Help me help my friend spend $500 on good audio system... (1 Viewer)

[NickSo]

Okay, my friend is looking to get into the audiophile world, and wants to spend $500 CANADIAN for everything (taxes as well) he needs for a good audio system.

Basically he needs two speakers, an amp, and the necessary cabling.

It'd be best if it was something he could get at like Futureshop or A&B sound or any local B&M.

Any suggestions???

Also, he may want to add a subwoofer in the future..

 

[Bill Lucas]

What is he going to mate the amp and speakers to? How big is his room? Does it open to other areas? You can't just get a blanket recommendation without looking at his performance objectives and listening area. $500 is not much to base a system on so I suggest that he first listen to items that fit his current budget and then determine if he may need to wait and save a bit more before making the plunge. Good luck.

 

[Henry Low]

Hi, I am the friend he is talking about, I asked him to post this message here cause I was still waiting for my account to activate here. I know 500 bucks isnt alot of money but mainly I am just looking for the best music sound I can get with 500 bucks, I will be hooking it up with my PC to a Turtle sound card or my CDplayer. The room is 15x10 feet, maybe alittle better. All I want is a 2 channele setup with no surrounds. Thanks in advanced

 

[Eric_Singer]

Hi,
I'd suggest the Axiom M3Ti as your main speakers. Great sound for the money. If you get the factory 2nds with minor scratches and the like, they can be had for $247 US (what's that, like $350 CAN?) Check them out at www.axiomaudio.com they have links to reviews there. For the receiver, I'd pick up a used stereo or pro-logic receiver on ebay. I use a prologic Harman/Kardon AVR70 that I bought less-remote for $120 on ebay, and it is just amazing for that price. If you're mainly in it for music, you are much better off getting an older *good* stereo or prologic receiver than a new dolby digital receiver for the same or similar money.
Good Luck,
Eric

 

[Henry Low]

ah Ic, I will look into the axiom speakers. They seem like a good choice, and they are only for 137 US dollars on their website.

 

[Henry Low]

oh wait... 130 dollars for the M3Ti will only get me one of them. Oops.:frowning:

 

[David Proud]

Get a Panasonic SA-HE9K 100 Watts/Channel Home Theater Receiver for $139 + shipping at JandR.

Next get a set of JBL N24 speakers for 250$ shipped from buy.com.

Now you have about 100$ to find a sub.

 

[David Proud]

just a note that receiver is a Dolby Digtal one with 2 opticals and 1 coax input.

and the JBL is a 5 peace set. includes n center, n24s for fronts and rears

 

[Eric_Singer]

Being that your friend only wants a stereo setup, he will get much better sound for the money with the axioms and a stereo or prologic receiver than a new cheap dolby digital receiver and the JBL set. I would certainly not even consider including a subwoofer in a $500 system cap, as the sound would be terrible for music. Probably decent for HT, but slow and sloppy for music. If he wants a sub later, it would be best to save up and get a decent one that will sound good with the system.

 

[David Proud]

opps , my bad. sometimes I don't READ everything. He only needs two speakers
well that makes it realy easy. Two JBLS N24 for 100$ and a good 100 - 200$ stereo amp. and the 100 to 200$ on a good CD Player.
Guys are the JBL N24's not very musical? I looked at some freq charts and for under 2000 there is not a flater speaker.
I guess the concern here is the lack of frequency below 80hz, correct?
and there is not a fast musical sub under 500$ that can be had?

 

[NickSo]

Just a reminder, its $500 canadian...

 

[Richard_s]

Did a conversion $500 canadian $315 US dollars.

Most stores are clearing out the JBL N series to make room for the N series Mark II so deep discounts available. If you have a Best Buy near you try there but JBL is available in many places.

I home auditioned the N24's and the N26 JBL. Both are quite capable of filling my room 16X24 cathedral ceiling 14 feet highest point. They sound great.

Pair of N24's was $130 USD I think

Pair of N26's was $180 USD I think

I tested both in my room with a frequency generator and both are quite flat tested at reference levels:

N24 75hz to 18Khz (spec is 79hz low end)

N26 65hz to 18Khz (spec is 55hz low end)

No way to use N24's without a subwoofer in my opinion. Also less efficient than the N26's

The N26's were quite good without a subwoofer. They are more crisp sounding than the N24's, immaging was superior actually outstanding, and going lower may get you by without a subwoofer (a budget breaker for you).

So if you go JBL N26 and assume you can get away without a subwoofer you then have around $135 for your Receiver (maybe more if you can get the N26 for less than $180 USD which I think you can) You don't need the mark II you are basically paying more for a wood case.

 

[Henry Low]

ahh icic, thanks guys, I think i will go to Futureshop (stuck with only this option) and audition some speakers this weekend hopefully. I will see if they have the N26s there, they sound quite tempting. Thanks for the replies guys. BTW< i am Nick So's friend.