Sub $100 Speakers

[rnatalli]

I've decided to get my 10-year-old nephew a decent stereo for his room. He's taken up the trumpet and I want to get him some good classical and jazz cd's. He absolutely loves music. I'm looking a simple pair of bookshelf speakers. They will be paired up to a stereo Onkyo receiver most likely (don't know anything about these low-end receivers, any suggestions would be appreciated). Here are a few I already have in mind:

Athena
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASB1.2

Mission
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/470133100030c3302740ac1003410582/Product/View/2191

Boston Acoustics
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=33513

Acoustic Research
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539

His room is tiny like 7x8 and speakers not needing a sub would be great. The Athena's are known for putting out decent bass and the ones above are spec'd to about 58Hz. The BA's are spec'd at 80Hz, the Missions 68Hz, and AR's to 40Hz. Any other speakers people can throw out there? Thanks!

 

[Joe Schmoe]

How is going from a regular price of $100 to a sale price of $99.95 a $60 savings? In my book, that is a $.05 savings!
Aside from that, the Athenas do offer good bang/buck.

 

[Seth=L]

I have to put my vote for the Athenas. You could conceivably get the Teac CR-H220 (in my sig) which has enough power to drive the Athenas to pretty good levels of output. The Teac CR-H220 has three audio inputs/two loops, a subwoofer out, and binding post terminals. The Teac could be had on Ebay for less than $80 and offers the simplicity of having the CD player built in. I am using the Teac in my living room with some BIC towers and a subwoofer and it goes as loud as I care to listen and runs very cool.

In the three months or so that I have had it I have had no problems what so ever, no clipping, no protection activation, no extreme heat issues, no CD read errors. Everthing has worked excellent. The quality of construction is better than pictures indicate and should last your nephew some time.

This isn't to say the Sherwood or Onkyo receivers wouldn't stand the test of time. I just think the Teac is more fitting given the situation (based on your nephew's age and so forth) and not only that, it should be something he can continue to use for quite some time.

 

[rnatalli]

Thanks for the replies. I decided to give the Mission m70's a shot as they're only $69 and Mission doesn't make a crap speaker. I'll post my thoughts on them once they arrive.

 

[ZoFo]

Can you go up $25?

If so Audio Advisor has the Athena F-1.2's Floorstanders on sale for $125 - a really great deal! I had the origional F-1's and their 8" woofer will give you plenty of bass without a sub, even for movies. I also had the F-2's with dual 8" woofers and prefered the F-1's over them. For $25 more then the bookshelfs I would go for these but the B1.2 is also a nice speaker and would be my pick of the lot if you want to stay with bookshelfs. Also remember that you will probably need stands for bookshelfs and Audio Advisor has the Energy CST stands on sale for $29 a pair - regulary $125 which is what I paid for them! This stand was made for Athena's sister-company Energy Connoisseur series of speakers but works and looks great with this line of Athenas.

 

[Seth=L]

The M70's appear to be well regarded at even it's low retail price, good luck, I hope your nephew can appreciate a nice sound system like that, I know I would have at that age (oh how I longed to have a nice little stereo at that age).

Those Missions would look nice with the Teac IMO. (I know, I am pushing it.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/TEAC-CR-H220-HI-FI-FM-STEREO-TUNER-RECEIVER-CD-PLAYER_W0QQitemZ320143410905QQcmdZViewItem

Total price, after shipping, comes to $70 (rounded up)

Contrary to what the seller says, the remote does not control bass, treble, balance, and dimming features, they are unit accessible only. I purchased mine from this seller and it came well packaged) factory repack (it is refurbished) and it comes with remote control, manual, and antenna (am/fm).

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You are a good Uncle...

 

[rnatalli]

You are a good Uncle...

Why thank you sir

 

[zhimbo]

I hope your nephew can appreciate a nice sound system like that, I know I would have at that age .

Even if he doesn't *consciously* appreciate it, it's important to expose people to non-crap, so as they grow they start to expect non-crap. It's like a vaccination against crap.

Crap crap crappity crap. Thought I'd fit "crap" in a few more times.

 

[jinjuku]

How about the Polk R300's for $98 plus around $18 to ship? No way Mission M70's are going out do the 300's.

 

[Seth=L]

How about the Polk R300's for $98 plus around $18 to ship? No way Mission M70's are going out do the 300's.

He already purchased the Missions, moving forward.

 

[j_garcia]

The AS-B1.2 should be a good speaker. I had the B1s for a whlile from AudioAdvisor and they were a suprisingly good speaker for under $100. Not the best speakers out there, but I don't have a problem recommending them.

I have to say the Polk R line really aren't that great. I'd call them average at best and even for that price, I wouldn't put them too high on a list if it wasn't for the pricing.

Let us know how the Missions sound if you get a chance.

 

[rnatalli]

I've always felt Polks were overrated a tad, but that's my opinion. I'll definitely post some feedback on the Missions when they arrive. They're already on their way from PA and I'm in MA so should only take a couple of days.

 

[Seth=L]

I've always felt Polks were overrated a tad, but that's my opinion. I'll definitely post some feedback on the Missions when they arrive. They're already on their way from PA and I'm in MA so should only take a couple of days.

So, what have you looked at so far for receivers/amplification?

 

[rnatalli]

So, what have you looked at so far for receivers/amplification?

Teac, Onkyo, and Sherwood. $100 receivers really, nothing special.

 

[zumbo]

Teac, Onkyo, and Sherwood. $100 receivers really, nothing special.

Looking like Onkyo is the best bang for the buck at the moment.

 

[rnatalli]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36107

I posted a review of the Missions and several other speakers I've messed with.

 

[jcPanny]

Athena bookshelf speakers

The Athenas put out good sound for the money. I started with a pair of the the ASB1.1 bookshelf speakers and still use them in the garage. Something like the AV123 X-ls speakers would provide more bass, but they are out of your price range.