Audio system recommendations

Sorry if I am re-posting an old conundrum, and I suspect I may be, but.....

Having routed a 5+1 surround sound system through a Yamaha amp taking an audio feed from the 3.5mm jack on my iMac, I am getting what i would describe as a slightly "muddy" sound compared to my AKG 702 headphones.
It seems a lot of people prefer to use Monitor Speakers without an amp, so my question is -
How can I improve the sound I am getting to be close to the headphone sound?
Do I need an Audio interface? If so, which one?
Would I be better with a pair of Behringer truth whatevers?
Would I still need a subwoofer?
How do I actually physically connect these components together?

OK - the lack of responses suggests to me I have asked too much, so let me simplify the question.......

in a 2.5 x 3.5 m room, using basic HW and St Annes organ through an iMac,
what would you recommend as optimal Audio interface and Studio monitors?

I can't make it simpler than that! - just looking for up to date opinions!

Hi,
For that small a room I personally would recommend one pair of Behringer B2031A's,or Similar studio monitors,
and a Sub that can "easily Produce at least 32 HZ" (16' Bass).
In your room you might be able to manage without the sub, at low volume levels.
(Forget about the 32' basses as 16 HZ, Requires huge speakers !)

Since we live in a condominium apartment,
I use my AKG K701 Headphones, most of the time anyway !

I have for occasions eight Behringer B2031A self powered monitors (four on each side),
and Built in a big 18" Sub, into the reinforced bottom of my 1925 WurliTzer Consoles back !

Cheers, Mel

By the way most Computer and Home Theater sound systems fall flat on their faces,
when trying to Produce The sound of a Pipe Organ.
"Try headphones first", they usually sound better than most speakers anyway"!
Cheers

Thanks, Mel - that's the sort of info and opinion I seek! I have a set of AKG 702 headphones and they are superb....but I do like to "let rip" when I have the house to myself!

I sort of wish I had bought the AKG 702's instead of the open 701's,
which I recently coated the surround mesh inside them with a substantial layer of Caulking to get stronger Bass !
Mel

OK - the lack of responses suggests to me I have asked too much, so let me simplify the question.......

in a 2.5 x 3.5 m room, using basic HW and St Annes organ through an iMac,
what would you recommend as optimal Audio interface and Studio monitors?

I can't make it simpler than that! - just looking for up to date opinions!

I would go for the Compound 30. Optimal sound performance for organ sounds. Also in a small space. Have a look at: http://www.compoundsound.nl/compound-30.html

I posted about these awhile back here >> viewtopic.php?f=17&t=14114 If you don't want to spend a bunch of money for starters you might want to take a look at one of them, should clear up the muddy sound quite nicely. Some here on the forum pointed out you can find them on e-bay etc. for considerably less than the new going price. In any case they're certainly reasonably inexpensive enough to try if you're just looking to clean up the sound for starters. I use a couple of them on my front channels, they have done the job for me and I won't run without them.

Marc

There are many Computer Sound output, Interface (boards)
for (?#) channels, that are recommended in Hauptwerk's PDF guide, But
I have also read that the "Mac's direct audio output",
"performs very well with Hauptwerk" if you can do with just a few audio output channels, go for it .
Mel

Decided on a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 and a pair of Yamaha HS7 monitors.
Many thanks to all who answered my request for suggestions.