Please help with a system

[OldStyler]

I'm a rookie at this audio stuff, I have no idea really about a lot of the stuff that goes into higher end systems, and i have no idea about brands. (I thought sony and bose were alright before i came here.) But basically I just need a decent set of speakers, a receiver and a sub, that would hook up to my PC to blast a relatively small room (fraternity room, it's a longer rectangle, not sure on dimensions) full of music during a party. My friend has a setup with a sub, 2 JBLs and a sony receiver (it was free). I'm basically looking for something that would have comparable sound and power, within a 20 year old college students price range. Is the 600 bucks area feasible? If anyone could just recommend some speakers, a sub and a receiver, or anyother good equipment that could help with price and/or quality i'd really appreciate it. Also, i would prefer it that the speakers be small so they could be mounted in the corners of the room near the ceiling. thanks again.

 

[OldStyler]

would this possibly do the trick or is going for something more geared for bigger music be better?

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/p...,CONTENTID=9486

i could spend more if there is something that someone thinks would be better for me. thanks again

 

[rikmeister]

you could do it . look at overstock.com for speakers or audiogon.com for used ones.

for receiver go to electronics-expo.com and look at the pioneer 9300 for 391.00 is more than you will ever need and reliable. make sure the fronts and center match or you will pay the price. ie same brands or models do not mix or you will regret it.

 

[Takeereasy]

OldStyler, do you want bookshelf spekers or floorstanders, and do you only want ta 2 channel setup or do you want the possibility of including surround sound at a later date. Those are all very important questions. My suggestion would be to go with a setup that can be upgraded later.

Here is an idea of a good starter system.

Receiver: Harman Kardon 135 for about $270 shipped. Great and pretty powerful entry level receiver. You may also want to consider the Pioneer 815 receiver recently reviwed on this site as well. It is one feature packed receiver for the price and it should be available from authorized dealers for about $270-$300. I like the HK better but to be honest it is mainly a cosmetics thing.

Front Speakers: Bic America DV-62SI About $125 shipped. Highly recommended bookshelfs by several posters on the site.

Subwoofer: Cadence X sub Should be about $250 shipped. Very deep bass and seems to be the best deal under $300 going right now or is at least very close to it. This will rock several of your neighbors.

GOod luck with it all.

 

[Spiffyfast]

for receiver go to electronics-expo.com and look at the pioneer 9300 for 391.00 is more than you will ever need and reliable. make sure the fronts and center match or you will pay the price. ie same brands or models do not mix or you will regret it.

they have the 9300 for that price now, holy cow!!! thats what the 9100 was going for about a week ago

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

OldStyler, do you want bookshelf spekers or floorstanders, and do you only want ta 2 channel setup or do you want the possibility of including surround sound at a later date. Those are all very important questions. My suggestion would be to go with a setup that can be upgraded later.

Here is an idea of a good starter system.

Receiver: Harman Kardon 135 for about $270 shipped. Great and pretty powerful entry level receiver. You may also want to consider the Pioneer 815 receiver recently reviwed on this site as well. It is one feature packed receiver for the price and it should be available from authorized dealers for about $270-$300. I like the HK better but to be honest it is mainly a cosmetics thing.

Front Speakers: Bic America DV-62SI About $125 shipped. Highly recommended bookshelfs by several posters on the site.

Subwoofer: Cadence X sub Should be about $250 shipped. Very deep bass and seems to be the best deal under $300 going right now or is at least very close to it. This will rock several of your neighbors.

GOod luck with it all.

Great recommend. Cadence always has free shipping on that sub. $219 out the door. How about a beefier receiver a few years old? Anymore, 7 channels is overrated - especially for a guy in college. Don't you think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5789967751&category=39794&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5790066107&category=39794&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5790324285&category=39794&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5790585658&category=39794&rd=1

Here's the deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5791295871&category=39794&rd=1

 

[OldStyler]

thanks for the suggestions, i've researched the products you guys recommended and i think they will most def work for me. but then there's wiring. i, of course, know nothing at all about wiring besides knowing i need speaker wire to connect the speakers and an AV cable to connect my PC with my receiver. is there any particular kind that is better than another? also, there are ads on the main page for this Sonos system, which has a wireless song selector thing. the whole system costs way too much for me and wouldn't really serve much purpose for me at all. But the little song selecting computer would be an awesome and desired addition. does anyone know if there is something like this that i can buy that doesn't cost so much or be so powerful. i just want to be able to change the track without going over to my pc itself. thanks again guys

 

[brian32672]

thanks for the suggestions, i've researched the products you guys recommended and i think they will most def work for me. but then there's wiring. i, of course, know nothing at all about wiring besides knowing i need speaker wire to connect the speakers and an AV cable to connect my PC with my receiver. is there any particular kind that is better than another? also, there are ads on the main page for this Sonos system, which has a wireless song selector thing. the whole system costs way too much for me and wouldn't really serve much purpose for me at all. But the little song selecting computer would be an awesome and desired addition. does anyone know if there is something like this that i can buy that doesn't cost so much or be so powerful. i just want to be able to change the track without going over to my pc itself. thanks again guys

For a remote to control your computer, you will not find a cheaper one than the ATI remote wonder. Search around and you can get them for about 18-20 shipped (or even less). This will control windows media player, dvd players , mp3 , etc...
Here is a link for 1 on eBay (its a little expensive, so shop around)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5791259725&category=51086&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1

Here is a review of that remote...(BTW-It will work with all video cards and all computers, as long as you have 1 free usb port)Please realize this is an older review, since the review the remote has had updates of the software, and is more compatable with other programs.
http://www.remotecentral.com/wonder/index.html

If you are interested in the Remote Wonder 2, then get ready to shell out at least 50-60.00 (Or buy a ATI AIW video card, the 2 that this remote is included with are the AIW 9600xt (about 175.00) and also the AIW X800 XT (about 380.00)
Here is a review of that remote...
http://www.remotecentral.com/wonder2/index.html

"By default the drivers include plug-ins for Microsoft Powerpoint and Winamp, although ATI also advertises official plug-ins for DIVX Player and TheaterTek DVD Player. All plug-ins for the old Remote Wonder will also work. Several dozen different plug-ins can be found on the ’net for popular multimedia players and presentation programs."


(Also I have had both the Remote Wonder and Remote Wonder2, they are great for what they are intended to do. For farther RF range and through walls, the Remote Wonder2 worked much better, but if you are talking about 15-20 feet and not through a wall the the original is fine)



For speaker wire, there is no cheaper place for great quality. Beldin cl3, granted you will not be putting it behind the wall and that is what its rated for. But it is twisted 10,12,14,16 awg wire well protected.
Link for it is here.
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&category=CAB&SUBCAT=BEL-&hits=150&item_no=BEL-13286

However they do need to restock, but check pages 5-6-7 for bulk wire Belden. Theres something in stock, or just call them. Also shipping is quite cheap. Minimun purchase of 15.00

 

[Takeereasy]

I don't know any more about wireless set ups than you do, and I agree that Sonos looks great but is a little too costly for me as well.

Brian is 100% correct that you don't need to drop a bundle on wiring. The wiring he suggested is more than sufficient. I'd recommend you go no lower than 14 awg. when you do get cable though. As an alternative if you don't want to wait for shipping you can go to home depot and pick up some 12 ga. wire for a very reasonable price as well. All you need to be concerned is that you are getting a wire that is pretty much oxygen free and of a sufficient ga. In almost any case 12ga. wire is more than sufficient.

 

[Nick250]

In regards to speaker wire I recommend Radio Shack 14 guage or Home Depot 12 or 14 guage. It will probably run you about $25 ish. No advantage to spending more.