Help me spend my money! :D

[pvaz]

Hello.

I kind of hate to barge in a forum asking for a magical solution but the more I read the more confused I get. So I would like to know what would you buy for yourself if you had the following requirements and budget.

List of requirement:
- 2 speakers and a subwoofer, preference for clear sound, they don't need to be too loud (30W RMS total would be enough)
- 1 digital audio in or hdmi in/out instead
- 1 analog in connection for an Apple Airport Express
- if possible, more connections for future proof

Budget: Around 1000$

 

[ACsGreens]

Pdm

Paradigm A2, roughly 300/ea and 400 for sub, which I will let others recommend. Very clear, neutral speakers that will reach high volumes should you decide to go that route . Good Luck

paradigm.com/shift

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

What exactly are looking for ? A tabletop solution ? Or Receiver with Tower speakers/sub ?

 

[pvaz]

Thanks, will have a look at those.

 

[pvaz]

What exactly are looking for ? A tabletop solution ? Or Receiver with Tower speakers/sub ?

I want to connect my TV to it. The TV haves an optical audio out. It also haves 3.5 jack out for headphones, but I would rather avoid that. Another option is to run the hdmi through the audio system then on to the TV.

Besides that I would like to use a Apple Airport Express to make it Airplay enabled. I have a mac and an iphone and it would be nice to use the speakers for music as well.

 

[ImcLoud]

SO I take it you want a receiver, 2 speakers, and a sub for $1000

that sounds easy enough.. Is this just for music listening? Or music and TV...

Sub Dayton... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-629 $110 $220 for 2

a pair of cbm170se's http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html $350

That will get you to $570 with 2 subs and it supports 2 subs, fun...

Pick an avr, this is a nice one... for $450
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR709/Onkyo-TX-NR709-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

 

[pvaz]

SO I take is you want a receiver, 2 speakers, and a sub for $1000

that sounds easy enough..

I can go up to 1500 or 2000$. 1000$ is just a number i picked off the top of my head. logitech haves the lower end ones for 100 or so, so about 10x more seamed a nice value.

 

[zieglj01]

I can go up to 1500 or 2000$. 1000$ is just a number i picked off the top of my head. logitech haves the lower end ones for 100 or so, so about 10x more seamed a nice value.

What is the room size?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I want to connect my TV to it. The TV haves an optical audio out. It also haves 3.5 jack out for headphones, but I would rather avoid that. Another option is to run the hdmi through the audio system then on to the TV.

Besides that I would like to use a Apple Airport Express to make it Airplay enabled. I have a mac and an iphone and it would be nice to use the speakers for music as well.

Why not get a receiver which is already supports airplay?

Pioneer VSX-822 - It's often for sale for $250 (now $300)
Speakers: Ascend 340SE
Sub: Amazon.com: Energy S-10.3 800-Watt 10-Inch Subwoofer (Black): Electronics (this really depends on size of your room)
Total about $1100

 

[ImcLoud]

Is it mainly for music and tv listening?

Usually people want a surround sound system like a 5.1 for tv/music or a 2 ch or 2.1 for music only... Even a 3.1 would be fine for TV/music....

How do you listen, silly loud or just normal levels...

I would opt for a 3.1 or 3.2 if you listen to more music... Since I tried dual subs, Im hooked...

Hang in there, the guys on here will come up with something for you, just need to get the actual wants and needs from ya...

Buying refurbished, Bstock, ID, and clearence items will get you a lot further for your money, and for $1000-2000 you can really get a $2000-4000+ soundsytem {or something that performs as such}

 

[pvaz]

What is the room size?

The room is small, about 35 square meters. It's for my "hollidays" house. I also go there a lot when I have new projects to do (I'm a software developer). I have my desk to the side on the living room where I do my projects.

Most of the time I don't play anything too loud. I just like to have music when I'm working. On the TV I watch mostly sports and movies.

PS-> the reason I'm not looking for a 5.1 system is that the house is not prepared for that. Got a very nice looking wood floor and ceiling and I don't want cables all around the place.

 

[ImcLoud]

The room is small, about 35 square meters. It's for my "hollidays" house. I also go there a lot when I have new projects to do (I'm a software developer). I have my desk to the side on the living room where I do my projects.

Most of the time I don't play anything too loud. I just like to have music when I'm working. On the TV I watch mostly sports and movies.

Thats almost 400sq feet? That is a big room like 20x20'

Im thinking spend the whole $2000...
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15535-wharfedale-evo2-40-tower-speakers-pr.aspx {I own these and like them a lot..} $800 These were ooriginally $2000 they are on clearance rite now
HSU vtf2 sub $550 competes with subs costing a good amount more... this is ID
Cheap avr with pre outs $250 {accesories 4 less has a couple marantz with preouts for around $250}http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4003/Marantz-Sr4003-Dolby-Digital-Ex/dts-Es-Surround-Receiver/1.html Some guys dont like these because they dont have all the bells and whistles for room eq and levels, but you wont need any of that, its got preouts so you can run an external amp and get some good power to fill that big room, you are just going to use this as a preamp///
Emotiva UPA200 amp $350 I own one of these, use it for my multiroom system, its a powerful amp, will do the job perfectly, I had my evo2-40's hooked to my UPA200 for about a week before my XPA2 came and they rocked... I prefer a sealed sub for music but the vtf2 comes ported with optional plugs, I also own one of them, its awesome

 

[zieglj01]

The room is small, about 35 square meters. It's for my "hollidays" house. I also go there a lot when I have new projects to do (I'm a software developer). I have my desk to the side on the living room where I do my projects.

Do you live outside the USA?

 

[pvaz]

Do you live outside the USA?

Yeah I live in Portugal.

 

[ImcLoud]

Yeah I live in Portugal.

Shipping is gonna be a b!tch...

 

[zieglj01]

Yeah I live in Portugal.

What do you have in your area?

KEF, Focal, Boston, Monitor Audio and Wharfedale are some
world-wide brands.

 

[pvaz]

I just found a Wharfedale seller here, but he haves no EVO in stock. He only haves Diamond series speakers. Are the Diamond 10.7 or 10.6a any good? The wood finish would go really well with the house. If they have a nice subwoofer it would be nice to match the speakers (though I can have the sub woofer somewhat hidden).

I like the idea of one of that Pioneer VSX that already come Airplay enabled. They are available from Amazon UK with free shipping. (My father used to have a nice Pioneer audio system from when he was single and to be honest it's the only brand I've recognised so far.

I can also buy from any other country in the European Union (no import taxes and lower shipping).

 

[zieglj01]

The Diamond series is popular, and worth checking out.