christmas speakers for 11 year old.

[scott911]

Want a pair of speakers of my son's room, sole source will be ipod. Thinking of monitors (built in amps) for convenience - or perhaps tying passive speakers with one of the really small amps sold at parts express.

I'd like small bookshelf sized unit. Budget is not more that $150 for pair.

Does anything really stand out as offering quality that belays my mini-budget? I want to start the kid out with good quality, before I ruin his ears making him cut the grass next spring!

 

[bikemig]

This could work: Amazon.com: Altec Lansing iMT810 Digital Boombox: MP3 Players & Accessories

In any case, I'd pick up a radio with an ipod dock that can charge the ipod. This will do the trick pretty nicely for $109 from a website that sells manufacture refurbished products with a warranty:

BOSTON ACOUSTICS Duo-I AM/FM Stereo Radio with iPod Dock Midnight | Accessories4less

This is simple as heck to operate and doubles as an alarm clock. It will also sound pretty good. I've been pleasantly surprised by the sound quality of good radios and Boston acoustics makes a good one.

If the emphasis is really on music quality, this might be the way to go: BOSTON ACOUSTICS i-DS3 plus iPhone iPod Speaker System Black | Accessories4less

Edit: Sangean makes fine radios as well and some come with an ipod dock.

By the way, I got my daughter something similar (its a cambridge soundworks radio/ipod dock). The sound quality is quite good and I really appreciate that it only does around 7 watts or so. That's something to seriously consider when getting a child a music system!

 

[lsiberian]

I'd recommend some of the Dayton speakers. I know they are cheap, but if they get damaged the parts are easy to replace. You can use a Sure amp to power them. But make sure you have a gain control. If you like a little DIY project you could always put together a cheap amp kit with your kid.

11 is around the age some kids are ready to learn some tools or at least see the process.

 

[zieglj01]

If you want to do passive speakers - then look at the
RBH AC-51 speakers on Ebay
RBH Model AC51SILVER 2 Way Bookship Speaker Pair | eBay

http://www.rbhsound.com/ac51.php

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_3/rbh-ac-speakers-8-2003.html

I would look at an amp that can give at least, a clean 25 watts per channel.

Also the Pioneer BS22 speakers, should be on a short list
http://www.hometheater.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-speaker-system

 

[agarwalro]

I'm going with simpler is better. For $100 delivered, this looks perfect.

Amazon.com: Klipsch iGroove SXT 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock: MP3 Players & Accessories

 

[ImcLoud]

My son has an apa150 with a set of these, it sounds awesome for what it costs......
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair 300-652

 

[ousooner2]

M-Audio AV40
RKR Rokit's
Audioengine A2
Swan D1010IV w/ amp

 

[3db]

Personally, I would look at the left/right speakers that make up this system... apassive speakers

Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Speaker System | Home Theater

Although not the last word in flat frequency response, its not that bad considering the entire system including the sub is $500.

 

[scott911]

thanks guys

thanks guys - i appreciate all the great leads!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

This by a long shot, you can likely find a pair for your budget:

Audioengine 2 - Audioengineusa.com

 

[Hookedonc4]

Want a pair of speakers of my son's room, sole source will be ipod. Thinking of monitors (built in amps) for convenience - or perhaps tying passive speakers with one of the really small amps sold at parts express.

I'd like small bookshelf sized unit. Budget is not more that $150 for pair.

Does anything really stand out as offering quality that belays my mini-budget? I want to start the kid out with good quality, before I ruin his ears making him cut the grass next spring!

We use Polk T15 in kids room. This is a good little speaker from BB. You might even get it on sale over the holiday season.

http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=8828012&pid=1207956903491