Hi all,
I'm shopping around for a good audio upgrade for the tinny TV speakers on our 60" 1080p TV.
Right now, I have a 20$ pair of computer speakers hooked up to the AUX 3.5 out of the TV (no optical or RCA outs on the TV)
For regular standard definition or lower (mono/stereo), the audio is fine -- matches the crappy video quality anyway.
But when I move up to DVDs of movies or something, the audio is sometimes muffled. I can hear explosions loud but the voice can get inaudible.
I'd like to seek your recommendations on a set of active bookshelf speakers (won't go the passive route due to space constraints) that won't break the bank.
My set of flexible 'requirements'
1. Lots of input options. I'd like these to be able to double as big computer or living room speakers. A 3.5 input is a must, though. Optical and bluetooth are great. RCA is nice too.
2. Smooth sound. I'm not going for clinical accuracy, but accurate after 'nice sounding'
3. Option for adding a separate subwoofer down the line is a very big plus. I've heard that this is a must on home sound systems.
4. Won't break the bank.
I was looking at a set of Audioengines, either the A5+ or the HD6. Obviously the HD6 is more expensive but comes with a whole bunch of input options the A5+ doesn't have. I've read on the reviews that the HD6 is marginally better sounding as well. Looking at the price though, it seems like the price of the HD6s may be the absolute max I'd like to go though. (<800$, but <500$ would be even better)
Should there be any other brands and models I'd need to look at?
Note to the audiophiles: this post is coming from someone who has used said 20$ speakers for most of his existence and thinks that a 100$ pair of Sennheiser HD439s sound good...
Just looking for the best bang for the buck upgrade.
Hoping to hear your opinions on this... Thanks!
TLDR:
Need opinion on good sounding active speakers.
More input options, the better. Capability for future sub upgrade preferable.
<800$ would be good, but <500$ would be great
How are the Audioengine A5+ and HD6s?
I'm not an audiophile so my expectations are low.
I'm shopping around for a good audio upgrade for the tinny TV speakers on our 60" 1080p TV.
Right now, I have a 20$ pair of computer speakers hooked up to the AUX 3.5 out of the TV (no optical or RCA outs on the TV)
For regular standard definition or lower (mono/stereo), the audio is fine -- matches the crappy video quality anyway.
But when I move up to DVDs of movies or something, the audio is sometimes muffled. I can hear explosions loud but the voice can get inaudible.
I'd like to seek your recommendations on a set of active bookshelf speakers (won't go the passive route due to space constraints) that won't break the bank.
My set of flexible 'requirements'
1. Lots of input options. I'd like these to be able to double as big computer or living room speakers. A 3.5 input is a must, though. Optical and bluetooth are great. RCA is nice too.
2. Smooth sound. I'm not going for clinical accuracy, but accurate after 'nice sounding'
3. Option for adding a separate subwoofer down the line is a very big plus. I've heard that this is a must on home sound systems.
4. Won't break the bank.
I was looking at a set of Audioengines, either the A5+ or the HD6. Obviously the HD6 is more expensive but comes with a whole bunch of input options the A5+ doesn't have. I've read on the reviews that the HD6 is marginally better sounding as well. Looking at the price though, it seems like the price of the HD6s may be the absolute max I'd like to go though. (<800$, but <500$ would be even better)
Should there be any other brands and models I'd need to look at?
Note to the audiophiles: this post is coming from someone who has used said 20$ speakers for most of his existence and thinks that a 100$ pair of Sennheiser HD439s sound good...
Just looking for the best bang for the buck upgrade.
Hoping to hear your opinions on this... Thanks!
TLDR:
Need opinion on good sounding active speakers.
More input options, the better. Capability for future sub upgrade preferable.
<800$ would be good, but <500$ would be great
How are the Audioengine A5+ and HD6s?
I'm not an audiophile so my expectations are low.