Stereo Speakers. Need Help!

**Ralck** · 05-18-2005, 12:09 PM

Hello, I would like to buy a set of bookshelf stereo speakers to hook up to my computer along with a small pre-amp/amp setup. However, I don't really know much about this. My uncle told me to buy a pre-amp to control volume, hook this up to an amp so if I make it clip, the amp is clipping, not the speakers, and then get a set of good stereo speakers to hook up to the amp.
I also heard that I should be looking at RMS watts, not the watts that are listed, as these can be misleading. However, I don't know much more than that. I'm not looking for very high quality, just enough to produce good sound.
Does anyone have any tips for other features/specs I should look for? What would be good watts/RMS watts that I should be looking for to produce a good volume? Also, what would be some good brands to look into? Price is somewhat of a factor, as I don't want to spend much more than $200 if possible. My uncle suggested I go around to tag sales looking for cheap prices on pre-amps and amps to keep price down. Is this too risky?
A final question, as I have only really dealed with 2.0 computer speakers before this, should I buy a subwoffer and if so, what kind and how big?
Thank you for all your future responses,
Ralck

**Ralck** · 05-19-2005, 10:30 PM

Any websites that could explain this kind of stuff to me would be appreciated also.

ebackhus · 05-20-2005, 06:45 AM

No need to get that fancy. Most above average speaker systems are already pre-amped. Check out your local retailers, read reviews on websites (www.tomshardware.com, www.anandtech.com, etc) and then shop online when you're ready to buy so you get a good deal. My computer has a simple 2.1 setup attached and I'm quite pleased. The bass thumps and the satellites give me excellent mid and high range sound.

05-18-2005, 12:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Stereo Speakers. Need Help! Hello, I would like to buy a set of bookshelf stereo speakers to hook up to my computer along with a small pre-amp/amp setup. However, I don't really know much about this. My uncle told me to buy a pre-amp to control volume, hook this up to an amp so if I make it clip, the amp is clipping, not the speakers, and then get a set of good stereo speakers to hook up to the amp. I also heard that I should be looking at RMS watts, not the watts that are listed, as these can be misleading. However, I don't know much more than that. I'm not looking for very high quality, just enough to produce good sound. Does anyone have any tips for other features/specs I should look for? What would be good watts/RMS watts that I should be looking for to produce a good volume? Also, what would be some good brands to look into? Price is somewhat of a factor, as I don't want to spend much more than $200 if possible. My uncle suggested I go around to tag sales looking for cheap prices on pre-amps and amps to keep price down. Is this too risky? A final question, as I have only really dealed with 2.0 computer speakers before this, should I buy a subwoffer and if so, what kind and how big? Thank you for all your future responses, Ralck

05-20-2005, 06:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,937 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	No need to get that fancy. Most above average speaker systems are already pre-amped. Check out your local retailers, read reviews on websites (www.tomshardware.com, www.anandtech.com, etc) and then shop online when you're ready to buy so you get a good deal. My computer has a simple 2.1 setup attached and I'm quite pleased. The bass thumps and the satellites give me excellent mid and high range sound. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

05-19-2005, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Any websites that could explain this kind of stuff to me would be appreciated also.