18 replies to this topic

[NCSU ECE]

I am looking to add a simple, cheap, 2.1 setup to my bedroom (13'x13') to use with my computer and tv. My budget is 3-400 and I want to keep it on the lower end. I was looking into some studio monitors since I will be mainly be listening to music, but I will watch the occasional movie. I also tend to be a bit of a bass head every now and then so I want a sub with the capability of a higher spl than the monitors and a low f3 for movies. I was just looking through parts-express and found some behringer speakers that looked appealing as well as the HT series Dayton subs. I was thinking for the subs the Dayton SUB-120 or SUB-100, the BIC Venturi V1020, or the AudioSource PSW112. For monitors possibly the Behringer MS40s, BS1030As, or the BS2030As. I am open to other options, just what I found browsing around tonight. Thanks!

[Deephaven]

Do you already have a receiver? Anything you could use as a sub amp? Both those items are budget killers in your situation.

[NCSU ECE]

Deephaven, on 01 June 2010 - 07:52 AM, said:

Do you already have a receiver? Anything you could use as a sub amp? Both those items are budget killers in your situation.

The subs I listed are already powered, they all range in the 130-170 dollar range. I don't have a receiver but I don't mind making more room in my budget for that. I was going to do some research first and start another thread but I guess I will add it in here. Any good budget (not sure on the price range, so I will leave it kind of general) receivers I should use?

[Deephaven]

Personally I wouldn't buy anything that you listed, not even close. I'd go without a sub before buying one for $130.

Total budget, total goals, and some idea of long term would help. No matter what though in your budget, used or DIY is your only choice.

[sandt38]

While not amazing, these are impossible to beat for the price:

CADENCE F-17 DUAL 6.5" WOOFERS, FRONT STAGE SPEAKERS - eBay (item 290439733118 end time Jun-04-10 03:48:13 PDT)

On to the sub, Were I you i might look at CSS

Creative Sound - Product Details

The kit contains the subwoofer baffle, XBL2 enabled SDX10 subwoofer, the amplifier baffle, plate amp, and spike feet. all you need to do is make the top and bottom and sides of the enclosure. This is a damned fine small room subwoofer package.

But that is your $400 budget. You will need to look into a cheap used receiver.

[topgun]

First off, are you looking to purchase the items, or is building a possibility?

[95Honda]

I would also DIY the sub and monitors...

You can't beat the bang for the $ if you go with a Dayton driver and amp.... I would honestly go that route before CSS or anything else, you'll just get more for your money, and that is what is sounds like you are doing. I would go with either the DVC or HF 12" driver and the 240 watt plate amp, even less power if you can afford a larger, vented box.... I would go with a CSS or DIY cable sub if you could find one used, though... That can be tough, they are high quality products people tend to hang on to...

I would look into Zaph audio's site for monitor kits, he has pretty much streched the dollar as far as you can for hi-fi speakers... He has some designs that are under $100 to build a set, minus cabinets. Additionally, all of his designs are proven...

You could also buy a set of the partsexpress cabinets for the monitors... They are better quality than anything you would find under $1000 a set in a retail stores....

[95Honda]

Zaph|Audio - Bargain Aluminum MTM

Would be a good set....

[NCSU ECE]

95Honda, on 02 June 2010 - 01:57 PM, said:

Zaph|Audio - Bargain Aluminum MTM

Would be a good set....

I forgot about the recession busters. I am not opposed at all to building anything, although time is somewhat of a concern. There really aren't any long term goals, this isn't my main setup, it's just for when I want to be nice to my roommates or watch a movie with my girl, also listen to some music when doing some work. I just want to save money to put into my main set up that I hope to start soon. It's hard for me not to want as good as possible lol.

Which partsexpress cabinets? Like the BIC, Dayton ones, or just the cabinets with no speakers? Those Venturi bookshelfs are $111 a pair, not sure of the quality. Those cadences also look like a good pick up. Being relatively new to the HT world, what would be a cheap receiver to use?

Total budget, I guess $700-800 max? Less would be awsome. Loud isn't the biggest factor, no need for concert level in my room haha.

Oh, also picked up a new job today so hoping I can save for a while and get a sick set up for my living room!

[MKader17]

Noticed that you may have moved your budget up but going along with your original budget this is what I found...

Dayton DTA-100 Class-T Digital Amplifier 50 WPC

I use the DTA-1 and I love it for my computer speakers. I would expect the same kind of satisfaction out of the DTA-100 ($100)

Zaph|Audio MCM / Vifa 5" System

Well researched, cheap setup ~$125 a pair

Dayton SUB-100 HT Series 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer

Gives you a powered sub for a cheap price ($133)

This puts you at $358 less shipping and other components. With this setup you would have to run rca splitters to each input and would only be able to connect through one source without having a preamp, but if you are connecting through a TV you could connect additional sources to the TV and have them play through the audio out. It may not be audiophile but its better than the TV speakers and will get the job done.

[Deephaven]

NCSU ECE, on 02 June 2010 - 06:53 PM, said:

95Honda, on 02 June 2010 - 01:57 PM, said:

Zaph|Audio - Bargain Aluminum MTM

Would be a good set....

There really aren't any long term goals, this isn't my main setup, it's just for when I want to be nice to my roommates or watch a movie with my girl, also listen to some music when doing some work. I just want to save money to put into my main set up that I hope to start soon. It's hard for me not to want as good as possible lol.

Then you need to 86 the sub. No reason in that budget to add one, I'd take your whole budget and apply it to something that can be used in your main system. Perhaps buy your rears and use them as fronts now.

[NCSU ECE]

Hmmm, I like the sound of that. I could start with a 3.1 too for my main then replace these when I move them to the rears. Since its mainly music, no need for the sub I guess. Should I not even get a receiver for them then? I could get by without a pre amp right.

Oh, and do you recommend those zaphs as well? I am willing to put more effort and or money into this if they are going in my main set up. I might start another thread to start asking questions about the big one.

[sandt38]

I wish when people contracted me to design/build their systems they were so lax with their budget and goals.

[Deephaven]

Recommendations all depend on budget. Generically speaking Zaph is a designer I trust, but like everything in audio he makes compromises as well and you want to make sure they line up with yours. Usually the compromise is price or space/the space.

[NCSU ECE]

My problem is I am always to lax My main room is 21x15x9, I am going to check though, gotta ride to the house anyway to start getting it ready to move in. I don't want to put a definitive number on the budget yet, I haven't looked into receivers very much except some onkyos and denons. What are some goals I need to list for the main room? I don't care about wasting space, a simple 5.1 or 7.1 will be fine. Just want to learn some about it before I spend an arm and leg and don't even know how to reach the max capability of what I have.

[NCSU ECE]

Found some sets that looked pretty cheap, simple, and have pretty good performance. Just some of Zaph's designs at Madisound.

Front Main ZA5.3t Zaph|Audio ZA5.3t TMM Tower, Pair from Madisound


Rears either these ZA5.2 Zaph|Audio ZA5.2 TM 2-Way, Pair from Madisound

or these ZA5.3 Zaph|Audio ZA5.3 MTM, Pair from Madisound


Center Channel ZA5.3c Zaph|Audio ZA5.3c Center Channel, Single from Madisound


Surrounds ZA5.2


I could use the surrounds or rears for a while as my bedroom speakers then maybe build some Seas MKIIs or the Vifa RB3s. Vifa would sound a good bit better I am guessing. Kind of raindancing on zaph and Madisound but nothing wrong with that I think the total of the 7 zaphs were about $1,000 so not bad for the performance. Maybe work in a sub and receiver in there with not too much more money and I got a good, budget friendly set up. Not sure what it would take to get a receiver with multizone, or if that would make any sense, to run stereo in my room. Think I saw a Denon AVR-3310CI for pretty cheap on clearance in some shop. Maybe Daber, Exodus, or Soundsplinter for the sub, possibly something from PE. Is this the right direction?

[Deephaven]

I personally would look for a non-MTM

[NCSU ECE]

Deephaven, on 04 June 2010 - 07:36 AM, said:

I personally would look for a non-MTM

Are the TMMs ok to use? And does that advice exclude center channels?

[NekoAudio]

NCSU ECE, on 04 June 2010 - 01:02 PM, said:

Deephaven, on 04 June 2010 - 07:36 AM, said:

I personally would look for a non-MTM

Are the TMMs ok to use? And does that advice exclude center channels?

More drivers requires you to sit farther away for better sound integration. If you are too close, the sound will be wrong. Generally speaking, in a regular family room setup you are definitely going to be sitting far enough away. But at a computer, you're probably too close.