What to you all listen to music through? …or I should say what speakers? Any recommendations on a halfway decent PC sound system? Thinking of going with AudioEngine - definitely with a subwoofer. Anyone have experience with them?
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Depends on your room… what it is built off… size… etc.
I output through my MOTU into a pair of JBL 305P (JBL 305P MKII – Thomann Ireland)
Works for me… Had considered adding a woofer, but I don’t think I need one for my use case. 
Same for me, mixer into my JBL monitors. And yeah, no need for a sub, for either this or bass.
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This guy suggested me the 305s.
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ahh thats right 
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I don’t know what your budget is, but I like what I have a lot. I’ve been into audio for decades and have spent a ton of money on a bunch of different systems. My current setup is an RME Fireface UCX II audio interface and Focal (fo-CALL) Shape 65 powered monitors monitors, made here in France. They’re fantastic. Best sounding monitors I’ve ever had. I have used subs in the past, but the bass response for my Focals is so good, the I had to use their 3-band EQ to dial back the bass response 3 dB due to the small room and untreated walls. Thomann sells the Focals for 629 € each.
The only reason I have the RME interface is because of their excellent quality multiclient ASIO drivers. My previous interface, a PreSonus 1810c was great, but it’s ASIO driver, like most, was single client. RME interfaces are expensive, but worth it IMO. The BabyFace is about 60% of the price of the Fireface, but I don’t like its form factor. I needed to place my ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 port extender on top of it.
I highly recommend a good acoustic isolating speaker stand. I use the IsoAcoustics Aperta stands. They are height and tilt adjustable and come with 2 sets of vertical pipes, short and tall. I have ZERO resonance issues. Thomann sells the ISO-200 (perfect size for the Shape 65 monitors) for 169 € each.
Aperta isolating speaker stands
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If you are a Focal fan and need headphones for on the road: look no further than the Focal Bathys.
Those are truly the best (non-monitoring) headphones I ever had.
Focal has a lot of love for their products!
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Bookmarked!
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For the bass, I output from my mixer into my amp. For whatever it is that I’m playing against, I go from the heaphone jack on my laptop to a Marshall BT speaker. Nothing special here, it’s just like playing anything from Youtube or Apple music for this part. I just don’t want that going through my amp as well. When I’m recording a cover, I use the aux cable going to the bluetooth speaker to mix with headphones.
I use Yamaha NX-N500 speakers.
They use the exactly same speakers as their studio monitors HS-5, so also sound the same, but have an USB-in to use them directly with a PC, also have Bluetooth and support Yamaha Musiccast, so while working with my Laptop, I can play music on them from my smartphone or DLNA-server.
This can be a big ask,
In general I think a Presonus 4.5 should do the job well. It’s colored enough to be pleasing. My shed is acoustically treated to minimize bass traps but I usually don’t geek out on music with the speakers, simply too many variables. I do that on IEMs or headphones.
I also like the Fiio SP3 BT. I like this a lot very small and heavy with tons of connecting options. I bought 2 pairs from this seller, it turned out not only he’s local to me, he’s also work for Fiio. His house is the Authorized repair location. Just wait for the open box one. it’s much cheaper.
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This is a massive question and we need more information to provide good answers.
- What is your budget? (Target and upper limit.)
- What format and quality of music will you be listening to? (e.g. Streaming, CD, HD/UHD digital, record/cassette)
- What styles or genres will you mostly be listening to?
- Are you listening for enjoyment, or to mix/edit recordings? (Studio monitors sound different from Hi-Fi listening speakers.)
My setup for listening to classic rock, funk, and jazz primarily off of LPs is going to be very different from a studio setup for mixing electronica or metal from digital files.
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This is very important actually. Monitors like the JBLs that @Megatronpt and I use are primarily for accurate representation during mixing and music will definitely sound different through them. Be prepared to hear flaws in professional mixes you had never noticed before
Many consumer speakers boost the bass and treble a bit and leave the mids flat or a bit scooped - because that’s what modern music sounds good through.
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My target is $500 or under. I know it’s limiting but so it goes. The JBL’s or FiiO’s look like good options. I’m sure the Focal and Yammie’s are good but are more than I want to part with at present.
I’m listening for enjoyment. The PC tweeters I currently have are ok but not great.
By far most music would be HD/UHD digital. Maybe a little streaming.
Most music is Rock and Metal. Some Reggae, Classical, Motown now and then.
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The JBL305P’s will sound (by design) flat and clinical compared to conventional speakers, as would Yamaha HS5’s. This is their mission- they still sound great but you should try them first to see if monitors will work for you.
I have watched a few concerts here in my office with the 305s and I am very happy!
For sizing idea ( please ignore the chaos… we’re snowed in and I’m too bored to tidy up)
Monitors / Interface aren’t even pushed past 60% and I feel they are enough.
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Definitely plenty loud and plenty of bass response. Better bass response than Fender combo amps, in fact, despite the 5.5”/1” speakers. 160W into the pair goes a long way.
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It’s not even the budget for me. For a desktop, I just want something decent with good bass and that’s it. I have a HD 800s that only see outside the case a few hours a year. Blindfold me I couldn’t tell the difference between 800s and the Fiio FT3 350ohm.
On my desk is a pair of Eris 4.5BT. They are fine.
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At that kind of budget, your best bet is to do a bit more work to stretch your money. Buying used and/or building stuff out.
If you have a desktop PC, get a real soundcard. If you are using a laptop, get a decent DAC (Digital to Analog Converter).
I’d run that into a decent used amp off of your local FB market. Probably try to find decent speakers and sub there too.
I would strongly encourage stretching your money by buying and building a kit from Parts Express:
C-Note bookshelf speaker kit for $140.
Would pair decently well with - Workhorse powered 8" sub kit, $280.
Or get their 2.1 computer speaker and 6" sub kit. $300, and would negate the need for a standalone amp for the speakers.
Keep in mind that really is a computer speaker system to give you “good enough” sound reproduction for playing games and such. It will be decent sound. Better than what you’d get with a cheap Logitech setup. But the earlier option with bookshelf speakers and a solid 8"+ sub is going to be a massive improvement.
If the goal is to record something get an interface for it but otherwise I would not spend anything on a DAC or a soundcard or anything like that. Put the money into speakers. At the end of the day speakers and the room is what matters most.
I have “wasted” years on stupid audio gear. Not really buying much but trying to build all kinds of stuff. At the end of the day my favorite part of my current setup is my DSP and my mixer. DSP because I have bi-amped speakers and mixer because it’s nice to plug more stuff in.