My Less Than $200 Speaker System

[Mark of Cenla]

I recently bought a pair of Dayton Audio Classic B40 bookshelf speakers that I pair with Rockville 8 inch subwoofer. They cost me about $180, and they sound great to me. Did any of you find new, cheap speaker system that you like? Peace and goodwill.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've heard cheap speakers (made in China) that sounded decent with subwoofers - sounded at least as good as many "Pro speakers" and other relatively inexpensive speakers.

I think the key is having good bass, which the subs can fix.

Would they subjectively sound better if they had pretty cabinets that cost $2K? Probably.

Would they subjectively sound even better if they had both $2K cabinets and FR that is +/-2dB? You bet!

 

[lovinthehd]

Best buy for me are the pair of JBL LSR305 active speakers I got for $180 a while back. Still haven't added a sub to that setup, but I rarely use it otoh, just a spare bedroom/office setup.

 

[Teetertotter?]

Hey, if the speakers are music to your ears at your low budget price, that's all that matters. Enjoy!

 

[j_garcia]

I still have my Micca MB42Xs. They were $80 back then Adequate bass for their size and price and sound better than one would expect.

 

[TLS Guy]

I recently bought a pair of Dayton Audio Classic B40 bookshelf speakers that I pair with Rockville 8 inch subwoofer. They cost me about $180, and they sound great to me. Did any of you find new, cheap speaker system that you like? Peace and goodwill.

They seem sensibly designed. The sensitivity is low at 82db 1 watt one meter. Crossover is at 5 HHz so there is no crossover in the speech discrimination band. The low sensitivity allows bass to extend to 75 Hz. The downside is that spl is only 95 db at 1 meter. But up close in a small room I would imagine they could get the job done.

I have designed small inexpensive speakers and they are the toughest of the lot.

They were actually designed to be placed in a bookshelf and not on a stand like shown.

 

[Mark E. Long]

I've heard cheap speakers (made in China) that sounded decent with subwoofers - sounded at least as good as many "Pro speakers" and other relatively inexpensive speakers.

I think the key is having good bass, which the subs can fix.

Would they subjectively sound better if they had pretty cabinets that cost $2K? Probably.

Would they subjectively sound even better if they had both $2K cabinets and FR that is +/-2dB? You bet!

Man don’t forget the Cables

 

[ski2xblack]

Budget speakers that satisfy ftw.

My approx. $200 scores include a pair of JBL LSR2328 (the precursor to the current 308s with the elliptical waveguide), and the Danny Richie xls encore kits. Are either perfect? Well, no. But they sure are satisfying, particularly for the price.

 

[dlaloum]

I have a pair of PSB Alpha Intro LR speakers - which were US$199 when I purchased them ... 15+ years ago

They now are providing sterling service in my son's bedroom.

The current PSB Alpha P3 is slightly more expensive... but should be around $200 (or less) when discounted, and is probably the nearest current equivalent.

For a while they were the surround speakers in my main AV setup - since replaced with full range speakers... (and moved to sons bedroom)

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I have a pair of PSB Alpha Intro LR speakers - which were US$199 when I purchased them ... 15+ years ago

They now are providing sterling service in my son's bedroom.

The current PSB Alpha P3 is slightly more expensive... but should be around $200 (or less) when discounted, and is probably the nearest current equivalent.

For a while they were the surround speakers in my main AV setup - since replaced with full range speakers... (and moved to sons bedroom)

Glad to see they ended up in a good place. It’s our responsibility to pass the torch. Lol. Thankfully my kids seem to have an interest in carrying it on. Doesn’t have to cost a lot to get into good sound either. It sure can, but careful setup can often go much farther than the dollar.

 

[dlaloum]

Glad to see they ended up in a good place. It’s our responsibility to pass the torch. Lol. Thankfully my kids seem to have an interest in carrying it on. Doesn’t have to cost a lot to get into good sound either. It sure can, but careful setup can often go much farther than the dollar.

It is interesting to see my 12 year old getting hooked on psychedelic rock!
He has become a Rush afficionado.

 

[highfigh]

They seem sensibly designed. The sensitivity is low at 82db 1 watt one meter. Crossover is at 5 HHz so there is no crossover in the speech discrimination band. The low sensitivity allows bass to extend to 75 Hz. The downside is that spl is only 95 db at 1 meter. But up close in a small room I would imagine they could get the job done.

I have designed small inexpensive speakers and they are the toughest of the lot.

They were actually designed to be placed in a bookshelf and not on a stand like shown.

Is that a full Dynaco system? I found a Pat 4, as I posted months ago, and would really like to know what the Special (or Spare) input was used for, because the gain is ridiculously high. It already has a Tape Amp input. Fortunately, I lowered the sensitivity of the power amp before testing.