[kampret]

hello all,


I'm trying to build a decent 2.1 system under $400. Just wondering if any of you have any suggestions. I was hoping to get speakers, sub and receiver for $400


I don't mind buying a refurb product as long as it's froma reputable seller...


Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[batpig]

used used used. you will get much higher quality components than trying to buy a brand-new setup for that price range.


the receiver is the easy part -- there are just tons of old stereo receivers and/or integrated amps floating around craigslist and ebay. Since this is just for 2-channel pretty much anything will do, I'm sure you can find an old NAD integrated or Denon DRA or whatever floats your boat for well under $100.


the speakers are tougher, since you will have to do research and listening to determine what you like. but I would put as much money as possible into the speakers/sub as that will have a lot more effect on the sound.

 

[kampret]

Thanks for the response...


Can you recommend any decent speaker or sub? My room's pretty small so I don't really need high end stuff...

Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig /forum/post/14314090


used used used. you will get much higher quality components than trying to buy a brand-new setup for that price range.


the receiver is the easy part -- there are just tons of old stereo receivers and/or integrated amps floating around craigslist and ebay. Since this is just for 2-channel pretty much anything will do, I'm sure you can find an old NAD integrated or Denon DRA or whatever floats your boat for well under $100.


the speakers are tougher, since you will have to do research and listening to determine what you like. but I would put as much money as possible into the speakers/sub as that will have a lot more effect on the sound.

 

[malovich]

bookshelf or floorstanding, black or woodgrain, preferred manufacturers?

 

[kampret]

I was thinking to get some satellite speakers... and maybe get a stand for it... no floor standing speakers definitely...


also I can only think Onkyo for receiver... don't really know about anything else...

 

[johsti]

I would look into some used active studio monitors and forget the sub. Look for some deals on a pair of used Mackie HR824 on your local craiglist. Also look at the Behringer Truth monitors that are available new in your price range.


Good luck

 

[Zaluss]

I'd pick up some used X-LS Classics/Encores and an used X-Sub from AV123.

 

[Buckeye911]

The Sony HT-CT100 is becoming very popular. For MSRP $299 you get a pretty decent 3.1 system with HDMI supported audio. Check out the Cnet review.

http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater...tag=prod.txt.1

 

[kampret]

Thanks for the opinions guys.... Actually I forgot to mention, I am somewhat new at this whole building sound system thing.. So I might have to do a bit research on some of your suggestions this weekend...


More suggestions appreciated though

 

[batpig]

where do you live? if it's in a major city, we can scope out your local craigslist for you, I find there are always decent stereo amps/receivers floating around for cheap.


honestly, speakers are a very personal thing. there are many good deals out there but you may buy it and hate the sound.


Here are two nice used bookshelf speakers for $150: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ull&1220981223


Pair them up with a decent sub for $150. Many people recommend the X-sub from AV123.... I happen to like Energy products, and if you want to match those bookshelves you can get the Energy ESW-8 for $155 shipped from Amazon.


However, I'm just recommending Energy because that's what I use, there are many many other options out there. The thing is, if you are going to look for bargains, especially on the used market, you have to do your research so you know if you are getting a good deal or not. And if you want to play that game, it might mean you have to buy/sell a few speakers before you hit the combo you like.


Just as a note, if you intend to move up to multichannel eventually (i.e. add a center channel for movies) you may want to find an AV receiver instead of a straight stereo receiver.

 

[kampret]

I live in San Francisco... I'll also try to look in Craigslist and post it here for opinions later...


Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig /forum/post/14318281


where do you live? if it's in a major city, we can scope out your local craigslist for you, I find there are always decent stereo amps/receivers floating around for cheap.


honestly, speakers are a very personal thing. there are many good deals out there but you may buy it and hate the sound.


Here are two nice used bookshelf speakers for $150: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ull&1220981223


Pair them up with a decent sub for $150. Many people recommend the X-sub from AV123.... I happen to like Energy products, and if you want to match those bookshelves you can get the Energy ESW-8 for $155 shipped from Amazon.


However, I'm just recommending Energy because that's what I use, there are many many other options out there. The thing is, if you are going to look for bargains, especially on the used market, you have to do your research so you know if you are getting a good deal or not. And if you want to play that game, it might mean you have to buy/sell a few speakers before you hit the combo you like.


Just as a note, if you intend to move up to multichannel eventually (i.e. add a center channel for movies) you may want to find an AV receiver instead of a straight stereo receiver.

 

[batpig]

Oh, San Francisco's great, there's all sorts of good used stuff floating around the bay area craigslist.... I'll check it out and see what's out there.


I would suggest to stick to solid brand names when you buy used just so you don't get stuck with garbage. For example with stereos, look at NAD, Marantz, Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, HK...


(EDITED AS I FIND STUFF)


RECEIVERS:


- here's a cheap start to a system, a solid little yamaha stereo amp + cd player for $50:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/757356555.html


- here's a $75 Yamaha AV receiver in east bay, it's a 10-year-old dolby digital unit but will be solid:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/760222883.html


- here's a newer Yamaha AV receiver, it's $120 but it's only 5 years old and has more modern features if you upgrade a bit:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/754646153.html


- here's a solid old 90's Denon stereo receiver for $75:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/756070078.html


- here's a nice Marantz AV receiver for $125, this one will allow you to upgrade to multichannel in the future if you want to add more speakers:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/757221598.html



SPEAKERS:


- I know you said you don't want towers, but if you want to blow your budget a little on speakers, these things will make you sing with joy, and you will not need a subwoofer at all:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/755968610.html

(pair these up with one of those receivers and for under $500 you will have an absolutely kick-ass setup)


- here's a solid little subwoofer over in east bay for $30:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/752728472.html


just some examples of what you can get used in your area

 

[kampret]

Appreciate your help man! I'm gonna take a look at it tonight for sure!

Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig /forum/post/14318980


Oh, San Francisco's great, there's all sorts of good used stuff floating around the bay area craigslist.... I'll check it out and see what's out there.


I would suggest to stick to solid brand names when you buy used just so you don't get stuck with garbage. For example with stereos, look at NAD, Marantz, Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, HK...


(EDITED AS I FIND STUFF)


RECEIVERS:


- here's a cheap start to a system, a solid little yamaha stereo amp + cd player for $50:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/757356555.html


- here's a $75 Yamaha AV receiver in east bay, it's a 10-year-old dolby digital unit but will be solid:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/760222883.html


- here's a newer Yamaha AV receiver, it's $120 but it's only 5 years old and has more modern features if you upgrade a bit:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/754646153.html


- here's a solid old 90's Denon stereo receiver for $75:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/756070078.html


- here's a nice Marantz AV receiver for $125, this one will allow you to upgrade to multichannel in the future if you want to add more speakers:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/757221598.html



SPEAKERS:


- I know you said you don't want towers, but if you want to blow your budget a little on speakers, these things will make you sing with joy, and you will not need a subwoofer at all:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/755968610.html

(pair these up with one of those receivers and for under $500 you will have an absolutely kick-ass setup)


- here's a solid little subwoofer over in east bay for $30:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/752728472.html


just some examples of what you can get used in your area

 

[batpig]

seriously, if you have room for floorstanders those Energy C-8's are an outstanding value for the money. they are heavy, big-ass speakers, but they sound awesome and were $1500+ when they came out 10 years ago.


here's some user reviews:
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/energ...2_1594crx.aspx


of course, if you don't have room and would rather go with bookshelves that's fine, I just thought I'd throw that out there....

 

[kampret]

hmm yeah floorstanders are pretty much not an option since I have a pretty limited space... (that was the first reason I want to go 2.1 instead of 5.1 or above)


So I've decided to utilize what I have now. I have a 7 year old 2.1 Klipsch computer speaker, but I figure with some creativity I would be able to use it or other things...


Currently I plugged a component cable directly to the speaker (using stereo converter) to the ps3 directly, but I can't use it for everything else.


Basically I would like to plug it in to my plasma tv, ps3 and hdbox... is it possible to utilize a receiver for this purpose?


If yes, how do I do it? Any recommendations on specific type (no of inputs, outputs)


Thank you beforehand....

Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig /forum/post/14319890


seriously, if you have room for floorstanders those Energy C-8's are an outstanding value for the money. they are heavy, big-ass speakers, but they sound awesome and were $1500+ when they came out 10 years ago.


here's some user reviews:
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/energ...2_1594crx.aspx


of course, if you don't have room and would rather go with bookshelves that's fine, I just thought I'd throw that out there....

 

[allargon]

I agree with everyone--try and go with towers--if not go with bookshelves. However, if you go with bookshelves, you will have to spend more on a subwoofer. (Even moderately good subs are pricey.) I would try to find room for the towers.


Satellites? Blech. Those are only for dorm rooms, and even that is debatable.

 

[kampret]

yeah... no.. I don't really have space for floorstanders.. my room's really small.. I wish I have a dedicated space for home theater system..


Just wondering if anyone can advise me how to setup a klipsch system to be used with tv, ps3, ipod etc? (please see two post above)


Thank you!

 

[batpig]

because they are computer speakers they only have one audio input. you need some device to switch the audio. radio shack or best buy should have a basic RCA video/audio switcher for cheap (like $20), you can just use it to switch the stereo music signal. but this is what an AV receiver does (plus providing amplification and processing).


What kind of plug does your speaker system have for input? Is it just a little headphone plug like most computer speakers, or do you actually have left/right RCA inputs (i.e. red/white)?


If you use a cheap AV receiver for this switching, you will need to connect the receiver output somehow to the input of the powered computer speakers. You can't use speaker wire because the receiver won't be doing any amplifying, your computer speakers are self-powered. You will either need a receiver with pre-outs, or if you can't find that you can go out of the Tape Record output (which any receiver has), but these will not be volume controlled by the receiver (you have to use the volume knob on the computer speakers).


honestly, I don't know why you would want to use dinky computer speakers for home theater stuff. You were given several cheap options that would get you up and running for a couple hundred $$ and would sound a million times better than a little 2.1 computer setup.

 

[kampret]

well... budget's kinda tight right now... and my 2.1 klipsch speakers still sound much better than most of my friend's home theater setup...


I figured if I can get away with just buying a receiver, why not?


my speakers only have aux input (mic input?)...


I figured I can get away with running a cable from my tv output to my receiver input.... and then using component/aux cable from my receiver output to my speaker....


currently I'm using the component cable from ps3 through the speaker using stereo/aux converter (hdmi for picture) and it sounds pretty good...


Does it make any sense?

 

[batpig]

That's cool, if the speakers sound good to you then go with it, I am just basing my observation on past experience with computer speakers, but yours might be better than I am imagining.


If all you are planning to do is run all your video/audio to the TV, and then go out of the TV's audio out.... well, then you don't really need a receiver at all. You will effectively be using the TV as the "switcher" for your components. All you would need is to use that cable you are running from the PS3, and instead run if from the TV's audio outs.