Hi, I would really appreciate if someone could help me out here, I've been going crazy looking for speakers. I want to have a 2.0 setup for my computer, and I also want to bypass the inbuilt DAC on the motherboard of my computer. I do not have a spare PCI slot, so the digital audio will have to leave via USB. Here's where I've hit a brick wall: the Audioengine A2+ is exactly what I am looking for, however, I can't justify the $300 (plus delivery) price tag for what it is.
So ideally I want some 2.0 speakers that have a USB audio input. failing that, maybe a USB soundcard hooked up to an analog input set of 2.0 speakers. Ideally this will cost less than $200. I am happy to buy used as well. Thanks!
OK. You might need a USB DAC. DAC = 'digital - analogue converter' — it turns digital signals and turns it into an analogue signal normal speakers can understand.
If you want something cheap, simple and portable there's this Creative USB DAC which is basically a USB dongle, great if you move around and don't have a lot of room.
If you got a bit more $ to spend try the ASUS Xonar USB sound cards, which are around $100 locally
http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=+ASUS+Sound…
and for a $109 delivered you can also get the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi USB amp
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Creative-Sound-Blaster-X-Fi-Surro…
As for speakers you can buy whatever is in your price range — I'm sure most bookcase speakers in the $200+ range should be quite sufficient, just look for the reviews.