Onboard audio vs. USB speakers

[86technie]

For bookshelf speaker I prefer the Edifier R1280DBs but I sold mine cuz
I needed more bass so went for Logitech Z407 2.1 instead.
Either of these speaker are decent and don't cost that much.

Studio monitors like JBL LSR305’s they are good speakers but it depends on the source
as well as your audio setup. Recommend is use USB sound interface/audio interface than connect
VIA TRS cable.

I know some is use conversion cable to connect onboard audio to the JBL speaker but you won't
make full use of it as in studio environment such speaker are setup using either USB sound interface
or mixer.

Swee Lee have outlet you can try/listen to their setup.

https://www.sweelee.com.sg/products/focusrite-scarlett-solo-3rd-generation

 

[wwenze]

Lol I just sold those. Sound was not impressive coming from JBL LSR305’s then before that was using the Presonus EriS 4.5 and Mackie CR4s. All of which were excellent except for the ilouds. Was very disappointed after all the reviews I read

So pebble better than iLoud?

 

[Gymrat76]

So pebble better than iLoud?

No of course I’m not saying that.. I sold the iLouds cos I wasn’t happy with the sound. Then decided to just go for simple and small (and cheap) rather than to go for another monitor

 

[Gymrat76]

For bookshelf speaker I prefer the Edifier R1280DBs but I sold mine cuz
I needed more bass so went for Logitech Z407 2.1 instead.
Either of these speaker are decent and don't cost that much.

Studio monitors like JBL LSR305’s they are good speakers but it depends on the source
as well as your audio setup. Recommend is use USB sound interface/audio interface than connect
VIA TRS cable.

I know some is use conversion cable to connect onboard audio to the JBL speaker but you won't
make full use of it as in studio environment such speaker are setup using either USB sound interface
or mixer.

Swee Lee have outlet you can try/listen to their setup.

https://www.sweelee.com.sg/products/focusrite-scarlett-solo-3rd-generationI had dedicated external DAC

I was using them via USB interface to an external DAC (m2Tec Young). Couldn’t complain about the sound, they sounded excellent

for the iLouds I was using it also via a DAC (JD Labs Atom DAC+) via USB as well

 

[Entry Level PC]

lucky moi low ses therefore use low ses IEM no such problem.
speakers are a rich man hobby.

 

[watzup_ken]

For bookshelf speaker I prefer the Edifier R1280DBs but I sold mine cuz
I needed more bass so went for Logitech Z407 2.1 instead.
Either of these speaker are decent and don't cost that much.

I used the Logitech Z407 twice and I sold it off. Sound quality wise, I think it is good. But the deal breaker for me is that very loud start up sound that you cannot disable nor adjust the volume. Its loud especially at night when it is quieter, and I certainly don't want to wake my kids up when I turn on the speakers.

For me, I went with the Edifier G2000. Was considering the bigger speakers, but I don't have a lot of height clearance under my monitor. They are compact, yet very powerful. Its more expensive than the Pebble, but I think it is worth the price. Its got a startup sound as well but it is a lot softer and I believe is based on the volume you set, unlike the Z407 where the startup sound is very loud and quite shocking if you are not expecting it.

 

[kimsix]

I was using them via USB interface to an external DAC (m2Tec Young). Couldn’t complain about the sound, they sounded excellent

for the iLouds I was using it also via a DAC (JD Labs Atom DAC+) via USB as well

interested to hear why you no like iloud? highly rated....was it too plasticky sounding?

for asus supremefx audio, so far i got gd experience, they tuned it better than other onboard, can switch between usb and let us know which better for chiu?

 

[Gymrat76]

I used the Logitech Z407 twice and I sold it off. Sound quality wise, I think it is good. But the deal breaker for me is that very loud start up sound that you cannot disable nor adjust the volume. Its loud especially at night when it is quieter, and I certainly don't want to wake my kids up when I turn on the speakers.

For me, I went with the Edifier G2000. Was considering the bigger speakers, but I don't have a lot of height clearance under my monitor. They are compact, yet very powerful. Its more expensive than the Pebble, but I think it is worth the price. Its got a startup sound as well but it is a lot softer and I believe is based on the volume you set, unlike the Z407 where the startup sound is very loud and quite shocking if you are not expecting it.

Thanks, the G2000's look quite interesting though from reviews I've looked at, the startup sounds are quite tacky.. I'll take a listen when I'm at SLS next time as they look to be close in size to the Pebbles and can fit under my speakers.

 

[Gymrat76]

interested to hear why you no like iloud? highly rated....was it too plasticky sounding?

for asus supremefx audio, so far i got gd experience, they tuned it better than other onboard, can switch between usb and let us know which better for chiu?

Out the box (with the DAC connected), they sounded off, highs were a little flat, mids were a little jarring. Had to use the EQ to dial up the highs and to moderate the mids. My friend who's in the professional audio industry also dropped by to listen and winced when he first heard them. Not pleasing to the ear compared to the monitors I used previously. All music played were FLAC so not a source issue as well. One thing that struck me was the amount of bass it produced, a good thump for something so small, but not deep and full (nor would you expect it from such small drivers - there's no replacement for displacement!)

Sadly, my Pebbles only have USB so no way to try the onboard audit.

 

[Phen8210]

Out the box (with the DAC connected), they sounded off, highs were a little flat, mids were a little jarring. Had to use the EQ to dial up the highs and to moderate the mids. My friend who's in the professional audio industry also dropped by to listen and winced when he first heard them. Not pleasing to the ear compared to the monitors I used previously. All music played were FLAC so not a source issue as well. One thing that struck me was the amount of bass it produced, a good thump for something so small, but not deep and full (nor would you expect it from such small drivers - there's no replacement for displacement!)

Sadly, my Pebbles only have USB so no way to try the onboard audit.

pebbles got aux in, its on your right speaker.

 

[Gymrat76]

pebbles got aux in, its on your right speaker.

Oh you're right! lol I'll go dig up a cable later to try

 

[Entry Level PC]

Oh you're right! lol I'll go dig up a cable later to try

Update us which one sound better.
3.5mm or USB.

 

[watzup_ken]

Thanks, the G2000's look quite interesting though from reviews I've looked at, the startup sounds are quite tacky.. I'll take a listen when I'm at SLS next time as they look to be close in size to the Pebbles and can fit under my speakers.

To me, the startup and shutdown sound is acceptable because they are very short, and the sound level varies according to what you set in your normal usage. So if you keep the volume low, the sound it makes at start and shutdown will sync up. Not the case with the Logitech Z407. Sound quality wise, I feel Edifier makes good quality and sounding speakers. But of course, the lower the range, we will need to adjust our expectations accordingly. Having used mine for quite some time, I have to say I like it.

 

[86technie]

I used the Logitech Z407 twice and I sold it off. Sound quality wise, I think it is good. But the deal breaker for me is that very loud start up sound that you cannot disable nor adjust the volume. Its loud especially at night when it is quieter, and I certainly don't want to wake my kids up when I turn on the speakers.

For me, I went with the Edifier G2000. Was considering the bigger speakers, but I don't have a lot of height clearance under my monitor. They are compact, yet very powerful. Its more expensive than the Pebble, but I think it is worth the price. Its got a startup sound as well but it is a lot softer and I believe is based on the volume you set, unlike the Z407 where the startup sound is very loud and quite shocking if you are not expecting it.

I also agree that Logitech Z407 startup sound is annoying especially in the night.
Anyway for me is either Edifier R1280DBs or the Logitech Z407.
The Edifier G2000 I was tempted to try but given it's size compare with R1280DBs.

R1280DBs will definitely sound better than the G2000.

 

[watzup_ken]

I also agree that Logitech Z407 startup sound is annoying especially in the night.
Anyway for me is either Edifier R1280DBs or the Logitech Z407.
The Edifier G2000 I was tempted to try but given it's size compare with R1280DBs.

R1280DBs will definitely sound better than the G2000.

That was one of my consideration but it was too tall for my setup. So I finally decided on the G2000.

 

[Phen8210]

Oh you're right! lol I'll go dig up a cable later to try

The digital in only can 16-bit 48KHz, so the built-in DAC isn't that good. Might get better SQ.

 

[wwenze]

They do perform pretty well for something without a tweeter

But then again they're almost the same price... just a tiny bit cheaper

 

[Entry Level PC]

The G2000

They do perform pretty well for something without a tweeter

But then again they're almost the same price... just a tiny bit cheaper

R1280 has better Bass
G2000 has better Treble
But R1280 also can adjust the Bass and Treble right?

 

[Phen8210]

The G2000


R1280 has better Bass
G2000 has better Treble
But R1280 also can adjust the Bass and Treble right?

More quantity doesn't mean that it's better.

Yeah, the R1280DB has a bass and treble knob, also in a completely different league.

I used pebble v3, G2000, and I'm sticking with the R1280DBs.

Want to upgrade but most of the speakers that are a noticeable upgrade to the R1280DBs are larger and that is as much room as I have. Has anyone got a recommendation?

 

[wwenze]

The G2000


R1280 has better Bass
G2000 has better Treble
But R1280 also can adjust the Bass and Treble right?

It's not "better treble", this isn't a scoring system where higher is better

In a frequency response graph, the flatter the better. So G2000 has too much treble and will "sound bright".

Bass is R1280 better in the sense that it extends flat lower.

Also what the smoothed graph doesn't show is that with full-range woofers trying to reproduce treble, the upper frequencies will go haywire. (It will spike up and down as it resonates due to cone breakup). But this is the price you're paying for not having a tweeter. Due to space. And also because of the budget for RGB lights maybe.