Polk TSi100 vs Behringer MS16

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Polk TSi100 with a SMHL SA-50 amp vs. a Behringer MS16. Which one is better for music?

 

[Seth=L]

One of them is quite a bit more expensive. Do you already own all these items? The reason I ask is there are much better options for a music listening system with a $200+ budget.

 

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I'm looking to purchased used via Craigslist and was able to find both systems locally for around the same price (60 USD).

And out of curiosity, which other systems would you recommend for <200? Thanks.

 

[Seth=L]

I'm looking to purchased used via Craigslist and was able to find both systems locally for around the same price (60 USD).

Bar none, the Polk/amp combo. You're able to get both of those items for just $60? If so, that's a pretty good deal. That's worth it for the speakers, it would be nice to get the amp as a bonus.

The Behringer is only $79.95 for the pair brand new. Those speakers are basically glorified PC speakers and not even that good at that IMO. Plastic cabinets and all, they look like PC speakers that came with your grandpa's first computer, yuck.

And out of curiosity, which other systems would you recommend for <200? Thanks.

Hmm that's a difficult question for me to answer. I'd wager others that have been keeping up with the audio in recent months can better direct you there. It will help to know how you plan to set them up, room size, and what existing equipment you have that you might be able to use.

 

[Acceptable]

Yep, I'm able to get both the Polk and the amp for 60.

A colleague of mine actually has the identical system in an identical room (school dorm) and when I listened to it, they seemed a bit bass heavy. When watching some movies, it was occasionally difficult to hear the dialogue without turning up the volume too high (and hence turning the bass to high).

The room is about 12' x 12' with hard walls and a few soft furniture. I will be placing them next to a 32" TV. Unfortunately, this is my first foray into loudspeakers, so this purchase would be my first. I do, however, have a Schiit Audio Magni headphone amp and Modi DAC.

I'm assuming the Magni headphone amp will be of inappropriate wattage for the loudspeakers right? But would I be able to use the Modi DAC with the Polk TSi100s?

 

[Seth=L]

You could use the DAC yes, the headphone amp would provide inadequate power and is designed to drive much higher resistance loads. If the speakers were too close to a wall or corner (less than 2 ft.) that would account for the bass heavy sound. The orientation of the tweeter below the woofer indicates that the speaker may have been designed with a dual purpose in mind (more than likely an alternative to more pricey surrounds of the same series). You could try raising the level of the tweeter higher or perhaps turning the speaker upside down.