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Need a 2.1 system for my dorm

post #1 of 38
2/15/13 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I am new to this forum but not to audio. I have a large knowledge of car audio, and a basic knowledge of home audio.

So basically what I am looking for help on is a nice 2.1 channel system for my dorm room. I'd like it to be on par with my car's audio system, and I'll post those specs so you all can help me get something that is about the same.

Car System:
*All prices are MSRP*
Head unit: Pioneer MVH-p8200bt $270
Front stage: Focal IS 165 comps (70rms @4ohms, bi-amped) $300
4 Channel amp: Polk PA660 (75x4rms @4ohms) $230
Sub: Alpine Type R (600rms, DVC 4-ohm, wired to 2ohms) $250
Mono amp: Alpine MRX-M50 (500rms @2ohms) $300

So, I'm looking for speakers that can get as loud as that and sound as good. I'm not so worried about having monster bass, as that's what will get me in trouble, but I would like a nice subwoofer.

I'm not really interested in buying used speakers, but I might buy a used receiver. I would like it to have a USB input for my iPod (playing Apple Lossless and 320kbps).

Also, if I plan to use my laptop for music (playing CDs, Apple Lossless, and 320kbps files), should I invest in a DAC?

Thank you for any help!
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post #2 of 38
2/15/13 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post

Hello,

I am new to this forum but not to audio. I have a large knowledge of car audio, and a basic knowledge of home audio.

So basically what I am looking for help on is a nice 2.1 channel system for my dorm room. I'd like it to be on par with my car's audio system, and I'll post those specs so you all can help me get something that is about the same.

Car System:
*All prices are MSRP*
Head unit: Pioneer MVH-p8200bt $270
Front stage: Focal IS 165 comps (70rms @4ohms, bi-amped) $300
4 Channel amp: Polk PA660 (75x4rms @4ohms) $230
Sub: Alpine Type R (600rms, DVC 4-ohm, wired to 2ohms) $250
Mono amp: Alpine MRX-M50 (500rms @2ohms) $300

So, I'm looking for speakers that can get as loud as that and sound as good. I'm not so worried about having monster bass, as that's what will get me in trouble, but I would like a nice subwoofer.

I'm not really interested in buying used speakers, but I might buy a used receiver. I would like it to have a USB input for my iPod (playing Apple Lossless and 320kbps).

Also, if I plan to use my laptop for music (playing CDs, Apple Lossless, and 320kbps files), should I invest in a DAC?

According to the TNI 1.5 data sheet posted at http://www.focal.com/en/universal-archives/272-is-165-3544053750118.html , your front speakers are 94 dB/W and of course you are sitting no more than a meter away.

Your car system might be close to pushing 120 dB SPL which is not healthy for your ears.

In your dorm room you'd be sitting probably more like 6-9 feet away which introduces an approximate 6-9 dB loss (same numbers for dB and feet are a coincidence not a law of physics). Also, I can only speculate how long you could play your stereo at 120 dB before you get to meet your RA or hall monitor or whatever. ;-)

I'm going to take a flyer here and say that you aren't fully exploiting what your car system can do very often, and rather than overbuild your dorm system to the point where it is not good for your health on several different planes, you get a SPL meter and tell us about the listening levels you actually use in your car. ;-)
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post #3 of 38
2/15/13 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnyk View Post

According to the TNI 1.5 data sheet posted at http://www.focal.com/en/universal-archives/272-is-165-3544053750118.html , your front speakers are 94 dB/W and of course you are sitting no more than a meter away.

Your car system might be close to pushing 120 dB SPL which is not healthy for your ears.

In your dorm room you'd be sitting probably more like 6-9 feet away which introduces an approximate 6-9 dB loss (same numbers for dB and feet are a coincidence not a law of physics). Also, I can only speculate how long you could play your stereo at 120 dB before you get to meet your RA or hall monitor or whatever. ;-)

I'm going to take a flyer here and say that you aren't fully exploiting what your car system can do very often, and rather than overbuild your dorm system to the point where it is not good for your health on several different planes, you get a SPL meter and tell us about the listening levels you actually use in your car. ;-)

Yeah, my car can get stupid loud. I dont really need that in my dorm. But I also heard that RMS in car audio doesnt directly translate into RMS in home audio (dorm audio). As in, I dont need as many watts to get the same amount of sound (especially for sub stage). What power sub amp would I need to get around the same sound my 500rms Alpine mono amp does?

I'll go take a measure from listening position right now.
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post #4 of 38
2/15/13 at 1:35pm
You gave no budget,so for the fun of it...

Speakers- Ascend Acoustics Sierra One bookshelf speakers-$800
Powered sub- Outlaw Audio m8 $250
Amp- Outlaw Audio rr2150- USB input and bass Mgmt $699
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post #5 of 38
2/15/13 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnyk View Post

According to the TNI 1.5 data sheet posted at http://www.focal.com/en/universal-archives/272-is-165-3544053750118.html , your front speakers are 94 dB/W and of course you are sitting no more than a meter away.

Your car system might be close to pushing 120 dB SPL which is not healthy for your ears.

In your dorm room you'd be sitting probably more like 6-9 feet away which introduces an approximate 6-9 dB loss (same numbers for dB and feet are a coincidence not a law of physics). Also, I can only speculate how long you could play your stereo at 120 dB before you get to meet your RA or hall monitor or whatever. ;-)

I'm going to take a flyer here and say that you aren't fully exploiting what your car system can do very often, and rather than overbuild your dorm system to the point where it is not good for your health on several different planes, you get a SPL meter and tell us about the listening levels you actually use in your car. ;-)

I had to go buy a 9v battery for my SPL meter. I measured 102-104, and spikes up to 106-106.5.

Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

You gave no budget,so for the fun of it...

Speakers- Ascend Acoustics Sierra One bookshelf speakers-$800
Powered sub- Outlaw Audio m8 $250
Amp- Outlaw Audio rr2150- USB input and bass Mgmt $699

I included prices of my car audio stuff to give you a feel of about how much I wanted to spend.
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post #6 of 38
2/15/13 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post

I had to go buy a 9v battery for my SPL meter. I measured 102-104, and spikes up to 106-106.5.
I included prices of my car audio stuff to give you a feel of about how much I wanted to spend.

Looks like I am in the correct range wink.gif
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post #7 of 38
2/15/13 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Oops
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post #8 of 38
2/15/13 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Looks like I am in the correct range wink.gif
do I need that expensive of an amp/receiver? And what about the old Klipsch kg1 bookshelfs we have in storage? Would they be any good?
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post #9 of 38
2/15/13 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
That measurement was taken on the A weighting. And I did it again and its really closer to 103-105.5 normal and up to 107 spikes. In C weighting I get up to 125-126
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post #10 of 38
2/15/13 at 5:07pm
fwiw, just a suggestion,
pair of tekton design mini lores $650
svs pb-1000 $500
denon avr 1612 $200 - accessories4less
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post #11 of 38
2/15/13 at 5:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

fwiw, just a suggestion,
pair of tekton design mini lores $650
svs pb-1000 $500
denon avr 1612 $200 - accessories4less

when it says 200 watts on the mini lores, is that rms per pair?

I like the stuff you suggested. Would this be a system that I would be happy with for many years? Or would I get bored with it?
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post #12 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post

when it says 200 watts on the mini lores, is that rms per pair?

I like the stuff you suggested. Would this be a system that I would be happy with for many years? Or would I get bored with it?
fwiw, i would imagine its 200 total watts but in the hometheaterreview it was mentioned that tekton recommended 100-250 watts of total power to properly power the m-lores.and as for being happy for many years and if you'll get bored with it,is something i can't or nobody else can answer. the only one that can answer that is you. i just recently heard the lores and was quite impressed with the sound quality. just my 2 cents
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post #13 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:08pm
Do you want floorstanders?? Maybe college dorm rooms are bigger now?
I still like my suggestion. That Denon 1612 is a great deal,drop the outlaw rr2150
And get the Denon instead. That would bring MY package price down to $1250:D

Have you checked out the Sierra 1 website? I have a pair and they kick butt.
7 year warranty,will last you thru your graduate work.
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post #14 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

fwiw, i would imagine its 200 total watts but in the hometheaterreview it was mentioned that tekton recommended 100-250 watts of total power to properly power the m-lores.and as for being happy for many years and if you'll get bored with it,is something i can't or nobody else can answer. the only one that can answer that is you. i just recently heard the lores and was quite impressed with the sound quality. just my 2 cents

Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Do you want floorstanders?? Maybe college dorm rooms are bigger now?
I still like my suggestion. That Denon 1612 is a great deal,drop the outlaw rr2150
And get the Denon instead. That would bring MY package price down to $1250:D

Have you checked out the Sierra 1 website? I have a pair and they kick butt.
7 year warranty,will last you thru your graduate work.

Yeah, well I'm not sure that Denon would have enough power for the Tekton floor speakers. I really think I only need a pair of bookshelves and a decent sub. Any info on those old school Klipsch kg1 speakers I have in the basement? never actually heard them before.
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post #15 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post


Yeah, well I'm not sure that Denon would have enough power for the Tekton floor speakers. I really think I only need a pair of bookshelves and a decent sub. Any info on those old school Klipsch kg1 speakers I have in the basement? never actually heard them before.

You may like the Klipsch speakers, you won't know unless you try them.
Personally I am not a fan of Klipsch at all...sorry. The horn tweeters sound
Nasty to me. Did u check out the Sierra 1 website?

Those kg1's were last produced in 1992, makes them 21 years old.
Edited by grasshoppers - 2/15/13 at 6:26pm
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post #16 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

You may like the Klipsch speakers, you won't know unless you try them.
Personally I am not a fan of Klipsch at all...sorry. The horn tweeters sound
Nasty to me. Did u check out the Sierra 1 website?

Those kg1's were last produced in 1992, makes them 21 years old.

Those are a little rich for my blood. I'd rather get a lower priced pair of bookshelfs and spend what I saved on a sub.
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post #17 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:43pm
Thread Starter 
@grasshoppers;

how about the Ascend CMT-340 SE?
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post #18 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:43pm
How much did you want to spend on speakers max? And the sub??
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post #19 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

How much did you want to spend on speakers max? And the sub??

I'd like to be as close to $1000 for the whole system as possible.
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post #20 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post

@grasshoppers;

how about the Ascend CMT-340 SE?

LOL. I was just about to mention those speakers or the smaller
Bookshelf . Have not heard them but I think they would be pretty
Nice. Great people to deal with,Dave's speakers are very highly
Regarded.
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post #21 of 38
2/15/13 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

LOL. I was just about to mention those speakers or the smaller
Bookshelf . Have not heard them but I think they would be pretty
Nice. Great people to deal with,Dave's speakers are very highly
Regarded.

that being the CBM-170 se? That would be a nice price.
I'm thinking maybe speaker for $300-350, sub for $400, receiver for $300. How does that sound to you?
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post #22 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:00pm
Denon 1612- $200. This is a good deal.
CBM -170se-$300

Leaves about $500 for a sub.

The outlaw is an 8 inch sub probably more than enough for
A dorm room.

SVS has a new line of entry level subs that are $500.
They offer a 10 inch ported sub or a smaller 12 inch
Sealed sub. They are getting a lot of attention.
I want one of the sealed ones
http://www.svsound.com/1000-series-landing
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post #23 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Denon 1612- $200. This is a good deal.
CBM -170se-$300

Leaves about $500 for a sub.

The outlaw is an 8 inch sub probably more than enough for
A dorm room.

SVS has a new line of entry level subs that are $500.
They offer a 10 inch ported sub or a smaller 12 inch
Sealed sub. They are getting a lot of attention.
I want one of the sealed ones
http://www.svsound.com/1000-series-landing

That set up sounds like something I would do.

CBM-170se
Denon 1612
SVS 10" ported

You have to remember that I'm a car audio guy = bass is very important lol biggrin.gif
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post #24 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post


Yeah, well I'm not sure that Denon would have enough power for the Tekton floor speakers. I really think I only need a pair of bookshelves and a decent sub. Any info on those old school Klipsch kg1 speakers I have in the basement? never actually heard them before.
fwiw,with the sensitvity of the tekon speakers i could get pretty decent loudness with a 10 watt tube amp. theres not to much difference in loudness between a 100 watt and 200 watt reciever. imo a 100 watt reciever with 95 db sensitive speakers will get you kicked out of your dorm. just my 2 cents and as for the ascends they are a very nice sounding speaker.another recommendation to look at are the kef Q300 $470 at accessories4less
Edited by smasher50 - 2/15/13 at 7:26pm
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post #25 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

fwiw,with the sensitvity of the tekon speakers i could get pretty decent loudness with a 10 watt tube amp

what is your take on this set up?

CBM-170se
Denon 1612
SVS PB-1000
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post #26 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:29pm
Check out this Yamaha- has USB and is new. Didn't see that the Denon
Was a refurb, but refurbs can be very good.



http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V373-5-1-Channel-AV-Receiver/dp/B007JF8FD8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360984662&sr=1-3&keywords=Yamaha+AVR
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post #27 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:29pm
thats a very nice setup
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post #28 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Check out this Yamaha- has USB and is new. Didn't see that the Denon
Was a refurb, but refurbs can be very good.



http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V373-5-1-Channel-AV-Receiver/dp/B007JF8FD8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360984662&sr=1-3&keywords=Yamaha+AVR
the yamaha reciever is nice but i would rather have audyssey that the denon offers
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post #29 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Check out this Yamaha- has USB and is new. Didn't see that the Denon
Was a refurb, but refurbs can be very good.



http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V373-5-1-Channel-AV-Receiver/dp/B007JF8FD8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360984662&sr=1-3&keywords=Yamaha+AVR

Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

the yamaha reciever is nice but i would rather have audyssey that the denon offers

I wouldnt mind the refurb, as long as they guarantee it's as good as new and has a warranty.
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post #30 of 38
2/15/13 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjv7883 View Post


I wouldnt mind the refurb, as long as they guarantee it's as good as new and has a warranty.
accessories4less is a authorized denon dealer and it comes with a one year warranty. i bought a denon avr 791 over two years ago and it has had no problems
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