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Need suggestion for dorm-room speakers please!

post #1 of 26
8/8/12 at 10:05am
Thread Starter 
Hey all, this is my first post here and I don't mean to be a leecher but I am completely overwhelmed by the possible selections of speakers so I'm looking for a bit more personalized advice. My roomate and I are looking to split the price on a quality audio setup so we need some help. The setup will mainly be used through my computer where we'll be doing anything from playing music, to streaming tv, to gaming. I already have a WA3 Desktop Amplifier which has been amazing thus far so the setup can go directly through there if possible.

Anyway we'd love some suggestions on a $200-$400 setup knowing that our room is small, we have an amp, and we will mostly be playing music / streaming T.V. through them. If you need any other info please ask. Thanks!

Edit: Also he lives right next to a Sony outlet so if Sony offers any quality speakers that may be first choice. Otherwise I'm happy to purchase online or whatever.
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post #2 of 26
8/8/12 at 10:54am
I assume that Amp will not support a subwoofer?
And I assume that maybe smaller desktop speakers would be prefered?

If you have the room for tower speakers, you can often get a pair of Infinity Primus or Polk M70s for under 400 dollars. However, having lived in a dorm room in the past, I know that Space is a premium. One bookshelf speaker that I can personally comment on is the Def Tech SM 450 and it can be had for 329.00/pr right now from New Egg.com. Excellent bass for a budget desktop speaker and it looks very good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882325060
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post #3 of 26
8/8/12 at 10:55am
PS don't know much about Sony speakers, but they don't get a lot of good reviews from the AVS forum members....
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post #4 of 26
8/8/12 at 11:24am
I would skip the Sony speakers - the Definitive SM450 is a good option.
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post #5 of 26
8/8/12 at 11:55am
Another option...not sure Cerwin Vega is known for great quality, but they have a reps of getting loud!
http://shopcerwinvega.com/detail/CER+CMX-5/CMX-5
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post #6 of 26
8/8/12 at 2:23pm
Well, Sony makes a lot of really poor cheap speakers, and they also make a pair of speakers that sell for $13,000.

Unfortunately, they don't make much in between.

For a dorm room, your best bet in my opinion is to get a set of good bookshelf / monitor speakers that will have decent bass and nice overall sound quality.

My first choice would be the Boston Acoustics Classic CS26 speakers, which go down to 52 Hz, and are $150 each right now at Amazon and other dealers.

The Polk Monitor 40 speakers are another possibility. They are a lot cheaper, and have good bass, but are not as good-sounding overall.
Edited by commsysman - 8/8/12 at 2:33pm
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post #7 of 26
8/8/12 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
I think the Def Tech 450's look awesome and are pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. What sort of wires am I going to need with them and will they be able to work with my 6.3mm desktop amp? Also is there any hope of me being able to transport them to parties or should I just forget that idea entirely?

Thanks all for the suggestions and help. Much appreciated.
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post #8 of 26
8/8/12 at 2:35pm
The WA3 headphone amplifier is the only amplifier you have mentioned so far. That is not designed for driving speakers and will not do so.

If you think it will drive speakers you are very confused.

You will need to get a receiver or integrated amplifier with at least 30 watts per channel of output power to drive your speakers (for example the Denon 1312 receiver or Sony STR DH-100)

The other possibility is to buy some powered speakers, with amplifiers built-in to the speaker enclosure (for example the Audioengine 2 speakers).


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bland View Post

I think the Def Tech 450's look awesome and are pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. What sort of wires am I going to need with them and will they be able to work with my 6.3mm desktop amp? Also is there any hope of me being able to transport them to parties or should I just forget that idea entirely?
Thanks all for the suggestions and help. Much appreciated.

Edited by commsysman - 8/8/12 at 2:41pm
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post #9 of 26
8/8/12 at 2:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

The WA3 headphone amplifier is the only amplifier you have mentioned so far. That is not designed for driving speakers and will not do so.
If you think it will drive speakers you are very confused.
You will need to get a receiver or integrated amplifier with at least 30 watts per channel of output power to drive your speakers.
The other possibility is to buy some powered speakers, with amplifiers built-in to the speaker enclosure (for example the Audioengine 2 speakers).

Yeah I believe I understand now. They are only designed for headphones and do not have the required input etc.

Do you think these speakers will suffice without an amp? Or should I buy a cheaper pair with a decent amp or what?

Edit: I'm guessing from what you said they are going to require an amp.
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post #10 of 26
8/8/12 at 2:44pm
Amazon has the Sony STR-DH-100 for about $130 right now; that would be a good place to start. It has 100 watt amplifiers, which is way more than you will need.

Buy a set of Polk Monitor 40 speakers for $165, and you should be in pretty good shape.

Speakers, without amplifiers to drive them, are as useful as a car with no engine.
Edited by commsysman - 8/8/12 at 2:52pm
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post #11 of 26
8/8/12 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

Amazon has the Sony STR-DH-100 for about $130 right now; that would be a good place to start. It has 100 watt amplifiers, which is way more than you will need.
Buy a set of Polk Monitor 40 speakers for $165, and you should be in pretty good shape.
Speakers, without amplifiers to drive them, are as useful as a car with no engine.

Gotcha.

You think I should go with the Polk Monitor 40's over the Def Tech 450's? I don't mind spending a bit more money if it's going to be worth it in the long run. They are also a bit more compact for my dormroom which is cool.

If you think the Polk's are a much better entry level speaker though definitely speak up.
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post #12 of 26
8/8/12 at 3:05pm
^^^
You can get a nice Sherwood receiver here - good price
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=252-125

I would hands down, choose the Definitive SM 450 over the Polk speakers.
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post #13 of 26
8/8/12 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bland View Post

Gotcha.
You think I should go with the Polk Monitor 40's over the Def Tech 450's? I don't mind spending a bit more money if it's going to be worth it in the long run. They are also a bit more compact for my dormroom which is cool.
If you think the Polk's are a much better entry level speaker though definitely speak up.

I think you will be OK with the Polk even though I think the DefTech 450's will sound better. The DefTech have a 6.5" active driver and a 10" passive radiator which will produce more low end and a fuller sound. I have the SM55 which is the SM450 replacement and these are kick-ass computer speakers. The only thing that really changed between the SM450 and SM55 is the sleeker design of the SM55. I'm currently using, or should I say UNDER-USING, my SM55's for front height speakers in my DefTech home theater setup. The SM450's are being closed out, so good deals can be found on these.
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post #14 of 26
8/8/12 at 6:45pm
I noticed an idea above for Audioengine 2...great idea for a small space! If all source signals will be coming from your PC, I say skip the notion of buying a receiver and buy 2 pairs. Check out their website...cool stuff for small spaces.
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post #15 of 26
8/8/12 at 7:01pm
Sorry...didn't realize that was a headphone amp! I own the dt sm450s and the polk m40s! The dt sm450 wins that race hands down. However, since you have no amp capable if powering the speakers, the audioengine 2 are the way to go, IMHO!
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post #16 of 26
8/9/12 at 2:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk View Post

Sorry...didn't realize that was a headphone amp! I own the dt sm450s and the polk m40s! The dt sm450 wins that race hands down. However, since you have no amp capable if powering the speakers, the audioengine 2 are the way to go, IMHO!

Hmm I'm a bit torn here. It's tempting to drop the money on the dtsm450's + receiver/amp but at the same time I definitely don't think I'm going to end up getting the full use out of them. I think the audioengine 2's will suffice for the most part. I know they are basically meant for my computer but if I need to will I be able to plug them into my TV? Also is that an ipod input I see for them in case I want to go directly via ipod? That would be great for parties for sure.
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post #17 of 26
8/9/12 at 3:34am
Corsair sp2500?

butter and jelly please.
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post #18 of 26
8/9/12 at 3:39am
fwiw, pair of energy rc-10's - vanns $220 ---great sounding speakers

topping tp-30 tripath amp -parts express $109 ---sounds great, way more than enough power for dorm,compact for space, easy access for computer,will not get hot even if left on for 24 hrs., and built like a tank
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post #19 of 26
8/9/12 at 5:37am
The DT SM350 would be more than adequate for a smallish dorm room...so if you get a receiver/amp, whichever DTSM model is on sale would work fine.
Yes, the audioengines, the sound connects from a ipod/headphone jack. You may need an adapter for your TV set, however.
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post #20 of 26
8/9/12 at 9:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bland View Post

That would be great for parties for sure.

That's also the nice thing about powered monitors. Very portable if you want to setup them up in another room for a party or something.

In addition to the Audioengine 2s, if you have a Guitar Center nearby, go and listen to their powered studio monitors. You might find something you like. For example, I think the KRK Rokits would be good dorm room speakers.
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post #21 of 26
8/14/12 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 
Went with the Audioengine 2's, just fyi. Realized I never updated my purchase.
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post #22 of 26
8/21/12 at 7:17pm
Thread Starter 
So the Audioengine 2's arrived and while they sounded quite good they didn't produce the volume I need for hosting some parties.

I ordered the Definitive Technologies SM 450 set from Newegg for $330 shipped (I just realized on the back of the speakers Def Tech is literally 20 mins from my house... gonna call tomorrow and ask if they could cop me a good deal), and I also ordered the Sherwood receiver here: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=252-125 as recommended in the previous post.

Would someone mind giving me advice on what wires I need to set these up? I've never had a legit pair of speakers before. Thanks.
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post #23 of 26
8/21/12 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bland View Post

So the Audioengine 2's arrived and while they sounded quite good they didn't produce the volume I need for hosting some parties.
I ordered the Definitive Technologies SM 450 set from Newegg for $330 shipped (I just realized on the back of the speakers Def Tech is literally 20 mins from my house... gonna call tomorrow and ask if they could cop me a good deal), and I also ordered the Sherwood receiver here: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=252-125 as recommended in the previous post.
Would someone mind giving me advice on what wires I need to set these up? I've never had a legit pair of speakers before. Thanks.

For a small area, regular 16 awg speaker wire is fine - I tend to use 14 awg, it does not cost much.
Monoprice is one place to get it.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=SPEAKER+WIRE

Or, go to Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart or RadioShack.
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post #24 of 26
8/21/12 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks. That's really all I'll need? Guess I'll just head to Walmart in that case so I don't have to wait for shipping.
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post #25 of 26
8/21/12 at 7:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bland View Post

Thanks. That's really all I'll need? Guess I'll just head to Walmart in that case so I don't have to wait for shipping.

For receiver and speaker hook-up, all you need is speaker wire.

Do you already have your cable, that you have been using from your computer set-up?
The Sherwood takes RCA input cable from sources, and has a headphone jack.
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post #26 of 26
8/21/12 at 7:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

For receiver and speaker hook-up, all you need is speaker wire.
Do you already have your cable, that you have been using from your computer set-up?
The Sherwood takes RCA input cable from sources, and has a headphone jack.

Awesome. Well no as I passed them to a friend so I'll need to pick up a speaker cable but I believe I have a few RCA cables from my headphones.
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