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April 12, 2013 - 12:33am
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Music from computer...need to replace receiver
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I use a pair of Audioengine 2 speakers with my PC, and they are self-powered and sound very good. That will eliminate the need for a receiver.
They just connect to the audio output jack of the PC with a standard 3.5mm cable, which is included with them.There is no need for an external DAC; the standard one in the PC is 16-bit audio, same as a CD.
Stereophile did a review on them a year or so ago, and they work very well for me. They run $200 per pair.
If you want any real bass you need to add a subwoofer, but it doesn't have to be a very big one for that space.
The Polk PSW-10 is under $100 and should do the job.
Thank you for the advice. That would be very convenient, but I was assuming self-powered speakers would never sound as good - was I assuming wrong? They definitely get good reviews.
They don't sound as good as my main stereo system, but then I have $20K invested in that.
But for listening at modest levels they are quite good. For the usage you describe I think you would find them very good.
I don't think you will find any powered speakers for under $400 that wil sound any better; they are a very good choice IMO.
You could get a Harman-Kardon 3490 stereo receiver for $400 and a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers for $350, and that would probably sound better.
But that would take up more space and cost more.
I like the speakers I have (subjectively, they sound good to me), so not sure if it makes sense to replace my speakers - though if getting other good speakers that don't need a receiver is cheaper than getting a new receiver, it isn't off the table.