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Budget near field speaker set-up?

post #1 of 27
1/25/13 at 2:03pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all, I'm selling my Sennheiser HD650s, and am looking to get a decent 2 channel set up (For my PC). These will be mainly for Anime, movies, and games. I already have a nice 2 channel digital to analog converter. I don't really have a budget, but it needs to be cheap (At the VERY most, $150 for the speakers, as long as each upgrade gives it a (much) better sound). I will purchase a subwoofer later once I get the funds. Active or passive, I don't care, I'll buy an amp for the passive (~$50).

Thanks,
Mark K.
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post #2 of 27
1/25/13 at 2:30pm
Samson mediaone 4a, M-audio AV-40 both sell for $150 a pair but can be found for less.
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post #3 of 27
1/25/13 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
How do those compare to the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR?
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post #4 of 27
1/25/13 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gopanthersgo1 View Post

How do those compare to the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR?
Problem with them is needing an amp and $50 for an amp isn't much, I have some monitors and the BS41's but not the AV40's. I'm going to guess that the BS42's will be more detailed but that the monitors will have more treble and bass extension and be a little more balanced.

I second the AV40's or theres the KRK rokit 5's and the Audioengines
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post #5 of 27
1/25/13 at 11:16pm
Thread Starter 
Hmm... I'm fine picking up a more expensive amp for sure... So how is the AV40 sound signature? I want a "crisper" sound, but not prone to sibilance or too treble happy...
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post #6 of 27
1/26/13 at 2:22pm
Thread Starter 
BUMP
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post #7 of 27
1/26/13 at 2:36pm
The AV40s have a tendency to get really hot. They have decent SQ though. I think the BS22 would be a better option. If you could scrape together a little more money the Cambridge S30s would be excellent ($219). The Cambridge S20 is in your price range though ($149).
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post #8 of 27
1/26/13 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 
How much of a difference would the S30s make?
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post #9 of 27
1/26/13 at 4:14pm
IMHO, they would make a big difference. They're probably the best speaker in this price range. It's truly quite remarkable how good these sound given the $219 price tag. I can think of a number of powered speakers that might make more sense for your situation but they're priced well outside of your budget (Audioengine, Swans, Emotiva Airmotivs for example).
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post #10 of 27
1/26/13 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by postrokfan View Post

IMHO, they would make a big difference. They're probably the best speaker in this price range. It's truly quite remarkable how good these sound given the $219 price tag. I can think of a number of powered speakers that might make more sense for your situation but they're priced well outside of your budget (Audioengine, Swans, Emotiva Airmotivs for example).
Hmm... I've seen those recommended a lot, I'll have to think about it some, but I think I might get them. Any recommendations on a cheap amp for them (IE: Lepai 2020+)? I'll most likely purchase a better amp for them later, but that'll be after I get some decent headphones... (IE: Mad Dogs, or mod some TH50Ps)
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post #11 of 27
1/26/13 at 5:09pm
Splurge a little and get the Cambridge S30s. They sound so much better than their price would indicate. Plus they'll last you over 10 years, so what's an extra $100 for years of enjoyment?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gopanthersgo1 View Post

Hmm... I've seen those recommended a lot, I'll have to think about it some, but I think I might get them. Any recommendations on a cheap amp for them (IE: Lepai 2020+)? I'll most likely purchase a better amp for them later, but that'll be after I get some decent headphones... (IE: Mad Dogs, or mod some TH50Ps)

If you have a spare 19v laptop charger lying around, I'd pick up a 50wpc Sure board amp off Ebay for $25 shipped. No gain attenutator, but that doesn't matter since you're using it to power PC speakers. You could control volume through your desktop. Otherwise you could get a 15wpc board and attach it to a 12V rail on your computer's power supply. It's small enough to fit inside your case too.

50w
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-50-Watt-6-Ohm-Class-D-Audio-Amplifier-Board-TDA7492-/110946490563?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item19d4ed18c3

15w
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-15-watt-4ohm-TA2024-D-class-Audio-Amplifier-Board-/350594264358?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D5159034050771990780%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D270683548580%26

I used the 15w board in my rig for a while, and it worked well. I replaced it with a Marantz receiver I stored off Ebay for practically free, but the board amp is still going strong in my garage set up. They're great for their price as is but really shine after some simple mods.
Edited by cyde01 - 1/26/13 at 5:17pm
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post #12 of 27
1/26/13 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
I think I'll have to go with the Pioneers... I need the other money for a monitor, headphones, and an amp/DAC. Would the 50W/CH still be good for the Pioneers, or would the 2020+ be better?
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post #13 of 27
1/26/13 at 9:14pm
50W/channel should be fine.
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post #14 of 27
1/26/13 at 9:47pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, thanks!
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post #15 of 27
2/2/13 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyde01 View Post

Splurge a little and get the Cambridge S30s. They sound so much better than their price would indicate. Plus they'll last you over 10 years, so what's an extra $100 for years of enjoyment?
If you have a spare 19v laptop charger lying around, I'd pick up a 50wpc Sure board amp off Ebay for $25 shipped. No gain attenutator, but that doesn't matter since you're using it to power PC speakers. You could control volume through your desktop. Otherwise you could get a 15wpc board and attach it to a 12V rail on your computer's power supply. It's small enough to fit inside your case too.

50w
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-50-Watt-6-Ohm-Class-D-Audio-Amplifier-Board-TDA7492-/110946490563?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item19d4ed18c3

15w
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-15-watt-4ohm-TA2024-D-class-Audio-Amplifier-Board-/350594264358?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D5159034050771990780%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D270683548580%26

I used the 15w board in my rig for a while, and it worked well. I replaced it with a Marantz receiver I stored off Ebay for practically free, but the board amp is still going strong in my garage set up. They're great for their price as is but really shine after some simple mods.
Would the 50 W/Ch work with a power prick with an output of 19V, 1.58A, and 30W? Also, what mods are there?
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post #16 of 27
2/3/13 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
Okay... ordered the 50W/Ch amp and the Pioneers! biggrin.gif
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post #17 of 27
2/4/13 at 9:37pm
Happy listening. smile.gif
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post #18 of 27
2/5/13 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by postrokfan View Post

Happy listening. smile.gif
Thanks! Speakers are in tomorrow, and I don't know when the amp is though... frown.gif I think I'll use an old reciever for the week or two... wink.gif
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post #19 of 27
2/19/13 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 
They have been sounding GREAT (With the receiver)! Just got my amp, and am making a case using the box... (Ghetto!)
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post #20 of 27
2/19/13 at 8:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gopanthersgo1 View Post

They have been sounding GREAT (With the receiver)! Just got my amp, and am making a case using the box... (Ghetto!)

Lol. At least it sounds good. wink.gif
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post #21 of 27
2/19/13 at 8:07pm
Thread Starter 
Much crisper than the receiver... Much smaller, and a lot better sound stage.
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post #22 of 27
2/19/13 at 8:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gopanthersgo1 View Post

They have been sounding GREAT (With the receiver)! Just got my amp, and am making a case using the box... (Ghetto!)

Glad you like your speakers!

Find a smaller, old wooden cigar box on ebay and drill some holes. That would look better than the box it came in smile.gif
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post #23 of 27
2/19/13 at 10:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Glad you like your speakers!

Find a smaller, old wooden cigar box on ebay and drill some holes. That would look better than the box it came in smile.gif
I was thinking of something like that... Thanks for the rec!
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post #24 of 27
2/20/13 at 9:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Glad you like your speakers!

Find a smaller, old wooden cigar box on ebay and drill some holes. That would look better than the box it came in smile.gif

Much better reply than my less than constructive response. wink.gif
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post #25 of 27
2/20/13 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 
I might stick with the box, it doesn't stand out...
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post #26 of 27
3/15/13 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 
Dang, should've gotten those Cambridge ones... actually, there were some Kef IQ30s the other day for $320 a pair... frown.gif Might ask for suggestions for a $300-400 pair later though...
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post #27 of 27
3/29/13 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, recs for under $400? I'll be getting a cheap (Under $200) sub and a better (~$500 later).
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