Need a setup for my dorm room, please advise!

[BoredSysAdmin]

HTIB would be good choice particularly for surround movie sound, however if your target is music (loud) htib at this price point is not a good idea.

I hand picked few better options in your area:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1966070718.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1898936435.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1911831658.html

I'm not expert in vintage speakers, but general rules apply - check at least visually if any of speaker cones or their surrounds is torn, however best would to audition the speaker before purchase.

 

[Mr.Domino]

Trust me on this one. Pick up a pair of thesefor $30 plus shipping. They might prove to be a great start for your system, particularly when mated with that Dayton subwoofer. If you don't like 'em, flip 'em for what you paid for 'em.

Based on this thread, I picked up a pair of these and was pleasantly surprised.

Who knows? You might wind up coming in lower than you expected...

Sweet recommendation!

So here is my system as it is:

Pyle P1001AT 1000W Hybrid Pre Amplifier with AM/FM Tuner
~$100
amazon.com/gp/product/B0010K6TUO/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=
(Noob question: Can I use this? I'm not really sure if this will serve the purpose I need it to, but it's right at the threshold of what I want to pay and it looks sweet)
Dayton B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair
~$30
parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652

Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer
~140
parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

So, around $270 for a respectable system, and I'm quite happy with it, pending if it works.

I will still consider buying used, but I have a firm belief in that you get what you pay for, and these speakers need to last me an upwards of 8 years, depending on what gets upgraded.

Thoughts?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Dont get anything from Pyle - It's Pile of crap

 

[markw]

Watts aren't all the same.

Agree with BSA. You're better off with that Sherwood or even a vintage stereo. .... MUCH better off.

That's nowhere near a 1000 watt receiver and it's quality is, well, let's just say "questionable"

 

[lsiberian]

Too bad you aren't in DFW I'd be happy to throw together something for you.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1929710871.html:eek:

I wish I lived in Columbus to jump on those subs.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1908073506.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1947367205.html definitely worth a visit.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1954586740.html I'd definitely check this system out.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1973727592.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1924440116.html

This is the sub to definitely look at maybe a DIY project for home
http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1949505095.html It's a very good driver. Better than the one in the Dayton Sub-120. If he's a phile he might even give you a hook up. Congrats on college. Work your butt off so you can get a job so you can support a family.

 

[lsiberian]

Sweet recommendation!

So here is my system as it is:

Pyle P1001AT 1000W Hybrid Pre Amplifier with AM/FM Tuner
~$100
amazon.com/gp/product/B0010K6TUO/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=
(Noob question: Can I use this? I'm not really sure if this will serve the purpose I need it to, but it's right at the threshold of what I want to pay and it looks sweet)
Dayton B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair
~$30
parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652

Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer
~140
parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

So, around $270 for a respectable system, and I'm quite happy with it, pending if it works.

I will still consider buying used, but I have a firm belief in that you get what you pay for, and these speakers need to last me an upwards of 8 years, depending on what gets upgraded.

Thoughts?

um no to the speakers and the amp. This is a waste of money IMO. Definitely check up on that subwoofer I linked at the bottom too. If it's made for home by a DIY sub builder it will probably trounce most anything you could buy.

 

[Seth=L]

Concerning the amp itself, my dad used to be in the ham radio market, so I'll ask him if he might have any old amps lying around in the attic somewhere.

Ham radio amps and home audio amplifiers aren't one in the same.

I found this cheap receiver.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1978606471.html

At the price it won't last long.

Alternatively, this Insignia receiver is pretty cheap (it's made by Sherwood and essentially the same as the Sherwood being recommended here)

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1978504429.html

Speakers -

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1978542266.html-

That leaves around $200 for a subwoofer if you feel you still need it with the Kefs. The Kef C40s are very good speakers, and you could buy them at that price to turn them for profit assuming they're in good shape. Ask the seller to send you pictures or arrange a meet as soon as possible so you can see and hear them operate. Make sure all drivers are working and there are no oddities.

What provides a better listening experience, smaller surround sound speakers or large frontal ones like the system I first proposed?

Larger speakers like the Kef C40s will sound better than smaller satellite speakers. Not all speakers (large or small) are created equal. For example, I wouldn't buy mass market Sony or Kenwood speakers to save my life, they just don't sound good.

Okay, since the majority of the responses deal with buying used, here is a search query on CraigsList for my surrounding area, limited to my parameters:

columbus.craigslist.org/search/ele?query=speaker+system&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=300&sort=pricedsc
(No, that's not a hyperlink, sorry. I am not able to embed html links in text just yet)

"speaker system" in the search field is not going to help much. You have to scour all of electronics if you want to find a good deal. Trust me. I found better deals in just two minutes than you did in the same area by not using a search parameter and just visiting "electronics" and browsing through. Granted, I have a lot more experience than you, but now with all of us looking through Columbus's craigslist and you being able to verify with us there is no cause for concern.

In particular, I really liked:

columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1959640691.html

for $300 including the amp, speakers, manuals, and speaker wire. I have already sent the seller an email asking for personal pictures of the system, as it seems like they ripped it from google images.

Yuck, the speakers that come with that system are horrible. The Onkyo system that was recommended earlier is newer and far superior to the Yamaha at the same price, not to mention it's not being sold from a private party, and it has refurb warranty.

 

[Seth=L]

Another option for a receiver.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1977936596.html

possibility for a subwoofer.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/1977078538.html