Cheap but nice shelf system

[manther]

Not a big audio-holic, but huge music fan. Want to put together my own smart combination of inexpensive components to make a nice sounding shelf system.

I have too many hobbies, and just don't have a ton of time to spend researching audio stuff to put together this system.

Was hoping to find a decent forum and see if a couple people who knew what they were talking about could give me a no-brainer "buy speakers X, and receiver Y..." Etc.

Just have two real requirements:

Want to be able to feed audio in from my iphone

And want to be able to accept audio from my sharp aquious tv.

Doesn't have to be super loud. Would like a clear room filling sound. Hoping to get this done for <$500.

If I'm in the wrong place just let me know.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Not a big audio-holic, but huge music fan. Want to put together my own smart combination of inexpensive components to make a nice sounding shelf system.

I have too many hobbies, and just don't have a ton of time to spend researching audio stuff to put together this system.

Was hoping to find a decent forum and see if a couple people who knew what they were talking about could give me a no-brainer "buy speakers X, and receiver Y..." Etc.

Just have two real requirements:

Want to be able to feed audio in from my iphone

And want to be able to accept audio from my sharp aquious tv.

Doesn't have to be super loud. Would like a clear room filling sound. Hoping to get this done for <$500.

If I'm in the wrong place just let me know.

Relax. You are in the right place.

Few Questions:
* How big is the room and is it open to other rooms?
* Are there any speakers external appearance considerations (aka size, design) or just sound quality is important.
* What type of music you usualy listen to?
* Any plans to watch movies (dvd, blueray) using this system? is so what's the percentage (50/50 or 90/10?)

 

[yepimonfire]

another question to ask is do you want multi-channel or two channel? how much do you care about bass?

 

[manther]

Relax. You are in the right place.

Few Questions:
* How big is the room and is it open to other rooms?
* Are there any speakers external appearance considerations (aka size, design) or just sound quality is important.
* What type of music you usualy listen to?
* Any plans to watch movies (dvd, blueray) using this system? is so what's the percentage (50/50 or 90/10?)

cool, OK:
*It's 20x40-ish (guess without measuring) vaulted ceilings.
*sound quality is paramount, but not a big fan of all black.
*acoustic/folk, indie, classic country, hip-hop, jazz, blues, punk
*would like to port tv sound, hadn't thought about dvd/blueray but might leave my options open. 75%music 25%sporting events

 

[manther]

another question to ask is do you want multi-channel or two channel? how much do you care about bass?

I'm sorry, I don't understand this subject well enough to give you a well thought out answer.

*Edit, Oh also about bass. I want a decent amount of bass for a nice full sound, but not interested in perusing a ton. Maybe the ability to add a bass speaker later on would be good.

 

[Seth=L]

http://www.orangechimp.com/_e/Audio_Receivers/product/DR-H300/product.aspx?pf_id=DR-H300

Built in DVD player, very well designed, has dedicated subwoofer output so you can add a powered subwoofer at a later time. It's very compact and pictures don't do it justice.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm afraid bookshelf speakers in the huge space you have it might not be enough to have " clear room filling sound" especcially for sport events...
My suggestion is to expand your horizon to tower speakers:
You could find good deals on Infinity Primus P362 Towers - http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-P362-Floor-Individually/dp/tech-data/B000LKC372/ref=de_a_smtd

or the Klipsch RF-10. Both powerful enough to fill your room nicely even with Teac mentioned, however both would benefit from something a bit stronger like this one: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTX8555/Onkyo/TX-8555-100-watts-2-channel-Stereo-Receiver/1.html

 

[yepimonfire]

the infinity's would be my suggestion, they are bass capable and cheap enough to not go to much over 500.

 

[lsiberian]

On you budget I suggest you shop the used market.

Infinity has some deals on ebay sometimes. The Panasonic HE receivers are a great deal for a used lost cost receiver.

 

[manther]

OK cool. I need to take a picture of the room. I have a large coffee table under my wall mounted sharp. I was hoping to put the speakers on it. Don't mind if they are bigger than the typical bookshelf speakers. But, now that I think about it, it would be nice to stay away from the floor speakers. I have a 4 year old, and they will get knocked over. That teac receiver looks nice and compact. Is 50 per channel a little on the underpowered side? (It does have a dvd/cd player). That onkyo receiver seems nice, and seems to have a little more power for less money.

 

[yepimonfire]

if you get bookshelf speakers you will need a sub.

 

[manther]

Would like to buy this weekend. interested in any ideas for speakers for that Onkyo.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Would like to buy this weekend. interested in any ideas for speakers for that Onkyo.

Onkyo TX-8555 - $190
Behringer 2030p - $108
Dayton Sub-120 - $155
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTX8555/Onkyo/TX-8555-100-watts-2-channel-Stereo-Receiver/1.html
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321847-REG/Behringer_B2030P_B2030P_2_Way_Passive.html

However, I still would to say - you'll be much better off with towers I mention before...

 

[manther]

Let me show those towers to the wife (they look nice), and see what she thinks about the space they'd take up.


Question on those towers...

They say 100w to 200w
and the receiver says 100w
Is the receiver going to provide the correct amount of power?


*Edit, I just re-read it. The speakers say "max" 200w

 

[manther]

What about a floor speaker that is not so tall and skinny? We're about to have another baby too. It'll be a war zone.


I read a review of the onkyo tx-8555, where someone was very happy using klipsch rb61 speakers. Much more expensive though.

 

[manther]

This seems cool

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=ONKDSA3

 

[riker1384]

This seems cool

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=ONKDSA3

Apple's dock only costs $50 and probably has better compatibility, although you'll have to use the Apple remote with it rather than the Onkyo receiver's remote.

 

[manther]

Just went and listened to shelf speakers, vs. floor speakers. Will probably get the infinities suggested. Wife doesn't care about floor speakers, and I can probably find a way to secure them from babies.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Just went and listened to shelf speakers, vs. floor speakers. Will probably get the infinities suggested. Wife doesn't care about floor speakers, and I can probably find a way to secure them from babies.

Attaboy, I'm glad you decided to listed to reason and once you are ready you might be interested to know these p362 towers with few easy fixes could really shine (Search these forums for WmAx suggestions)

 

[manther]

Haha, cool. You mean like filling then with cat litter and stuff?