hi, i am only 17 and i would like a good speakers for my ps3 and my 42in plasma in my room. what speakers can i get the most out of with 250 dollars?

thanks.

What are you powering them with?

What are you powering them with?
video games, movies, and television

Russdawg is asking what kind of receiver or amplifier do you plan to use with the speakers, mainly to check if you already have a receiver or to make sure you are aware that you will (probably) need one.

Most speakers designed for home "AV" use are not powered, meaning that you will need a receiver or an amplifier to power them. In contrast, "computer speakers" and powered studio monitors commonly used in recording studios are self-powered, and don't require a receiver or amplifier for power.

Which type of speakers are you considering? Since you have a couple different sources (ps3 & TV), I would recommend getting a receiver and some non-powered speakers. You might have to increase your budget a little bit to get both a receiver and decent speakers, but there are options even if you must limit the budget to $200.

-Max

17 w/ a PS3 and a 42" plasma? You're on your way to a pretty decent setup! :)

Russdawg is asking what kind of receiver or amplifier do you plan to use with the speakers, mainly to check if you already have a receiver or to make sure you are aware that you will (probably) need one.

Most speakers designed for home "AV" use are not powered, meaning that you will need a receiver or an amplifier to power them. In contrast, "computer speakers" and powered studio monitors commonly used in recording studios are self-powered, and don't require a receiver or amplifier for power.

Which type of speakers are you considering? Since you have a couple different sources (ps3 & TV), I would recommend getting a receiver and some non-powered speakers. You might have to increase your budget a little bit to get both a receiver and decent speakers, but there are options even if you must limit the budget to $200.

-Max
i don't know much about recievers and amplifiers and all that, can you give me a tutorial? i'm a complete noob on these stuff. the only good brand i've ever heard of was bose but i'm not sure. thanks

hi, i am only 17 and i would like a good speakers for my ps3 and my 42in plasma in my room. what speakers can i get the most out of with 250 dollars?

thanks.

Your PS3 will sound great once you power it with the Bose system in that stretched limo of yours. That 42 inch plasma might be difficult to fit inside though.

O_O limo? lol the ps3 and plasma is in my room, my dad bought it for me, i don't want to ask him for any more stuff since he already bought my sister 2 new laptops and a new car, and he already bought me a 42 in plasma and a ps3. so i only got 250 dollar to spend and i don't want to spend any more of my dads money

Try getting a Used Amp/reciver
and a pair of bookshelf speakers!

for 250 .. i mean that's pretty rough...

the best i'd say is go to circuit city or bestbuy and get a HTIB (home theater in box)

basically it comes with speakers receiver and sometimes a dvd player.


you'll want to save up atleast another 200$ for around 400$ you can buy something decent that will work ok i guess.



Bestbuy - 199$ - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7728729&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050004&id=1140391964586


Bestbuy 299$
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7725786&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050004&id=1140391939869

I mean these are low end systems compared to buying everything seperate.

A typical receiver alone is around 3-400$ just itself then you'll have to buy some speakers which will cost anywhere from $200 a pair to pretty high.

christmas is coming up in a few months, just wait till then and have daddy buy you a killer system :)

O_O limo? lol the ps3 and plasma is in my room, my dad bought it for me, i don't want to ask him for any more stuff since he already bought my sister 2 new laptops and a new car, and he already bought me a 42 in plasma and a ps3. so i only got 250 dollar to spend and i don't want to spend any more of my dads money

Hmm, I like the idea of a financially responsible rich kid. I would recommend 4 of these.

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4965501

5 if you can find a way to use one of them as a center speaker.

You need ONE of these two options:

1) Both a receiver (all receivers have built-in amplifiers, and so will be able to power your speakers), and some speakers

2) Powered speakers, like computer speakers or powered studio monitors

I don't have much experience with option 2, so I would be inclined to go with option 1 if I was in your situation. However, maybe other posters will offer some of their choices for option 2.

For option 1, I would try to find the cheapest reasonably-decent receiver I could find, and then use the rest of the budget for speakers. It seems like you should be able to find a receiver for less than $150, maybe even closer to $100. Local stores might have something worthwhile in this range, too, but be aware that there are a lot of really crappy products out there. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for your receiver other than to search on here, because I have seen some posts about inexpensive receivers.

Here are some inexpensive speakers (listed in no particular order) that I have seen positive posts about on here in the past (though be aware that there are a LOT of lousy speakers in the marketplace as well, so always do some of your own research before buying anything -- a good deal on crap isn't really a good deal at all):

* Best Buy Insignia NS-B2111 (watch for sales -- I got a pair for $35 when the base price used to be $50)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705307&st=NS-B2111&type=product&id=1138085354138

* Mission speakers on sale:
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/460f0be5001a21342740ac10034105a6/Product/View/2191

* Advent ARXP62:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539

* Various models of Polk and Infinity bookshelf speakers that I don't have links for.

Post your general location, and you might find some local folks that have some used gear that they would be willing to sell for cheap to help you get started. I've got some Insignia NS-B2111 speakers that I would sell to you for much less than Best Buy's current price of $80, for instance. But it isn't worth it to ship, hence my suggestion to post your general location. I bet other folks have old receivers or speakers that they would be happy to part with as well.

-Max

thanks you guys

Alright! Good suggestions starting to roll in while I was making my last post. :)

-Max

Why not spend more of his money? Your sister got two laptops and a car and all you got is a lousy 42" PDP and a PS3? How is that fair? Sounds like your sis got about $20K worth of stuff and you have about $2K. You deserve about $18K worth of stuff I think.

Get:
A set of Aperion Series 6 for @2500
An Onkyo 804 $650
A nice Stand for the plasma that will hold everything $2000

Then you have plenty left over for a new mountain bike, pinball machine, a nice massage chair, and a nice trip to Montreal with about $2K in cash spending money for all the whores and strippers you can handle.

Your dad kinda seems like he is playing favorites. Booooooo

Chruchfield has the Infinity Primus C25 on sale for $99.99 each, which is a steal of a deal. These are center channel speakers that can also be used just as well as Left and Right main speakers.

AV123 has their x-cs Center/Main/Surround speakers for $139. each.

Both of these speaker systems are acoustic suspension, which will give you much tighter bass and a more accurate sound. You can add a subwoofer for deep bass, which they lack, later when you get more money. In your price range you will not get both deep bass and accurate sound. Better to break up the purchase with small speakers now and a subwoofer later.

IB

Save up a little (probably not too difficult), and pick up a Panasonic XR55 reciever and the X series speakers from **********
Solid
Actually I just looked it up and the xr55 doesn't seem to have HDMI. I know one of those panasonics does. Get that one, for the PS3.

Why not spend more of his money? Your sister got two laptops and a car and all you got is a lousy 42" PDP and a PS3? How is that fair? Sounds like your sis got about $20K worth of stuff and you have about $2K. You deserve about $18K worth of stuff I think.

Get:
A set of Aperion Series 6 for @2500
An Onkyo 804 $650
A nice Stand for the plasma that will hold everything $2000

Then you have plenty left over for a new mountain bike, pinball machine, a nice massage chair, and a nice trip to Montreal with about $2K in cash spending money for all the whores and strippers you can handle.

Your dad kinda seems like he is playing favorites. Booooooo
yeah i know man he wont buy me a car, my dad bought her a 21k car, with 2 laptops, that's like 24k right there.

but oh well man i guess i just gota live with it

Typical

17 w/ a PS3 and a 42" plasma? You're on your way to a pretty decent setup! :)

I'm 15 with a 50" plasma and a 7.0 JBL Northridge E series setup with a PB12 Plus/2.. Used my money from DJing. :p

wow man, djing? and you get that much money? how is that? i don't get it, that's so much money man and your 15!

I'm new to the scene too but may I recommend looking into some Logitech z-5500 speakers? Comes with the whol SHEBANG! DolbY digital processing, Dolby Pro Logic 2, and good power and performance for about $200. Look some up on ebay and I'm sure you can get some for a good price.

Is your sister hot?

Is your sister hot?

LOL

hi, i am only 17 and i would like a good speakers for my ps3 and my 42in plasma in my room. what speakers can i get the most out of with 250 dollars?

thanks.



You got 2 choices. Get a receiver and speakers

OR

Get a powered speaker package like a computer surround set.

There are a couple of suggestions below. The first is about $50 above budget so you have to save a little more and the other 2 fall within you budget.


CHOICE 1
Pioneer A/V Receiver (VSX-516-K) $179
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Specifications-of-Pioneer-A-V-Receiver-VSX-516-K/sem/rpsm/oid/148426/rpem/ccd/productDetailSpecification.do#tabs

Acoustic research ARXP62 for 99/pair
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539

Which bring you to about $300 if you buy locally. Yes, it’s more than 250, but in the end you can add around it if you like and have music. I prefer this to buying something cheap just to have it because sooner ore later it will disappoint you and you’ll have to start over.
This way you can build something decent. It switches component so you can take advantage of Hi Def material

The hidden cost is cables so you’ll have to add about $30 to that. Here is a site for inexpensive cables.

www.monoprice.com

Don’t buy into the Monster Cable bulls!!t

The Pioneer receiver doesn’t have HDMI but it does switch component…not sure if the ps3 does HI DEF thru component…you’ll have to check that one out. If it doesn’t then there is no way you can get and HDMI AVR AND speaker with $250.

Or you could try this

Insignia IS-HC040917 for $116
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7016463&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031&id=1099394773266

No component or HDMI but that might be OK since you can go directly to the TV from the ps3 for video and switch modes on the set if you have other sources…like a cable box. This way you get a Receiver for surround and you can get other speakers to add to the set above later.

Get the same speakers for $99 and you are within your budget use the rest of the money to get some cables for audio.

CHOICE 2

Your other choice is to get computer speakers and do come creative wiring to get surround sound from the TV AND ps3.

I don’t have a lot of experience with these but Logitech make some pretty good stuff.

Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 Speaker System
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4267902

This will most likely work with the ps3 but check it out first price range is 130 to 200 and your done…no receiver. You have to get some cables to do the wireing for both but you’ll have enough left over to buy a DVD…maybe even a Blu-Ray.

I've heard the Acoustic Research and they are amazing for the price. You can build around them later if you wish.

The Logitech you should try to listen to. They make a more expensive package that falls within you budget. But it looks like the cost is due to a bigger amp...I really don't know so it's best to test for your self.

Good luck

--Mike

i have a question, what's so good about recievers/amplifiers, what do they do? i don't get it

check out Samson Resolv powered speakers. Locally at Sam Ash if you are near one. Sweetwater.com has good on line prices.

i have a question, what's so good about recievers/amplifiers, what do they do? i don't get it

You get a radio. Various surround modes like Dolby, DTS for 5/7.1 movies and music...all channel stereo.

You can add various components...DVD, CD, HD-DVD, BLURAY, Cable Box, VCR :eek: , DVR, TV...etc

Now all your components can be played thru the receiver USING the surround modes.

You can change speakers as you wish...just the sub or just the frons or center etc or any other component if you find one that has more/better features/performance. You may find that every thing is great until you crank it up then the sub sounds crappy or you hate the mains...etc

POWER...ie volume control. Chances are any receiver will play louder than any powered speaker.

All in one solutions have their place but one that "place" has changed the all in one can't accommodate the change. Like moving to a bigger space or the DVD going bad when it's built into the receiver. One the speakers may go in a all in one and you might have to replace the whole set because of it.

And last but not least

CONTROL. You have the ultimate control.

--mike

If you only need a stereo receiver (no plans for surround sound), check out the Sherwood RX-4105 or RX-4109. I've owned the 4103/4105 models and they are solid units. That would leave you around $150 for a pair of speakers, and you still have the ability to hook up multiple sources and control everything by remote.

The Polk R300s for $50/ea are probably the best deal I've seen recently. The Insignia bookshelf speakers were worth $40/pair but not $80/pair IMHO.

Logitech Z-5500s from newegg.com

Great speakers that won't set you back a whole bunch and will let sound nice with your PS3 (via optical or coax).

i have a question, what's so good about recievers/amplifiers, what do they do? i don't get it

Unless you buy powered speakers (like the Logitech set that has been mentioned in this thread), you need a receiver to "drive" or "power" the speakers. Most home theater and music speakers are not powered. You cannot connect unpowered speakers directly to your PS3 or TV.

Do you understand?

-Max

Logitech Z-5500s from newegg.com

Great speakers that won't set you back a whole bunch and will let sound nice with your PS3 (via optical or coax).

This setup isn't bad, and for the money I agree they are great as an all in one solution. However - as a former owner - they really suffer at higher volumes and for music they are horrific compared to a decent pair of bookshelf speakers.

Having said that - if the budget can't go past $250 I think they are tough to beat.