Budget speaker/sub advice

Vijay K. Iyer · 11-06-2003, 04:09 PM

Hello all, I'm new here - but I searched around.

What I want: 2 speakers, preferrably of "bookshelf dimensions." 1 subwoofer to match the speakers (a 15" would most likely be too large). I can add rear-fill later (not important). I'd prefer these to be self-amplified, but not necessary. For the sub, though, it almost MUST be powered. Shielding is not a concern.

Application: PC speakers (I do not want ordinary PC speakers this time...I've had Logitech z560) + Home Theater = 60% music, 15% gaming, 25% movies. -- Room size is never larger than 15'x15' - I care more about the SQ than the SPL, but I'd still like a little thump.

What I've been looking at:

Speakers - I've been looking at some weird recording monitors for some reason: Behringer Truth b2031, event 20/20 bas. - These are powered and can be had for under $300/$400 used, respectively. Also looking at the Dayton Br-1 Kit at PartsExpress = Item 300-640 - but then I wouldn't know what to power it with...maybe I could get something with the money saved. I've soldered electronics on PCBs before, and I've built a car audio subwoofer enclosure - so I think I can do this.

Sub - (Low extreme, High extreme) = (PartsExpress budget 300-632 dayton sub, Dayton Titanic Kit / Adire Rava)

For the Sub: I might just go the fully DIY route if I can't find anything suitable. Buy the Driver, build the box, get an amp in there. I can live without bass for a while longer. Either that or I'll get the cheapy Dayton sub to hold me off. If I go DIY, then any recommendations?

Just from the items I'm considering, hopefully you can figure out my approximate budget, it's not set.

Any tips/suggestions/anything is greatly appreciated. I'm a total "newb" when it comes to Home Audio

- Thanks (and sorry for the length of this post)

Edit: Considering the Stryke Audio speaker kits as well now. And Stryke if I go DIY for the sub. (I use Lambda Acoustics woofers in my car so I knew about Stryke).

george king · 11-06-2003, 04:39 PM

contact Brian at www.rutledgeaudiodesign.com and ask him about the cost of a pair of RAD Micros, and a sub. He will custom build them and they will all look the same.

See the thread (nice little story about Rutledge Audio) in this section, where Brian was written up in his local paper and how his speakers won an award. Cant go wrong with Brian.

Vijay K. Iyer · 11-06-2003, 05:03 PM

GR-research eh. I had a set of the GR-Research M130 midranges in my car - nice deal. Rutledge makes their own line there though...hmm

Those Rad Micros look excellent for their size, but I'm thinking 8" sub with 3" midranges is a bit smallish (Maybe good for rear-fill). True, I'm looking for PC speakers, but these do not have to fit on a desk. I'm considering up to 12" drivers for the sub even. - Looking at their larger speakers, the price-point is a bit high. They may be awesome, but at $300/pr without amplification...I can't afford it (unless I find an inexpensive amp).

Thanks for the suggestion.

The Dayton Br-1 Kit, stryke audio speaker kits, and the Event 20/20 have my attention at the moment.

Any other suggestions ?

Nhan_H · 11-06-2003, 05:28 PM

Vijay,

I don't know, but you might consider the following offerings from AV123: http://forum.av123.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1525

Vijay K. Iyer · 11-06-2003, 05:45 PM

ahh yes! I have seen that deal on the Rockets. It caught my eye.

Another thing that caught my eye were some comments, on this forum I believe, that the sub was the weak link of that setup - I got the impression that better deals could be had. Yet, in the same thread I read something about the full setup easily worth the $899 asking price.

This 2.1 setup with amp for $550 + shipping isn't bad.

I would post links to my sources, but the forum will not allow link posting until I reach 15 posts - Nice SPAM protection I guess.

I'll be considering this setup! - thanks for the reminder.

Does anyone have any comments about the speakers I have been looking at all along? I'm looking for some input as to what YOU would choose among all the options listed/unlisted.

Thanks for any and all info.

**HTF Ads**

Tim Streagle · 11-07-2003, 06:42 AM

I have been waiting for the Hsu Ventriloquist 12 system to debut. It is a good price/value if it actually performs as hyped. Perhaps a trial offer will be marketed as well. Supposed to be out by mid month - I think for less than $650 total. Might be just the ticket for a small HT setup. I have no interest in buying one myself, just interested in how it performs. I own a VTF-2 and am very pleased.

See this thread for details

http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/sho...p?threadid=248

george king · 11-07-2003, 09:02 AM

Vijay,

There is a thread going on the Dayton kits, and they seem to be good value for the money. Also, there is some info on the stryke kits in the DIY section.

Hope this helps.

Vijay K. Iyer · 11-08-2003, 04:50 AM

Considering that I live right near Hsu Research, and that my uncle uses a Hsu subwoofer in his HT - I'll definitely be looking into that.

As for the Rutledge Audio - they are back into consideration...ahah - WAY TOO MANY CHOICES and MUCH TOO LITTLE LISTENING EXPERIENCE...

All I have is my car audio background, which really isn't too broad.

I'll be consulting my uncle on this...trying to listen to some of the suggestions mentioned... I really just can't decide. Ultimately, I might just let space / budget requirements decide...

For the SUB, though, I think a DIY job is what I shall do. Perhaps I'll use a stryke AV12 or similar woofer, construct a box, get an amp either from stryke or elsewhere...and be done with it. Until I have that done, I think I'll use the Dayton budget sub on partsexpress - maybe give that to my brother or friend when I get the stryke/similar.

Well thanks for the suggestions guys! Very much appreciated.

george king · 11-08-2003, 02:04 PM

Vijay,

Go DIY with sub. I built my GR Research AV-1s, and am in the process of building a sub. I got a new Titanic 12"mkII for cheap, and will get the PE amp, and put it in a sealed 54L box. Should kick butt, and good luck.

Brian Bunge · 11-08-2003, 06:26 PM

Vijay,

How big is your room? Unless you want really high output capabilities you might be surprised by the Micros. In a bedroom with a small 8" or 10" sub they go plenty loud. I've even installed a full 5.1 system with them in HUGE room and they went loud enough for the wife to complain. But these were people that probably would have had a Bose style system or one of those crappy JBL HTiB systems that CC sells, so output was not a major concern.