recommendations for a 2.1->5.1 upgradable system?

[jospeh]

I'm looking to spend around 300-400$ for a 2.1 system (or maybe a 2.0 system) that I can upgrade to a 5.1 system later on. They are going to be hooked up to my main PC and will be used for movies/gaming/music ect.. The room is pretty small so I don't really need powerful speakers, they just need to sound decent. Do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[sholling]

Look at the home-office setup in my signature. You can pick up a used 5.1 or 7.1 receiver for $50-100 and use that to power speakers. It doesn't need to be anything fancy but it's best if you can go from a digital output on the computer to a digital input on the receiver.

For speakers I like Behringer B2030P studio monitors ($130-150/pr shipped). Don't let the price fool you, these sound really good anywhere from 2-20 feet away - something that not every speaker can pull off. They don't have a built in amp so you'll need a receiver or an amplifier to drive them.

For a small room you should be able to get away with a Dayton SUB-120 from Parts Express ($155+S&H).

 

[jospeh]

Thanks for the suggestion. Are these speakers usable as center and rear channels as well?

 

[Nugu]

yes, I use 5 of them in my 5.1 and plan to use two more when I get the extra money for 7.1.

 

[sholling]

Thanks for the suggestion. Are these speakers usable as center and rear channels as well?

Yes you can use them 5 of the as the 5.0 of a 5.1 system or you can do what I do (see signature) and use 3 for the left right and center, and use bipolar speakers for the surrounds. They sound really good out of the box and even better with a few simple DIY mods.

They only downsides are the industrial look and a bit of cabinet resonance. You'll want to set them on something to isolate them from whatever you put them on. If you wall-hang them I'd use some self-stick felt buttons ($2 @ Walmart) on the back, and if you put them on the desk I'd use Auralex Mopads or perhaps some cheap anti-vibration pads.

 

[jospeh]

Why do you have different speakers for the back? Also, what sort of mods?

 

[sholling]

Why do you have different speakers for the back? Also, what sort of mods?

In my home-office I use bipolar speakers for the side surrounds. It just gives a more defused sound because you have two mid-woofers and tweeters firing off at angles spreading the sound along the side walls like at a movie. They're usually mounted higher than monopoles which made mounting easier in my situation. I do the same in my master bedroom. On the other hand I use monopoles in my family room. It's mostly positioning and personal taste. Go with whichever solution you personally prefer.

In the past I've used the little Wharfedale WH-2 surrounds. They aren't the best speaker in the world but they're probably the best bipolar surround that you can buy for $80/pr.

A former member named WmAx came up with the B2030P mods. There isn't a lot to them. A couple of drops of liquid super glue between the woofer magnet and shield, a tiny bit of speaker caulk as a seal between the tweeter and wave guide, and replace the speaker stuffing with as close to 2" of sheet rockwool on all sides and 3" on the back as you can fit without blocking the ports. Not counting shipping you're looking at $1 for enough speaker sealing caulk for a dozen B2030Ps. A sheet of 24x48x2" Roxol Rockwool (enough for 4-5) is like $13+S&H. And a big can of 3M 77 spray glue to hold the rockwool in place is like $10 at your local hardware store. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver, a straight edge, a long razor knife, a place to work, and about 1/2 hour each. Cheapie surgical style rubber gloves from the hardware store are a plus unless you like scraping glue and rockwool off you skin. . BTW: The specified amount of rockwool doesn't leave room for the woofer so you have to cut away enough to let the woofer fit.

Honestly I'd just use them as-is for a while and see if you what you think. I think you'll be happy with them as-is.