Extreme budget HT audio ($150)

[KEW]

I have a budget of about $150 to get the best possible sound out of a TV! The TV is fed by a Roku which she often uses to stream music into her bedroom via Pandora.
Currently, she is running an Insignia sound bar that cost about $80, but really is pathetic for SQ.
I know $150 realistically won't get great sound quality, but I also know it will be a tremendous improvement over what she has.

The good news is she is willing to sacrifice looks for sound quality, and it is for a smaller room at about 12' X 15'.

The bad news is this is for a 23 year old girl who likes to listen to Five Finger Death Punch. Consequently, solid bass is pretty important!

So far, the best plan I have come up with is to get these from Parts Express:
http://www.parts-express.com/newcom-nc300-powered-computer-speaker-pair--319-038
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

That totals $153.50. The powered speakers have dual 3" mid-woofs and 1" tweeters so they are not so weak as they might appear at first glance. They are ugly, but they would probably be selling for $50 or more if they were at all stylish. I like it that she would have a competent sub that she could keep as she upgrades to a better system over time.

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[shadyJ]

I would be looking for a pair of powered monitors, used perhaps. $150 is not much, but if you are patient you can get something decent in the used market. I would steer clear of the newcom speakers and Dayton sub.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

If She could get budget upto 200 she could get this and get pretty far with start setup.

www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-air-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-with-amt-tweeter-pair--300-651
www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-300
www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1000-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-628

And if she was able to throw another 20$ could upgrade to:

www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

Imo it would be worth to take this step up on budget as it would give so much better results.

 

[TheWarrior]

I'm sure her mother would love it if you gifted her the set of monitors you told me about!

 

[rojo]

KEW you live near Atlanta, right? Can you swing an extra $10 in the budget?

Mackie monitors for $82: http://m.ebay.com/itm/301737958483

Try offering 80 on this sub: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/ele/5169209979.html

If no luck, then http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/ele/5218981717.html

--------- Option 2 --------

Jamo HTIB for $50: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/ele/5208715749.html

Then just pick any of a truckload of AVR's from Craigslist for <$100.

--------- Option 3 --------

Or you could start shopping for a great pair of headphones.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend OSP v1.3.3.

 

[afterlife2]

Those 30$ JBL you dissed would have come in handy now, but no longer on sale + a 5.1 from CL for 100$. Just sayin'.

 

[KEW]

I'm sure her mother would love it if you gifted her the set of monitors you told me about!

That was a plan, but not enough bass.

 

[afterlife2]

Hey ya got to start somewhere: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-Loft-40-125-watt-5-1-4-two-way-bookshelf-speakers-Pair-/262025374774?hash=item3d01edec36&vxp=mtr

 

[afterlife2]

Wait! What about these? http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Bookshelf-Speakers-Sound-Appeal/dp/B00O17LP48/ref=sr_1_5?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1442155598&sr=1-5&keywords=bookshelf+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://averagejoeaudiophile.blogspot.com/2015/04/sound-appeal-sa-vf65s-review-break-down.html

Zorro liked them:
The Sound Appeal is a keeper - they are sort of like a diamond
in the rough. I do prefer them over the stock Pioneer speakers.
They will surprise a lot of people - Regular price is $79 shipped

I will do a short write up soon.

 

[rojo]

Afterlife2's Sound Appeal bookshelfs as mains; the Jamo HTIB for center, surrounds, and sub; and a $50 avr from Craigslist (I think I saw an Onkyo and maybe a Pioneer or Yamaha for that this morning) = max sq with acceptable low end without going over budget.

Of course a receiver that cheap probably won't have HDMI, so you might have to order an optical cable. Or here's a Denon with HDMI and 7.1 if you can get the price down a few bucks or flex a little on the budget. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ele/5218141458.html

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend OSP v1.3.3.

 

[cvcgolf]

A sound bar or whatever for $150 will not have bass.. That's why none of us
are using a $150 speaker.. Tell her to cough up some cash..

 

[KEW]

A sound bar or whatever for $150 will not have bass.. That's why none of us
are using a $150 speaker.. Tell her to cough up some cash..

Some of the options above are in budget and include "real" (as compared to the typical soundbar sub) subwoofers.
It is a Christmas present from my GF to her daughter. I told her I would see what I could come up with and she gave me $150 as the budget. It is pretty much fixed because if she spends more, then she has to spend the same on the other kids.
I am impressed and enthusiastic about the ideas being floated. Not sure why you are categorically dismissive of them.

 

[KEW]

Those 30$ JBL you dissed would have come in handy now, but no longer on sale + a 5.1 from CL for 100$. Just sayin'.

That was a helluva deal!
I didn't intend to dis them. I just thought it a fun idea to stack them to make a line array. When speakers get discounted that much, the idea of stacking them 5 (or even 10) tall is entirely reasonable (though technically flawed since the impedance would be down below 2 ohms).

 

[Alex2507]

Maybe x-mas should not be about audio considering the budget. My vote goes to a nice bikini and a good set of heels. :O

 

[sawzalot]

Maybe x-mas should not be about audio considering the budget. My vote goes to a nice bikini and a good set of heels. :O

you obviously got up too early again .

 

[afterlife2]

That was a helluva deal!
I didn't intend to dis them. I just thought it a fun idea to stack them to make a line array. When speakers get discounted that much, the idea of stacking them 5 (or even 10) tall is entirely reasonable (though technically flawed since the impedance would be down below 2 ohms).

I was just joshing you. I guess you have time since it's a xmas gift, no?

 

[afterlife2]

Forget the SA and get the JBL's: http://noaudiophile.com/Sound_Appeal/

 

[KEW]

Afterlife2's Sound Appeal bookshelfs as mains; the Jamo HTIB for center, surrounds, and sub; and a $50 avr from Craigslist (I think I saw an Onkyo and maybe a Pioneer or Yamaha for that this morning) = max sq with acceptable low end without going over budget.

Of course a receiver that cheap probably won't have HDMI, so you might have to order an optical cable. Or here's a Denon with HDMI and 7.1 if you can get the price down a few bucks or flex a little on the budget. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ele/5218141458.html

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend OSP v1.3.3.

Thanks! That is a killer deal for solid amp section (reviewed by AH) with Audyssey XT.
I just called him and am going to pick it up this weekend.

 

[afterlife2]

Offer 80: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/ele/5197340314.html

 

[afterlife2]

Offer 65: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ele/5183764482.html