Good Powered Speakers for 2 or 2.1 System (1 Viewer)

[ndmuscutt]

I am trying to put together a very budget home theatre system. This system is going to be used mostly for teaching videos for a church youth group in our home (with occasional movie watching for my family.) They're kids and they're not picky, so it doesn't need to be super hi-fi and it doesn't need to be surround.

I bought a BenQ MW516 projector yesterday, I have a DVD player that I will be using for video (maybe eventually upgrade to BluRay). What I need now are some speakers, but I don't want to spend more than $200 for all of the audio equipment.

Can you guys give me a recommendation for a 2 speaker or 2.1 system? I was thinking of the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia speaker system for use with PCs, but I don't know if this is a wise call. They are powered and have plenty of power for a 11'x20' room and for our purposes.

If I have to get into a receiver with speakers on top of that, I think I'm definitely getting past $200.

I know some of you guys are always up for a good challenge, so this might be fun for some of you. Thanks so much.

 

[Al.Anderson]

Assuming you actually want a real system your best bet is to go with either the Onkyo HT-S3500 or the Onkyo HT-S5400. The 5400 has a powered sub, so you could replace it later if you so chose, The 3500 has a passive amp; that means the receiver drives the sub. That's not a problem except for when something breaks or you want to upgrade.

If you want a real system but cheaper, then go used or refurbished. There's a boatload of fine equipment out there that's fine but not state-of-the-art, and people upgrade and dump what they have.

Most powered speakers like the Klipsch have a 1/8th plug, which you'll have difficultly hooking to most DVD/BR players. Those speakers will work fine if you use a PC as the center of your system though. (I love the Promedias by the way.)

 

[schan1269]

Why is a 1/8th connection a problem? Have you never seen a RCA-1/8th cable?They've only existed 50+ years. You can buy them online for $1.

 

[Al.Anderson]

Well, go on and complete the configuration. It sounds like you want the OP to buy a receiver with preouts, some powered computer speakers, and an adaptor. If I've guessed correctly I can't see how that would be much cheaper than just getting the 3500. Of he ould get a receiver without preouts and doubly amp the signal, I've never thought that was a good idea for sound quality, but I've also never tried it.

 

[schan1269]

The DVD(or BD player in the future...) only needs to send video to the projector.

The Klipsch ProMedia would connect directly to the analog audio outs on the DVD player(BD player in the future...)

No need for anything else.

But, these would be immensely better...
http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Premium-Powered-Desktop-Speakers/dp/B000VKEFN2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370229629&sr=8-3&keywords=powered+speakers

 

[ndmuscutt]

schan1269: What is the advantage of the AudioEngine A2s over the ProMedia? Since it is mostly for teaching and occasional movie watching, and never for music, wouldn't the bass that the Klipsch provides prove richer for movies?

 

[schan1269]

I had the A2 confused with the A5. I still think the A2 beats the Promedia above 80hz(the A5 is darn near universally heralded as the best self-powered speaker there is).Another solution...BIC DV62 with any T-amp of your choice. That would provide better bass, better overall sound...and you could afford up to a 45wpc T-amp. And still be under $150.

 

[ndmuscutt]

Thanks for the input guys. After Al had mentioned the HT-S3500, I began to think a bit more about a surround system with a BluRay player. Turns out I found an HTIB system for right around $200 dollars, the LG BH6720S. Honestly, I don't like the thoughts of something going wrong with one part of an HTIB system, because then the whole system is down, but for near $200, I couldn't really argue with this. There seem to be enough decent reviews on it.

Again, I appreciate the advice.

 

[schan1269]

The HT S3500 will sound much better than that HTiB...HTiB are utter garbage.

 

[ndmuscutt]

Well, here's the thing. If I was in the States, I could find the ST-S3500 for $279 at the lowest (which is over what I have specified above). On top of that, I'm in Canada and, for some reason, I can't find it for under $400 here (which is twice what I have specified on spending). So, my hands were a bit tied. The HTIB will have to do, and it seems that most people who have it were happy with it. Given that I am not hosting Cannes, I think that it should do the trick.