Small hi-fi system with good output?

H

haukeg

Audiophyte
Hey all, I am a newbie to the forum. I am also not an expert but would lvoe to get some sound (pun intended) advice for yall.

I am at the tail end of a remodel and looking into some hi-fi equipment to setup some basic sound in my kitchen/living room. Before my remodel drywall was put up, I ran speaker wire to allow for some sound setup after the fact (didnt have time or budget to do a holistic audio integration).

So here is the situation at this moment: I basically have a kitchen with 2 speaker wire outlets in two corners of the room, and two ceiling locations for ceiling speakers in my living room - both sets of speaker wire go back to one location in the kitchen above a counter. I need to now determine speakers for the locations and a source for the sound...

FYI:
*** I tried to add links to each example but the forum wont allow until I have more than 5 posts, sorry. If you search google for the term I suggest, it is the first result in each...

My question is in many parts (sorry for the length of the post, I dont want to leave things too vague):

Speakers
1. I would like to determine good speakers for the kitchen corner locations (above cabinet placement), while I know this setup isnt acousticaly ideal. I have heard great things about these "orb speakers" - any persepctive? (***searchgoogle for example: "orb speakers")
2. I would like to get some basic in-ceiling speakers for my living room, but dont want to spend an arm and a leg. I will mainly be playing low level music for entertaining (no tv theatre goals here). Are Pyle speakers decent? (***search google for example: "Pro-8-inch")

Audio source
My main goal here is simple, small, affordable and nice looking componenets. I would like it to allow for iPod input, radio tuning and possibly CD functionality.
1. I absolutely love these Tivoli radios (***search google for example: "Tivoli Radio"), and hear that they are fantastic. I really dig the style and think it would be anice looking item to sit on the counter next to the speaker wire inputs. However, these do not have a supported ampped speaker out (as far as I can tell) - could I possibly add a pre-amp between the headphone out and the sattelite speakers? Smaller is better here, i do not want a lot of gear sitting on my counter if possible.
2. Another route that looked interesting would be this Denon mini-system I found (***search google for example: "Denon d-m33s"). Feature wise it looks great, and I could use the speakers at the remote locations in the kitchen (above the cabinets). But its a bit large to have sitting on my counter, so I have been a little aprehensive. Any other comparable units anyone can recommend that are smaller (mainly in depth)? Or other thoughts on this path?

I know this isnt a terribly "high end" question, but I hope someone out there can see my perspective of wanting a simple, clean option that is right for the situation. I dont need overkill here, I need functionality and a small foot print that offers decent ambient sound fidelity.

Thanks much!
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
Hey all, I am a newbie to the forum. I am also not an expert but would lvoe to get some sound (pun intended) advice for yall.

I am at the tail end of a remodel and looking into some hi-fi equipment to setup some basic sound in my kitchen/living room. Before my remodel drywall was put up, I ran speaker wire to allow for some sound setup after the fact (didnt have time or budget to do a holistic audio integration).

So here is the situation at this moment: I basically have a kitchen with 2 speaker wire outlets in two corners of the room, and two ceiling locations for ceiling speakers in my living room - both sets of speaker wire go back to one location in the kitchen above a counter. I need to now determine speakers for the locations and a source for the sound...

FYI:
*** I tried to add links to each example but the forum wont allow until I have more than 5 posts, sorry. If you search google for the term I suggest, it is the first result in each...

My question is in many parts (sorry for the length of the post, I dont want to leave things too vague):

Speakers
1. I would like to determine good speakers for the kitchen corner locations (above cabinet placement), while I know this setup isnt acousticaly ideal. I have heard great things about these "orb speakers" - any persepctive? (***searchgoogle for example: "orb speakers")
2. I would like to get some basic in-ceiling speakers for my living room, but dont want to spend an arm and a leg. I will mainly be playing low level music for entertaining (no tv theatre goals here). Are Pyle speakers decent? (***search google for example: "Pro-8-inch")

Audio source
My main goal here is simple, small, affordable and nice looking componenets. I would like it to allow for iPod input, radio tuning and possibly CD functionality.
1. I absolutely love these Tivoli radios (***search google for example: "Tivoli Radio"), and hear that they are fantastic. I really dig the style and think it would be anice looking item to sit on the counter next to the speaker wire inputs. However, these do not have a supported ampped speaker out (as far as I can tell) - could I possibly add a pre-amp between the headphone out and the sattelite speakers? Smaller is better here, i do not want a lot of gear sitting on my counter if possible.
2. Another route that looked interesting would be this Denon mini-system I found (***search google for example: "Denon d-m33s"). Feature wise it looks great, and I could use the speakers at the remote locations in the kitchen (above the cabinets). But its a bit large to have sitting on my counter, so I have been a little aprehensive. Any other comparable units anyone can recommend that are smaller (mainly in depth)? Or other thoughts on this path?

I know this isnt a terribly "high end" question, but I hope someone out there can see my perspective of wanting a simple, clean option that is right for the situation. I dont need overkill here, I need functionality and a small foot print that offers decent ambient sound fidelity.

Thanks much!
KEF makes the best small speakers I've heard and are the surrounds I have in my setup. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFHTS20013BLKB/KEF/HTS2001.3-Satelllite-Speaker-in-Black-each/1.html

They are just amazing and my ears love them so much I'd be willing to have them for every channel.

The KEF has a sound fidelity probably much higher than most people have heard as do most good brands of speakers.

KEF does what bose tries to do but fails. Make a good small speaker.

Orb's are nice, but I don't like their looks. Mirage nanosats are nice too, but I still prefer the KEF sound.

If you have a bigger budget and want a better KEF speaker look at the 3000 series.

If you want an All in one package.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFPICOF1/KEF/Picoforte-1-Speaker-system-w/-digital-player-dock-for-iPod/1.html

Uses the KEF 1001 speakers which are the budget line home theater speakers KEF.

I just wouldn't jack with In ceilings unless you go with a good brand. somethings aren't worth the effort if you aren't going to do them right. Besides a pair of KEFs can fill a kitchen.
 
W

winners76

Audioholic Intern
Get the Energy RC-Micro 5.1 system. I just bought one..phenomenal sound at a good price. Small cubes fit anywhere, the fidelity is amazing, clear treble and midrange. Get the 300W(240 W sub is standard) sub if you can with this one.
 
agarwalro

agarwalro

Audioholic Ninja
I think for the kitchen area a good 2.1 computer setup should be good enough as far as speakers is concerned. Klipsch Promedia 2.1 has great sound quality and can play at more than modest volumes.

For the speakers you want to put above the kitchen cabinets, the Audioengine A5 could be a good solution. Combined with their W2 wireless transmitter unit, you may not even need to have any equipement cluttering the kitchen. That said, I have no hands on experience with the products.
 
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