Need cheap speakers to replace TV speakers

[jonnythan]

I bought a new TV and we're going to move the old plasma to a friend's apartment. I don't seem to have kept the original detachable speakers though.

A receiver is more or less out of the question. The TV has standard speaker terminals and claims to do 10 watts per channel. I also have a small 15 watt T-amp I could use instead.

So I'm looking for a pair of cheap speakers that could do a halfway decent job with dialog using a low power amp.

I'm thinking the Dayton B652 maybe? BIC DV52? Pioneer BS21?

 

[markw]

I was gonna suggest those Daytons but you beat me to it.

I got those Daytons when they were the bargai of the day. They are actually pretty good for the price and for mainly dialog, I think they would do quite well.

Actually, five of them and a small sub would be a good to great starter HT system. If pure music were your goal though, I'd say look elsewhere.

I got to play with those Pioneer speakers at Best buy and while they are great, and visually stunning, they do require quite a bit of power to get the most out of them. That's the price for getting any bass out of a 4" speaker.

 

[jonnythan]

Zero music, no HT. Just need stereo speakers for watching TV.

 

[markw]

Zero music, no HT. Just need stereo speakers for watching TV.

Daytons will fit the bill perfectly, unless you can dig up a pair of used Minimus 7's.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For $70 w/free shipping Pioneer BS21 are hard to beat, but rated at 6ohm and 84dB - they do need some extra juice as mark mentioned.

Consider as alternative Infinity Primus P153BK - Rated at 8 Ohm and 88dB - much easier to drive with cheaper amps

Newegg links:
Newegg.com - Infinity Primus P153BK Two-way Bookshelf/Wall-mount Loudspeaker Each
Newegg.com - Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers Pair

I don't think these deals will last long time - especially Infinity

 

[jcl]

I think MarkW is right, the pioneers are 6 ohm and 84 db sensitivity.

Newegg has Infinity Primus 153's for $50 ea. Not sure if that's cheap enough. Newegg.com - Infinity Primus P153BK Two-way Bookshelf/Wall-mount Loudspeaker Each

Doh, BoredSysAdmin beat me to it!

 

[jonnythan]

Thanks for the suggestions. We won't be buying for a couple of months most likely. Hopefully those P153s go on sale again later in the summer.

 

[sholling]

Could you plug a set of Klipsch Promedia 2.1 computer speakers into the headphone jack?

 

[jonnythan]

I was thinking about something like that, but I was afraid that typical computer speakers won't be able to produce enough volume.

 

[sholling]

I was thinking about something like that, but I was afraid that typical computer speakers won't be able to produce enough volume.

It depends on how far away they'll sit. The Promedia get pretty loud. They even have a version with a wireless (vs wired) sub. The sub is a bit boomy but not bad for computer speakers. The satellites are almost the same as Klipsch Quintets with the main difference being the Promedias that I have use 3.5mm plugs instead of binding posts.

• AMPLIFIER POWER: Peak Power: 200 Watts total system
• ... Satellites: 35 watts/channel @ 5% THD, 1KHz, two channels driven.
• ... Subwoofer: 130 watts peak (50 watts @ 5% THD, 50 Hz continuous)
• MAXIMUM ACOUSTIC OUTPUT: 106dB SPL
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 31Hz - 20kHz
• HIGH FREQUENCY HORN: 90(o) x 40(o) MicroTractrix(r) Horn
• INPUTS: MP3 two-channel soundcard miniplug
• OUTPUTS: Headphone
• SUBWOOFER: One side-firing 6.5" (16.51cm) long-throw fiber composite cone
• TWEETER: 0.75" Poly compression driver
• WOOFER: 3" long-throw fiber-composite cone
• VOLTAGE: 110/120 VAC
• WEIGHT: Satellite: 2.1 lbs. (0.95kg)
• Subwoofer: 11 lbs. (5kg)

 

[jonnythan]

I have some Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers, which are really pretty good for computer speakers. They do play pretty loud. Maybe I'll hook those up and see how it sounds.

 

[jonnythan]

Ended up ordering the B652s for $40 shipped. Saving money is primo right now because she's moving to a new apartment and won't be starting her new teaching job until the fall. Between rent and security and furniture there's not much cash to go around until she starts getting a paycheck.

If they prove horribly insufficient we'll get a soundbar next year.

 

[jonnythan]

Wow I'm rather impressed by these B652s. They're better than my old Polk R15s were. They get very loud with the 15-watt T-amp too, much louder than I would ever listen to anything. I cannot believe how cheap they were.

These will do very nicely, even for music played through the Roku. Not much bass but they have a little low-end kick.