PCA Forums

I just scored a pair of the M-Audio Bx5a deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileBX5aDeluxe.html

I upgraded from a set of old Creative Intrigue 2.1 speakers that i had run for several years. They worked fine but they were getting a little sore on the eyes so i decided for the switch.

I am really amazed how much better these sound for high & mids and how i can now hear the difference in quality for my mp3's.

I am using on-board audio from my ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard, but will consider the sound card when I upgrade in Q2 2011.

So I am curious, is anyone using anything unusual for computer speakers?

I'm using a klipsch speaker setup with onboard sound . the unit has a dolby virtual speaker box controlled by a klipsch remote controller. that can also control a tv, stereo ,dvd ,vcr,sat/cable box ,and home audio system. the speakers are 2 small klipsch satellite and a base speaker. never found the whole unit listed on klipsch web site .but this unit was given to me by my nephew who is a sound engineer at klipsch. (think it was a engineering sample) unit kind of looks like CS-500 Home Theater System.
but the control unit is only 4" x 4" x 1" and I was given 3 remotes . I like it other then having to use the volume on the remote to control the sound no knob on the speakers to adjust .be a lot easyer at times. also had to get some barrel connector for the cables to make it all work. power a little over kill for a basic computer - Subwoofer: 100W continuous <=10% THD+N
Speakers: FTC rated 35 W/channel continuous, 2 channels driven, <=1% THD+N

wow nice reno, I never saw those before. Thanks for sharing.

Right now I'm using my 26" TV's built in speakers. But when I had this computer hooked up to my 32" TV I was using my Kenwood Home Theater Receiver. Both with onboard sound.

eGo

LOL. I'm still using an Altec Lancing 4.1 system that I bought 10 years ago. Too lazy to look up the model number. Using the built in sound card that came with the mobo.

Had some Altec 2.1's that I used for about 10 years & decided to go with some 5 channel Logitecs (usually game with headphones anyhow). It was a big step backwards IMO. Eventually plan on making some custom speakers (with Tang Band drivers) powered by a receiver when I have a chance.

Oh I almost totally forgot. I'm running a Sound Blaster Titanium. I was fortunate to miss most of the issues that it had early on. The drivers seem much more mature now. I can tell a difference in sound quality over onboard, but unless you are the nit-picking type (I've found few that are) then onboard is likely fine for most.

I use my trust MS System 80 2.1 system. Picked up here or AT many many years ago......





REDMOND, Wash., May 25, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. will publicly debut Microsoft® Digital Sound System 80, Microsoft's first PC speaker system, at this year's Electronics Entertainment Expo (E 3 ), to be held May 28-30 in Atlanta (Booth 4420 in West Hall, Georgia Congress Center). Digital Sound System 80 will bring PC users crisp, clear sound more like the audio quality they've come to expect from high-end home audio systems.

Microsoft Digital Sound System 80 is an 80-watt, three-piece PC audio system that includes two satellite speakers and a subwoofer with a built-in digital amplifier. Microsoft's sound system accepts both digital and analog sound inputs, so it provides smooth, dynamic sound and tight, responsive bass with the Universal Serial Bus (USB)-compatible Windows® 98 operating system, non-USB systems and non-PC entertainment systems.

"Sound is an increasingly important part of the PC experience - and often the most overlooked," said Richard Brudvik-Lindner, product manager for Digital Sound System 80 at Microsoft. "With multimedia developers using positional sounds and other audio effects to add drama and realism to games, music and simulations, good speakers become increasingly important to enjoying everyday computing."

Microsoft is applying its experience in designing innovative hardware products to help create a new category: high-quality, high-fidelity digital PC sound. Microsoft combines its expertise with Philips Electronics, a recognized leader in digital audio and USB technology, to design its best-in-class PC audio system. The pairing gives Microsoft exclusive use of Philips' patented wOOx subwoofer technology, which provides Microsoft Digital Sound System 80 with maximum bass response and a smooth, rich sound, whether using an analog or a digital signal.

Full digital audio is possible in PCs for the first time, thanks to USB, a two-way communications link that lets users connect devices to PCs without reconfiguring any software. USB will be enabled on a wide variety of new and existing computers next month with the scheduled release of Windows 98. Microsoft Digital Sound System 80 uses USB to pull digital audio signals directly from the Internet, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs or audio CDs and converts them to analog sound in the subwoofer, rather than through a sound card inside the PC. This diminishes potential noise pollution from the PC and greatly enhances PC sound quality

john i love the dust
you remember what the system sold for back in the day ?
i total forgot thaat microsoft tryed getting into the computer speaker market !

I'm running onboard sound with the same speakers I've had for nearly the past 9 years. Monsoon Planar Media 7, a 2.1 speaker system.

Onbard sound with Bose Companion 3 speaker system. Love it .