Please advise! Looking for $200 range speakers

[titus9000]

Hello! First off, I am pretty much a n00b when it comes to audiophile stuff. That being said, I do know what I want my speakers to do. I am a full time student who listens to jazz and drum and bass (odd combo, I know). Therefore, I am looking for a system in the $200 price range that can fill a small room, with decent low range power, ideally with a sub. I am overwhelmed by all my choices, and was wondering if I should go with a powered 2.1 system, or use some of my budget on a a receiver (75 watt per channel can be found on cragislist for ~$100) and the rest on speakers (3-way?). One of my friends has an ooooold receiver hooked up to some 3-way towers and it sounds great.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Bismarck]

First off, I would recommend slowly building a good system instead of buying everything at once and only getting a mediocre system.

A subwoofer is a must have, but with a $200 budget i am not sure you will be able to find an entire system that is really worth your money. Unless you are looking for a 2.1 PC speaker system.

Many people on this forum may recommend internet direct brands, which can be great for the money. I have personal experience with some new pioneer speakers that sounded great for the money. Hometheatermag just did a review on them and really liked them too. Although it may kill many audiophiles, I only know that they are sold at Best Buy. The bookshelf model # is SP-BS21-LR. for $80 you can get the bookshelf speakers and maybe a receiver off of craig's list. Later, maybe complete the system.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

There's much honestly to choose from at this price point, especially from amp+speaker+sub combos.
Could I suggest some junk which sound terrible and be 2.1 separates system - I could, but this would defeat the purpose.
Since you mentioned you have small room and music is priority I recon you might be interested in powered studio monitors - the sound great and you saving money..
like these:
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-Bi-amplified-Reference-Monitors/dp/B0014IEBM0
these

http://www.jr.com/behringer/pe/BEH_B1030A/ - Yes, they sold each and I realize that $280 is budget buster, but in scale of things - $80 is less than price of nice dinner here in NY.

Option c) Much more budget friendly but not as good (still pretty decent thou)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/373758-REG/Behringer_MS40_MS40_2_Way_40_Watt.html
$129 w/ Free shipping - you can't go wrong... I own smaller brother of these - MS16 and I love them

 

[GranteedEV]

Lately the Pioneer units in that price range have been getting sweet feedback.

 

[bikemig]

I second the idea of powered speakers given your needs and budget. Take a look at the audioengines (the A-2s run $200) and the swan speakers, sold here, http://www.theaudioinsider.com/index.php/loudspeakers/swan-active-desktop/cPath/21_24. You don't need a sub for music as much as you need a good pair of speakers. You can add a sub later. You can pick up the Swan M-10 for $120 and have enough money left over for some great headphones like the Grado SR 60i. Here is a review of the M-10s, http://themacfeed.com/2009/08/review-swan-m10/.

 

[zieglj01]

Lately the Pioneer units in that price range have been getting sweet feedback.

The June issue of Home Theater magazine has a review of the B41 - not online yet.
I have owned the B21 and opened them up - the build quality is good.

 

[GranteedEV]

The June issue of Home Theater magazine has a review of the B41 - not online yet.
I have owned the B21 and opened them up - the build quality is good.

The same designer who does their TAD Reference and Pioneer EX speakers is on board for these things.

 

[zieglj01]

The same designer who does their TAD Reference and Pioneer EX speakers is on board for these things.

He also did the S-DF series about 8-10 years ago - I found a pair on Ebay
for $40. They should be here on Friday. The S-DF2-K
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers/S-DF2-K

 

[gpost3]

I would advise against AudioEngine A2, I had them and they seriously lack in midrange. So unless you already have a receiver or can pick one up for relatively low price, it is probably better to go with powered active monitor speakers like the KRK Rokit 5.

KRK Rokit 5 will be perfect for jazz and drum beats. I auditioned them at a shop and found the bass response was quick and tight. They had excellent soundstage compared to more expensive units from Genelec and they were not bright at all.

The KRKs are each sold individually (i.e. Not in a pair) but you might be able to pick them up used in a pair on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.ca/KRK-systems-ROKIT-5-RPG2-/270751027279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0a04d04f

They have RCA input so you can hook them up easily and control the volume using your computer/mp3 player.

 

[bikemig]

I would advise against AudioEngine A2, I had them and they seriously lack in midrange. So unless you already have a receiver or can pick one up for relatively low price, it is probably better to go with powered active monitor speakers like the KRK Rokit 5.

KRK Rokit 5 will be perfect for jazz and drum beats. I auditioned them at a shop and found the bass response was quick and tight. They had excellent soundstage compared to more expensive units from Genelec and they were not bright at all.

The KRKs are each sold individually (i.e. Not in a pair) but you might be able to pick them up used in a pair on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.ca/KRK-systems-ROKIT-5-RPG2-/270751027279?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0a04d04f

They have RCA input so you can hook them up easily and control the volume using your computer/mp3 player.

I disagree about the A-2s; I think they sound great and there are plenty (and I mean plenty) of very positive reviews online. Google the speakers; they are excellent. While I don't doubt that the Rokits are very good, they do run around $300. I can think of lots of great powered speakers at that price point. The OP placed a limit of $200 which means you have to get a bit more creative.

 

[xijonix]

Well, from a lot of experience of building home theatre systems for people I would highly recommend you to check out fluance, they have a whole brand new home theatre system consisting of 2 Towers - 1 Center - 2 Surrounds for 199.99 and they do sound really amazing especially for the price they sound a lot higher end, well built with a really good crossover and strong durable drivers with great sound resonance, they'll be great for you can always look for a budget friendly receiver, but what i do is just browse the classified ads you'll find amazing receivers to start you off for cheap, 5.1 receivers are selling like 25 cent candies, 7.1 is more high market right now with high prices so the 5.1 receivers even ones that are just only 3 years old go for $100 or less. I was able to setup a system for someone, with fluance speakers, put the fronts close to the corner since the Port is rear facing and against the corner of the wall the bass will be pronounce, for that case it does amazing with bass, then got a pioneer 5.1 receiver which had strong outputs and produced a lot of bass response coupled with the fluance speakers. They have base packages starting from 199.99 you can always step it up to 299.99 if you want a little higher end but personally for you i believe the 199.99 will be really good. Search up reviews on them they are definitely worth the price, you listen to them you'll never expect them to be 199.99 the couple thought they were 299.99 each front tower, highly recommended, they sound great with Hip-Hop with heavy bass, or even classical or jazz they all sound really good. You'll be impressed for their price.
http://www.fluance.com/
http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html <--- one i'm talking about
http://www.fluance.com/fluan5speaks.html <--- Higher end

If your up for just a front sound stage then you can go with these
http://www.fluance.com/fluanhigthre.html

they have built in subwoofers in either tower, not powered but cross over in a properly built enclosure so your powerful two receiver will do well with these especially put them in two corners angled inwards will be great enough bass, great midrange and really good highs they don't skip on quality of drivers. Little more pricey if you want this but it's something to consider.

I can't find any other budget friendly companies out there, there are many companies that make wonderful speakers but their price range is not for you for what your looking for.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think you need to save up another $131.48 and get a pair of NHT SuperZero & a Jamo 10" powered Subwoofer for a grand total of 199.88 + 165.74 = $331.48:

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/549635206/jamo-a70-sub?s_c=site_search

http://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-0-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B0049FA1TM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305743727&sr=8-1

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd highly advise vs getting the [strike]flatulence[/strike] Fluance system, thou they do represent decent value for HT crowd they not suited to be used to listed to jazz at all

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'd highly advise vs getting the [strike]flatulence[/strike] Fluance system, thou they do represent decent value for HT crowd they not suited to be used to listed to jazz at all

But at least they offer a LIFETIME WARANTY!

Even Bryston can't touch that.

 

[alphaiii]

Just FYI...

The Super Zero 2.0's are on sale at Amazon right now around $82/ea...
http://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-0-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B0049FA1TM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305829868&sr=8-1

Also, the SuperZero 2.0/Super Eight Sub combo is on sale at One Call...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150582519591&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://www.onecall.com/product/NHT/Super-Stereo/Speaker/_/R-107858