Recommendations wanted for 2.1 music listening

[redpointist]

I have $500 to spend on a stereo system for listening to lossless audio files stored on my laptop. I'm a college student and had a Klipsch promedia Ultra 5.1 that I used as a 2.1, but it was recently stolen and insurance paid $500 to replace it.

I'd like to upgrade to the best amp+sub+2 speaker system I can get in that price range, and would appreciate any helpful info you might have.

I've seen alot of reccomendations for a pair of B2030P Studio Monitors, that would cost about $150. Is there a pair of speakers that would do me better for $300? I don't mind buying used if available.

 

[redpointist]

How would something like a pair of KEF IQ3 compare to B2030Ps in SQ and performance at high volume?

 

[JerryLove]

You forgot to add the cost of the two Dayton subwoofers ($133 each), and the external crossover (I think $40 used?) That gets you to right about $500, and you've not sorted out your amp (unless your receiver has a pre out and in, in whcih case you don't need one.

I believe it is the best sound you will be able to get for the price: especially as a near-field monitory (which sounds like how you will be using it).

There are, certainly, many other very good speakers out there. Some used Studio 20s, I'm running PSB 400i's I got for $60 on craigslist, there are simply too many to name and describe them all.

 

[redpointist]

Yea, I had nearly sold myself on getting the B2030P's. But There is someone on local craigslist selling iQ3s for $200. Do you think I'd be better of with the Iq3s?

 

[JerryLove]

I'm one of the people recommending the 2030p's. For my taste there isn't better near the price. I don't know what your tastes will be. Kef is an established brand with a solid following. You may like them very much. The pair I owned were extremely pretty to boot (their sound was not to my taste, but they were an older pair).

 

[adwilk]

I'd wanna see the Kefs before making that decision.. If they are in great shape, it'd be hard to turn down. Thats a pretty good deal on those. That said, I own the 2030's and they really are a great speaker for the money...

 

[redpointist]

I also know nothing about amps/receivers. Could someone provide an example of what I'll be needing to run a pair of these speakers and a Dayton sub? I'll probbaly just get 1 sub for now, but I'd like the amp/receiver to be able to connect to an external crossover for 2.2 when I decide to get a second sub.

I'm not sure if there are specific features I'm going to need. Should I go with an integrated amp? What type?

 

[adwilk]

I also know nothing about amps/receivers. Could someone provide an example of what I'll be needing to run a pair of these speakers and a Dayton sub? I'll probbaly just get 1 sub for now, but I'd like the amp/receiver to be able to connect to an external crossover for 2.2 when I decide to get a second sub.

I'm not sure if there are specific features I'm going to need. Should I go with an integrated amp? What type?

With your budget, you're not gonna have a lot of options. Any AVR will work just fine for a stereo setup.

 

[redpointist]

Thanks for the responses guys. So if I buy any stereo receiver, it will be sufficient to power two speakers and a sub? I wont need any additional amps/preamps?

 

[lucassean]

Hello,

I wanted to the same. I bought a Little Singer Tube amp from ALO Audio for $199.00, two new Paradigm Atom book shelves for $136.00 each and an Infinity PS-8 subwoofer from ebay. I can't remember the price of the sub but it wasn't too much. The system sounds incredible. I love the Little Singer. I'm thinking of buying one as a spare it's that good.

 

[redpointist]

Would an amp like this work? I'd like to spend about $100 on the amp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/T-AMP-TA2024-Class-T-HIFI-Audio-Integrated-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ270498633884QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efaf9989c

 

[JerryLove]

*If* you are going to try to end up with the dual-subs-in-stereo that I'm receommending: then you would want to find an AVR with a "pre out", to eventually hook to the Behringer.

If the AVR has a pre out & pre in (less common), then you are all set. If it only has a pre-out then, when you are ready to go stereo sub, you'll also need an amp for the speakers.

Also, the amp you've linked to is 15W. You need *very* efficient speakers to run off that at any appriciable level.

I'm not sure if this thing has outs but something like: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-stereo-receiver-model-SX-255R_W0QQitemZ360215587289QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceivers_Tuners?hash=item53de85a9d9

In a pinch you could use the low-pass built into the subwoofer.

 

[redpointist]

Thanks, I for pointing that out. I'll go rummage around in my dad's garage as I think he has an old receiver that may do the trick.

Dayton 12s are 155+ 15 shipping from this site

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635#

AM I going to do any better than that?

 

[redpointist]

So I bought a pair of B2030Ps and a Dayton 12" sub for a total of $300 shipped.

So now I just need to go see if my dad might have an old receiver and figure out what kind of cables I'm going to need.

 

[JerryLove]

If you are using a pre 5.1 receiver (one without a sub-out): you'll need to run the speaker cables through the sub for a low-pass filter. This is less than ideal but what you have to work with.

If your receiver has a "sub out". Use that. Set the crossovers around 90Hz (feel free to play to find what works best, assuming the receiver lets you change settings). Also, if the sub is a bit "boomy"; remember that can be fixed for $3.

Remember as well, if you are using a "sub out" on the receiver, set the crossover on the sub itself to "bypass" or, if that options not on it, to as high as it goes.

For ideal listening, you'll eventually want a second sub, and an external crossover. This will let you use the two subs and 2030's as a pair of full-range speakers.

 

[skyline_123]

JerryLove: Can you expand on the $3 fix for the "boomy" bass. Are you referring to simply adding some sort of polyfil pillow stuffing you buy at Walmart?

Also, what are the benefits of running an external Xover for the two subs as opposed to using the Xover in the receiver or the Xover on the back of the amp?

 

[JerryLove]

JerryLove: Can you expand on the $3 fix for the "boomy" bass. Are you referring to simply adding some sort of polyfil pillow stuffing you buy at Walmart?

It's a literal pillow (yes, it uses a poly-fill or like material as stuffing). A search of the forums for posts by WmAx including the word "pillow" should find the exact one in short order. He even has instructions on cheap/easy ways to improve the 2030p.

Also, what are the benefits of running an external Xover for the two subs as opposed to using the Xover in the receiver or the Xover on the back of the amp?

Most AVRs don't put out subs in stereo. Even the ones with two sub outs, are (usually) still combining the LFE into a mono channel and just putting it out both outputs.

The benefits of stereo subs are widely discussed and debated. Since the goal of my recommendation is to create two full-range speakers: getting the subs to run in stereo is one part of it.

Running the speaker wire through the sub is an option, but suffers the limitations of the crossover in the sub. In addition to the fact that it won't be a hard cut (passive crossovers aren't capable of that), I believe the low-pass-filter in the sub doesn't actually stop low frequencies from passing on to the main speaker where they can cause distortion.

Now I could be entirely wrong on that last paragraph: and would love to be corrected if so (how I learn)... but I think it's correct.

 

[njedpx3]

I have $500 to spend on a stereo system for listening to lossless audio files stored on my laptop. I'm a college student and had a Klipsch promedia Ultra 5.1 that I used as a 2.1, but it was recently stolen and insurance paid $500 to replace it.

I'd like to upgrade to the best amp+sub+2 speaker system I can get in that price range, and would appreciate any helpful info you might have.

I've seen alot of reccomendations for a pair of B2030P Studio Monitors, that would cost about $150. Is there a pair of speakers that would do me better for $300? I don't mind buying used if available.

The Berhinger truth monitorsare good but I like the Cambridge Audio S-30s better; I think they are much more asthetically pleasing and also sound excellent you can get them for $199.99 per pair. I also like the Paradigm Atom Monitor V-6 which are about $249 a pair.

A very good inexpensive subwoofer is the Dayton SUB 120-HT for $155.23

A good inexpensive starting receiver is the Sherwood RX4109 2-Channel 100 Watts Stereo Receiver (Black) for only $103.63

Then get cables or wire from Monoprice or bluejeanscables

With all this your right at your $500 budget.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[JerryLove]

BTW: I tracked down the mods to improve the 2030P even further:

1) Replace internal acoustic stuffing with more material and a higher grade material(ideally 4-8 lb/ft^3 density rockwool board or fiberglass board). [snip]

2) Fix vibrating metal can magnetic shield on woofer. Use liquid(NOT gel) super glue and squirt some generously around the seam where the can meets the driver - this will stop the vibration.

3) Fix air leak number 1. On the tweeter, where the tweeter motor connects to the tweeter faceplate, there is no seal between them. Use plain silicone sealant and squirt around the seam, being sure to also squirt around the base of the electrical leads.

4) Fix air leak number 2. On the plastic waveguide around the tweeter, there is no seal where the tweeter connects to the waveguide. Remove tweeter from the waveguide (4 screws on the back) and use bluetack, rope caulk or speaker gasket puddy; flatten with your fingers and place small amounts on the ridges of the waveguide where it connects to tweeter. Re-mount tweeter and tighten screws. Scrape off excess putty on the front that squeezes out with fingernail.

And I certainly have no intention of sounding like I'm knocking other speakers in the range. There are a lot of good units out there, and a lot of good recommendations from other posters.