Reddit reviews Hosa HOS CPR203 CPR-203 Dual 1/4 inch TS to Dual RCA Stereo Interconnect Cable, 9.8 feet

These are the definitive budget studio monitors over on /r/BudgetAudiophile. I have the lsr308s and wish I got these. The 308s are fuckin huge! But they have the same sound as the 305s just with... more power. I keep my 308s dialed at 4/10 volume and then adjust with my ampdac.

Don't use adapter cables for these. Use high quality direct cables because I got nasty hiss/feedback when using adapters and even direct cables that were cheap. I believe I ended up with these and they're decent. I still get some feedback but that seems dependant on which power socket I used. Using a crowded socket or having my cables run near a bunch of other cables seems to make it worse.

> Looking for the best sound $400 can buy, for music.

If you want the best sound money can buy, you're not looking for 2.1. I can't stress this enough - even if you DIY it, getting a good sub is easily going to cost $400 alone. And even if you do stretch your budget, to accomodate for a sub, a 2.0 system will sound more coherent, and be far easier to live with. Plus, with good speakers, you are not really going to miss a sub.

In your price bracket, and with active speakers as a requirement, you are effectively looking at studio monitors.

I am curious about your intended use - is it primarily when seated in front of a computer?

First Emotiva AirMotiv 4 - Review here - you will need stands for these, bringing the total up to about $400 - stands can either be DIY-ed from a bit of PVC pipe and a few pieces of wood in about an afternoon for about $40, or bought from anything between $50-80.

What kind of stands you will need, and their height will vary with the answer to the question above about intended use. If you primarily intend to use it in front of a computer, then a pair of stands placed on the desk (10-12 in), or taller floor stands (40-45 in) is the correct height. If you plan on enjoying music from the couch, then floor stands of 28-32 inches are the right option. Assuming what you need is for near-field office desk use, here is a decent pair of stands (And are the same stands as in my next item

KRK Rokit RP6 - bundle with stands. If you hang around any music or producer forum, many authors will have these as their go-to budget recommendation, and they are well-liked across the board.

If you don't already have it, both proposals need a 2xRCA to 2x1/4 TS cable, like this

For reference, I use neither of my two recommendations as my near-field budget monitors - the M-Audio BX5 D2 are what I use, and if you would rather get away with less than $400, they are pretty terrific. Also, differing prices in Norway, and in the case of the Emotivas, prohibitive shipping costs, makes the value propositions somewhat different - a kit with the KRK's and floor stands are $650 here, while I got my BX-5's for $300. With this being my secondary system, I'm personally not willing to spend much more than I did, until I feel I can splurge and get myself a pair of Genelec 8040A.

Final note: Yes, these are all classified as "studio monitors", and there is an ages-old misconception that studio monitors aren't good for casual listening. As noted, that is a misconception - studio monitors work exceptionally well, even for casual listening.

The JBL LSR305 expects line level inputs via balanced XLR or 1/4" TRS connector.

The SVS SB12-NSD expects line level inputs via stereo RCA connectors, and can pass through line-level and high-pass outputs via stereo RCA connectors.

The AT-LP60 has phono and line outs through stereo RCA connectors.

Your laptop probably has a 1/8" stereo TRS connector.

Working backwards from your JBL, you can use a stereo 1/4" TS to RCA cable to connect the speakers to the line or low-pass RCA outputs on the SVS. Check your JBL manual to ensure that a 1/4" TS cable will not cause issues in its TRS jack. An alternative is to use an RCA to TRS cable.

In order to switch your signal source between your computer and your turntable, you'll need an RCA source selector. You can also use stereo receiver or pre-amplifier with source selection.

In order to get your computer's audio output from its line out to the splitter or receiver, you'll need a 3.5mm to RCA splitter cable. That cable will also work for a Coaxial SPDIF digital signal if you go with a receiver, and both the receiver and computer support Coaxial SPDIF. Your computer and the receiver may also support a SPDIF over TOSLINK, for which you'll need a TOSLINK cable. Note that TOSLINK cables and jacks come in two physically incompatible connectors.

The turntable can plug directly into the source selector.

The above Amazon links are to examples of cables and devices you could use with the relevant connectors. You could spend a lot more or less on each cable or device with different brands, colors, etc.

The LSR305s need a balanced mono input on the TRS jack. You have a stereo TRS to dual mono breakout cable. You need something like this.

This

Use both L and R input on MG06.

TS (6.5mm, 1/4") to RCA, and here

Yes, using adapters like this or this you can connect them to unbalanced sources using 3.5mm TRS or RCA respectively.

Get a RCA to TS (1/4") cable like this one.

You can also use adapters like these to use with a regular RCA cable, but they are often problematic and the proper cable is useful enough on its own.

The Cloudlifter would be a complete waste of money here and many people use them where they aren't needed.

The bad news here is that Behringer's classic mixers are just plain garbage. End of story. Good for seeing how high it will bounce when being thrown off the roof of a building though.

I would go so far as to say you shouldn't even look at mixers at all unless you're playing an instrument like a guitar in addition to using the mic. You mix where your sources are, so on a gaming PC you need to mix in software on the PC, not in some external box that you need to setup loopback on. The type of software mixer you're looking for is Voicemeeter.

Behringer's "HD" audio interfaces, however, are pretty decent on the cheap. I just wouldn't touch anything less than the $60 UMC202HD though.

At the end of the day, a 2-input/2-output USB audio interface like the Behringer UMC202HD is all you need. I wouldn't bother with an external hardware mixer at all. It's just not needed. If you want to spend a bit more on a nicer interface, Tascam, Roland, and Zoom are worth looking at. Just don't buy Focusrite Scarlett as their Windows 10 drivers are straight-up broken and won't be fixed any time soon.

Get a decent mic arm like the On Stage MBS5000, plug one end of the XLR cable into the SM58, then the other end into your audio interface, e.g. UMC202HD. Plug your speakers and headphone into the interface. Done. That's all you need. You don't even need a foam ball as a vocal dynamic like that SM58 has a built-in pop filter foam behind it's screw-on head. You can stop using your motherboard's onboard audio entirely too. Maybe do an isolation mic clip if you're feeling fancy.

Remember you need a mic arm as putting your mic on the desk is too far away from your mouth and the mic will pick up more keyboard, mouse, and room noise than it will of your voice.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BWM5E8C

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ZO60I

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QHURUBE

Some adapters you might need, maybe, depending on how your PC speakers are setup:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010D0HO0

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000068O3S

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000068O18

All you need is a bunch of cables like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/HosaTech-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18. Plug them from your synths into the CD or Line inputs. No need to over complicate anything. Good luck!

As for the JBLs, don't stress over the TRS inputs; that isn't actually a different signal, just a different connector. You just buy a cable like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18

Sorry if this is a silly question but would upgrading the Modi just allow it to do the same thing as my current modi but also act as a pre amp? Can you recommend a decent set of speaker stands?

I ordered the pre amp so we got that down.
Now I just want to make sure I've got it straight.
I need these cables for the speakers and these cables for the pre amp

One last question is how do I connect the stack to each other as the Modi 2 and Magni 2 only have one spot where you can plug in RCA cables and they run into each other. Would I just unplug the amp when I want to use my speakers?

Here you go

Please edit your post and remove the Zeos amazon affiliate links. Regular Amazon links are fine. Anything that has a "tag=" is a money-making affiliate link.

Also, I would say pick up a pair of JBL LSR305 speakers. They will sound much better and you can adjust their volume levels independently. They have amps built in already. Just purchase a pair of RCA to TRS/TS cables like these to connect them to the TV. You can use the same TV remote to control volume.

Wow you are so helpful, thank you.

So I think I've found a way that will work that involves less pieces. I cross posted this question in r/iphone here. The comments led me to this potential set up:

From my XDJ-RX's dual 1/4 TRS output, I'm going to have this male TS to male RCA cable going into the RCA input ports on the Behringer UCA202 (or UCA222), and then I will have that plug into the Apple Camera Connection Kit via USB, and then that goes into my phone. And THAT should get me a stereo signal.

Does that sound right to you? I'm like 95% sure that plugging two TS plugs into two TRS jacks (on the XDJ-RX) will only reduce the connection to unbalanced, but keep it stereo.

But it's good to know that if this setup doesn't work, the one that you suggested will. Finally this is all starting to make sense!

I had some serious trouble finding a back-facing shot, and the specifications on tascam's website arent very specific, but according to this image: http://forum.ixbt.com/post.cgi?id=attach:90:1520:0:1 it looks like a RCA output (I have one on my behringer) and if so, the cheapest would be something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18 I got a similar product at guitar center and it works fine. There are also boxes you can get to balance the signal from the unbalanced RCA, but if you're on a budget, it should be fine.

Edit: also. This http://estaticos2.milanuncios.com/fg/1975/16/otros-instrumentos-musicales/Tarjeta-sonido-TASCAM-US-144-197516878_4.jpg definitely looks like an RCA

I guess the first question is what's the game audio source? Are you using a console or are you emulating on the PC?

I assume if you have a console you're using some kind of capture device so the game content can get to your PC.

If that's the case you have to split off the audio before you hit your capture box and go into the mixer. The red and white RCAs would probably be the quickest solution so get 2 f-f RCA splitters and then a dual RCA - TRS cable and patch into the line in or aux ins on your console.

If you're capturing over HDMI you might have to experiment and see if the console will also output audio seperately over the RCA jacks or if your capture box can split the audio from the signal. HDMI audio stripping is a pain in the ass and the boxes that do it cost money.

If you're emulating on the streaming PC you're much better off continuing to software mix. You could get a software mixer and then an interface to break out of the PC to run back into the mixer but that's going to add noise and cost more money than you need to spend.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000068O18/ref=dp_cerb_1

This one looks decent

Cool, thanks again. I ordered the Modi 2 uber, Asgard 2, LSR305, and this RCA to TS cable (said it would work for TRS. I could not find a true RCA to TRS cable).

Something like this is your most likely cable.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000068O18?cache=b9657fc9ba86e8895988aae84f36842e&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1407371123&sr=8-11#ref=mp_s_a_1_11

shit. just realized it is 2 cables for stereo sound lol.

would these cables work? I am in the US and have prime.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O18/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

thanks for the help.

For the sub you'll just need 1 coaxial RCA cable out from the receiver (Like what I linked below for the Fiio).

One coaxial cable for the DAC into the receiver, Like this cable

and two RCA to 1/4 TRS cable for the receiver to the JBLs, Like this cable

If you already have the JBLs hooked up via the Fiio you should already have those last two cables.

I can find only fragments of the other thread you're referring to, but the TS-to-RCA cable is legit. It's not an adapter or coupler or anything like that. It certainly won't be the best connection option, but again, it works (it wouldn't damage the audio interface or the speaker), and it would cost far less than a pair of new monitors.

I looked at those speakers you have (or had). They're these? Those are more like bookshelf speakers, not active studio monitors. And $400 for the pair? You can do better than that for less money.

The JBL 305P monitors are another popular choice. They cost $150 each, and taxes/shipping could push the cost of the pair past your $300 budget. But both the Presonus and JBL monitors are fine choices.

I think your problem is with using TRS cables. You need to use unbalanced mono TS cables like these: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18

Also, not sure about using an external audio effect. I just create a new audio track and make sure input 1&2 are selected from the interface to give you a stereo signal from the 404.

Thanks for your response. So if i want stereo i need to have two cables, right? Can i use this TS (MicroKorg L/R) to RCA (my interface) cables? https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18

You can use a y-splitter to the inputs of the LSR-305 and the sub at the same time. Don't bother using a balanced XLR or TRS cable fro this as the RCA will short one of the balanced sides to ground.

What are you using as your source? If it's an RCA source, then these splitters with this cable would work. Then you just need an RCA cable like this to connect your sub to the splitter.

you can always get a cheap TRS to RCA cable

I'm trying to connect a pair of JBL 305 powered monitors and an SVS PB-2000 sub to a simple 3.5mm laptop. I've tried researching on my own but I have no idea how the RCA inputs are supposed to connect together.

I imagine I would connect these to connect the speakers to the sub, and then these to go from the sub to my laptop?

The SVS PB-2000 has both RCA ins and outs, so this should be possible, correct?

It depends on the DJ mixer, but it'll probably be dual RCA outputs (two mono channels (Left and Right) to make Stereo). So you'll probably need a dual RCA to dual 1/4" to record the two channels, like this.

Yeah, monitor out jacks aren't going to provide significant power. Most monitors are self powered (have a built in amplifier) in fact.

Computer multimedia speakers will work, but I really feel like you'll be disappointed in and poorly served by their performance.

I'm sorry it doesn't save you much cabling, but the very least expensive but reasonable sound you can get would be an inexpensive tripath amp (Lepai 2020a+ can occasionally be found for ~20$) and a pair of inexpensive speakers, like the Dayton B652-airs (around 60$, sometimes a little less).

Though I guess since you're legitimately considering a portable mono-speaker, you really won't mind, so I'll redeem my post by linking what I believe to be the kind of adapter need if you want to stick with the computer speakers: http://smile.amazon.com/Hosa-YMP-434-Female-8-Inch-Breakout/dp/B0010D0HO0

And here's the one that's best if you end up getting an amp: http://smile.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CPR203-Dual-Inch/dp/B000068O18

After some more looking around I think that i have settled on getting this tv, Focusrite, digital from tv to focusrite, and these cables to the JBLs. I believe this will be a pretty solid setup, I made sure the tv is compatible and has the digital out. Unless anyone has other options or input that would be better I think ill be set with this. Based heavily on this review on amazon.

edit: after some more looking around im wondering if its worth getting the focusrite 2i2 for balanced outputs

/u/sb0k has some really good info!

To add to that... Something like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 would work great. It even comes with software (Pro Tools and Ableton) that would work just fine. You will need 2 RCA to 1/4" TS cables to connect the tape deck to the interface. The interface comes with the USB needed to connect to the computer. The software will recognize the inputs of the interface when you go to record. You will need to use the 2 inputs for stereo audio (L+R=2).

The interface is capable or recording at over 3x the resolution of CD audio. This will be more than you would ever need in terms of file quality. The actual sound quality will be dictated by whatever tape deck you find. But for the most part, you shouldn't have a problem finding something that will work well.

[THIS](https://www.amazon.co.uk/HosaTech-CPR-203-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464704538&sr=8-1&keywords=1%2F4+to+rca
) will connect them.

Alright, thanks! Would something like this work? (Maybe there's a better quality brand I should look into?) http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CPR203-Dual-Inch/dp/B000068O18/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1408054622&sr=1-1&keywords=TS+to+RCA

Also, if you don't mind me adding onto the question, I'd like to try my best to milk my DAC/Amp for as much as possible. Would you recommend going for something better than the Magni and/or replacing my DAC in the future if I want the most out of my sound? Thanks again.