Good quality sound on PC | Soundbar?

Vid6639 · 7th May 2021, 07:58

With work from home, I was listening to a lot more music when working. I have JBL studio monitors, 305p mkii which sound great but only when I use my Mac mini.

When I use the office laptop the sound just felt a bit lacking.

Went and ordered this DAC and wow what a difference it made. The advantage is it's got a volume control knob as well as USB-C. It also works as a headphone amp.

https://www.headphonezone.in/collect...-audio-zen-dac

deathwalkr · 7th May 2021, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Went and ordered this DAC and wow what a difference it made. The advantage is it's got a volume control knob as well as USB-C. It also works as a headphone amp.

https://www.headphonezone.in/collect...-audio-zen-dac

Had that on my wishlist for sometime but finally ended up buying the topping e30 thanks to help from a bhpian

Did you buy the power adapter as well? Apparently makes a world of difference when it's powered separately and not by usb.

Vid6639 · 7th May 2021, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Had that on my wishlist for sometime but finally ended up buying the topping e30 thanks to help from a bhpian

Did you buy the power adapter as well? Apparently makes a world of difference when it's powered separately and not by usb.

No I haven't got the low noise power supply. I didn't want clutter and the source of music was mainly spotify or youtube music. So decided to just try it as is.

Maybe when I get the itch next, will add the power supply. But this was an awesome lockdown investment.

I also tried the Topping E30 and it was good as well but the lack of volume control was a major irritant.

mukeshgoel · 7th May 2021, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by sridhu

LHS with the Creative SoundBlaster G3 DAC+Amp (Sound is good. Absolutely no regrets buying it. Perhaps paid 1k more)

Awesome. I also bought a pair of JBLs from Flipkart.

Are you sure your speakers placement is correct? Please check if your LHS speaker should go to RHS or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkObqRUvpRY

Or may be my speakers L/R got inverted in some software setting by mistake.

girishv · 9th May 2021, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639

When I use the office laptop the sound just felt a bit lacking.

Went and ordered this DAC and wow what a difference it made. The advantage is it's got a volume control knob as well as USB-C. It also works as a headphone amp.

https://www.headphonezone.in/collect...-audio-zen-dac

Bought JBL 104BT for little around 4k during recent Flipkart sale.

Having similar problem with all types of wired connection (mobile, mobile with quad DAC, mac book Pro mid 2012) , but sound over bluetooth is really good.

Sticking to BT for the time being.

Vid6639 · 9th May 2021, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by girishv

Bought JBL 104BT for little around 4k during recent Flipkart sale.

Having similar problem with all types of wired connection (mobile, mobile with quad DAC, mac book Pro mid 2012) , but sound over bluetooth is really good.

Sticking to BT for the time being.

How are you connecting to the 104BT? As in what input port.

On the 104BT the sound quality also slightly depends on the input source for wired. Here's what I found on the specs:

This means the input expected is +4dBu and doesn't internally attenuate. You need to be careful with this. Ths speaker becomes more sensitive and you can't use the full volume range. Use lower volume position.
1. 2 x 1/4-inch (6.5 mm) balanced (+4 dBu)

Used for consumer devices but SQ is not as good. Needs more volume on the speakers as well.
2. 2 x RCA (-10 dBV) -
3. 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) unbalanced (-10 dBV)

deathwalkr · 9th May 2021, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639

I also tried the Topping E30 and it was good as well but the lack of volume control was a major irritant.

I have a pair of powered speakers (edifier r2750db) which comes with a remote control and my keyboard has volume control right above the function keys so that's very convenient

girishv · 9th May 2021, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639

:
This means the input expected is +4dBu and doesn't internally attenuate. You need to be careful with this. Ths speaker becomes more sensitive and you can't use the full volume range. Use lower volume position.
1. 2 x 1/4-inch (6.5 mm) balanced (+4 dBu)

Used for consumer devices but SQ is not as good. Needs more volume on the speakers as well.
2. 2 x RCA (-10 dBV) -
3. 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) unbalanced (-10 dBV)

I used aux and then using provided 3.5mm to RCA splitter cable.

Sound was very low and dull with both cables on both mobile and MBP.

Vid6639 · 10th May 2021, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by girishv

I used aux and then using provided 3.5mm to RCA splitter cable.

Sound was very low and dull with both cables on both mobile and MBP.

Aha. that 3.5mm cable in the box is terrible!

Try this cable first then look at DAC if still not good.

https://www.amazon.in/Y-Cable-Splitt...dp/B00ZKM3S4S/

ottocycle · 10th May 2021, 17:35

Even for me the bluetooth sound is higher than TRS to RCA cable give in the box. I don't see much difference in clarity though.

sridhu · 10th May 2021, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mukeshgoel

Awesome. I also bought a pair of JBLs from Flipkart.

Are you sure your speakers placement is correct? Please check if your LHS speaker should go to RHS or not.

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=MkObqRUvpRY

Or may be my speakers L/R got inverted in some software setting by mistake.

I checked using audio test: LHS & RHS are correct. (Works with the youtube video you sent too. Thanks)

This is the recommended placement as per their user manual. See below

Good quality sound on PC | Soundbar?-jbl-spkr-placement.jpg

Vid6639 · 10th May 2021, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottocycle

Even for me the bluetooth sound is higher than TRS to RCA cable give in the box. I don't see much difference in clarity though.

Can you confirm the cable in the box is TRS to RCA or mini TRS to RCA.

Mini TRS is 3.5mm headphone plug and TRS is 1/4th inch.

As i mentioned you need the TRS 1/4 inch to 3.5mm if you want the speakers to be louder. The RCA input is attenuated input.

mukeshgoel · 10th May 2021, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by sridhu

I checked using audio test: LHS & RHS are correct.

I though your earlier post had master speaker on LHS whereas, as you rightly mentioned and posted pic, it should be on the RHS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sridhu

LHS with the Creative SoundBlaster G3 DAC+Amp

ottocycle · 11th May 2021, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Can you confirm the cable in the box is TRS to RCA or mini TRS to RCA.

Mini TRS is 3.5mm headphone plug and TRS is 1/4th inch.

As i mentioned you need the TRS 1/4 inch to 3.5mm if you want the speakers to be louder. The RCA input is attenuated input.

The cable in the box is mini TRS (3.5 mm) to RCA. The 3.5 mm end is directly plugged in motherboard.

sridhu · 3rd June 2021, 13:43

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RODosnW33s

This could help someone doing the same research

7th May 2021, 07:58	#61
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,762 Thanked: 43,828 Times View My Garage	Re: Good quality sound on PC \| Soundbar? With work from home, I was listening to a lot more music when working. I have JBL studio monitors, 305p mkii which sound great but only when I use my Mac mini. When I use the office laptop the sound just felt a bit lacking. Went and ordered this DAC and wow what a difference it made. The advantage is it's got a volume control knob as well as USB-C. It also works as a headphone amp. https://www.headphonezone.in/collect...-audio-zen-dac
	(1) Thanks

10th May 2021, 17:35	#70
ottocycle BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 527 Thanked: 697 Times	Re: Good quality sound on PC \| Soundbar? Even for me the bluetooth sound is higher than TRS to RCA cable give in the box. I don't see much difference in clarity though.
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