Looking for a budget amplifier for a 2.1 system

[Nir Sommer]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and to the audio world and I really need your help.
I am buying the klipsch r14m speaker and the polk audio psw10 sub (both on sale for 99.99$ on Amazon right now btw) for my desktop computer.
And I am looking for an amplifier.
I know you guys usually like the sherwood rx4105/9 receiver but I don't think it works on 220-240v which is what I have in my country. I know the rx4508 doesn't. And I am already using one transformer for the subwoofer. . . I don't want to have to use 2 of them.

Also I would much rather have a small simple amplifier than have a large receiver. . .

My budget for amplifier alone is around 100$. . . Maybe another 50$ if it's also a dac. . . I can do 150$ for amp alone if I have to. The store has to offer international shipping.

Edit:
My current options are going with powered speakers like:
Audioengine a2+ for 250$ in amazon
Presonus eris e4.5 for 200$ in Amazon not including shipping and tax or for 300$ in Israel no shipping or tax required.
Presonus eris e5 from Israel for about 234$ (no extra shipping fees or tax required)
Kanto yu2 or yu3 from amazon for 170$/270$

Or going with the r14m non powered or the Micca mb42x and get an amp/receiver that supports 220v-240v. So both together will cost max of 270$.
I like the option of having a separate speaker and amp because it gives me the option to upgrade modularly in the future and if I don't like one part, return/sell it and get a replacement.

 

[KenM10759]

Have you heard the R14M speakers? There are a LOT of other choices in that speaker's price range that you may wish to consider. You may actually do better with a pair of powered speakers such as the R-15PM or Audioengine A5+. Then you wouldn't need a separate amplifier.

What country are you in? That would help people here to guide you in other products to consider.

 

[Nir Sommer]

Have you heard the R14M speakers? There are a LOT of other choices in that speaker's price range that you may wish to consider. You may actually do better with a pair of powered speakers such as the R-15PM or Audioengine A5+. Then you wouldn't need a separate amplifier.

What country are you in? That would help people here to guide you in other products to consider.

I'm from Israel. I don't really have an option to listen not to any of the things I'm going to buy sadly.
At 99.99$ the only good other option I found was the Micca mb42x. At least from the things that ship to Israel.
The Dayton b652 air is also great and even cheaper but I heard it's not so good for a near desktop configuration.
If you have a better option for a speaker I will love to check it out.
I don't want to buy an expensive 2.0 speakers... I need a sub

 

[KenM10759]

Both of those speakers I mentioned have a subwoofer output. I know the Klipsch R-15PM can accept 240 volt, not sure about the more-affordable Audioengine A5+.

Shipping does seem to be your second biggest problem. Low budget is the bigger one.

 

[Nir Sommer]

Both of those speakers I mentioned have a subwoofer output. I know the Klipsch R-15PM can accept 240 volt, not sure about the more-affordable Audioengine A5+.

Shipping does seem to be your second biggest problem. Low budget is the bigger one.

Yes... Shipping is really expensive for me. Especially the customs tax... 34.6% on most audio related devices.

The fact that they have a sub out is cool and all... But I need a sub as well... The r15pm is 500$ alone. The a5+ is 400$.
I need a max 250$ if I want to move to powered speakers.

Maybe the Kanto yu3 at 269$... But I don't really want to pay for Bluetooth. Even though it might be nice. Or the yu2...

Also maybe I should say I have a WiFi router fairly close to the speakers location. And I know the Presonus eris speakers get interference when placed close to a router.
Maybe other powered speakers will get it as well.

 

[Nir Sommer]

How about still getting the r14m and getting the smsl sa50 for 69$. It will be 169$ together.
Or if the smsl is too low quality / won't run the speakers properly, or if the r14m is not better than the options below, I have these options:
Kanto yu 2 for 180$
Audioengine a2+ for 250$
Kanto yu3 for 270$
Any other offers for Max 270$ will be welcomed.

 

[cel4145]

JBL LSR305 powered monitors have very good extension down into the low 40hz range, so pretty good bass output for a computer desktop setup such that you might not need a sub.

 

[Nir Sommer]

JBL LSR305 powered monitors have very good extension down into the low 40hz range, so pretty good bass output for a computer desktop setup such that you might not need a sub.

Thank you for your reply!
But sadly I don't think I have the desk place for these.

 

[KenM10759]

If you have a Wi-Fi router interfering with speakers you have a problem with a faulty or poor quality router and/or speakers. Even cheap but good sounding ones Monoprice ones here are well-insulated against emitting or receiving such interference.

Good luck.

 

[Nir Sommer]

If you have a Wi-Fi router interfering with speakers you have a problem with a faulty or poor quality router and/or speakers. Even cheap but good sounding ones Monoprice ones here are well-insulated against emitting or receiving such interference.

Good luck.

I don't have that problem... Since I don't own the Presonus eris
It's what I've seen in videos and read in reviews about it... Guess they are poorly insulated. It's a shame because the eris e4.5 could have been good at 200$ and I think I can get the e5 right here in Israel for 234$ no shipping and no extra taxes.
Should I take the gamble on the noise? Or should I take one of my previous options?

 

[KenM10759]

It's your decision as most of us (certainly I) don't know how things are in Israel for access to and cost of audio equipment. I've never heard of the Presonus brand. I do find it hard to believe that even a speaker of questionable quality could pick up "noise" from a router.

Consider return policies. If a locally sourced product can be easily returned if you don't like it, try it.

 

[Nir Sommer]

It's your decision as most of us (certainly I) don't know how things are in Israel for access to and cost of audio equipment. I've never heard of the Presonus brand. I do find it hard to believe that even a speaker of questionable quality could pick up "noise" from a router.

Consider return policies. If a locally sourced product can be easily returned if you don't like it, try it.

Thank very much for for your help! I ended up getting the r14m and the topping tp22 amp though. But you did make me search a little more so I'm happy about my decision!

I can't be disappointed since my current speakers are definitely poop compared to these... And I probably won't have the chance to hear the other options I had. Ignorance is bliss.

 

[KenM10759]

I do hope you enjoy them. I know my cousin has a pair as surround (rear) speakers in his system. Myself I'm not a big fan of the horn tweeter in those particular speakers, it can be a little sharp. You can tone that down a little with room treatment and perhaps running with the grills on them...if it bothers you at all. You won't know until you start listening.

 

[Nir Sommer]

Yea... I will only know when I get them. I most likely won't do any room treatment even if I will find it too sharp for my taste. Maybe I'll put the grills on if it will bother me.
Honestly if you knew about it before... It might have changed something about my buy... Maybe it would have been good to know before.
And even though I can still cancel my order free of charge... I think I will keep it this way.

Anyway I will update you on it, if you want, after I get everything and get some time to test them.