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[Deku Tree]

I am contemplating buying three of these Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE MINI-TOWER MONITOR's as front speakers. They seem to be highly rated, reviewed, and respected by Audiophiles on the internet...

So I am curious to ask what kind of speakers other people use, and what they think about their audio setup in regards to gaming?

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

 

[Ironmask]

my two cents: Audiophiles are music enthusiasts, they try to gather new experiences, emotions and that unlistened sound from music with the use of the highest technology available.

For gaming (or movies from what i personally think), you can do a pretty good job with way less expansive gear.

 

[archnemesis]

For my PC I use a pair of Logitech Z-10.
For my PS3 I use my Amphion Argon³ speakers.
For my Wii U and modded PS2 I just use the TV speakers.

I agree with the poster above. Having great speakers isn't as important when playing games.

 

[The Albatross]

I'm looking to get a decent Soundbar for my downstairs TV, although I think that I am locked into Samsung because I don't want to have to get another remote. Anybody have any luck with the newer model Samsung sound bar systems?

Also, my setup in my bedroom is an Onkyo 2.1 system which I love... but because there's no center channel, dialog can be VERY quiet and then loud scenes get super loud because I have to turn up the speakers to an insane level just to hear dialog. I'm constantly sitting ther with the remove adjusting the volume all the time... Anybody have any advice for this? I can add a center channel to the setup, do you think that would help?

 

[daninthemix]

A pair of Tannoy Sensys floorstanders. But I'm not an audiophile, although I was in the past with disastrous financial consequences.

 

[Quackula]

A long time ago I simply had a pair of KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors as my main gaming speakers.

Got rid of those a long time ago, wouldn't mind having them again. Those were nice.

 

[nib95]

For gaming I just use the Logiteck Z5500's. I have wanted to upgrade, but when I want real quality I just use my Beyerdynamic T1's hooked up to my Rein Audio X-DAC and O2 amp.

 

[Angelus Errare]

Spoiler

lmao, kidding

 

[Whiteshirt]

The first post is right. You don't need to spend a lot to get a very good home theatre system. Audiophile specific gear is probably the wrong route. Most of the hardware is obscenely priced and the benefits are not always as amazing as audiophiles and wank rags like What HiFi like to claim.

If you're looking to build a full system, I remember the Pioneer 5.1 speaker package that was designed by Andrew Jones being very, very good for the price. Match that up with some cheap 12 AWG speaker wire and a half decent home theatre receiver from Denon, Pioneer, or Yamaha and you've got a pretty good entry level home theatre system. The total price for everything, assuming you can even find the speaker package anymore, was around $800 USD when I last checked a year ago. Should do a perfectly fine job with music too if you put it into stereo mode.

 

[grendelrt]

I run Klipsch Reference series speakers, RF-62, RC-62, RS-42, and RW-10D of an Onkyo 809 receiver. Been very happy with the speakers. I use everything for movies, games, tv, and music.

 

[spadge]

Using a Onkyo SR-606, some cheap floorstanders for left and right, and a JBL kit for surrounds.

I'll agree having amazing speakers isn't necessary, but a decent AV receiver makes a big difference.

 

[pakkit]

I have Wireless Sennheiser headphones. I've owned them for 3 years and they haven't broken on me, despite a fair amount of usage. So good.

 

[Ban Puncher]

Protip - never blind buy speakers because of other people's recommendations.


Go to a proper speaker and home theatre specialist, not some big box bargain bullshit store, and listen to various brands and types in an optimal setting and where the staff know their ass from their elbow. If it sounds good and you can afford it without starving then go for it.


TVs, consoles and even receivers will come and go through technological advances but a good set of speakers can last you (almost) a lifetime.

 

[Chittagong]

Genelecs all the way. They are used by Bungie, Kojima productions / Platinum and many others to actually make game soundtracks. And unlike many monitors, they work great at home and don't break the bank.

Here's from Bungie's Destiny documentary, nothing like hearing it exactly the way Marty intended it to be heard:

Konami and Platinum used them for Metal Gear Rising

Remedy used them for Alan Wake:

Here's my living room 7.1 setup. 3 x Genelec 8040 in the front, 4 x Genelec 8020 in the back plus a Genelec 7050B sub.

Love my Genelecs.

 

[andregnreis]

Im thinking about buying a set of speakers for my bedroom, where I play my Xbox and Ps3. The problem is that I dont have a lot of space here, so Im probably going to buy a 2.1 set of speakers. Does anyone here have the Bose 2.1 Cinemate Series II to comment on them?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KY2OU8/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Thanks!

 

[Mercutio]

I think you can do much better with less money when you go headphones.

For the majority of my gaming, I use this:

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Headphone-Amplifier-Docking-Interface/dp/B0070UFMOW

In combination with a pair of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361719360&sr=1-1&keywords=Sennheiser+HD600

The Fiio is an absolute miracle for the price, and sounds nearly as good as the much more expensive dedicated DAC on my desk... and mates incredibly well with the HD600 when you set the gain high. The little thing has power to spare, and an equivalent amp / DAC a few years ago would have probably cost upwards of $500. You can use a few different inputs, either the optical (for best quality) that a PS3 or 360 has, or USB for your PC if it lacks optical. If you don't have any of those, a simple headphone 1/8" to 1/8" mini will do the trick to bypass the DAC and just get analog out.

The HD600 is an amazing headphone for the money, and still ranks VERY highly in current high end headphone comparisons, despite the comparatively affordable price. They're very neutral, so pretty much anything is going to work fantastically with it; they aren't just good at rock or jazz etc.

 

[thuway]

Out of print now, but Onix Rocket 550 MK2

Also for the night time gaming / listening to music when folks are home

 

[HolyBaikal]

I'd love to give recommendations.

But sadly I don't have much in the way of speakers myself. I mostly use headphones. And what I have are several various pairs of Sennheiser.

 

[Dipswitch]

For comfy couch gaming, I use my Cambridge Soundworks T500's, combined with a CS Center and Dipole Surrounds (Can't be arsed looking up their model numbers). Those are connected to my Onkyo TX-NR809 receiver.

For gaming at my desk, I use my Logitech Z5500 5.1 set.

 

[BibiMaghoo]

No speakers here, I just use this Sony headset on both PS3 and PC.

It's great, and saves me spending a couple hundred on a system I have no room for.

My partner uses a 5.1 home theatre system, an LG one. It's pretty sweet.

 

[Blood Diamonds]

TV speakers for consoles, lol.
earphones for handhelds.

 

[Gummifaust]

Love my Genelecs.

I guess a problem might be if the living room is quite large, considering that the Genelec are nearfield monitors...

 

[dmr87]

For the TV, Onkyo TX-NR609, Jamo S606 HCS 3. Nothing fancy but you want decent audio for your games and movies.

PC, HD650 and Asus Xonar Essence STX.

 

[bro1]

Definitive Mythos speakers with a SVS and a HSU sub (they sound great together) and Sennheisser 595 headphones for quiet times. Mainly a PC gamer.

 

[JoshHood]

Genelecs all the way. They are used by Bungie, Kojima productions / Platinum and many others to actually make game soundtracks. And unlike many monitors, they work great at home and don't break the bank.

Here's from Bungie's Destiny documentary, nothing like hearing it exactly the way Marty intended it to be heard:






Love my Genelecs.

Look freaking sweet. What model have you got?

 

[MCD]

Old HDMI Pioneer receiver + Harman Kardon speakers because the default Pioneer speakers were too huge so I bought the Harman's.

I also use Astro wireless mixamp with SteelSeries speakers sometimes. Some games are more fun with headphones.

 

[Chittagong]

I guess a problem might be if the living room is quite large, considering that the Genelec are nearfield monitors...

My distance to the sofa is about 3m, the wide angle lens might make it look a bit bigger

 

[Majanew]

I use BIC America's Acoustech. Love em. Powered by my Pioneer Elite 7.1 receiver.

 

[Chittagong]

Look freaking sweet. What model have you got?

Updated the post with my spec.

Also Genelec has just introduced a home speaker line of these exact speakers. The main differences are that it takes also RCA direct (no XLR convertor needed, but XLR is available too) plus it powers down when not in use:

http://www.genelec.com/products/g-four/

G Four = 8040, G Three = 8030 etc.

 

[Mupod]

I think you can do much better with less money when you go headphones.

For the majority of my gaming, I use this:

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Headphone-Amplifier-Docking-Interface/dp/B0070UFMOW

I use this in conjunction with the E09 it can dock into. It's the solution I was trying to find for years - I use it as my PC's soundcard and I run my 360's audio into the E17's optical port. I had no idea 360 games could sound so good.

I previously had a creative x-fi in my PC, but it had no optical input so I had to just use RCA cables + an adapter for my 360's sound. About a year ago though the damn sound card started causing hard freezes when playing games or watching videos. It would lock up my PC and cause a loud screeching through my headphones, then after a reboot I'd get these random 'overclocking failed' messages. Took me a hell of a lot of time and stress before I realized it was the sound card, took it out last June and I've been perfect since.

I'm pretty annoyed that the Wii U has no optical output, but the nice thing about the E17 is I can just undock it and plug in the Wii U gamepad's headphone output, since it's portable and all.

For headphones I have a pair of modded HD555s and some Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros. They are like, polar opposites in terms of sound so I swap between them often. The Beyers have some absolutely unbelievable bass, Hotline Miami is glorious with them.

 

[Deku Tree]

Here's my living room 7.1 setup. 3 x Genelec 8040 in the front, 4 x Genelec 8020 in the back plus a Genelec 7050B sub.

...

Love my Genelecs.

Where did you buy them? I realize that I am in the USA and you are in London, but a quick Google search revealed to me that prices for those things can vary quite a lot... Thanks!

 

[Aguirre]

on my pc:

 

[Chittagong]

Where did you buy them? I realize that I am in the USA and you are in London, but a quick Google search revealed to me that prices for those things can vary quite a lot...

I ordered mine from a third party vendor on Amazon, but searched all the price search machines through before concluding that they had the best price. You are right that the prices vary a lot.

8040s are about £730 / pc and 8020s about £280 /pc. The 7050B sub is about £750.

The good thing is that because they have been around for ages and are a studio standard the resell value is really good and the market is liquid, you can get up to 70-80% of retail price back if you have to sell them

 

[Robso]

I totally mis-read the first word in this title.

 

[Lion Heart]

A good subwoofer goes a long way.

I'm rocking a set of good energy speakers but my Rythmik sub really brings the action home. Playing battlefield especially, you feel the explosions and carnage, it's life a new game.

 

[Mercutio]

I use this in conjunction with the E09 it can dock into. It's the solution I was trying to find for years - I use it as my PC's soundcard and I run my 360's audio into the E17's optical port. I had no idea 360 games could sound so good.

I previously had a creative x-fi in my PC, but it had no optical input so I had to just use RCA cables + an adapter for my 360's sound. About a year ago though the damn sound card started causing hard freezes when playing games or watching videos. It would lock up my PC and cause a loud screeching through my headphones, then after a reboot I'd get these random 'overclocking failed' messages. Took me a hell of a lot of time and stress before I realized it was the sound card, took it out last June and I've been perfect since.

I'm pretty annoyed that the Wii U has no optical output, but the nice thing about the E17 is I can just undock it and plug in the Wii U gamepad's headphone output, since it's portable and all.

For headphones I have a pair of modded HD555s and some Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros. They are like, polar opposites in terms of sound so I swap between them often. The Beyers have some absolutely unbelievable bass, Hotline Miami is glorious with them.

The thing's stupid magical, right? I had an awful NuForce that managed to set itself on fire a few years ago... I think it was one of their first portable rechargables. Before that, I used a Headroom portable; that stupid plastic case picked up radio interference like CRAZY. Anywhere near a cell phone, forget about it.

I've been thinking about getting one of the big amp-dock things for it, since I use it so much at work.

I actually used it a lot at home as my main amp too... it was much better than the more expensive YuLong I had modded. Now that functions just as a DAC, and I built myself a Bottlehead Crack. Holy HELL, the Crack is unbelievable. I love how inexpensive high end headphone audio has become... I'm happier now with my YuLong - Crack - HD600 than I was years ago with whatever stupid impractical AKG K1000 setup I had. And that thing hurt my head.

 

[Lunchbox]

beats by dre

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

These are my speakers for my main setup:

And for my computer, I use Adam Audio A7Xs:

I don't have a subwoofer for either setup, though I'm planning on adding one after I move in a few months. And I'm probably going to be replacing the A7Xs, as well... not that they're bad or anything.

I also have a pair of Sennheiser HD650s around here somewhere, but I haven't used them in a long time because I fucking hate headphones. I don't like feeling tethered to something, and they mess up my stylish hair that I took so much time to mess up in the morning.

Anyway, I do like my setups. They're just stereo setups rather than full 5.1, but I'd much rather have a great stereo setup than a decent 5.1, especially when you consider that most games have pretty shoddy sound mixing anyway. Two solid speakers are more than capable of delivering crisp dialogue and enough bombast to make you shit yourself.

And I wouldn't concern yourself with how good a set of speakers is for games -- if it's good for music, it's good for everything. At the end of the day, what you should be looking for is something that produces the most accurate sound possible. While I haven't heard them, personally, I have heard good things about Ascend's speakers... though you're going to need to pair those with a sub, which entails another concern: you're gonna want to factor in the cost of a subwoofer. And unfortunately, subs are kinda pricey, unless you get some boomy piece of shit that's better relegated to some hoodrat's car. You don't want that! Neither do I. Again - the goal is accuracy, because you want the whole system to sound pristine.

So:

Speaker company recommendations for what I think is your price range: Ascend, Aperion, Monitor Audio, SVS

Subwoofer recommendations: SVS, Rythmik, possibly Emotiva

 

[Farslain]

No speakers for me these days, but excellent headphones.

I'm using the Turtle Beach DSS2 to power Sennheiser HD598's, having used a couple of audiophile systems over the years that are professionally calibrated I can see no benefit for me to go back to any level of speaker with the detail and positional audio granted by headphones.

Having said that, if gaming isn't the primary focus, dedicated speakers and amp is a great investment that will last you years, decades even. Blu ray/movies aren't so fun with headphones, speakers allow you to 'share' the experience more and music over headphones, while amazing, tethers you to one point, much nicer to fill a space with gorgeous sound.

So that's another vote for no speakers at all for pure gaming, from someone who's spent more than he ever should have on speakers and home cinema equipment over the years.

 

[fugimax]

I have some Audeze LCD-2's that I drive through my McIntosh setup. Coax from my PC through an AudioGD DAC into a McIntosh C15 PreAmp, then to the MC2105. I've also got some custom speakers from Meniscus Audio hooked up when I want things to really go boom.

But I also just picked up these Astro A50's which are wireless, have crazy range, and support surround, so I've been using them the last week or so and the convenience / mic are great.

 

[Ricker]

7.1 Paradimg speakers(4 tweeters,1 midrange and a subwoofer)...I have them for 7 years now,4 of them needed repairs but they where still under guarantee so it was all good,but now the guarantee is over so as soon as they break again,it will be time to shop around...I have a pretty basic Yamaha audio/video receiver to go with them.

 

[Wanny]

Still using my good old Z5500s that I bought years ago.

 

[tkscz]

For my PC, Logitech Surround sound z506 5.1 speakrs. My consoles use the TV.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/surround-sound-speaker-z506

 

[Gummifaust]

My distance to the sofa is about 3m, the wide angle lens might make it look a bit bigger

Does Genelec mention a max. distance?

 

[Jack_AG]

Eh. While many games feature uncompressed audio - many games use some type of lossy format like MP3. Its the equivalent of having a kick-ass system in a car then cranking the AM radio. No point.

Save the money.

 

[Chittagong]

Does Genelec mention a max. distance?

They have a table for studio monitoring use, I believe the optimum for these is around 2.1 - 2.3m. However given they are using the same speakers in their home series G Four, Genelec seem to believe they perform well on sofa distances too. One thing to note is that because they are monitors their sweet spot is more defined than in regular speakers, so you want to aim them carefully. You'll notice that in my older pics the FC is aiming towards the ceiling, that's obviously wrong. You want to aim them at your head.

 

[The Boat]

I have some Audeze LCD-2's that I drive through my McIntosh setup. Coax from my PC through an AudioGD DAC into a McIntosh C15 PreAmp, then to the MC2105. I've also got some custom speakers from Meniscus Audio hooked up when I want things to really go boom.

So fucking sexy.

 

[Necrovex]

For my PC:

For my portables:

I am currently searching for a setup for my console gaming though. I want a headphone that works for the PS3 and Wii U (and I guess 360, even though I barely use that console anymore).

 

[J_Ark]

+

 

[muu]

Got a set of Salk Veracity HT1-TL in custom veneer (it has since aged and gotten a LOT darker/richer in color), and an Epik Legend sub. The sub is an absolute steal for ~$400 when on sale. Love the speakers too.

Never heard of the speaker OP mentioned, but if it's gotten good reviews it probably really is. I'd say just go for it, worst case if you ever upgrade it can become your satellite speakers. If you can fit it in your budget a proper sub will take the experience much further, what with the overuse of explosions in games and everything. Most games don't have the best sounds so you don't necessarily need top-of-the-line everything, but more and more AAA games have incredible soundtracks and well-produced effects, so you'll definitely be rewarded with a better experience overall dropping money on the Ascend speakers. Going to the local stereo store and testing some of their setup (mix and bring your own test CD!) may give you a better perspective of what you can expect to gain.

LCD-2's that fugimax mentioned are probably the best headphones you can get unless you spend 10 times more for something that barely edges it out in most respects. It sounds phenomenal loud so as long as you can stand the weight and relatively strong grip, it's well worth the price of entry (1000 + another 100-200 for a decent chinese headphone amp). For 1/10 the price you can also get Audio-Technica ATH-M50's which IMO share a lot of its qualities, doesn't really require an amp and are also a bit more comfortable. They're rougher on the edges but if you've never listened to the LCD2's then you probably would never notice.

I'm looking to get a decent Soundbar for my downstairs TV, although I think that I am locked into Samsung because I don't want to have to get another remote. Anybody have any luck with the newer model Samsung sound bar systems?

Also, my setup in my bedroom is an Onkyo 2.1 system which I love... but because there's no center channel, dialog can be VERY quiet and then loud scenes get super loud because I have to turn up the speakers to an insane level just to hear dialog. I'm constantly sitting ther with the remove adjusting the volume all the time... Anybody have any advice for this? I can add a center channel to the setup, do you think that would help?

Center channel isn't the problem, that's the natural sound dynamics of the movie. If you're playing in stereo anything intended for "center" should be playing off both speakers. Depending on the grade of your receiver you may or may not have it, but look for "Dynamic EQ/Volume" settings on your receiver. If you set it to "mid" or "night" settings the dynamic range is compressed, setting the difference between loud scenes and quiet scenes closer together. You are compromising sound quality, but in an apartment setting it's either that, or constantly fiddling the volume knob like you've been doing.