Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
sholling
7
Nov 13, 2017
I owned a set of these 15 years ago when they were the best $150 computer speakers on the market. The bass was a little boomy back then but I've read that the bass unit has been improved a lot over the years and if so they'd make a great choice for gaming or even music computer speakers. The downside is that because the satellites are so small they have a very high crossover frequency (the point of transition of the sound source from the bass unit to the satellites and back) and as a result you'll hear a shift in the source. Even so these will still make someone great computer gaming speakers and pop/rock music computer speakers and are a real bargain at $120. Audiophiles with a lot more money would probably happier with KRK Rokit 6G3 ($300/pr) or JBL LSR305 ($260/pr) studio monitors.
Avey2017
11
Nov 18, 2017
shollingIf I get the JBL will I need a subwoofer? What else do I need?
sholling
7
Nov 18, 2017
Avey2017It depends on your setup and what you need them for. The LSR305s have a frequency response of 43-24,000Hz which if you are sitting close is plenty low enough for most rock and jazz. If you want lots of bass at higher volume or are into electronic dance music, subsonic organ music, or first person shooters with a ton of deep bass then I'd want a subwoofer. That will require a separate subwoofer out with a crossover, For that I have a Soundblaster Omni 5.1 USB sound card which includes a software crossover.
Avey2017
11
Nov 18, 2017
shollingWill I still need the Soundblaster if I have a dac and amp? What's a good subwoofer to go with the JBLs? Something that really kicks
sholling
7
Nov 19, 2017
Avey2017That all depends on your DAC. If your DAC has a subwoofer-out then pretty much any sub will work. If not you'll need one of the few subs designed to work with powered speakers. That means that sub with have both RCA (or 1/4") line-in and RCA (or 1/4") line-out ports. I've included a photo with the ports that you'll need. TRS is just a 1/4" jack like you probably have on your DAC. Note, I have never heard this sub and the reviews are mixed. You might be better off with a budget 2.1 or 5.1 sound card (internal or external).
As for what else you'll need to connect the JBLs to your DAC/amp you'll need a cable(s) to adapt the output (3.5mm, 1/4", or RCA outputs) to the 1/4" TRS jacks on the speakers.
search
Sub choice will depend on how you plan to use this setup and if you have a subwoofer port on your DAC. If you are filling a small living room the BIC F12 ($220) is kind of the gold standard for cheapy subs but it's a bit big to put next to a desk and it requires a subwoofer output on your DAC.