Computer audio advice needed.
 

I have a computer system I built for processing aerial photography photo missions for my business. Total overkill for a home system, but like Tim Taylor more power is better. It runs the work stuff great.

It has a 3.10 GHz Intel Core i9 9960 CPU, 16 cores and 32 threads, 256 Gig of RAM, 14TB of Raid storage, and two 2 TB M.2 drives for the boot and work drives, and two high end NVIDIA video cards, hooked to my two monitors, and the main monitor is running at 3840x2160 resolution. All is well with that, and it is a fast system.

We have HBO with our cable package, and that gives me "Free" HBO Max. So I recently watched Man of Steel, and the visuals are great, but the audio pretty much sucks. The voices sound like they are whispering so if I crank up the volume the explosions and music are just overwhelming.

Right now I just have two typical computer speakers hooked into the little green audio output connector. For Pandora or even my CDs the sound is fine, and in fact great. When I try to watch a movie the audio just sucks. The motherboard audio had a S/PDIF optical port. Will that be a better option?

Any recommendations on a simple set of speakers with a center speakers for voice that can be adjusted to make the dialog understandable, and not blow me out when the explosions and music crank up. (You can guess I like romantic comedies ;) )

I know the sound directors for movies want the music and explosions to be insane loud, but I want to hear the dialog and not go deaf from the background music and sound effects.

Any suggestions?

Something to check, is there settings for audio, 2 channel and 5.1/7.1 surround? If so switch it to 2 channel.

JBL 305 powered mini monitors. Link below is price per each. Sometimes you can find them refurb for $100 ea.

JBL Professional Studio Monitor, Black, 5-Inch (305PMKII) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077N2GQXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QS2JSGMH355RJ6EF6KM7

These are absurdly good for $300/pr, free shipping, and returnable. Clear, detailed, not too directional, adequate bass (maybe not for movie explosions), loud enough for intended close distance from speaker to listener (not meant to fill a big room), and cheap. Switches in back to adjust highs and lows up/down by +/- 4 dB.

Overkill for ordinary computer speakers, but if you listen to music or watch movies with your computer, and have the room on your desk, I’d recommend. Wall mount also possible but they have a rear port so can’t be right up against wall. Will need adapter cables 3.5 mm to 1/4” since they don’t use USB, being monitors rather than computer speakers. No optical input, but an optical to analog converter only costs $25-50.