Fraternity House speaker question

[Msmart]

Hey guys, we're moving into a new house this year which has a large rectangular room that we want to install a sound system in. I have a very basic knowledge of speaker/receivers. First of all, I was wondering what kind of speakers would be able to get good sound output in this room. To view the room go to flickr /photos/41333689@N05/4863502138/in/set-72157624535000081 . It's not letting me link the picture in this post.

In the past we had an integrated amp(I think) where there were two speaker outputs and we used large floor standing speakers, but we don't have these any more. So basically, starting new, I need to find what kind of amp is needed. I have looked at a lot of amps and it seems all the ones around 200-300 dollars have two outputs. Is this pretty standard? What would we need to do if we wanted more speakers. Also, how would a subwoofer work with an amp like that? Does it just replace a speaker channel so we would only be able to have two speakers or one amp, one speaker?

 

[Matt34]

Speakers:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61980

Amp:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/A500.aspx

You will need a reciever to use as a pre or you could simply use the line out on an Ipod connected directly to the amplifier. Cheap, simple, loud.

 

[lsiberian]

I'd look for Pro Audio stuff. Filling a room full of people with sound takes a lot of air.
Hit up the local craigslist look for Yamaha, Mackie, or JBL. 2 active speakers and a mixer should do the trick.

 

[Msmart]

Matt34, thanks for the links. I looked at the back of the amplifier and it looks like it has two rca inputs, one on each side.

From the ipod, how would it plug into both sides? Or would I only need to use one?

In addition, checking on craigslist, I found Polk Audio RT800i speakers for a good deal ($150). Would those be good for this type of use?

 

[Matt34]

Matt34, thanks for the links. I looked at the back of the amplifier and it looks like it has two rca inputs, one on each side.

From the ipod, how would it plug into both sides? Or would I only need to use one?

In addition, checking on craigslist, I found Polk Audio RT800i speakers for a good deal ($150). Would those be good for this type of use?

I don't think you'll be happy with the polks with the type of output your looking for. Like lsiberian said, check craigslist for DJ/pro-audio speakers

Correction: You need to connect to both input one and input two(unbalanced RCA) to get both stereo channels but only need one RCA to 3.5mm cable.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=3.5mm+to+RCA+ipod+cable&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=408342605259831430&ei=4UxoTMTsAou-sAOYurSSDQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCIQ8wIwAg#

 

[bandphan]

You could always use powered mixers as the pre and amp, that way if bands come to play the house, you have base for them to start with.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHPMP1680S

 

[amnesiac]

Get a small mixer with at least few channels for under $100. Anything by Behringer should be just fine. Just run 1/8" to rca through the tape in and you're golden.

Go with the A500 amp that was suggested earlier. $200

Get passive PA speakers off Craigslist or even a sale at guitar center. Scout out CL and you can get a lot for a little, just stay with brand names.

For under $500 you have enough of a setup for any parties indoors or out plus you have a PA for any bands that might need it and it's all durable enough to not get jacked up by beer related incidents.

I used to use my marantz 1060 (rated at 30 watts per channel but i'm pretty sure it puts out more than that) with some large bookshelves for parties just fine but it was only in an apartment.


I've also contemplated running a set up with the bic RTR series and an a500 with a couple of parts express subwoofers.... That could work too.

 

[tcarcio]

Where are you located? I have some speakers but they are too big to ship.

 

[Msmart]

I'm in Philly. I saw your thread and was pretty interested but sucks that you are in MA!

 

[markw]

Phiily to Mass ain't no big deal.

I'm in Philly. I saw your thread and was pretty interested but sucks that you are in MA!

That's maybe 300 miles. Don't college kids do road trips anymore? Heck, y'all can do it both ways in one long day, particularly with two drivers.

 

[dkane360]

That's maybe 300 miles. Don't college kids do road trips anymore? Heck, y'all can do it both ways in one long day, particularly with two drivers.

Haha, I was actually thinking about doing it from NJ to MA, but that never panned out. I say, do the road trip and pick up those speakers. They look insane lol.

 

[3db]

If their frat house speakers and you aren't terribly concerned with accurate sound...more volume and lots of bass, try some Cerwin Vegas. Their speakers are typically extremely efficient and it doesn't take much power to get them to sing loud. They can also take alot of punishment. Just another option.

 

[tcarcio]

Haha, I was actually thinking about doing it from NJ to MA, but that never panned out. I say, do the road trip and pick up those speakers. They look insane lol.

I agree and I'll buy the beer when he get's here.....

 

[Msmart]

So after talking to some people we're thinking we'd be best with wall mounted speakers. We've had big floorstanding ones in the past and beer would be spilt on them and stuff. I found a place to buy wall mounting brackets for PA speakers so I guess I'm in the market for PA speakers that would normally go on stands. I have a gift card to guitarcenter so I'm wondering if you guys could possibly select a good set of PA speakers from their site that would fit on a stand/mount