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Simple, No Frills Bookshelf Setup

post #1 of 20
9/2/05 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 
What should I get for a relatively compact, good sounding bookshelf system for under $200? Would I need anything else besides an amp and two speakers? Could I add a sub/more speakers at a later point? Sorry for the newbish questions...but I'm a newb.
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post #2 of 20
9/2/05 at 12:10am
Hurry up and get the Athena As-B1 from AudioAdvisor for $105 shipped. Spend another $100 on an integrated amp. Maybe a vintage Sony ES on ebay?
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post #3 of 20
9/8/05 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Ah, sorry for the delay, just moved back to school and it's been hectic unpacking etc. Anyways, with the Athenas, could I hook them up to a T-Amp. Also, how would I hook them up to my computer? Will I need any special cables? Also, could I hook up a sub/more speakers later? Thanks for your advice.
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post #4 of 20
9/8/05 at 7:07pm
I'm afraid I don't know what a T Amp is, but your line out from your comp would go into the amp (RCA to RCA or Mini to RCA), and the speaker output of the amp would go to the speakers (Speaker cable). Regular old Radio Shack cables will be fine.

With $200 bookshelf speakers, ugrading would probably involve getting totally new speakers. Grafting a subwoofer and sticking more speakers in to fill out the inexpensive bookshelves would be counter productive. Better to get better speakers.

See ya
Steve
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post #5 of 20
9/8/05 at 7:17pm
You'd probably use a mini to mini to hook up your computer soundcard to the T-amp (which uses a 1/8" input). The T-amp itself can only handle two-channel audio, so you'd have to find a workaround if you plan on adding more speakers or a subwoofer.
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post #6 of 20
9/8/05 at 7:53pm
Thread Starter 
Hm, ok, sounds good. And are the Athenas the best bookshelf speakers for around $100? Also, will I need a sub for those or any other speaker?
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post #7 of 20
9/9/05 at 12:54pm
yup, those are nice speakers for the money.

will you need a sub? Yup, and it will be a great upgrade later. Do yourself a favor and get these speakers or equivalent. Listen to them and enjoy them. Then when you've saved up enough for a nice powered sub, get it. But please dont get a cheaper set of speakers that will fill in the lower end. You will be much more happy with a set of bookshelves and a sub later on down the line.

The T-amp, although I'm a huge fan (i really really like this amp) will not power a sub. You'll need to get a powered sub. Which is a good idea anyway. They're just much easier to pair with an existing system.

Good luck and have fun with your new system.

B
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post #8 of 20
9/9/05 at 2:24pm
Sonic Impact T-Amp
JBL Control One Speakers

Sorted
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post #9 of 20
9/9/05 at 2:50pm

audioadvisor?

How are you getting them for 105 shipped? Always looks like $20 shipping to me...
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post #10 of 20
9/9/05 at 3:22pm
Thread Starter 
Would I need an amp if I got the powered sub? And how do the JBL sound without a sub?
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post #11 of 20
9/9/05 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by m0nkeybl1tz
Would I need an amp if I got the powered sub? And how do the JBL sound without a sub?
You will still need an amp for your L/R speakers.

The powered sub has a build-in amp that will power the subwoofer. Since the powered sub is providing the power for the bass frequencies, the amp that's driving your L/R speakers will then be relieved of powering those bass frequencies, therefore lightening its load.
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post #12 of 20
9/9/05 at 3:58pm
Thread Starter 
Is there any good powered sub/speaker combo I could get for under $150? Or any speakers that wouldnt really need a sub? Thank you for all your input.
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post #13 of 20
9/9/05 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by m0nkeybl1tz
Is there any good powered sub/speaker combo I could get for under $150? Or any speakers that wouldnt really need a sub? Thank you for all your input.
Certainly nothing with the sound quality of those Athenas. Whether you need a sub or not depends on your listening preference and expectations. The Athenas will not provide you with the lowest frequencies, but it will do a good job at covering the rest. Read the below review and you will get a sense of this speaker's performance....

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/athena_asb1.htm
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post #14 of 20
9/9/05 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry, let me just get out in the open about what I'm trying to do, and you guys can tell me the best way to go about it: I would like to spend between $100-$200 on a sound set-up for my dorm room. I'd mainly be using it to play music (via a PowerBook) but also occassionally for tv and video games as well. I'd like it to be loud enough to fill a room about 12'x7'. It doesn't have to sound extremely good: what I like about the Athenas and T-Amp is that they sound good for their price. It would be nice if I could later use the speakers/sub for a surround sound set-up, but that's probably the least important thing. So, what do you guys think? Would T-Amp+Athenas+Some sub fit into the price range? Thanks again for all your help.
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post #15 of 20
9/9/05 at 5:17pm
I already have decent sounding speakers for casual listening (s2-4100), but these would probably blow what I have out of water. How is T-amp availability at this point? I vaguely remember everyone waiting for weeks to get those on their hands.
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