Budget 2.1 system help

[WorldLeader]

Hey, this is a courtesy post for a friend, so please be nice

As a college student in a dorm my friend wants to step up from his tiny sat-sub PC speakers into a fuller and more bass driven system. The emphasis is on the bass, he loves my logitech z5500 sub (10" ported, should tell you something ) and always wants more. I told him he should probably save up his money and get an SVS, but he wasn't too sure.

Anyway, we need to find:

a) a simple receiver, probably a Yamaha or Denon off ebay (he buys lots of stuff off ebay)

b) A pair of good, cheap two-way speakers

c) A powerful subwoofer that won't disappoint

budget: $250-$300

DIY isn't out of the picture, but only if it would be totally worth it.


Thanks!

 

[Davidt1]

AV123 makes some high quality stuff. Take a look here at their b-stock page.

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=stock&brand=14

I have heard nothing but praises for the x-ls speakers and the x-sub. But even at b-stock prices, two x-ls speakers and an x-sub will exceed your friend's budget of $300. That's without a receiver. You might be able to find them used for less. But $300 is just not enough if he wants something he can be proud of.

 

[WmAx]

Hey, this is a courtesy post for a friend, so please be nice

As a college student in a dorm my friend wants to step up from his tiny sat-sub PC speakers into a fuller and more bass driven system. The emphasis is on the bass, he loves my logitech z5500 sub (10" ported, should tell you something ) and always wants more. I told him he should probably save up his money and get an SVS, but he wasn't too sure.

Anyway, we need to find:

a) a simple receiver, probably a Yamaha or Denon off ebay (he buys lots of stuff off ebay)

b) A pair of good, cheap two-way speakers

c) A powerful subwoofer that won't disappoint

budget: $250-$300

DIY isn't out of the picture, but only if it would be totally worth it.


Thanks!

It CAN be done. I promise you, this will make the best computer system set-up you have ever heard:

(1) Primus 150 speakers ($82 for a pair plus shipping right now on www.electronics-expo.com )

(2) 1980's reciever such as a stereo onkyo from ebay ($30-$40)

(3) Parts Express 12" self-amplified Dayton Home Theatre Subwoofer($120-$150)

This assumes your friend is using a sound card that has bass management abilities. If not, add the cost of such a card to the total.

-Chris

 

[WorldLeader]

Ok, so I put together a system that I think will work, even if the bookshelves aren't great.

Denon Stereo receiver ~$35 (Ebay)

Presidian 2-Way Book Shelf Speaker $39.99 (Radiocrap)

BASH DIGITAL SUB PLATE AMPLIFIER 300W $129 (PE)

18 inch High Power Woofer $52.00 (Mach 5 audio)

$256 before s&h

I would build the sub box and help wire it up, is it hard to build a sub?

Also, I saw WmAx's post with a speaker recommendation, so I'll look at those too.

 

[sholling]

I know it's not what he asked for but if it were me and dorm space being what it is I'd pick up a Klipsch ProMedia (not the GMX) 2.1 computer speaker system. This is a huge THX certified step up from any other 2.1 PC system. Or better yet the 5.1 ultra system. Both have plenty of bass, and in a dorm room the Ultra will make you deaf in no time. With the money he saves he could pick up an HDTV card and have a kicking little home theater

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-2-1.aspx

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-ultra-5-1.aspx

Ok if that just won't do, then you can pick up a used baby Velodyne VX-10 sub for about $100. He could pair them with a pair of Klipsch Quintet home theater satellites (basicly the same as the ProMedia sats) off of eBay for around $100.

 

[WorldLeader]

Ok, that made me smile- I looked at the Klipsch 2.1 system (which isn't bad at all, mind you) and I saw it had a 6.5" 'subwoofer' compared to the 18" driver in my haphazard system My logitech 5.1 system can easily make you deaf; I can't drive it past 60% without fear of my plaster ceiling falling in

He does have a nice little 20" HDTV, which we set up dual-screen with his Powerbook.

As far as music, he listens to a lot of rap junk, but I think inside he likes better bands such as The Fray and Lifehouse, so detail is still important.

The dorm is surprisingly carpeted with temporary squares, but the walls are still cinderblock. There are still lots of softer surfaces that should help with room acoustics.

 

[WmAx]

Seriously, it's an insult to the Infinity product I mentioned to even compare it to the Klispch Pro Media. I suggest to you a genuine hi-fi set up for a PC that is low cost. Review the measurements at Stereophile.com for the Primus 150. It measures better relative to known perceptual science than most home high-fi speakers, even at 4 or 5 times the cost. I have never seen measurements of a Pro Media, but I have heard those things and they sound like horribly resonant devices compared to any decent home hi-fi speaker.

-Chris

 

[mike c]

what a coincidence, im looking to replace my PC speakers ...
I'm leaning towards the Polk Audio Monitor 40 (infinity primus would be an option if it was as cheap here as there - or at least looked better)

I was looking for a cheap bookshelf with the lowest extension (extension to buck ratio)

 

[billnchristy]

There are X-LS and an X-SUB B-stocks listed at av123.com 174 for each.

Even new wouldnt be bad at just over $400.

From what I have read the X-Sub even though only being an 8" plays low and smooth.

I will have one thursday, will let you know friday how I feel.

 

[WmAx]

what a coincidence, im looking to replace my PC speakers ...
I'm leaning towards the Polk Audio Monitor 40 (infinity primus would be an option if it was as cheap here as there - or at least looked better)

I was looking for a cheap bookshelf with the lowest extension (extension to buck ratio)

I never recommend the Primus 150 without a subwoofer. I believe it to be a poor choice, used by itself. The Insignia speakers( even cheaper, at $35-$50 a pair depending on sale price status at bestbuy.com ) would make a good choice, but they are not magnetically shielded. There for you would probably need in the range of 2' for clearance from the monitor, if you have a CRT monitor. If you use a LCD monitor, then this is obviously irrelevant.

-Chris

 

[WorldLeader]

There are X-LS and an X-SUB B-stocks listed at av123.com 174 for each.

Even new wouldnt be bad at just over $400.

From what I have read the X-Sub even though only being an 8" plays low and smooth.

I will have one thursday, will let you know friday how I feel.

I would've liked to go with those, but the fact that he still doesn't have a receiver and cables adds to the price.

Also, I'm not sure why I thought an 18" driver was a good idea for a sealed box, but would it work? I'll probably search for a 12" or maybe a 15" driver if an 18"er needs a big enclosure.

 

[billnchristy]

I would say an 18" needs about 4-5 cu ft minimum, really depends on the sub.

 

[sholling]

I would've liked to go with those, but the fact that he still doesn't have a receiver and cables adds to the price.

Also, I'm not sure why I thought an 18" driver was a good idea for a sealed box, but would it work? I'll probably search for a 12" or maybe a 15" driver if an 18"er needs a big enclosure.

Speaker cables $10...
http://monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2748&seq=1&format=2&style=

 

[Sheep]

I would've liked to go with those, but the fact that he still doesn't have a receiver and cables adds to the price.

Also, I'm not sure why I thought an 18" driver was a good idea for a sealed box, but would it work? I'll probably search for a 12" or maybe a 15" driver if an 18"er needs a big enclosure.

Its going to be 18 by 18 on one side(minimum), so yes, it would be big.

I think you should go for Quality(for a certain $$) rather then Quantity(for a certain $$).

SheepStar

 

[WorldLeader]

Yeah, I would rather go for Soundsplitter (TC-Sounds) driver, but those are pricey! The Canadian 18"er I was referring to was given a good review when used in an IB setup (4 of them) and also in SPL competitions. My friend doesn't really care much about complete accuracy, as long as it is deep and loud. He could also use the sub as a table for his dorm room, since table space is a bit tight. If PE or someone has a good 12" or 15" driver that is better quality for ~$50-$70, please say so!

Thanks!

 

[WorldLeader]

Shucks, I couldn't get to him for a bit and he [strike]lost his mind[/strike] went off and bought a wimpy 2.1 sat-sub system.


Ah well, when I build my system he'll se what he missed out on

 

[cleansparks]

That's too bad.

I was having fun spending his money. Anyway, here's what I would have done:

Since it is for a pc, I'm not sure why he needs a receiver as opposed to running it off a sound card. Dorm room space is tight as it is.

speakers: those best buy insignia speakers cost: $40 (I have heard these and for the price they sound really nice -- as stated earlier not shielded though)

amp: sonic t-amp plus power supply cost: $50

subwoofer: b-stock onix x-sub (nice flexibility with a variety of inputs, musical, and supposedly goes pretty low -- an 18" sub for a dorm is ridiculuous anyway) cost: $174 plus shipping -- we'll say about $200

sound card: chaintech av-710 (the on board dac is pretty decent for the price and the optical out gives him the flexibility to upgrade to a nice external dac later) -- cost $25

total cost: $315 for a very nice budget 2.1 system

note: if he is a gamer too then he will probably want one of those creative x-fi cards instead of the chaintech which will be in the $100 range



For someone who wasn't as intent on having the killer bass, I would suggest some nice active studio monitors instead and go 2.0. I run KRK RP5's without a sub on my PC and am very happy with it. A pair costs about $300. Maybe if I was more of a gamer I might want a sub, but for music I am really happy with the 2.0 KRK setup.

 

[WmAx]

amp: sonic t-amp plus power supply cost: $50

I'm with you on the Insignia recommendation, but I have to point out some details concerning two of the other products:

The T-Amp is rather poor. It measures [1]horribly, has *very* low power output(around 5 watts @ 8 ohms @ 1% THD), and can not even keep a flat frequency response on average speakers without modification(s).

A much better alternative is a vintage 80's reciever from ebay such as an Onkyo or similar. You can get 35-60(real) watts per channel, and after shipping, end up at about $45-$50 range.

sound card: chaintech av-710 (the on board dac is pretty decent for the price and the optical out gives him the flexibility to upgrade to a nice external dac later) -- cost $25

This unit is questionable, and has commonly had problems/bugs. A Soundblater 24 bit card is probably a better choice. You can get these for about $30. I tried the Chaintech in question and a SB Live! 24 bit, and the Creative unit was far better in regards to stability and practical use(it actually has good ADCs as well as DACs), and has a very good integrated headphone amplifier.

-Chris

[1] http://www.michael.mardis.com/sonic/measure/default.html

 

[cleansparks]

The T-Amp is rather poor. It measures [1]horribly, has *very* low power output(around 5 watts @ 8 ohms @ 1% THD), and can not even keep a flat frequency response on average speakers without modification(s).

A much better alternative is a vintage 80's reciever from ebay such as an Onkyo or similar. You can get 35-60(real) watts per channel, and after shipping, end up at about $45-$50 range.




This unit is questionable, and has commonly had problems/bugs. A Soundblater 24 bit card is probably a better choice. You can get these for about $30. I tried the Chaintech in question and a SB Live! 24 bit, and the Creative unit was far better in regards to stability and practical use(it actually has good ADCs as well as DACs), and has a very good integrated headphone amplifier.

-Chris

[1] http://www.michael.mardis.com/sonic/measure/default.html

Fair enough about the T-Amp. I have never heard it, but the reviews I have seen are decent an I was trying to keep it cheap. The tradeoff with an old receiver (and especially on ebay) is that if you buy a lemon, you may just have to eat the money whereas you can return the T-Amp.

I have never seen much negative buzz about the chaintech. I have been running these cards for years without any problems. When using the high quality output, the wolfson dac is pretty capable and the optical out is bit perfect. I have used these in a Knoppmyth/mythtv box to feed optical to my reciever, I have connected the wolfson output to a headphone amp as well as a pair of studio monitors, and I have used it for optical output to an external dac on my desktop machine. It has always been flawless for me both in linux and windows. If you look over on head-fi, it is pretty highly touted as a budget source and there are detailed descriptions on how to set it up. It is definitely my favorite cheap source (although it is bad for gaming).

 

[woofay11]

WmAx's setup sounds good to me, but is above my price range and not exactly what i need. Could someone reccomend me a less expensive, yet strong bass. Also i have a few questions, as i am new to the whole audio technician world. How easy is this to set up? Will i need to buy wires and stuff or will it all come ready to play. Is there another way to get the reciever, i've stayed away from ebay mostly because it seems complicated, but finding old used equipment might be hard to find elsewhere. What kind of wiring is on the primus 150 speakers? also i noticed that the speakers are still $83 but they charge $20 for shipping. Is there a better deal out there that you know of right now? so yeah, i'm really excited to get a nice sound system and i think the knowledge in theese forums will get me the best results my money can buy. Thanks everyone

one last thing, after looking deeper into thise whole reciever thing, it all looks really compliacted and it makes me wonder if it is worth it. Are standard 2.1 made specifically-for-computer speakers really not so good? But then i think the reciever option has the ability to be upgraded, probably has more options, and customizeable. You all probably know how the speaker market works, will this big speaker set up still be able to stand up to sound systems of the future? Also will my computers crappy soundcard have an effect on my audio quality? thanks everyone for helping me out i do appreciate it