I currently use a PC based audio setup in a small room (just a little larger than yours).
Receiver is a Denon DRA-297 stereo receiver. Speakers are custom designed and built bookshelf speakers (RS150S + 27TDC). Subwoofer is also custom designed and built (RSS266HF powered by BASH 300W). This setup sounds great and can get LOUD when it needs to. It is much better than any Polk system in the same price range (I'll say in my opinion it sounds better than Polks costing more than twice as much).
With that said, I would recommend a DIY style system for you over the Polks.
Your receiver will work just fine. Modern solid state amps/receivers from mainstream manufacturers like Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc. are all very reliable with enough headroom and low distortion. There is no need to spend a lot here unless you are looking for specific features (like HDMI, record-out, or better onboard DACs).
The speakers are where you want to spend more money. Polk is a good mainstream brand, but you can do much better for the money. For example, this Dayton Kit is just a little more than the Monitor 40 and will perform MUCH better.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-642
For a subwoofer, I would also recommend DIY. A suitable sub is the RSS265HO. My current sub uses the HF version of the driver, but this requires a fairly large enclosure (mine is slot ported and approx. 20.5"x13.5"x18.5"). The HO will work well in a smaller enclosure with an aeroport, since I'm assuming space is a premium. Throw it on a BASH 300 or Dayton 240W amp and it will be plenty enough to get noise complaints from the neighbors. The people two doors down from me have already identified the bass line of Late Nite Tip even with subwoofer amplifier gain turned up only 1/2 way.
If you go DIY, you can have a much nicer setup than the Polks just by spending a little bit more. There are so many options in DIY, if these are still too much I can suggest lower cost routes too.
Receiver is a Denon DRA-297 stereo receiver. Speakers are custom designed and built bookshelf speakers (RS150S + 27TDC). Subwoofer is also custom designed and built (RSS266HF powered by BASH 300W). This setup sounds great and can get LOUD when it needs to. It is much better than any Polk system in the same price range (I'll say in my opinion it sounds better than Polks costing more than twice as much).
With that said, I would recommend a DIY style system for you over the Polks.
Your receiver will work just fine. Modern solid state amps/receivers from mainstream manufacturers like Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc. are all very reliable with enough headroom and low distortion. There is no need to spend a lot here unless you are looking for specific features (like HDMI, record-out, or better onboard DACs).
The speakers are where you want to spend more money. Polk is a good mainstream brand, but you can do much better for the money. For example, this Dayton Kit is just a little more than the Monitor 40 and will perform MUCH better.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-642
For a subwoofer, I would also recommend DIY. A suitable sub is the RSS265HO. My current sub uses the HF version of the driver, but this requires a fairly large enclosure (mine is slot ported and approx. 20.5"x13.5"x18.5"). The HO will work well in a smaller enclosure with an aeroport, since I'm assuming space is a premium. Throw it on a BASH 300 or Dayton 240W amp and it will be plenty enough to get noise complaints from the neighbors. The people two doors down from me have already identified the bass line of Late Nite Tip even with subwoofer amplifier gain turned up only 1/2 way.
If you go DIY, you can have a much nicer setup than the Polks just by spending a little bit more. There are so many options in DIY, if these are still too much I can suggest lower cost routes too.
- Thread Starter
- #3
Great reply man, thanks!
I will look into that Dayton kit - the reviews on them are outstanding.
I also am pretty set on going DIY for the sub/amp; been looking at what you suggested - Bash 300 and Dayton 240. Looking to pair it with a Dayton 12 HF.
Quick question for you... Since you are PC based, what are you using to connect your PC to your Denon? All I have is a 3.5mm audio out, which I currently have connected to a "Y" connector and RCA's to my current mini system. Would it be worth it upgrade to an audio card? Or is their a way to get a digital signal to the receiver? Still very noobish at home audio.
I will look into that Dayton kit - the reviews on them are outstanding.
I also am pretty set on going DIY for the sub/amp; been looking at what you suggested - Bash 300 and Dayton 240. Looking to pair it with a Dayton 12 HF.
Quick question for you... Since you are PC based, what are you using to connect your PC to your Denon? All I have is a 3.5mm audio out, which I currently have connected to a "Y" connector and RCA's to my current mini system. Would it be worth it upgrade to an audio card? Or is their a way to get a digital signal to the receiver? Still very noobish at home audio.
It depends. Personally I don't use an external sound card. My computer is an HP Pavilion notebook and it has the Realtek audio chipset that supports up to 24-bit, 192khz. It is connected to the receiver with a stereo mini to RCA Y-cable. To me, it sounds just fine. I listen mostly to digital audio that is usually compressed, so it isn't worth it to me to get an external sound card. Still, compared to many showroom setups with expensive CD players and power amps, it holds its own when playing lossless audio.
If you do mixing and recording or are an extremely critical listener, it might be worth it to upgrade. Or if you feel that your computer's DAC just doesn't cut it. If you want 5.1 support or SPDIF support, then it may be worth it to go external. Keep in mind though that some newer computers support SPDIF digital outputs. In this case you could use an adapter cable to send a digital signal to the receiver, using the receiver's DAC.
DACs do make a difference, but again, at this price point most are pretty good. And name brand chips (Burr-Brown, Wolfson, etc.) are usually very expensive and not necessarily that much better. Even the M-Audio Audiophile sound card, under close examination, appears to use the same chipset brand as a Creative card I compared it with (forget the model). I would suggest sticking to the RCA and testing the response with audio CDs or FLAC music files. Then connect a CD player (doesn't have to be a great one) to the receiver and compare the output. If the PC is noticeably worse, then it may be worth it to get an external sound card. Otherwise, don't sweat it. Again, the speakers will make the biggest difference in sound at almost all price points.
If you do mixing and recording or are an extremely critical listener, it might be worth it to upgrade. Or if you feel that your computer's DAC just doesn't cut it. If you want 5.1 support or SPDIF support, then it may be worth it to go external. Keep in mind though that some newer computers support SPDIF digital outputs. In this case you could use an adapter cable to send a digital signal to the receiver, using the receiver's DAC.
DACs do make a difference, but again, at this price point most are pretty good. And name brand chips (Burr-Brown, Wolfson, etc.) are usually very expensive and not necessarily that much better. Even the M-Audio Audiophile sound card, under close examination, appears to use the same chipset brand as a Creative card I compared it with (forget the model). I would suggest sticking to the RCA and testing the response with audio CDs or FLAC music files. Then connect a CD player (doesn't have to be a great one) to the receiver and compare the output. If the PC is noticeably worse, then it may be worth it to get an external sound card. Otherwise, don't sweat it. Again, the speakers will make the biggest difference in sound at almost all price points.
- Thread Starter
- #6
Okay, so, kind of an update/bump. I think I'll go with the Denon AVR-688 for a receiver. I would like to basically get your thoughts on a versus...
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-642
Dayton BR-1S vs. Polk Audio Monitor 40's
I know trying to select speakers is **** near impossible/stupid without having the opportunity to audition them, so I am basically going of anything you may expect or have heard. I am looking for something that can keep up with ~ 3-500 watts on a 12"-15" sub system (probably a Bash300 on a Dayton 12" HF). Anyways, the receiver puts out something like 85 watts per channel. Any ideas or suggestions? Would going another DIY route be better? Any suggestions? I would like to drop about $150-$250 (total: drivers, crossover, cabinet) on my fronts.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-642
Dayton BR-1S vs. Polk Audio Monitor 40's
I know trying to select speakers is **** near impossible/stupid without having the opportunity to audition them, so I am basically going of anything you may expect or have heard. I am looking for something that can keep up with ~ 3-500 watts on a 12"-15" sub system (probably a Bash300 on a Dayton 12" HF). Anyways, the receiver puts out something like 85 watts per channel. Any ideas or suggestions? Would going another DIY route be better? Any suggestions? I would like to drop about $150-$250 (total: drivers, crossover, cabinet) on my fronts.
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