- Joined
- Sep 16, 2012
- Messages
- 182
- Motherboard
- Asus Z390M-Pro TUF Gaming
- CPU
- i5-9400
- Graphics
- RX 5600 xt
Need Advice - Audio Setup For my New Hack . . .
*** WARNING!!! *** NOOB ALERT!!! ***
When it comes to building computers, it's not problem. I can build any kind pretty much with my eyes closed and 1 arm tied behind my back . . . OK, I might need both arms . . . but when it comes to audio equipment, I'm mostly a noob.
So, I'm looking for suggestions on an audio setup for a Hackintosh I'll be building soon. I've pretty much decided on a Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 mobo that has an ALC1150 sound chip. I've decided I'll be using the mobo's TOSLINK connection running out to whatever audio setup I finally decide on (TOSLink is best audio connection because of the optical cable I believe, no?) I'm such an audio noob.
Some back story: I previously had a set of Logitech Z906 speakers, but sold them about 6 months ago since I'd been unemployed. Loved those speakers, and I bought them based mostly on NewEgg reviews and because they were expensive (if they're expensive, they must be good).
I've started working again recently, so I'm building up ye olde bank account, and trying to keep any computer hardware purchases affordable (though I prefer higher-end parts of coarse). So, as far as quality audio for the Hack, if I can get something good for about $150, awesome, but I might go as high as $350. I initially thought about the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 setup for $150 (Great rep of Klipsch, but ruled those out since they don't support TOSLink). So, what next:
*** Still undecided about a 2.1 4.1 or 5.1 Setup ***
*** Depending on amount of speaker wire I want to deal with ***
Option 1 (pricey): Will getting a standard audio receiver (Harmon Kardon, Denon, Yamaha, etc.) work, running the TOSLink cable from the mobo to the receiver - and if so, this is probably overkill & expensive once I add a good Subwoofer and at least 2 Speakers. At this point I might as well get another set of Logitech Z906's for $350.
Option 2 (affordable): Ditch the TOSLink idea (which I really like) and settle for the $150 Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's
Option 3 (more affordable?): This setup I found in post#8 by our own neihart seems interesting and fairly low-cost: http://www.tonymacx86.com/polls/154328-what-speakers-do-you-use.html#post965833 - Would I be able to connect a subwoofer to the Lepai amp neil mentions in addition to speakers. Hopefully neilhart will find this post and chime in on the sound quality of his setup.
Option 4: I'm open to any and all recommendations.
As far as usage, I'm not an audiophile, but I think I'm pretty good at determining what doesn't sound good to my ears. I want to have clear, strong, distortion-free audio when I play games and listen to music (about 50% of the time total between the two when I use a Hack), but I'm also considering getting into audio programs like ProTools or Logic Pro X - but I'm sure that would be a totally different discussion.
PS: What specs should I look for when it comes to speakers & subs?
Speakers: Impedance, lower is better I'm assuming? Frequency response, broadest range as possible?
Subs: Power in watts, what else? This seems like a good sub, right? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-subwoofer-black/5086873.p?id=1218610014537&skuId=5086873
*** WARNING!!! *** NOOB ALERT!!! ***
When it comes to building computers, it's not problem. I can build any kind pretty much with my eyes closed and 1 arm tied behind my back . . . OK, I might need both arms . . . but when it comes to audio equipment, I'm mostly a noob.
So, I'm looking for suggestions on an audio setup for a Hackintosh I'll be building soon. I've pretty much decided on a Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 mobo that has an ALC1150 sound chip. I've decided I'll be using the mobo's TOSLINK connection running out to whatever audio setup I finally decide on (TOSLink is best audio connection because of the optical cable I believe, no?) I'm such an audio noob.
Some back story: I previously had a set of Logitech Z906 speakers, but sold them about 6 months ago since I'd been unemployed. Loved those speakers, and I bought them based mostly on NewEgg reviews and because they were expensive (if they're expensive, they must be good).
I've started working again recently, so I'm building up ye olde bank account, and trying to keep any computer hardware purchases affordable (though I prefer higher-end parts of coarse). So, as far as quality audio for the Hack, if I can get something good for about $150, awesome, but I might go as high as $350. I initially thought about the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 setup for $150 (Great rep of Klipsch, but ruled those out since they don't support TOSLink). So, what next:
*** Still undecided about a 2.1 4.1 or 5.1 Setup ***
*** Depending on amount of speaker wire I want to deal with ***
Option 1 (pricey): Will getting a standard audio receiver (Harmon Kardon, Denon, Yamaha, etc.) work, running the TOSLink cable from the mobo to the receiver - and if so, this is probably overkill & expensive once I add a good Subwoofer and at least 2 Speakers. At this point I might as well get another set of Logitech Z906's for $350.
Option 2 (affordable): Ditch the TOSLink idea (which I really like) and settle for the $150 Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's
Option 3 (more affordable?): This setup I found in post#8 by our own neihart seems interesting and fairly low-cost: http://www.tonymacx86.com/polls/154328-what-speakers-do-you-use.html#post965833 - Would I be able to connect a subwoofer to the Lepai amp neil mentions in addition to speakers. Hopefully neilhart will find this post and chime in on the sound quality of his setup.
Option 4: I'm open to any and all recommendations.
As far as usage, I'm not an audiophile, but I think I'm pretty good at determining what doesn't sound good to my ears. I want to have clear, strong, distortion-free audio when I play games and listen to music (about 50% of the time total between the two when I use a Hack), but I'm also considering getting into audio programs like ProTools or Logic Pro X - but I'm sure that would be a totally different discussion.
PS: What specs should I look for when it comes to speakers & subs?
Speakers: Impedance, lower is better I'm assuming? Frequency response, broadest range as possible?
Subs: Power in watts, what else? This seems like a good sub, right? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-subwoofer-black/5086873.p?id=1218610014537&skuId=5086873