Phillboy20xd6
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New to Audiophile through computer. Looking for opinions and suggestions.
Bill B
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Hi-fi can include but is not synonymous with surround sound. Consider good ole stereo (especially in a room that size, where positioning 7 speakers could be impractical. 

Imho, 2 good speakers costing X amount give better quality sound than spreading the same X dollars across 7 cheap speakers.  

Phillboy20xd6
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I would agree with your opinion to run a 2.1 instead of 7.1 or 5.2 in this room. So now then how would you go about building this? I have more background in car audio than in home (understanding there is some crossover). Since with car audio its generally from Deck > Amp > Speakers (with some variations with different crossovers). My build at this point would be

Claro Halo (?) > Schiit bifrost > Schiit Valhalla > Emotiva USP-1 > Audio engine 5+ and an Audioengine S8 subwoofer

If you guys have more suggestions let me know. But these items are more in my pricerange.

Thank you,

Bill B
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If you get audio out of the computer, it can go directly via USB into the excellent Schiit Bifrost, bypassing the internal soundcard, so I don't think you need the Claro Halo.  (I'm not totally clear, but think you are referring to "upgrading" your sound card to the Claro Halo, right?)

Also, the Emotiva USP-1 does include a headphone output, so you don't need the Valhalla.  You can get it of course if you like, but don't need it in this case.  It might be the case that the Valhalla is superior to the  headphone section of the Emotiva, so you can choose.  Or add Valhalla later if you compare with and without.

I agree that the AudioEngine products are excellent, and excellent for the price too.  I have the 2's and the 5's in different systems and am very pleased.  I haven't used their S8 sub, because when I was swapping some stereo stuff around, I paired a different brand subwoofer with my A2's.  It is somewhat more expensive and powerful than the S8, with a larger driver, etc.  So, I ain't sorry to have gone with a sub that goes deeper/louder, but the S8 I'm sure is well designed to match with its brothers.

 

 

Phillboy20xd6
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I actually already have the Claro in my PC atm running my headphones. I was just wondering if i would run from it or skip it all together.

Can I ask what sub you went with because like you, I also really like deeper more powerfull bass.

The one thing that get me is that the USP-1 has a filter that only goes down to 50hz (kinda leaving out the freq. that can make some noise).

Thanks for the help.

Bill B
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 if u use an external dac you essentially bypass the sound card for audio purposes.

the sub I use w the A2's is Earthquake SuperNova MklV ($500)It's good but there are lots of other capable subs out there in that price range too. 

Not sure what u mean about the filter on the emotiva. I'm sure it doesn't cutoff low frequencies unless you set it that way to purposely do "bass management" functions. Check w emotiva or their manual to clarify.  

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I was just misreading the specs on that USP-1.

Here is my (hopefully) final build spec.

From PC --> DAC (Schiit Bifrost) $419 --> Preamp (Emotiva USP-1) $449 --> Monitors (Emotiva Airmotiv6) $699 and Subwoofer (SVS SB12-NSD) $649

Valhalla will be optional later down the road. If you guys can think of better items in those price ranges let me know, but this is what I’ve come up with.

Thanks again for the help.

Bill B
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Enjoy. Read your manuals too, I always say. Btw, when I have set up subwoofers, and adjusting them for phase, I found that a radio shack SPL meter helped me do it better. 

Phillboy20xd6
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That was always the "fun" part of the car audio process was setting the stages properly. Can you rent one or is it just a cheapy to buy?

Bill B
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the one from Radio Shack is cheap and competent.  I think it was about $20 years ago, reckon it's more now.

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I should also have mentioned that there are SPL meter apps available, for smart phones - for free, or low cost.  I haven't used any app versions so can't tell you how good they are.

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I've looked up a few meters and found the Nady Cm100 and the software suggested to use was http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

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