Top products from r/BudgetAudiophile

Someone yesterday asked about $200 speakers. I'll just copy and paste that here, but I'll change one thing. I recommend the fluance signature series if you're spending that much money. Also, save up and get a Dayton sub 1000. Enjoy:

----------------------------

I'll make a list of stuff you need. For the best "bang for your buck" in the $200ish price range.

-----------------------------------------

Speaker wire. Amazon Basics makes great stuff. If you want, you can get 100 feet of it for an extra $2 I think. You can get those monoprice banana plugs if you want. They just help if you're going to be switching speakers around a lot.

Simple wire stripper. Should work just fine.

Cable to plug it in. That'll just plug the amp into a computer. And that cable is amazing quality. For real. I don't know what it is about it, but the moment I touched that cable I knew it was special. This isn't a joke either. You'll understand when you get one. Trust me.

50 watt per channel amp. This thing will be more than enough. I just like it because it is open box, so cheap. The same one new on amazon is $65. If you want to order from amazon, you can just get the smsl sa-36a. Same amp, just 20 watts per channel. Which, again, is plenty.

[Here's that cheaper smsl amp] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017W13OR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_U2NSBbTRHGFS5). I've got a few of them. They're great. This is what I'd go for if the other one is sold out.

Cheap but good little amp. I don't have one of these because I'm not a fan of the looks, but they get great reviews and a lot of people really like them.

---------------

Speakers:

Miccas. These things are nice for that price. In this price range, you really won't be getting anything better unless you go DIY.

Fluance SX6. These guys are big, but they throw a good amount of sound and some pretty deep bass for a pair of bookshelf speakers. Careful, they're pretty big.

Pioneer. These things are decent, but I think the Fluances would be better for this price. The SX6s throw more bass, which is good if you're not getting a sub. However, these are smaller.

Fluance signature series. I know, you said your budget is only $200, but you said if you need to spend more, then you will. These will sound better than all of the other speakers linked, however, that's not why they're here. I put them here for two reasons. The first is that they're front ported. Most people that are new to speakers might put them up against a wall or close to it, not understanding that the port needs some room to breathe. These have front ports so that's not a problem. The second reason, just look at them. If you really care about looks, these ones are the ones. They're beautiful. (My opinion obviously).

Oof almost forgot. Pleaae don't place the speakers directly on your desk.

--------------------------------

That's a lot. I'll sum it up with my opinion and why.

Amp: smsl sa36a. For close range, you don't need anything with more power. This thing will do whatever you need for bookshelf speakers.

Speakers: micca mb42x. Why? Here's why: for this price range, you won't notice a huge difference in any speakers, unless you get some bad ones. So, get the cheapest ones you can. Later on, if you can afford to upgrade them, you'll probably want to do that. Then you'll have a pair of $80 speakers that you don't need rather than a pair of 130 speakers that you don't need. Another reason I would pick the miccas is because they punch above their price range. Most people say they sound more like a pair of $125 speakers rather than a pair of $80 speakers. So, for real, they're good. Also, they're the smallest of the bunch.

Or, build a pair of C Notes and get something way better than any of these.

Hope this helps!

These have been getting some good user reviews lately and a nice price too, and a pretty small cabinet for a 6.5 inch woofer, 79.99 / pair: 2 Pack 6.5" Bookshelf Home Theater Speakers 100W RMS TP160S-CH DCM by MTX Audio

As for amp's I have two of these (on two different computer systems), Dayton Audio APA 150. This is a serious Class A/B design topology, but no frills, just a well built, serious, "old school" heavy amp. No remote, no DAC, no Bluetooth, but WOW, a really nice, serious, amp! Lots of good user reviews and recommendations all over the net.

A often recommended smaller digital amp S.M.S.L AD18. This one DOES have it all, remote, DAC, bluetooth, relatively small, great reviews all over the net.

If you are really on a budget, try something similar to Lepai LP-2020TI Digital Hi-Fi Audio Mini Class D Stereo Amplifier. Do some searches for tweaking this amp, a very simple way to improve this amp, is to buy a more powerful power brick. There are many versions of this type of amp, amazon, ebay, parts-express, look around.

The other two, often recommended, "great value" speakers that work well with a computer (but you will need an amp), are the Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System (Pair). I have seen these on sale for well under 100/pair, from memory, in the 60's and 70's.

Another great value is the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers(7-1/8” x 12-9/16” x 8-7/16” & weighs 9 lbs 2 oz). Again, search around, these do go on sale for well under 100.00.

I have both the Pioneer and the Sony, and I currently am using the Sony SSCS5 with the Dayton Audio Amp. Was temped to buy the DCM, but I have to stop buying "great value" speakers. If I ever want to upgrade my computer speakers, I should save up and buy the Ascend Audio Luna Reference Ribbon Mini-Monitor.

Good luck, have fun, and Enjoy!

I agree that we need more info, but I'll suggest a pair of the Dayton Audio SUB-1500, added to some full range speakers and a used HT receiver. A good alternative would be to DIY the sub or subs - the VBSS (Value Buster Subwoofer System) is probably a good choice.

But others are correct, if not done carefully, the bass may be irritating to others, and if the venue is too large, these may even be insufficient.

Edit - I managed to skip a good chunk of your questions:

For a home sound system that will work for your party, you'll need:

• A 2 channel amplifier, or better yet a Home Theater receiver. Decent used receivers can be had for under $100. The advantage with a HT receiver is that it will have bass management, that is the ability to split the sound signal into upper frequencies for the main speakers, and bass frequencies for the subwoofers, which typically come with their own amplification. If you use a 2-channel amp, it can work ok, as nearly all subwoofer amps have filtering in place available to limit the signal range to only bass frequencies (for example below 80 Hz). But the other speakers will play these bass frequencies too, so there will be some overlap, and the main speakers could be more efficient if they were relieved of their bass duties as with an HT receiver.
  
• 2 or more speakers. Two are usually sufficient for music. Do you want small, medium, or large bookshelf speakers, or tower speakers. Size is not always related to how loud they play, but small speakers may have difficulty filling a venue, even when subwoofers are used.
  
• If you build your own subwoofer you'll also need an amplifier specifically for the subwoofer, either a plate amp to be part of the subwoofer, or another type.
  
• With a subwoofer, you'll need a hearing person to help tune the system a bit. There is a gain knob on the back of most subs that helps to balance the output with the rest of the music. You may wish it to be higher than normal, which is fine, but not by too much. In particular, you may wish it increased a bit more for your party, but back at the house, have it turned down some. Bass travels through floors, windows and walls too, to an extent. You probably don't want to bother neighbors.
  
  Edit 2: Without any knowledge of your specific room sizes (which would still be good to know!), I'll recommend the following setup:
  
  
• 2 Dayton Audio SUB-1500s, total $380. (Two subs will help provide sufficient output and even out the bass response over the area).
  
• 1 pair of the Dayton Audio B652-Air, $45
  
• 1 used 5.1 Home Theater Receiver, from Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo for about $100. I'm partial to Denon, but the others can be fine.

So many points to hit on, I'll try and help with that I can. I'm in the US so I'm not really sure what the pricing and availability is in your area, so my help will be somewhat limited haha.

If you are wanting to do a 2.0 system with the option to upgrade to 5.1 in the future, much of your budget will be going towards a 5.1 receiver. The suggestions mentioned in question 1 are good suggestions, but you also need to take a look at your TV and see what audio out connections are available. Some TV's, like mine for instance, only offer an optical out for audio. If this is the case for you, then the SMSL SA-60 will not work without a DAC in between. Something like the Fiio D3 would suffice. Also, chances are if you go this route, you will lose the ability to control the volume with the TV remote. Getting something like the SMSL Q5 Pro instead might be a better option. It can accept multiple audio inputs (digital and
analog, so no need for a DAC), and also has a cheap remote for controlling volume and other stuff. You can also use the Q Acoustic Speakers with these amps as well. However, either of these amps would have to be replaced in the future if you decide to upgrade to 5.1. But they would be great for a 2.1 setup.

In the US, with that budget (300 euro = $335) and a future 5.1 in mind; I would get a Pioneer VSX-530 Receiver ($200), and the Micca MB42X Speakers ($90). Then I would start saving for a subwoofer like the Bic F12 or ML Dynamo 300 (depending on the size of the room). Once I had a sub, I would then save up for better bookshelfs (3 of them...something like empteks or elacs or who knows what), and relocate the Micca MB42X's to the rear. This would be a a respectable 5.1 setup that will blow away pretty much any home theater in a box.

Anyways, hope I was of at least some help. Best of luck with your setup!

As a rule of thumb, you should dump your money into the end points of the audio chain - in other words, have quality speakers and quality source material. The stuff in the middle of the chain - amplifier, CD player, cables, etc. - doesn't have as much of an effect on the audio quality, but you certainly don't want to cheap out.

Source material isn't as much of a concern as it was in years past, since so much of our music is delivered digitally - provided you stay away from low-bitrate MP3s and such. We don't have to deal with scratched records and worn-out cassette tapes anymore. I kind of feel like people sometimes mis-apply this guideline and sink crazy money into DACs, when they would of been better served with a speaker upgrade. You speakers, provided you're starting with high-fidelity music to begin with, have the most profound effect on audio quality.

I'd recommend a set of Pioneer BSR-22s for speakers and a decent Sony receiver.

I have the Pioneer speakers and love them. I bought them as a temporary solution while I was renting for a while, but enjoyed them so much that I never replaced them. They're wonderful, accurate yet kind of warm-sounding speakers. If you have the opportunity, listen to a variety of speaker and choose the ones that sound best to you. Sadly, this can be a bit of a chore since online shopping has shut down many hi fi shops. People really like those Micca and Dayton speakers, too, but I only have experience with these Pioneers.

I have the 7.1 version of that Sony in my home theater. Personally, I prefer Yamaha receivers that have a Burr-Brown DAC in them, but I needed a 4K switching receiver on a budget and ended up with the Sony. The one I linked to is a 5.1 receiver, so if you ever wanted to upgrade to surround sound, the possibility is there. Also it will do 4K video switching. A good stereo setup is fine for movies, however. If you know that stereo is all you'll ever need, you could find a good stereo receiver for a few bucks less.

Grab whatever budget Blu-ray player that suits your aesthetic.

Most importantly, have fun and don't stress out about your choices. Part of the fun of this hobby is enjoying the music while knob-dicking around with the equipment. You'll enjoy whatever you end up with.

I've heard of their 3020, but supposedly the Concept 20 is the same driver in a different cabinet? The What HiFi review makes it sound like the cabinet alone is worth the price difference. That could be true, but I am not going to rely on their word for it. I think it would be best if you could arrange for an audition or, better still, buy them with a good return policy so you can send them back if you are not satisfied with them. This is the most reliable way you could test out 2 speakers because you know best what is important for you. As for bass, it is also part of the music and I feel a faithful reproduction is essential to the experience. I do not own a subwoofer myself because I am satisfied with my MB Quart 490 and their 7.5" woofer. The bass is present but not overpowering at all and it makes all the difference when listening to Pink Floyd or The Coup.

Anyway, what I meant was the audio files will be converted from digital to analog at one point. In your case, it would be the PC's onboard solution. Now, depending on your PC, your onboard solution could be great or it could suck (distortion/constant hum etc.) ! To get around this some people use the digital output on their PC (USB/HDMI/Optical) and the conversion is performed using another device. Since usually stereo amplifiers do not have any way of accepting digital input, the go-to choice is a separate DAC like Fiio D03K / Behringer UCA202. Some people also a get a headphone DAC like Fiio E10K because they need a portable amp for their headphone in addition to a DAC. Others may need more than just a DAC - for example there could be a need to take the HDMI input and send the video to a TV and the audio to speakers. This is where a receiver comes in. A receiver is basically an amp + many more options for inputs, but it could be overkill if you only need a DAC. Used receivers could be cheap, though, and they are quite popular because of the input options you get. Goes without saying that you may not need a separate DAC at all, but just something to consider.

Phew! Hope that helps! :)

I'm not saying your Edifiers aren't fine, but that it's not what they were designed for so you'll need to be a bit unorthodox when adding a subwoofer. I'll give you 4 options:

1. Keep the Edifiers and pick up a Pioneer SW-8MK2. This will cost the same as the Yamaha sub you were looking at. Connect your current RCA cable to a volume knob like this one. Split your signal coming out of there with RCA to Dual RCA cables and You're good to go.
   
   
2. Spend your money on a great pair of speakers and forget a sub for now. This will offer the best sound by far and you can always add a sub down the line. Maybe you find a subwoofer for sale locally. A pair of JBL LSR305 speakers would fit the bill here. You can add a cheap mixer if you wanted more sources and convenient volume control.
   
   
3. Purchase a pair of powered speakers with a sub output like the Kanto YU4. These are super convenient since you just connect a sub through an RCA cable and you're good to go. You can still fit in a cheap sub within your budget like the cheapo monoprice or the Acoustic Audio RWSUB-10. If you wanted to spend the extra bit for the pioneer subwoofer, that's great too.
   
   
4. Purchase a passive system with a separate amplifier. Assuming you don't have infinite space on a desk or something then pick up an SMSL Q5. Pick up passive speakers like the Pioneer BS22 or Micca MB42X. Choose any of the aforementioned subs that fit in your budget. Pick up cheap speaker wire to connect your speakers to your amp, and use an RCA cable to have your amp send signal to your sub.

Let me see if I can't point you in the right direction.

1. I would get passive speakers. I'm a big fan of that route and have admitted my bias many times. I like being able to change out the speakers or use them with another system. So that's what I'll go for.
   
   
2. You want smaller speakers and that's cool but just realize the smaller the speaker the more work the sub has to do. This also make the sub more localized and putting a sub (that's worth your time/money) on a desk may not be the best idea.
   
   
3. Since space is an issue it sounds like you're going to need a mini amp. While they make some that are good I still like going for either a receiver or an AVR. That's just my preference.
   
   Here is a sample system I would consider.
   
   Amp - PICK ONE
   
   

• SMSL Q5 $140 - Remote, sub out and digital inputs.
  
  
• ORB Booster $160 - Like the above these both have digital and analog inputs so you can use them with a variety of sources and they will allow you to plug in a TV at some point if you wanted a 2.1 for a living space down the road.
  
  
• SMSL SA50 $70 - Basic analog amplifier so you won't get any digital inputs but you do get to save money.
  
  Speakers - Pick one there are a bunch you could choose I picked a few that might work.
  
  
• Cambridge Audio SX50 $140 - currently on sale. These are smaller bookshelf speakers that I would seriously consider.
  
  
• Micca MB42X $90 - The old go to cheap and small speakers. These do sound good on a desk and with sub to boost the low end you should be in good shape.
  
  
• BIC DV32 $55 - Super small two way speakers. These don't sound bad they just need a sub to take care of the low stuff. If you need small speakers these should be what you need.
  
  Sub - I'm going smaller on the sub for space reasons
  
  
• Polk PSW111 $180 - Small but high powered this guy is compact but should do nicely for a music setup.
  
  
• Pioneer SW-8Mk2 $160 - small downfiring sub that was on sale for $99 not long ago so if you can wait and watch it you could save some money.
  
  
• BIC V80 $135 - Another down firing offering that is affordable.
  
  
• Dayton Sub 800 $100 - A normal go to smaller sub it's out of stock but if you can wait this is also a very good option.
  
  Notes and thoughts
  
  
• I've given you some stuff to chew on. There are some different combinations you can do. Pick one that fits your budget and size requirements. Particularly the speaker size. If you can fit the Cambridge those would be my choice.
  
  
• To hook up the computer you'll need a simple 3.5mm to rca or 3.5mm cable depending the amp you choose. If you get the ones with digital inputs you can use an optical cable if you have that as an option on your computer.
  
  
• Most of the subs can have speaker level inputs and outputs. To hook them up simply come out of the amp into the terminals labeled input. Then run a second set of speaker wires to the speakers using the output terminal.
  
  
• If you go with the Orb or Q5 you can use the sub output on the amp to go to the sub with a sub cable. Most will be able to use a subwoofer y cable $10 but I think the BIC need just a single sub cable $10.
  

Oh god, don't start shopping for a DAC. They're a waste of money for almost everyone, but /r/audiophile talks about them like they're the most important part of the system. A DAC is the device built into your smartphone or computer's sound card that converts the digital file to an analog signal for the amplifier to boost. People who have been misled by hype or have run out of things to spend money on start shopping for external DACs.

Most devices have perfectly fine DACs. You probably won't ever hear a difference between the one built into your iPhone and a $300 standalone unit.

What you want is an amplifier with a few different inputs, which is typically a receiver. There's a host of inexpensive new stereo and 5.1 home theater receivers that will do the job, but most will be the same width as your old receiver. Another issue with modern receivers is that most of them don't have a PHONO input, which means either you need an external PHONO preamp like this one or a turntable with a built-in preamp. Good news-- that Pyle I linked is dirt-cheap, and works great.

Alternatively, you could buy a little 50-watt amp like this one and pair it with a manual A/V switch like this. You'll still need the phono preamp, of course.

The cheap and simple solution is to learn to live with a full-sized receiver and go hunting for a good-quality early 90's home-theatre receiver with 80 or more watts/channel. People don't want old Dolby Surround receivers because they don't have all of the modern A/V doohickies, however they'll have at least 4 RCA inputs and a built-in PHONO input, and provide plenty of clean power. I love my Yamaha RX-V850 for this reason.

I hope this helps!

JBL LSR305 are good studio monitors for pro recording and mixing however you will need to also add a studio monitor controller.

The C-notes are said to compare well to the JBLs but are tuned more for home audio and also go a bit lower.

A bit quicker DIY build with pre-built and painted cabinets is the Dayton Audio BR-1 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Monitor Speaker Kit Pair $199 which have a good low end if definitely not adding a subwoofer. A later upgrade is a better DIY crossover.

If you don't want to DIY, but still want a neutral sounding speaker with a flat frequency response tuned for home audio, get the Wavecrest Audio HVL-1s for around $190 shipped for the pair on sale. Then add a subwoofer when you can.

Or the larger Ascend CBM-170 SE which I have in my living room and are great for music. I have the smaller Ascend HTM-200 on my small desk with a subwoofer underneath my desk.

The Infinity Reference will be a bit brighter which can be better for home theater or if you have a hard time hearing high frequencies. Same for the JBL Studio 230 $199 $399 MSRP. They are also both good for music for the price but don't have as good of a mid-range that the Ascends or even the Wavecrests do.

Or the 5.25" Wharfedale Diamond 220 $249 or 6.5" Wharfedale Diamond 225 $349 have a good warm sound for mostly music. Same for the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 $229 which are said to have a good low end if definitely not adding a subwoofer.

Amplification:

I use a Denon stereo receiver or a Pioneer Dolby Pro Logic AV receiver both of which I found for free, placed on an 18" end table either under or off to the side of my desk. Should be easy to find a used stereo or AV receiver for under $100. Look for one with SUB out if you want to add the R12. If not, you will need a subwoofer with speaker level speaker wire inputs or use a speaker level to RCA adapter. Speaker Wire Only Sub Hookup.

For compact class A/B power, Emotiva A-100 $249. Or the Dayton Audio APA150 $135 is a clone of the discontinued Emotiva BPA-1 that the Emotiva A-100 replaced. Then speaker wire to a sub with speaker level inputs or use a speaker level to RCA adapter with with the R12.

Or a PSA Sprout, NAD 3020, or DENON PMA60 are over $400.

Or down a step to a digital class T/D mini amp, Topping MX3 $129 has a subwoofer out jack to use with the R12.

First step: have you read noaudiophile's reviews? He does very thorough reviews on a lot of budget speakers, and has corrections for many of the popular options. His corrections for the Infinity P163s that I'm currently using made them sound like completely different speakers.

First let's start with powered options:

The Micca PB42X would be a good option. They are basically a powered version of the MB42X so you don't need to purchase a separate amp. Also in the similar realm that get recommended here a lot would be the Swans D1010 and the Edifier R1280T.

Personally I'm a bigger fan of passive speakers, as you get a lot more options to expand your system.

Pioneer BS22 bookshelf speakers are great and have gone on sale quite a bit lately for $70-80/pair.

Dayton B652 I am currently using as my surround speakers, but people rave about them as a budget desktop option

Micca MB42X also get great reviews.

You could also go used for your speakers, but sometimes it can be hard to parse through all the junk out there if you don't know what you're looking for.

Take any of those passive options and pair them up with an inexpensive amp like this SMSL or Lepai for a good budget setup.

I would also recommend checking your local Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for a used receiver, you could pick up a very decent one for just a few bucks and have a great starting setup. This will give you a lot more powerful amp, and the ability later to easily add a subwoofer or expand to surround sound. Personally I'm using an older Sony home theater receiver at my desk, it's old enough that it doesn't have HDMI or optical inputs, someone was just giving it away so I snagged it.

Oh sorry, it's hard to not go all jargon-crazy sometimes.

So studio monitors are designed for mixing audio, as such they're designed to be very very accurate. The flat response means if you plot a line representing all the audible frequencies from bass to the highest treble the line would be flat, so no boosted bass or lowered midrange or any of those things people usually fiddle with knobs to do. Just dead accurate, which lots of people think they want until they hear it, mids and highs can get a little tiring to listen to and is sometimes considered not a "warm" sound.

B&W is Bowers and Wilkins, a very good brand and I just meant find some from the 1980's because they crop up for sale used from time to time and sound great (check craigslist for B&W, Mission, Elac, Mirage, PSB and Wharfedale). Other options that aren't used would be Cambridge Audio SX50's, Elac B6.2's, and Wharfedale Diamond 210's. (Tons of reviews of all of those out there) As for an amp, the SMSL SA50 is plenty for most people for normal listening levels.

As for a DAC, you wouldn't necessarily need one for active monitors, but you would definitely need some interesting cables like these shitty ones. One of the advantages of pro-audio gear is they use balanced audio signals which makes long runs of cable safe from electromagnetic interference/noise/hum, most people don't have runs long enough for it to matter in their house but they look cool and "pro". Also to actually have a balanced signal going through those XLR cables you need a balanced output, which is where a DAC with balanced outputs or volume controller would come in. Here's a cheap ok controller.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of studio monitors, speakers are super super super subjective and if I encountered a set of studio monitors that really blew my skirt up I'd probably buy all the balanced cables and some huge volume knob to be able to listen to them and be happy as a clam. Just hasn't happened yet.

well i was using some logitech 5.1 (surround sound) speakers which i sold for £40 on ebay to go towards my new speajkers. Richer sounds are a great shop imo and they always give you help and advice so i would look at the speakers there .

I got the Monitor Audio MR1s and there is so much difference between my old ones, crisper highs/treble and over all clearer sound, its very hard to explain how they sound better but trust me.

Types of speakers:
There are mainly 2 types, powered and non-powered.

Powered: They have a built in amp and plug into a wall socket for power and then go straight into your PC, they are easy to set up but some people like to have a separate amp (im also new to this so im not to sure why)

Non-Powered: They are just speakers and on there own cant produce sound as they dont have any power, which is where the amp/amplifier comes in. The amp just gives the speakers power so that they are able to produce sound and connect to a PC ect.

the bigger the speakers the bigger the amp needs to be to give it enough power.

I would go to richer sounds if you have one near you and ask for a demo for some speakers around £100 if you can and im sure you will notice a difference. Also watch some videos about audio and why some speakers are better than others.
Im also very new to this, i got my first pair 2 weeks ago.

These are some good powered speakers that will probs beat cheaper multimedia ones on the cheap:

M-Audio AV32

M-Audio AV42

Mackie CR4

These are some good non powered speakers and amps on the cheap:

MORDAUNT SHORT M20 AND SMSL SA-36A

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 AND SMSL SA-36A

BTW the amp ive chosen will power them on a desk but might not be great for a big room.

Hope this helps :)

If you want to go the passive route, a decent setup would probably be around $150-200. If you want something with a tuner, a receiver would be a good choice over an amp.

Right now, you can get this Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver on Amazon or Best Buy for $119 which is an excellent deal. Usually this receiver costs $149 or more and Yamaha makes some of the best budget stereo receivers. Sometimes you can find this Insignia Stereo Receiver for about $99, but right now it costs higher than the Yamaha and is not worth it. Those are probably your best deals on receivers right now that won't break the bank. Most other receivers will cost you about $150 to start.

You can find a lot of good speakers under $150 and a few under $100. What you need to do is sign up for Fry's Electronics newsletter. Just this last week they sent a coupon code in my email to get the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers for $58! Super good deal. Normally cost just over $100. They are sold out now, but this deal pops up quite often and they are well worth that price.

Here are more great speakers around $100 or less:

Micca MB42X speakers - $90.

Polk T15 - $100

Dayton Audio B652 - $30

Dayton Audio B652-AIR - $44

JBL Arena B15 - $79

Well "best" is completely subjective. But getting passive speakers (un-powered) that require speaker wire and a separate amp will allow you to hand pick components and upgrade in the future. If you buy a powered set of speakers and they break or you want something different, you have to scrap the whole thing.

It's a bit more effort, but it's pretty damn fun and ultimately very rewarding. A simple passive speaker system will sound better than most pc speaker boxed sets that even cost 2x more. And you can add a subwoofer for the best bass quality possible.

But I understand convenience may matter more to some people.

It really depends on how much you have to spend. Start with a lepai amp if it is the strictest of budgets, but I would say spend a bit more on an amp from smsl or something for a bit more quality and power.

I started with micca mb42x which are very well regarded for the price. In the under $1-$200 price range spending or skimping even $20 will almost always provide a tangible difference in quality.

This sub's sidebar and the Zeos Guide have great speaker lists.

At the bare minimum include the following things if you want help and/or advice choosing or setting up amplifiers, speakers, DACS, etc

• Budget: a little more or less than 100 u$s? I'm not sure
  
• Country: Argentina. If the product cost more than 50$, I have to pay 50% of the excedent as taxes
  
• I can buy from: Any amazon, b&h, I think almost everywhere
  
• Use: Audioslave, RHCP, Rock in general, series,
  
• Where: A desk in a Room
  
• Space: 3.67m x 3.88m, NOT really loud, I will be most of the time 1.5m away from the speakers and occasionally on my bed, or taking a bath or cooking in the next room.
  
  Optional but also helpful
  
  
• Powered, passive, or no preference: no preference, I've heard you can get a better quality with the same budget with passive speakers.
  
• Any size limitations for either speaker or amp: no
  
• To upgrade later?: not really
  
• Pref certain way of sounding (Bright/forward, smooth/laid back, neutral, etc): that immersive experience (everyone here would call it the commercial one?) but I'm not sure, I don't have any speaker to listen and compare.., I only have a HyperX Cloud 1 headsets and I won't be downloading FLAC at least for the moment, I only listen from Spotify (music) or Bluray (series and movies) most part of the time
  
  I've made my search but I have no idea about this so... I need speakers for the pc on the desk in my room. Mostly for series, music, games. I will not update the system soon after this purchase and I don't have anything right now besides my current headphones.
  
  I'm from Argentina so I have 2 disadvantages: I have absolutely no idea what I'm buying because there are no places near me to try any of these speakers. For every purchase, if I spend more than 50$ I will have to pay 50% of the excedent. That means, I can buy an amp of 30$ without paying taxes or if it exists the possibility to buy a pair of headphones by separate (1 and 1 making a pair) I will probably not pay taxes... Are there places willing to do that?
  
  This is my room: https://imgur.com/a6UVKYU
  
  Questions:
  
  - What would you recommend and why?
  
  - My motherboard doesn't have bluetooth. I want to connect my pc the 99% of the time and maybe my phone 4-5mts away. What is my best option?
  
  - I think I can buy from any amazon. I've found better prices for some of the products there. Editing..
  
  Active:
  
  Edifier R1280T 156$ - £89.99
  
  Edifier R980T 115$ - £59.99
  
  Swan Speakers - D1010-IVB (unavailable? the 2nd best option?)
  
  Passive:
  
  Micca PB42 60$
  
  Micca PB42X 110$
  
  Pioneer SP-BS22-LR 93$ (the best ones? 1st best option?)
  
  Dayton Audio B652 28$
  
  Dayton Audio B652-AIR 45$
  
  Amp:
  
  Lepy LP-2020A Class-D 23$ (I want to connect my phone occasionally without disconnecting my pc, should I get a bluetooth or wifi amp?)
  
  ​
  
  ps: sorry for the long post and thanks in advance

All right guys, I just had to take a picture of the two speakers together because, as you can see, compared to the diminutive MK402 the Elacs are simply HUGE. I kept the mouse in the pic to give you an idea (sorry, I checked, I had no bananas!).

Their size is something you should be aware of, especially if you are going to keep em -like me- as monitors on a desk.

A little background on my system: I use mainly Tidal hi-res streaming as source. The PC is hooked via USB to an external dac, an AUNE X1S, line out of the DAC goes into a Dayton DTA-120 (the real hero of this story, spoilers!!!) that powers the speakers.

Right out of the box, I position the Elacs on the desk (on foam absorbers for studio monitors, you might notice em under the elacs in the pic), hook em up, and Im shocked. They sound exactly like the MK402... wtf?

Well the first lesson is, guys, believe in break-in. I had the same thing happening with the MK402. They sounded a bit crappy and harsh at first, but sloooooooooooowly the sound mellowed and became fuller. Fact is it happened so progressively I always had the doubt it was my ear/brain adjusting to their sound more than break-in.

This time around, though, it happened in a matter of just an hour and possibly less. Something definitely "loosened up" inside the ELACS, and oh boy... the poor daytons were blown out of the water.

First thing you will notice is the obvious one. The Elacs will go lower... and DEEPER. Please be aware that the MK402 go crazy low for their size. You can easily be shocked at the bass they can "magically" let out... but it definitely lacks that punch and that fullness that the ELACS will provide with an easiness that is honestly disarming. One of their strong points is that they sound (and they will go LOUD!) like they dont even care. You crank the volume and they just shrug and give you volume and power, never losing their composture, whereas the MK402 will totally break down and will start showing signs of ...suffering?

Second thing you'll notice is... despite their BIG size, they are muuuuuuuch easier to position. The Mk402 are extremely, extremely fussy. Push them one inch too close to the rear wall, the bass goes so muddy you wanna kill yourself, pull em one inch too far and the bass becomes anemic and the "magic" disappears. I guess Mr Andrew Jones did the right thing putting the reflex on the baffle instead of the more typical rear exhaust. But it doesnt end there. the biggest difference is the dispersion. The MK402 CAN sound awesome and "flat" but you must almost lock your head in a very precise and narrow position. Move sideways or a little back and forth and some frequencies will overwhelm others. with the Elacs... well, I'm flabbergasted. You can almost move around the room and you'll hear the frequencies pretty much the same way in every position.

Obviously the Elacs -I suspect for the same reason: dispersion- will give a much better holographic presentation, but Im still working on the placement and my room is really fussy so maybe I'll update you guys later when I finally manage to make the speakers "disappear", which was something simply impossible to achieve with the Daytons (believe me... I tried).

Third thing you'll notice (as they keep breaking in, becoming more and more transparent) is how comparatively analitic they are. Listening to Steely Dan's "I got the news" the infamous scratching/clicking around 2:17 made me jump on the seat, I litterally thought something was faulty and breaking!

After a while, though, the biggest and most shocking realization is how nonchalantly the little class-D amplifier from Dayton is driving the Elacs. The speakers are quite efficient, yes, but I was ALMOST sure I would need a better amplifier (my eyes are on the NAD326BEE, always been a big fan of NAD sound), but Im not so sure anymore. Volume knob is at hour ten/eleven (it will go as far as hour five) and the room is filled with a smooth, relaxed, full sound. Maybe the NAD can wait!

Okay, I'll shut up for now. I'll leave here a few links with all the aforementioned gear for reference, especially price-wise.

Aune DAC

Dayton D-Class Amp

Dayton MK402

Elac B6.2


*edited endless times for clarity and cause I do thousands of typos.

So, if you like the convenience of the Pill, but want more ooomph, I've gotta recommend the Logitech UE Boombox. It's been discontinued, but you can get new or practically new models on eBay for 70 bucks or so.

I've owned a lot of nice Bluetooth speakers, and some decent audio gear, and pound for pound nothing really touches the thing.

I would recommend heading up your local Goodwill or other thrift store for speakers and an old receiver. With a pretty minimal amount of footwork, you can grab something that probably cost $1000 back in the day for $100.

Skip Marantz as it's really over priced at this point, but brands like Realistic, Rotel, Sansui, and Pioneer are still affordable. They look cool as shit, and have a nice distinctive sound. You can probably get a low-end 20 or 30 W per channel Realistic off craigslist or at your local thrift shop for 30 bucks.

You can then get a nice set of Boston Acoustic or Polk audio speakers for another 50 bucks. Just make sure the foam around the subwoofers is fine, and that the tweeters aren't busted. Most people are happy to hook them up for you to listen to.

If you don't want to mess with older stuff, grab one of these :

ttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B017W13OR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hg16xbX21C1NM

And a set of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Ih16xb227QN96

And two of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011LXUKE0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5j16xb4JV5NZ5

Alternatively, grab the amp and wires new, and then get the speakers used off eBay or Craigslist or whatever. Speakers lose value at an alarming rate, but at the sub-$100 price point you're not really risking much.

For reference, I got a set of B+W CM2 speakers for $90 off Craigslist. They were almost $1000 new 12 years ago.

Even though the speaker says 40hz - 20,000 or whatever it’s not gonna play the 40-80-100 hz like a sub will. Varies with each brand or series of speaker you have to look at the graphs on the speakers to see where it starts dropping off and A sub would be better.
With AV receiver or a fancier 2 channel once you have a sub you can set the speakers to play at 100 Hz and and up etc. and the sub handle everything 100 hz and below and generally the speaker sounds better when not trying to do the low frequencies. So adding a sub and doing your adjustments in the settings in the receiver can make your regular speaker sound better and the sub produce the low frequencies better than the speakers were.

Edit : I think it was Jamo that has sub amp issues not Fluance .?

The better more expensive subwoofers will have a flatter frequency response - Playing all the subwoofer frequencies better than a cheaper sub. cheaper subs generally have a range of frequency - say 50-70 hz -it plays better so that it’s louder at those frequencies and therefore boomy.

Watch this video and see the graphs and explanation.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5itOydYkEw&t=588s

Budget Choice -Dayton sub 1000/1200

https://www.amazon.ca/Dayton-Audio-SUB-1200-12-Inch-Subwoofer/dp/B00669L3HS

I run Micca MS10 subs - about same as the Dayton’s - maybe Slightly Better Quality

Some Better Budget choices are Refurbished Infinity R10/R12, BIC F12, BIC PL-200

https://www.amazon.ca/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M

Klipsch sub I see mixed reviews - Decent But Lil Overpriced as you can’t get Better for same price or just a little more like the following

Better Choices a lil more $ - SVS, HSU, RSL

https://www.amazon.ca/SVS-PB-1000-Subwoofers-Black-Ash/dp/B00K88UMPW

I'm not a guru, but to my understanding at 300$ price range you want to start looking at AMP + Bookshelf Speakers for music.

I came to that conclusion with couple days of looking at forums and threads.

Even more so in US and I'm from EU.

​

and even before that price point some Active Studio Monitors or Active Bookshelf are better quality than Edifiers R series already.

More clarity, more depth and tighter bass, but I cannot speak for Edifier S series, they are supposedly good.

Adam, JBL, Mackie MRT, Klipsch, M-Audio, PreSonus, KRK and some more active brands I'm forgetting.

​

But at that price you can be looking at some proper Amp + Passive Speakers combos.

​

If you need Mini-amps for desk and on budget:

SMSL SA-50 68$

Dayton Audio DTA 2.1BT2 95$ - recommend this one for punchy bass and features

You could probably find some good new and used amps, if you can use bigger sized ones.

But like I said I'm no guru.

​

Bookshelf speakers:

ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 275$

KEF Q100 357$

Q Acoustics 3020i 299$

Q3020 non i version which I tried with Dayton Audio DTA 2.1BT v1. lacked bit bass, decided to go for Mission LX-2 they still haven't arrived.

But they do not seem available in US.

​

​

http://m.ebay.com/itm/10-Zone-2-4-6-8-Pair-Speaker-Selector-Switch-Switcher-with-Volume-Level-Control-/261444643684?nav=SEARCH

This is what I mean by a speaker selector. Yes it's expensive, but it is cheaper than getting a 20 channel power amp (non existent) and 10 seperate volume control knobs.

I prefer vintage speakers, but they can be a pain (expensive) to up-keep. New speakers generally have better value and more features.

You can either staple the wire along the bottom of the wall of your room or you can have someone install it in-wall. For wireless, you could get the Sonos speakers. This would probably add up to more than the amp+speaker selector + speakers. But it is wireless and easier to work with.

I would reccomend getting either a Bluetooth receiver or a Sonos connect. The only advantage the Sonos connect has is the Sonos software and a bigger range.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/reviews/B00RJKRYVC/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001CROHX6/


For speakers, dirt cheap, I would reccomend the Micca MB42X. Cheap, reliable and they sound pretty great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7H8GG2/

You can also get outdoor speakers for the outdoor areas. So if you have 2 outdoor areas, buy either 1 pair (1 speaker per area, mono) or 2 pairs (2 speakers per area)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A5S926/


If you really want even cheaper the Dayton B652 Air is a good choice.

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-air-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-with-amt-tweeter-pair--300-651

For amps, the Behringer A500 will give you 500watts of sweet sound. That's 25watts a speaker. Okay.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CZ0RL0/

The Behringer iNuke 1000,3000,6000 will give you 50, 150, 300 watts a speaker. Honestly I would get the iNuke DSP1000. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005EHIN3A

You need these cables:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WRK0SW6/

x2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002BERXW6/ comes out of iNuke, wire speaker wire to the connector and then to the switcher.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BWSCXT0/

IIF YOU GET ALL OF THE SAME SPEAKER, YOU CAN SKIP THE SPEAKER SELECTOR WITH VOLUME CONTROL. just get one with switching. The only reason to have volume control is if you are using different speakers.

To build a system using the minimum recommendations from this sub, let's start with this diagram: http://i.imgur.com/Z8FMJ.png
DAC is optional, so is a subwoofer but I recommend one.

DAC: Behringer UCA202 $29.99 Link: http://amzn.com/B000KW2YEI

Amplifier: SMSL SA-50 $68.99 Link: http://amzn.com/B00F0H8TOC

Subwoofer: Dayton Audio SUB-800 $99.00 Link: http://amzn.com/B0063NU30K

Bookshelf Speakers: Micca MB42X $89.00 Link: http://amzn.com/B00E7H8GG2

Wire: 16-gauge Speaker Wire $8.00 Link: http://amzn.com/B006LW0WDQ

With DAC, this cable: Stereo Male to 2 RCA Male $5 Link: http://amzn.com/B00I0HPK6O

Without DAC, this cable: Monoprice 105597 3-Feet Premium Stereo Male to 2RCA Male $5 Link: http://amzn.com/B0094A1F3S

This is a great starter system, I would have loved to had something like this starting out.
All of these pieces can be upgraded, do your research. Look for sales etc. Good luck and have fun.

nobody has explained their recommendations.

you don't get good volume on dialog because of crappy channel mixing from your TV.

that's not a dig on your specific TV... all TV's suck at this. in fact, most receivers suck at mixing down from 5.1/7.1 to stereo.

for any content generated in surround, something like 95% of the dialog volume is mixed to the center channel.

if you're listening on a pair of stereo speakers, you get to hear what the TV thinks is best, in terms of balancing the volumes between the channels.

folks here are recommending receivers that would give you 5.1 channel audio, and then also suggesting three speakers.

the three speakers are your Front L+R, and the all important center speaker.

receivers do a moderately good job of mixing all the surround channels to just the Front L+Rs, and if you have the center speaker, it will still get all of that delicious dialog.

your budget is a little tight, but doable.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv379bl/yamaha-rx-v379-5.1-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html $150

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009IUIV4A/ $60 for your front L+R pair

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HH2GINM/ $50 for your center channel

-

check out your sound settings for anything called "normalization" or "equalization".

this will cap the maximum volume difference between the audio channels. so in effect it will reduce the loud parts, and bring up the volume on the quiet parts. this may be sufficient for you to like what you hear, or be sufficient for you to just get some nicer speakers and be quite satisfied.

if the "equalization" setting fixes the quiet/loud problem, but you just want more oomph, i would recommend

eris 4.5's https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP56OYA/ $180

or

fluance ai40's https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Bookshelf-Amplifier-Turntable-Bluetooth/dp/B07CLDGXX1/ $200

both are self-powered, and need nothing other than a cable to connect them to your Tv.

i have eris e3.5's and they are simply great.

i have fluance floor speakers, and they're also great, so i would expect good performance on the ai40's.

ai40's come with more features - a bluetooth input option, and a remote to control the volume, source.

$80 isn't going to get you anything that will blow you away, but will get you something that's a good starting point and will sound better than the built-in speakers in any monitor.

Check out Steve Guttenberg's review of the Lepai LP2020TI and Dayton B652-Air. He raved about it as an awesome $88 beginner audiophile's delight. Actually cheaper than that right now, since you can get the 2020TI for $19.99 and the B652-Airs for $44.99 on Parts-Express right now. Even if you pay shipping, that should come out to under $80.

Or, if you can stretch your budget just a bit, you can get the Micca MB42x's for $79.95 from Amazon, then throw in that $20 2020TI for the amp.

Otherwise, look around for second-hand (thrift stores, Craigslist, LetGo, etc.) and find something within your budget. Probably best to stay away from all the typical "PC" speakers like the logitech sets that come with very cheap, cost-cutting speakers and sub.

Samson makes some desktop monitors that feature bluetooth input. I haven't really seen any reviews for them yet. The MediaOne

Take a look at reviews for those and get at least the 4" ones. I can't expect the 3" ones would have much bass response.

Everything else listed lacks bluetooth, but you could add a standalone bluetooth reciever to any of them.

The M-Audio AV-40s get good reviews, and the Wirecutter calls them the best computer speakers.

Those are active monitors. They will be good for near field, and the amp inside them is designed with the speakers.

If you go passive plus amp you can upgrade components down the road. Maybe get the Micca MB42X and a Topping TP20, or find a good reciever (70s Kenwood, Pioneer, Marantz, Teac, Technics, etc. are great) for super cheap (0-$20) at a yard sale or thrift store or craigslist and get the Panasonic SP-BS22

Strictly speaking, wattages and THD are a good guide for figuring out quality, but are certainly not a hard-and-fast rule. Knowing your brands and trusted opinions are better, listening to it yourself is best.

The link in the sidebar has some good ones.

I'm actually in exactly the same position as you at the moment, I'm considering this one as it's the cheapest (50w per channel, ~au$80 delivered), but apparently this one is much better even though it's only 30w per channel and is $20 more.

Or then again I could anticipate future upgrades and just go for this yammy amp which is 100w per channel for ~$190.

I really like that Denon one you've posted, though. Decisions, decisions.

You've got tons of options...

These 3 way Sony bookshelf speakers are a great option that fits your budget. You could do 4 of those and the matching center: https://www.amazon.ca/Sony-SSCS5-3-Driver-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B00O8YLMVA

Beyond that... Fluance, Jamo, Micca, Elac and Klipsch all offer good speakers that fall in your budget.

The receiver is going to be a little more difficult, but still doable in your budget. Look at 5.2 options from Onkyo, Yamaha and Denon. You'll be able to save some money without sacrificing too much if you go for "last years model."

Something like this Denon: https://www.amazon.ca/DENON-AVR-S650H-Receiver-Streaming-Bluetooth/dp/B07QRC9NP5

Last little bit of advice... don't overspend on cables. For speaker wire, the bare bones Amazon basics is perfectly fine. Same thing for HDMI and anything else you need. Basically... don't get your cables from Best Buy and you'll be OK.

do you like how klipsch horn tweeters sound? i personally cant stand them, as in at any sort of decent volume they hurt my ears. they are just so piercing to me. cant do it.

i would recommend these for a budget system, they are just great all around speakers for the price. i have these and have given them as gifts, and always happy with them. https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=sr_1_3

the amp part of that klipsch deal does look pretty interesting though. and apparently its $500 on its own, making that $379 deal seem all the sweeter. if it had a dac i liked better (ess sabre too piercing for me, like horn tweeters, apparently my ears hate higher frequencies?) id prob buy that package just for the amp as it has some nice features.

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-PowerGate-Amplified-Wireless-Gateway/dp/B01N0A7PH5

if youre familiar with klipsch horn tweeters and like them id say that looks like a pretty good deal. the amp part alone is prob worth that $500 really.

Are you specifically looking for something super cool looking, like a lil' work of art on its own, or something that's just unobtrusive and not actively ugly?

A lot of affordable audio gear falls into the latter category. For example, there's this Yamaha which is the Bluetooth enabled version of the Yamaha receiver from the recommended list in the sidebar. Nobody will look at it and say "wow!" but it's fairly sleek and minimal & is not going to call attention to itself.

If you can live without FM radio you can use a tiny (paperback book) sized amp like this: https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SA-60-black-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B00PA3ECGK?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

A lot of bookshelf speakers are similarly inoffensive - they're just plain rectangles and many are quite compact.

The gorgeous speakers that actually sound great tend to be pretty pricy: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=12097486011

Orrrrr...... put together your own set of DIY speakers and paint them or finish them however you like, Mr. Visual Artist. (It's my new hobby actually)
http://www.parts-express.com/cat/speaker-kits/286?N=19888+4294967118+4294963911+4294962514&Ne=10166&Nrs=collection%28%29%2Frecord%5Bendeca%3Amatches%28.%2C%22P_PortalID%22%2C%221%22%29+and+endeca%3Amatches%28.%2C%22P_Searchable%22%2C%221%22%29%5D&PortalID=1
http://www.diysoundgroup.com/speaker-kits/overnight-sensation.html

I do, I use my old AV receiver with passive speakers. You have options on that though.

• Passive speakers and a small AMP: micca MB42 for $59.95 and a small amp like this Lepai 2020 for $24.38.
  
• powered speakers that won't need an amp: edifiers for just over your budget at $109. There are a lot of options for powered speakers some with Bluetooth builtin, but the good ones of those start around $130.
  
  That eats up all your budget with speakers and amp. Checking Craigslist or Facebook marketplace you might find deals, particularly on a nicer stereo amp or AV receiver to use with some passive speakers. If you are interested in running Volumio on a Pi, that's going to add a bit more. For the pi you need, the Pi ~$35, DAC $20+, case $15, SD card $15+, and power supply $10. The pi is pretty nice with Volumio though, it has a good mobile webpage plus iOS and android apps for a few bucks. Volumio has plugins that allow for it to be an airplay receiver or to use Spotify.

An old guy here with advice.

So smallish room.... means you can save $$ with some nice bookshelf speakers and a modest size receiver or amp. Try to snag speakers with 6 inch + drivers and you really will not need a woofer for music.

Digital music is excellent but older mp3 files might be crummy. Look for flac files or 320kbs mp3. Compact Discs are great...and good condition vinyl is too. Do not waste time on cassettes....

Personally I think the onkyo ought to be plan A as a decent tube amp will be pricey and great speakers are gonna affect sound quality the most. Does the onkyo have a phono preamp built in?

Some great bookshelf speaker choices

keg q100

or

elac



Also.... the tunes from back in the day will bring back some great memories.

• I'd go with either the receiver you said, or this one, which will do the same stuff and is on sale. Accesories4Less has a sketchy name but they're fantastic and I've bought a bunch of stuff there (including that receiver).
  
  
• Satellites are fine, those don't matter as much so the COVO's are good.
  
  
• I can't tell what subwoofer that is, I know this one is good, and so is the Dayton, which I actually have and like.
  
  
• The ELAC's are good, just be aware that they are pretty big (look at dimensions and figure out if they're ok for you).
  
  
• I would NOT recommend getting that center if you get the ELAC's, the ELAC's have 6.5" woofers and that center has 4" woofers. You want a center that matches the left and right, and that center is both smaller and won't match the sound signature of the left and rights.
  
  
• I'd get the Denon receiver and Dayton sub, then take the savings and put it towards a matching center (ELAC C6.2, $280).

For speakers, if space is an issue, you should get the Micca MB42X then, as they're much smaller than the JBL LSR305s. Or you could even just get the Micca MB42. I have the JBL LSR305s and a fairly small desk and they fit. I have a 23-inch monitor and one speaker on each side of the monitor. You may also want to get a DAC for your speakers, like the Schiit Modi 2 / (Amazon link) or a DAC/amp combo, like the Schiit Fulla / (Amazon link) or FiiO E10K (Amazon link) or AudioQuest - DragonFly (Amazon link).

For headphones/headsets, you have many choices. If you are a gamer, you should check out Sennheiser's gaming headsets. If you don't plan on gaming and just want to listen to music, check out the Sennheiser HD series. They can be found much cheaper on Amazon, eBay, or other various retailers. I personally have the Sennheiser PC363D headset for gaming and unfortunately paid about $240 for them, not even 6 months ago. Right after I bought them, the price on Amazon dropped dramatically, to around $130. I just checked on Amazon and now they're back up to around $219, but if you watch them, they will probably drop again like they did before. Or you can check on eBay. Sennheiser does have cheaper models though (all of these are around $150 or less) like the brand new Sennheiser GSP300 / (Amazon link), Sennheiser GSP350 / (Amazon link), or the Sennheiser GAME ONE / (Amazon link). I have tried a few different brands and Sennheiser is my favorite for performance. I also have the Sennheiser HD 598 SE / (Amazon link) for listening to music and the Sennheiser RS120 II wireless headphones (Sennheiser RS 120 (older model) (Amazon link)) for my TV and got them for my parents too. If you live in a place where you can't have your TV or music too loud, the wireless headphones are very helpful. Overall, I use the Sennheiser PC 363D headset the most and it sounds awesome. If you're a gamer, get a gaming headset, or if you just listen to music, the HD series are great too.

Save money, get better sub later.

This would be an excellent choice - RSL Speedwoofer

As would new (or used) subwoofer from REL, SVS, HSU, Rythmik, or Velodyne. Good bass is worth throwing good money at.

If you simply cannot wait, try to save up for a BIC F12 or PL200 (both slightly over $200)... probably the best, new, "budget" subs that can be recommended.

But try to save up for a better sub - those Kantos and your ears deserve better.

Under no circumstances go with Polk subwoofers.

That's interesting, but unfortunately most of these builds are DIY and lack any sort of standardization, so you'll have to do most of the heavy lifting in order to figure out what you have, as well as what you need.

As to your first point, you probably do need some sort of room selection, as well as a) an amplifier which powers the speakers, and b) either a single streaming platform (e.g. Chromecast Audio, Sonos Connect, etc.) to send signal to all speakers, or multiple streaming platform to send signal to individual speakers or rooms.

As to your second question, that depends on how you want to answer the above questions, and on how they're set up. As I mentioned, there probably isn't much standardization between this build and others, so I would start this whole process by getting a basic amplifier (Lepai 2020 is fine for this purpose) and going through each wire in that bunch as well as each pair of connectors in the garage (see below). Turn off the amp, hook up a pair of speakers, turn on the amp, play something, track down the sound, label the wires by room (colored electrical tape), stop playing, repeat.

After you figure out how the speakers, wires, and wall panels are connected, you can work on picking out an amplifier, a streaming platform, and a room selection device. I would budget $1000 for this, but it can probably be done for less. If you don't want to spend that right now (understandable), you can probably wire up one room to a Chromecast Audio and an SMSL SA50 (non-plus) for less than $100 if that room has a priority (see below).

As to your last question, those are probably banana plugs. Just another termination for speaker wire, not a big deal in the context of the rest of this. If you need banana plugs, Amazon or Monoprice have them for basically nothing.

The most basic set-up for whole home audio you could have is this speaker selector, this amplifier, and this streaming device. Probably $250 for the full home, or more if you have more than 4 rooms wired.

Alternately, if you want to be able to play two different streams in two rooms simultaneously, you could put this streaming device and this amplifier in the ceiling of each room. Google Home allows for CCAs to be combined into groups rather flexibly- you could put Kitchen-Living Room- Bathroom in one group, and Bedroom 1-Garage in another, and Living Room- Bedroom 1 in another, and every CCA you have in yet another, and still have the ability to play music in any one room on its own. Very nice system, but doing this is realistically $100 per room. If you don't mind limiting yourself to pairs of rooms, you can cut down on this cost by adding a four-channel room selector to this chain.

High-end receivers also may contain their own multi-room, multi-source implementations, but you're typically limited to two rooms, and two sources. Add in two splitters like this and you can expand that capability out to two groups of four speakers, but those groups would be less flexible than the CCA setup above. This setup is $500.

I have been curious about those Emotiva's myself since I got their clearance email. I assumed they weren't so good considering the price drop after such a short time on the market, but looking them over again, there isn't any real reason why they wouldn't be great. The 4ohm I would think would be ok for your receiver, but you would need to watch it for heat, and be prepared to return the speakers if it does get hot. Emotiva is good with returns, but it's still a pain in the ass.
The best I could find on your JBL is that it will do 25 watts all channels driven, 50 watts into 8ohms, and 80 watts into 4ohms 2-channels driven, but I'm not guaranteeing that, lol.

If I were in your shoes, I would also consider the Micca mb42x's. They're rated at 4-8ohm, and I would bet heavily that almost every cheaper speaker is lower than stated, so expect them to be near 4 also. They're the same price and size, but they have done so well in reviews by so many people, it feels to me like less of a risk. And they have updated them over time since a lot of those reviews were done, so the speaker they're selling now is probably great. I like and own emotiva amps, but I might be inclined to lean towards the speakers with some standing. I did find one guy who uses the Emotiva's and likes them, so people out there have definitely bought them, and I couldn't find any complaints. Good luck with with your venture!


This is that one guy who has the basx sat's:
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/51878/bas-sat

Micca MB42X https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i_SFb8AbAT39FEV

Despite the fact that both speakers seem to be a similar price, the Inclines will considerably cheaper and closer to your budget once you account for cables and a subwoofer (provided you actually need one).

Regardless of what you buy, I suggest first trying the speakers without a subwoofer to hear whether you actually miss the last bit of low frequency sound. Both of my suggestions produce fairly low bass, JBL 305 rated at 43 Hz +/- 3 db and who knows about the Inclines as Def Tech doesn't report frequency response using the standard +/- 3 db (most likely they reach somewhere in the 50s?).

For the 305s, you are less likely to need a sub. Also, connecting a sub to the monitors can be complicated and will depend upon your overall setup. A related issue is whether you will be using an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) - I recommend you do so for the improved sound quality and that you get one with a volume control. I think the best value approach is buy a pro audio interface - these have a DAC, volume control, and the types of cable connections that would facilitate mating your monitors and sub, plus other features that are used by recording musicians. I have the Steinberg UR22 (paid about $115 shipped new off ebay) but you can do fine with cheaper options: Lexicon Alpha has been recommended https://www.amazon.com/Lexicon-2-Channel-Desktop-Recording-Studio/dp/B000HVXMNE/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1472738288&sr=1-6&keywords=audio+interface or the Behringer UCA202 https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1472738288&sr=1-5&keywords=audio+interface

I went ahead and got the matching JBL LSR310S, but it is expensive ($400 usually but I got mine new on ebay for $279). It was worth it to me as I work from home and listen to some electronic music. Here are ebay listings now: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=jbl+lsr310s&_sop=15 Monoprice has a studio sub at $220 that would work (http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=115&cp_id=11504&cs_id=1150401&p_id=605999&seq=1&format=2 For cable connections it will depend on what audio interface you get (suggest you buy cables from Monoprice for their support - don't bother with Guitar Center or similar places as their cable prices are very high), however, I think you need the following: for the Behringer you have to use unbalanced connections, qty 4 TRS male x RCA male cables, a) connect the interface to your computer with the supplied USB cable, b) then connect the interface input to the sub input using two (left & right) male TRS x RCA cables, and c) then two more male TRS x RCA (one each, L&R) from the sub output to the 305s input. For the Lexicon Alpha, you would connect in a similar manner but can use balanced connections, total of 4 male TRS x male TRS.

For the Inclines and in considering your initial budget goal, you could go with any of the budget subs. My son has the Dayton SUB-800 http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-800-8-80-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-627 ($99 - $5 Labor Day coupon + $6.95 shipping). I'd spend another $20 and get the Dayton SUB-1000 because it supposedly goes down to 30 Hz http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1000-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-628 You would need a subwoofer cable for the connection, such as https://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-ULTRA-Subwoofer-Cable-Feet/dp/B003FVYXY0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472740255&sr=8-3&keywords=subwoofer+cable

As I mentioned before, one the nice things about the Incline is that it has a built-in DAC; however, the "manual" isn't very helpful - this review does a good job of explaining the source input hierarchy and how to engage the DAC (there isn't an input selection switch so you have to unplug cables to make sure the DAC overrides your computer onboard sound card - in any case, use the USB input or optical for DAC): http://www.audioholics.com/computer-speaker-reviews/definitive-technology-incline-desktop-speakers-review

These will all do great for a multimedia speaker system.

Kanto Yu4 (4" speaker) -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanto-Powered-Speakers-Bluetooth®-Preamp/dp/B01N7OMH3M

Kanto Yu6 (5.25" speaker, bigger but will have better output)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanto-Powered-Speakers-Bluetooth®-Preamp/dp/B01N1YSXWE

or

Vanatoo Transparent Zero's
https://www.amazon.com/Vanatoo-Transparent-Powered-Speakers-Black/dp/B01N33WUJ9

As for subwoofers you really can get anything you like. From the budget Bic F12 to the matching Yu Sub8 to anything SVS makes. I know you listed your budget in Euro's, but I don't know a common site like Amazon to just get you basic pricing in Euro's so forgive the links to all over the world.

The other option is to go passive.

Amplifier: SMSL AD18 w/ subwoofer output
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AD18-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B071JN7GXN

Speakers/sub: Anything really. This more depends on regional pricing and availability. Here we can get the KEF Q100's for around $250-$300 US. But anything well reviewed that only needs around 40w of power will work well with that amplifier. There's a good number of well reviewed subs that will work for you with the €350 ish left after the DAC/amp and speakers.

Looks like your turn table has a built in Phono amp meaning all you need is a good set of speakers, wire and a stereo/integrated amp.

The speakers you mentioned are rated at 6ohms meaning they are going to need a little more power to drive than a typical 8ohm speaker.

I don’t know much about the amp you are looking at but I see it’s rated for 50watts @ 8ohm and your floor standing speaker is wanting up to 100 Watts.

If your looking to rock these 6ohm towers I would suggest something a little more robust like this 100watt stereo amp:
Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EMQI2CU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_G9ycBbTJ03SEX

Also a good place to grab great and affordable interconnects you will need check out Monoprice. You will need an RCA audio cable to plug your turn table into the amp:(just get the correct length)
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5346

And speaker wire to plug the amp into the speakers:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=14915

That should keep you well under your budget.

If your not set on your speaker selection I can’t think of a better budget speaker than Elac’s B6.2. I own the previous model B6. All the same recommendations above apply in regards to amp and interconnects.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07B4Q5587/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1527354185&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=elac+b6.2&dpPl=1&dpID=41xPo8h5y6L&ref=plSrch

Okay so I've put together a system that I think will work pretty well based on the comments and reviews of products listed here.

I'm going with:

Pioneer SP-BS22-LR for the speaker set. Amazon warehousedeals for $78

PIONEER VSX-530-K For the receiver. Going to use an optical cable to connect it. Promo this week for $30 off brings the total shipped $129


The total comes out to around ~$210 which I think is pretty awesome for the set. And I'm going to save up to get a Dayton Audio SUB-1000 from Amazon warehousedeals for $99.

My question now is, do you guys think this setup will be good for the type of content I will be consuming? Thank you for all your help!

Great, excellent stuff. I am in Finland until the end of the month so I apologize for the late reply. I'll have to review this more thoroughly tonight.

I have contacted the seller of the PSB towers (initially low-balled last night and today I told him I had learned a bit more and will pay asking price lol).

That combo you mention sounds like a great alternative to a portable speaker in terms of the quality it will deliver while not being too much of an issue to move around the house here and there. One concern I have is that the Micca doesn't seem to be available in Canada for that bargain of a price it is listed for on Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.ca/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2/)

Assuming this or a similar new speaker will be around ~130 CAD or more (with the exchange rate, shipping rate and the seemingly arbitrarily jacked up percentage Canadians always pay), should I also search for a used bookshelf speaker? There seems to be a lot available for this price range, albeit probably less quality than the Micca MB42X.

I fully understand your point about vinyl being used less frequently than the ultra-convenient digital option. I've never owned one and only used friends' and roommates' in times past, but I always thought the act of putting on a record was a fun ritual and perhaps it was only the quality of the speakers, but the sound seemed different. Plus they can look great (along with a small vinyl collection) and act as a fun thing for guests. Do you think this justifies it or will I likely quickly surrender to the convenience of digital 95% of the time too?

Edit: To my question about alternatives to Micca, I just found this:

Sound Dynamics RTS-3 - $110
http://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/ele/5628591827.html
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/sound-dynamics/rts-3/prd_120620_1594crx.aspx

Thoughts?

I have that particular turntable, though mine is hooked up to a much smaller set of speakers. To put it in the simplest terms possible, you're going to need an amp and some speaker wire. Connect the turntable to the RCA input on the amp, then run speaker wire from the outs on the amp to the corresponding ins on the speakers themselves. That's it.

It looks like those Sonys can handle up to 60 watts @ 8 ohms, so they seem pretty efficient. You shouldn't need a ton of power to get them a little loud while still sounding good. As far as hardware recommendations go, I've been very happy with my little SMSL SA50. It should get you a nice, clean sound for less than $70 shipped. I went with these Mediabridge 16 gauge pre-finished cables, but you can always just cut your own and screw the bare ends down/clip them in if you're looking to save a few bucks or if your speakers lack binding posts.

There are also loads of vintage stereo amp options out there for less than $100 if you're willing to dig a bit and are comfortable with something that might have a few miles on it. I recommended the SMSL because it's compact, solid, and new in the box. Either way, enjoy your turntable and those Sonys you saved from the scrap heap!

First of all.... Your a saint!! I never expected someone to actually go on craigslist for me!!! Just one question though. The reason I spent so long on craigslist before was that I kept finding deals i thought were good, but finding the same product cheaper online. For example I found the wharfedale for 125$
https://www.ebay.com/p/Wharfedale-Sapphire-Sp-87-Floor-Standing-Speakers/1576240027

kEF for 111$
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEF-Q35-FLOOR-STANDING-SPEAKERS-MAHOGANY-FINISH-VERY-GOOD-ORDER-/273044768350

Is ebay still generally cheaper than craigslist? Or is there a reason I should use craigslist instead of ebay. BTW I think the klipsch look like best bang for buck I think....

Edit:
Also I have narrowed it down to between the Sony and Yamaha receiver. Both have used options for 78$ for sony
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B006U1VH2S/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

and also 125$ for yamaha.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01EMQI2CU/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

In your infinite wisdom is yamaha worth the extra 45$? Once again thanks for your first response.

I'm going to apologize in advance if this isn't exactly in your budget/wheelhouse, but for some excellent and affordable speakers, I recommend Miccas. They sound amazing for their price tag. Your best bet is to pair it with also one of their USB DAC's it might take a little extra set up, but they're very worth it.

Good choice on the receiver. I'd really suggest staying away from vintage speakers that old. It's kind of like buying an old victorian house. Really cool until you find out all the money you have to dump into it. The only time I buy vintage speakers are when I find the dirt cheap AND they were high-end back in the day. Just my 2 cents but all of these are good bookshelf speaker options from $50-100 a pair (I personally like the Pioneer's best but they're all good budget speaker). You'll need speaker stands too ($40 plus) and might need to add a sub down the road if you want more bass ($100 plus).

Insignia NS-SP213 $50 pair
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-5-1-4-2-way-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/8959098.p?id=1218957873370&skuId=8959098

JBL Loft 40 $65 pair
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DKPJSIM/

Polk T15 $65 pair
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RJLHB8/
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/polk-audio-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/8828012.p?id=1207956903491&skuId=8828012

Micca MB42X $89 pair
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7H8GG2/

Pioneer SP-BS22-LR $91 pair
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NCD2LG/
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955

The other option is to bite the bullet again and get these tower speakers that are one of my personal favorites. It's less likely you'll need a sub and obviously won't have to by stands if you go this route.

Pioneer SP-FS52-LR Floor Speaker $182 pair
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NCD2LG/
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-5-1-4-floor-speaker-each-black/5086937.p?id=1218610014331&skuId=5086937

I would probably try to save up for a dac/amp combo for computer use instead of the tv dac.

The Topping Mx3 is good, has a sub out for down the road ( r/https://bit.ly/2xhzTMu )

This Smsl would be great too ( r/https://amzn.to/2D4FXgK )

Otherwise, you could go with the amp you linked and spend more on the speakers. Micca mb42x would be good for cheap. I personally love the Parts express c-notes ( they are diy $100 r/https://bit.ly/2H3Jom8 ) and are not much more then the micca's and are superior in every way. Can't go wrong with pioneer bs-22 LR as well, although they are kind of awkwardly sized. I would consider these great budget options.

Have you ever heard a pair of Klipsch speakers? Reason I ask is that they can be fatiguingly bright, especially when not using any room correction that might tame them down a bit. I had a pair of unpowered R-14 that I only listened to for about 15 minutes before returning them to Amazon.

I would recommend considering something like the Micca RB42 which have been highly praised to the point of consistently selling out as soon as they come into stock. Review.

You should keep an eye on this auction for Jamo C103 which are originally $1600/pair and sound incredible down to 45hz. Review If these end up around your price range, try and snag them.

Third option: Jamo C93 on ebay. Same tweeter as above, smaller woofer, will still fill a family room. Review.

You might be wanting to stay away from a home theater receiver which I can understand for space, but going with powered speakers really does limit your options. I would entertain looking at a smaller amp like the AD18 that includes bluetooth connectivity and optical for your TV.

EDIT: Would actually recommend playing your music off your TV => optical instead of bluetooth. Spotify connect/airplay is great and then other people can change the song using the TV remote.

Anything bluetooth/portable will be way less value for money so only do that if you need it to be bluetooth/portable.

I would second the recommendation for passive speakers, but for your use case maybe also consider slightly cheaper speakers than most around here would recommend, and pairing it with a sub.

Something like this sub or this
With a small amp like this

And then spend the remaining 120-170 on some passive bookshelf speakers [(a list)](https://www.reddit.com/r/AverageJoeAudiophile/comments/3uoksp /i_have_xxxxx_to_spend_what_should_i_buy_bookshelf/)

Someone else may help you narrow down which speakers. Edit: The Pioneer BS22 looks like a good option.