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Help me choose a cheap receiver & 2.1 speakers [College Student]

post #1 of 11
5/28/09 at 5:04pm
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone!

I live in a decently large dorm room, if "large" can even be possible, and am look for a pair of speakers to start me on my journey to a HT. I have been told to build my HT from my speakers down so this is where I begin. Whichever speaker you recommend, can you also recommend a cheap receiver? Now...

"The Candidates"

AV123 ELT525M Mini Monitor

Cambridge S30

Behringer 2030p

Acculine A1 Speakers

TSB 5.25" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker

NOTE: This is a hard decision guys. All these speakers look AWESOME for the price. What do you think? BTW, I do 75% Movies and 25% Audio, but after I get these I'm sure it will be 50/50.
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post #2 of 11
5/28/09 at 5:13pm
I just bought the TSB 5.25 and a used Adcom amp for the same--a poor college student setup. A sub will come later.

More importantly, what is your source? That will make an even bigger difference (well...up there with the speakers).

After I researched the same thing, I decided on a Compass.

Also, a price range would be nice. Also the type of music when you are not watching movies. Although I have heard very little due to the budget. I have done way too much research to find what I can buy that will be good for at least 2-3 years so that I do not have to upgrade again while in college. Anyway, I would suggest a Compass if you need a source.

Note that I have heard none of these things, but read about them extensively (I trusted their quality enough to buy them, so you decide whether to trust me or not).

-Nkk
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post #3 of 11
5/28/09 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your quick input Nkk. I am looking to pay $150 for speakers and $100 for a receiver.

At this point in my life I don't have the money to go the separates route so I want to buy a receiver (this is where I also need some guidance). I love deals and have and will continue to scour the forums and websites looking for recertified, B-listed, open box and discounted items. I don't think I'll buy straight up used speakers, BUT I am looking on craigslist for a used receiver. I'm hoping the knowledge I acquire from you guys will help me be an informed craigslister.

My current setup alternates between:
a) Streaming/Transcoding media from laptop using TVersity --> Xbox360 --> TV's Built-in Speakers
b) Put DVD in Xbox360 --> TV's Built-in Speakers

Some of the media I have on my computer is natively supported by Xbox360 and some is not. This is what brings me to my next dilemma. Should I purchase a Receiver that has native support for mp4, mkv, h.264, Xvid, Divx, DVD, etc or one that does not? If I do then I won't have to worry about playback on my Xbox360 and won't have to use my PC to transcode my videos; I can just depend on my receiver. However, my guess is that a receiver at a price of $100 that supports all these media formats will not output as good quality audio as a $100 receiver that doesn't support all this media (nor has a DVD player); obviously to include all these extra features the manufacturer has to skimp on other components. Does this sound right?

Regardless, my first toy set could just consist of my Xbox360, Receiver and Speakers, correct? And of course I'll have to hook my PC up to the receiver to get my videos/music. I will also purchase a sub down the road, I've got a few ones on my mind. But that discussion is for another day. I say this because I'm wondering if I should just purchase a 2.1 receiver? I'm sure if I wanted to upgrade to 5.1 speakers that I would purchase a more expensive receiver. Although, in the future I could buy some cheap satellites to use as my rears or maybe a single satellite as a center? This would put me at a 3.1 or 5.1; so maybe it would be best to buy a 5.1 receiver just in case I decide to do a CHEAP upgrade with the satellites. (I can buy a cheap satellite to be the center right? I know I could do it for the rears?)

Thanks!!! I appreciate your time guys. I know this is a lot of reading!

Aaron
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post #4 of 11
5/28/09 at 8:10pm
$250?

Get an Onkyo or Yamaha receiver no more than 2 years old. Used b/c no way will you get one new at that price.

new and easy

Parts-Express.com:*Sherwood RX-4105 Stereo Receiver | stereo receiver 2-channel analog amp home audio

P5 5.25-inch 2-way Bookshelf Speaker from The Speaker Company - Best Deal

tSc ASW-8 10" Long Excursion 50watt Subwoofer - Best Deal
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post #5 of 11
5/28/09 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, $250 is the total I want to spend on the Speaker + Receiver. Thanks for your input Spliff. Can you help me out on the questions I posed in the second post?

And the ASW sub was the one I was looking at purchasing down the line
The TSC speakers I was looking at as well, but for the same price the b2030p have gotten some awesome reviews! I could also for even cheaper get used ELT 525m; has anyone used these?? Ahhh! I just don't know For the price it is a tossup between all of these (except for the S30 since they are more expensive).

Others' opinions are mucho welcomed!!!
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post #6 of 11
5/28/09 at 8:55pm
I am no where near experienced enough to answer most of those questions, but I can help you with the 2.1 business. If you get a 2 channel receiver, no .1, then you are fine. That is what I did. You just have to make sure that the sub you get has a configuration like the pic here: Images of ASW-10 10" Subwoofer. As you can see it just takes in L and R spekaer inputs and the crossover is inside. That is the ASW10 from The speaker company, and is one of the subs I am considering, as it is said to sound very good for its price. But, as you said, another day.

As or 5.1 vs 3.1 vs 2.1, it is your call. 5.1 ruins music IMO unless it was recorded from the middle of the stage (then it is amazing), or you have awesome Dolby effects going on (expensive). You could go 5.1 for movies, and use the 3.1 or 2.1 for music. That should be fine. 3.1 would be fine, but I have not found a 3.1 receiver or amp, so I do not know how to tell you to implement that. 2.1 will sound good with good components, so do not rule it out. There are some very good speakers (out of your price range but worth mentioning for reference) that have spectacular imaging and whatnot.

Hope that helps,
Nkk

PS: I agree with the guy above me, too. Those should serve you well for college. One of my greatest marks against the Compass was its cost. I take stuff to college on the assumption that it will get stolen or destroyed, so I was debating ordering it or not. In the end I settled for a good but cheap amp and speakers, and the Compass (cheap, but not as cheap as the rest). IF you can get another $30 or so, I would just get the three things above. The speakers and sub are good (and have free shipping), and the receiver should not be bad. I do not know about it, and thus cannot comment.
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post #7 of 11
5/29/09 at 10:31am
Um the tsc speakers I linked to are $70. You must be referring to the higher end tsc speakers.

The av123 ELT is far and away the best speaker of the bunch.

What I linked to you is about $250 total and would sound pretty damn good. The receiver is ok for what it is. Plenty of power and they are pretty reliable. I gave mine away to my sister but it is still playing away after 2 years of daily use.
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post #8 of 11
5/29/09 at 1:42pm
Ahh..sorry. I had ordered the TSB, and I guess I just sort of thought that that was what you liked to without actually reading. My apologies.

-Nkk
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post #9 of 11
5/29/09 at 1:59pm
Well no problem. They have not shipped it yet I would bet. Even if they have, there is a return policy at no charge to you. However, they are pretty nice, neutral speakers. The ELTs just have a more "alive" midrange sound. For music, that is better, for gaming and movies, neutral and a bit forward is better. Fine speakers either way.
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post #10 of 11
5/29/09 at 3:04pm
They are also about $45 more expensive, and then there is shipping. I was looking at them, but decided that I would rathe rhave all 3 OPA for the Compass. Whatever. If I have a problem I will return the TSC speakers and find money somewhere and get the ab123 or find someting else. Thanks for that difference, though, as no one else had pointed the out.

-Nkk

PS: Sorry to hijack the thread to my problems
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post #11 of 11
5/30/09 at 4:25am
Thread Starter 

Thanks Guy

Thanks spliff, I looked over your link without clicking thinking it was the same as these TSB 5.25" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker (Pair):
TSB 5.25-Inch Bookshelf Speaker - Best Deal

Spliff, I found these TSB bookshelves AND that sub through a few of your previous posts

STILL, I'm wondering:
#1) Does the $50 increase in cost between these two speakers really produce that much better of a movie watching experience? If it doesn't then I'll go for the $70 speakers as you recommended (I know quality depends on person perception but I want to know your opinion)?

#2) Can anyone help me with my receiver question from my earlier post. Should I get the all-in-one receiver? That receiver you mentioned, spliff, is a bit out of my price range. Thanks for recommending it though, I will keep it in mind for when I upgrade. For now though I want something cheaper and will most likely be bargaining with someone on Craigslist. I think I'll be able to find one of comparable quality for a bit less. Most likely a Onkyo.
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