How do you set up your 2.1 system?

[roll - gybe]

I am running a 2.1 in my home office. It is basically a collection of all my old gear. It isn't very pretty, and it is a little bright on the top and a little loose on the bottom.

Make me yearn for something a little better!

Anyway, I like the bookshelf 2.1 approach, and I was wondering how everyone approaches the electronics in their system. I know there are tons of ways to set it up, just wondering what you have actually done.

BTW - I am using an old receiver currently that I had to open up and resolder connections. It isn't a great piece and can't drive my other pair of bookshelfs that are less efficient.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

A pair of Studio 20's and a sealed sub from AV Labs would be my choice.

 

[roll - gybe]

amplification and bass management?

 

[mperfct]

how much $$$ do you wish to part with?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Matters what you are listening to. I would likely use a DCX or SMS-1 for bass and a AVR for power but if it was your money I would use a BAT Pre/pro and amp.

amplification and bass management?

 

[roll - gybe]

I am kind of more curious about what people are putting to use than the money I am willing to put out... However, lets define parameters of

-2.1
-high current amplification
-good bass integration
-under a grand for pre/amp/receiver
-elegant integration is better
-sub can use it's filter if necessary

 

[mnnc]

I am running a 2.1 in my home office. It is basically a collection of all my old gear. It isn't very pretty, and it is a little bright on the top and a little loose on the bottom.

Make me yearn for something a little better!

Anyway, I like the bookshelf 2.1 approach, and I was wondering how everyone approaches the electronics in their system. I know there are tons of ways to set it up, just wondering what you have actually done.

BTW - I am using an old receiver currently that I had to open up and resolder connections. It isn't a great piece and can't drive my other pair of bookshelfs that are less efficient.

Using current gear the most simple and sensible, imho, decision would be invest in a small yet capable sub from the likes of svs, hsu, axiom, boston, etc. For the office I suggest an 8 or 10 in driver at the most. This will give you ample low end bass and not break the bank in the purchase. For connection, I assume your old recv'r does not have modern x-over/bass management so the simple thing to do would be run the l/r speaker lines from recv'r to the sub in...and then more spk'r line from the sub out to the mains. You would then use the built in crossover on the sub to adjust/blend the sub/monitors so that they sound best. Most likely a 60 or 80hz setting on the sub dial...ex, if your bookshelfs go down to say 60 or 70hz then set at 80.

New 2.1 for office...Cambridge integrated amp, Oppo 980 univ player, pair of B&W 805's, and a 10in box sub from svs or hsu. That would smoke! All cables by Signal Cable. Good luck...have fun.

 

[BoredomFestival]

Also seeking 2.1 HT setup advice.

I've been wondering if I'm the only one who wants a 2.1 HT setup... it seems that nowadays, the assumption is that everyone wants (and needs) a 5.1 setup for home theatre. I currently have a a Yamaha amp and Klipsch speakers from the early 90's that I'm looking to upgrade as part of an HD revision...

Frankly, I don't have the space (or the desire) for a 5.1 setup -- not enough of my video really compels awesome surround effects, and the layout of the room isn't suited for back speakers anyway. What I really want is a 2.1 setup with excellent sound quality for music (classical/chamber/rock), with "decent" virtual surround options for the occasional explosion-festival movie.

I've investigated various HTIB and surround-bar options but those have generally left me cold -- the HTIB options tend to be overpriced and underflexible (I want capability to easily add HTPC and other such inputs in the future), and surround-bars seem to be optimized for video (not music) -- and I can easily space two decent bookshelf-type speakers for excellent stereo separation anyway.

It would appear that several makers (eg Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo) now produce good receivers that may do what I want (ie, drive a 2.1 setup in either stereo or virtual-surround), but reviews of the virtual-surround efficicacy seem to be few and far between -- the assumption is always that people want either solely pure stereo, or a jillion speakers all over the place.

Budget-wise, I'd prefer to stay under $1500 for the receiver+speaker combination, but tradeoffs are always possible.

Am I smoking crack to want a setup like this? If not, anyone have suggestions for receiver/speaker combinations that are suitable? Or know of a site/blog/forum that actually reviews things with this sort of setup in mind?

 

[roll - gybe]

I am actually trying out my era D4s in my office right now.
first listen - I think I will keep to efficient speakers if I am going to use this old sony receiver.

Source is a Squeezebox, and I am listening to Slacker right now. Of course, bad 128k recordings sound bad. But better recordings are much less fatiguing than on my old HK speakers.

Anyway, it is a nice diversion to mess around with this stuff.