and those things are calling to me. Plus the little amps that fit in the stands, my current amp is HUGE. It's like putting a VCR next to your keyboard - size wise.

Many have been tempted by the great design of that package. It's super sweet. But you can also do very nicely for a lot less money if you don't absolutely need everything to be that perfectly squared away.

[Voltron]

They look even better in person. I am planning on mono-block amps (one for Left and one for Right) so that with my Desktop Amp and Power Supply I can have two component boxes in each speaker stand. Symmetry is good is symmetry.

[skace]

Many have been tempted by the great design of that package. It's super sweet. But you can also do very nicely for a lot less money if you don't absolutely need everything to be that perfectly squared away.

Any examples of a solution that you'd consider some sort of compromise in this area? A picture seeing one of these mid-range systems when it's fully assembled such as the desktop picture would be nice also. Which I know won't be possible unless you are speaking on behalf of your own system.

Also, Grawk, if you have an example of any gaming setups, I'd love to see them too. I shouldn't have assumed what you had in mind.

[grawk]

I didn't have anything in mind, I don't game. I was just saying don't buy this setup for it's gaming, get something specific for gaming if that matters to you (in addition to this)

[Hopstretch]

Any examples of a solution that you'd consider some sort of compromise in this area? A picture seeing one of these mid-range systems when it's fully assembled such as the desktop picture would be nice also. Which I know won't be possible unless you are speaking on behalf of your own system.

Off the top of my head, USB out to a DAC-1 Pre feeding a pair of Dynaudio MC-15 would not suck at about $2,500.

Or the Stello DAC and amp stack plus some Audioengine A5s plus the Headroom stands to put them on for <$2,000. Mix and match as desired.

I can't particularly tout my own system as it's a bit messy. I have the equipment in a shelf off to the side and just the speakers on the desk. There's a thread here where everyone chipped in with advice for me that might help you out, too.

[jinp6301]

I heard the dynaudios, and they dont suck. Theyre just not worth it imo.

[LFF]

I have an EMU 0404 USB connected to two Mackie HR824's and it's awesome. Neutral and very good sound. It's also great for gaming but I rarely use it for that. For music, I couldn't ask for more.

The best part is that it won't break the bank. I put my system together for under $800.00.

[jinp6301]

The mackies hr824/624s were the most non monitor sounding monitors I heard. They just sound like good audiophile speakers!

[LFF]

The mackies hr824/624s were the most non monitor sounding monitors I heard. They just sound like good audiophile speakers!

I kinda know what you mean. I went to Guitar Center to try out all their pro monitors and ALL of them were brighter than a halogen lamp in a dark room. I mean BRIGHT enough to kill insects within earshot!! All of them were bright except the Mackie's. I did like the BX8's but those still a tad too bright for my tastes. I wasn't being cheap either. My budget was $3,000.00 just for the speakers.

After talking to a friend who is an acoustical engineer (and confirming that they are indeed flat) I decided to buy a pair. I got them used, but new, for $400.00.

No complaints ever since.

[Dusty Chalk]

I mean BRIGHT enough to kill insects within earshot!!

You make that sound like a bad thing.

PS Another Mackie HR824 owner checking in just to say hi.

[LFF]

You make that sound like a bad thing.

PS Another Mackie HR824 owner checking in just to say hi.

It is if your in the same room.

Glad to know their are others on here who own a pair of HR824's.

[jinp6301]

I want to own a pair! Someone wire me some money so I can join this clan

[ingwe]

Ok, I'm not an audiophile, won't pretend to be either.

Believe it or not, that's extremely refreshing to hear.

Welcome to head-fi; sorry about your wallet.

[poo]

Welcome to head-fi; sorry about your wallet.

I think someone needs another bong...