Best reasonably priced audio system

[Zay]

Hey guys

I really am a huge noob to all this, so I really don't know the amount of money it takes to get what I am looking for. But I am not rich so please try and keep the prices lower.

I am looking for an audio system to put in my room. I will be putting mainly dubstep and rap through it so great bass is a must. I just want an affordable, very good sounding (for the price, of course) system with great bass.

Thank you for the help

Zay

 

[markw]

You go first. Specify a price range.

Remember, "very good sounding with great bass" is not cheap.

 

[Zay]

You go first. Specify a price range.

Remember, "very good sounding with great bass" is not cheap.

$750-1000

Thanks

Zay

 

[Haoleb]

Regardless of the other advice you get in this thread, keep this piece of it in mind.. Buy USED. Go on your local craigslist and keep an eye out. In almost any location good stuff comes up for cheap, the trick is knowing what is crap and what is actually a good deal. Your bang for buck is going to be significantly increased this way. Plenty of people are going to tell you "buy this, I have it and it is the greatest thing ever conceived or buy that it is better than something costing 1000x more" But, Like i said, You can get one hell of a system for 750-1000 dollars on the used market if you are patient.

 

[shadyJ]

I don't think he necessarily has to resort to used on $1k for a decent two channel system. A surround sound system would be a different story though.
Here is one decent system for $2k that will rock with bass heavy electronic music:
Behringer 2030p monitors, pair: $180
Klipsch RW-12d, pair: $600
Onkyo TX-8050 stereo receiver: $240

That system is all new and only goes over his budget by $20, and it would be killer for dubstep and rap.

 

[markw]

Next question: Are you looking for a basic music oriented 2.1 system or a full-blown 5.1 system? You get more bang for the bick with the former: There are three less speakers involved.

 

[Zay]

Next question: Are you looking for a basic music oriented 2.1 system or a full-blown 5.1 system? You get more bang for the bick with the former: There are three less speakers involved.

I will only really be using it for music, so basic music oriented is fine for me. In the system posted above, I noticed he said to get two subs. Why is this? Does it make the bass that much more powerful? Sorry I'm totally new to all this.

Thanks again


Zay

 

[Zay]

Sorry for the double post, but I just noticed the frequency response of those subs only go up to 120hz, what would happen if I put 150-200hz through them?

Edit: I feel stupid, the other speakers have subs too

 

[markw]

Sorry for the double post, but I just noticed the frequency response of those subs only go up to 120hz, what would happen if I put 150-200hz through them?

Edit: I feel stupid, the other speakers have subs too

Don't worry about those specs. Subs are supposed to do only low bass, say from 80 - 100 hz down. Your main speakers will takeover from where they let off.

As for two subs, it can be an advantage in large rooms, but with your budget, I question it's inclusion here. Plus, I'd rather one great sub than two mediocre ones.

Since good subs can cost money, and our tastes lean towards a bass heavy music, I'll shoot for the upper range of your budget. I'll dole out most of that to the sub and try to keep the rest in line.

I'd start with a Denon 697[/u] STEREO receiver for $250. Yes, it's not five channel but it is a fine, powerful two channel unit with enough features to satisfy anyone. Oh, it's refurbished but many of us, including myself, have had exceptional luck with this place. ...and it's normally $600.

As for your mai speakers, a pair of Sony SP-FS52 speakers should serve you quite well. They have had quite a it of really, really good reviews here lately and I've heard their little brothers. I was impressed. Please note this price is for each speaker, not a pair.

Now for the sub. This is where I'm putting most of your money. Yes there are cheaper ones out there but with subs, you get what you pay for. I'd recommend either the Hsu VTF-1] or one of the SVS 100 series subwoofers. For your tastes, I'd probably go for the PB-1000 since it goes louder. All three subs come in around $500 but with either of these (and the rest of this system) you'll have some truly impressive 2 channel sound.

All this would set you back about grand.

If you want to come in lower, Accessories4less has a Denon 397 for $150 and there's a BIC F-12 subwoofer that sounds better than any $200 sub has any right to sound, but it's still a far cry from those Hsu/SVS subs. I'd stick with those main speakers, though. That shaves about $400 off my original system.

Good luck.

Just my opinion.

 

[shadyJ]

I will only really be using it for music, so basic music oriented is fine for me. In the system posted above, I noticed he said to get two subs. Why is this? Does it make the bass that much more powerful? Sorry I'm totally new to all this.

Thanks again


Zay

The reason I say to go with two subs is because, with good placement, they will sound a lot more even than a single sub. It isn't about loudness so much as it is about making everything sound even. A single sub in a room is bound to run into acoustic problems, such as nulls and peaks. In one part of the room the bass can sound boomy and exaggerated, and in another part it might sound like its barely on- even when it is running at full throttle. And the bass itself can sound uneven, some notes will be too loud and others can be too soft. Two properly placed subs can go a long way to eliminating this. But yes, it does help with loudness as well, with a miniumum of a 3 dB increase in headroom, but likely more than that. And not only that, but at normal listening levels the bass will sound a lot better too, because the sub will only need 1/4 as much power to play as loudly as a single sub, which means a huge drop in distortion levels.

 

[shadyJ]

Don't worry about those specs. Subs are supposed to do only low bass, say from 80 - 100 hz down. Your main speakers will takeover from where they let off.

As for two subs, it can be an advantage in large rooms, but with your budget, I question it's inclusion here. Plus, I'd rather one great sub than two mediocre ones.

Since good subs can cost money, and our tastes lean towards a bass heavy music, I'll shoot for the upper range of your budget. I'll dole out most of that to the sub and try to keep the rest in line.

I'd start with a Denon 697[/u] STEREO receiver for $250. Yes, it's not five channel but it is a fine, powerful two channel unit with enough features to satisfy anyone. Oh, it's refurbished but many of us, including myself, have had exceptional luck with this place. ...and it's normally $600.

As for your mai speakers, a pair of Sony SP-FS52 speakers should serve you quite well. They have had quite a it of really, really good reviews here lately and I've heard their little brothers. I was impressed. Please note this price is for each speaker, not a pair.

Now for the sub. This is where I'm putting most of your money. Yes there are cheaper ones out there but with subs, you get what you pay for. I'd recommend either the Hsu VTF-1] or one of the SVS 100 series subwoofers. For your tastes, I'd probably go for the PB-1000 since it goes louder. All three subs come in around $500 but with either of these (and the rest of this system) you'll have some truly impressive 2 channel sound.

All this would set you back about grand.

If you want to come in lower, Accessories4less has a Denon 397 for $150 and there's a BIC F-12 subwoofer that sounds better than any $200 sub has any right to sound, but it's still a far cry from those Hsu/SVS subs. I'd stick with those main speakers, though. That shaves about $400 off my original system.

Good luck.

Just my opinion.

Mark, you mean Pioneer, not Sony speakers. I would stay far away from Sony speakers as well. Also, for dubstep and hip hop, a single Klipsch RW-12d would own the smaller Hsu or SVS subs. Two RW-12ds would dominate without question. There is also some B-stock Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX subs available for $600 shipped. That thing would take out a RW-12d easy, and it would pound the 10" SVS and Hsu subs so badly that they would be begging for mercy at a point where the Outlaw would just barely be waking up.

 

[Zay]

Wow, thanks for the help guys

Would two mediocre (for my price range) subs be better than one of the subs markw recommended? Right now I think I'm leaning towards one sub, as if I do run into acoustic troubles I can always reposition the sub.

Also, markw, I'm just clarifying here but did you mean to link to those pioneer speakers, as you said they're Sony.

Thanks again

Zay

EDIT: just saw most recent post. Alright then, I'd like to have some input from markw still, but two subs may be the way to go.

 

[markw]

You are correct. I did mean Pioneer. Thanks for catching that one. When I went to Amazon, so many Sony speakers popped up first it stucj in my head.

Hsu and SVS subs will do everything well.

 

[Zay]

Alright, thanks for the help. I have one last question.

As long as the stereo receiver has the necessities, what really is the difference between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones?

Thanks again

Zay

 

[shadyJ]

As for stereo receivers, the more expensive ones will simply have more features, and stuff like more inputs and digital connectivity. Sound quality wise it won't make a real difference. What are you hooking this system up to and how is it going to be connected?

 

[Zay]

It would be most convenient if I could just put a 3.5mm jack into it, as I have plenty of 3.5mm cables. And I have all my music on my phone and laptop. I have a quarter inch adapter though, if that matters.

 

[shadyJ]

Most 1/8" audio jacks on computers are terrible, just terrible. They suffer from all kinds of noise and electronic interference. I would strongly urge you to buy an audio interface with a clean signal output. This Behringer USB audio interface is only $30 but has some clean RCA jacks and would be welll worth it for you. Here's a $60 Lexicon that has 1/4" jacks which would work great as well. If you are going to drop $1k on a stereo, at the very least make sure its fidelity isn't bottle necked by the source player, ie your computer.

 

[Zay]

Most 1/8" audio jacks on computers are terrible, just terrible. They suffer from all kinds of noise and electronic interference. I would strongly urge you to buy an audio interface with a clean signal output. This Behringer USB audio interface is only $30 but has some clean RCA jacks and would be welll worth it for you. Here's a $60 Lexicon that has 1/4" jacks which would work great as well. If you are going to drop $1k on a stereo, at the very least make sure its fidelity isn't bottle necked by the source player, ie your computer.

Alright, thanks.

I live in Canada so I won't be able to get the receiver mentioned previously, as it only ships inside US. So could one of you recommend a good stereo receiver around $200. I honestly think I'm going to go with one sub just because it's my first system and I'd just like simple as possible that works. Also, what is the reason for having two main speakers as opposed to one? Sorry for all the very noobish questions.

Thanks again,

Zay

 

[shadyJ]

I would look on ebay or craigslist for a receiver. The setup you are considering is very simple, and an older receiver will serve it nearly as well as a new one. Even an older surround sound receiver will work fine for a simple stereo system. I don't understand the question about two main speakers as opposed to one. Are you asking why speaker systems with two speakers are preferred over a mono system?