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Speakers Under $250 total w/ amp

post #1 of 19
10/29/11 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 

Hello, this is my first post here at HeadFi and I'm in need of a new set of speakers. I need something under 250 including an amp, or powered. I am willing to go to 300 only if there is a significant improvement.

 

I listen mainly to hip-hop/rap with some rock and electronic mixed in. I am wanting to put these speakers in a small room for "near-field" listening. I appreciate strong bass, but since separate subwoofers are so expensive, I would like some speakers that do not need one. I am not accustomed to using passive speakers with amps so I need advice on that too. Here are some ideas of mine. btw, I live in the U.S.

 

Amp: Lepai Tripath TA2020: $28

http://www.amazon.com/Lepai-Tripath-TA2020-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI

I'm not sure if this has the correct power??

 

Dayton DTA 100a Class T: $100

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-DTA-100a-Class-T-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B004JK8BDK/ref=sr_1_3?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1319929854&sr=1-3

More power, can be used as headphone amp??

 

 

Speaker Ideas:

 

NHT SuperZero 2.0: $200 per pair

http://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-0-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B0049FA1TM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Enough bass w/o woofer? I like NHT and its acoustic suspension

 

Energy CB-5: $162 per pair

http://www.amazon.com/Energy-CB-5-Bookshelf-Speakers-Black/dp/B001SAEXHW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

As clear and nice as NHTs? Enough Bass?

 

M-audio AV40: $121 per pair(powered)

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-Powered-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B0051WAM64/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319927221&sr=1-1

Really monitor quality? inexpensive
 
Polk Tsi100: $194
not too much info, like the cherry cab.
 
Again, I am pretty inexperienced considering amps and passive speakers, so any help with wiring, etc. would be appreciated.
^These are just some of my ideas that I have
 
Thanks!
 
 
 
 
 
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post #2 of 19
10/30/11 at 3:08am

Audiogon is a good place to get best value for your money. you can do a search according to your budget. couple of examples:

 
easy choice: Audioengine A5's desktop powered speakers ( the asking price was $249, sold on the same day). they come with everything… no additional accessories required. just plug them in, and you’re ready to go. very musical and fun to listen to speakers with pretty strong bass. not the most accurate speakers, but honestly at this price you can hardly get any better. I’m pretty sure you’d like these, especially with the genre of music you listen.
 
 
my choice: PSB Image B2. the owner might include shipping in the asking price. search for a used amp, and cables. you can also get affordable solid built speaker cables and interconnects at Monoprice or Bluejeanscable. things to consider: do you have space for the amp/speakers. you can put them on a desk but ideally they'd go on stands. cables length.
 
this will stretch your budget, but in the long run it would be worth the extra $50+ or so. imo
 
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post #3 of 19
10/30/11 at 5:07am

In the USA you could hit Craiglist for cheap used stereo/power amps. I saw excellent NAD amps in the UK (Gumtree) and those paired with half decent passives would give ya warm music at a small price L3000.gif

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post #4 of 19
10/30/11 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for that great website, AudioGon, I've seen the A2s before, but didn't think they would have enough bass. The A5s look to expensive though at 350 or even 250. I probably would have bought those for 250 though.  I have found these wonderful looking KEF Coda 70 Monitors for $160 shipped. I was wondering if you could tell me what you thought. These do not appear to need an amp and have gotten a couple of good reviews, however, I am not familiar with the brand. Considering an amp, I am very uneducated. Is 20W per channel enough(ex- the 1st amp listed above.) Or do i need 50+W. As for the PSBs, i can't afford them :(

 


Edited by pwange04 - 10/30/11 at 7:14pm
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post #5 of 19
10/30/11 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you for the advice. Exactly what I was thinking.  I think I have found some "half decent speakers" http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1324823524&/KEF-Coda-70-Amazing-Monitors.  What would you recommend as far as amp power? 20WPC, 50WPC, etc? anything else I should consider when buying an amp?
 

 

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post #6 of 19
10/31/11 at 1:56am

Efficiency of the paired speakers? I am on a TA2020 with 8ohm/89db Polks and for near field they go louder than i ever need tongue_smile.gif

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post #7 of 19
10/31/11 at 3:19am

personally I'm not keen on English speakers... I'd choose any American/Canadian products anyday. 

 

but these seems a pretty good deal. make the seller an offer and see how it goes.

 

Coda 70:

 

Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
Amplifier Requirements: 10-70W
Frequency response: 45Hz to 27kHz +/-3.0dB (-6dB at 39Hz)
Sensitivity: 91dB at 1m for 2.83V
Maximum output: 109dB
 
like trog said you can easily drive these speakers with a TA2020 class-T amp. if you find their not loud enough try a 40W amp. note,pushing speakers to hard with low powered amps could damage the speakers. some info
 
if you can afford it consider the PSB's
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post #8 of 19
10/31/11 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks guys, I'm going to try to jump on those KEFs, i always like to support American products, but a deals a deal. I'm so happy to hear that a TA2020 will work, so i can save about $80!  This speaker has a little higher sensitivity than yours, Trog, so it should work fine. Are you using a Lepai? Lenni, thats a wonderful article you have posted, I did used to think that amplifiers had a linear relationship with volume(silly me) but now I think I really understand.  Thanks Again Guys! and Happy Halloween!

 

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post #9 of 19
10/31/11 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 

btw, aren't the psb english speakers??

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post #10 of 19
11/1/11 at 12:47am

Yes i am using a Lepai TA2020 tongue_smile.gif

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post #11 of 19
11/1/11 at 2:49am

afaik PSB's a Canadian company. not sure why the seller says British (England; Scotland; Wales).

 

they're both good speakers; the psb's may have more bass weight than the Kef's.

 

speakers at this price range are all pretty much on the same level; some may be warmer; other brighter, etc. bottom line you're not gonna get any better (imo). stick to your budget and make your choice. don't forget you need cables, and if you're using a PC as a source you may wanna consider a small DAC too.

 

whichever you do, please let us know your impression.

 


Edited by Lenni - 11/1/11 at 4:15am
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post #12 of 19
11/1/11 at 8:49am

I had the same question you have and ended up with a Topping TP22 amp and a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's. Very happy! :)

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post #13 of 19
11/1/11 at 10:17am

For nearfield listening you can't beat studio monitors.We have two systems(his and hers)and they both use American speakers.

Mine;;Alesis Monitor One Mk2 £70 from ebay

Cyrus 1 Amp £60

Her's;; Alesis Studio Monitor one Mk1 £16 ebay (look a bit battered but sound beautiful)

SMSL T-Amp 2021 chip £45

Both speakers are 4 ohms so work well with t-amps.Very detailed treble and plenty of bass.

There should be plenty of these going on your side of the pond,and personally i prefer the older Mk1's,

they won a few awards when they came out.

 

Good luck.

PS You won't need a sub with these.


Edited by wallace - 11/1/11 at 11:38am
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post #14 of 19
11/1/11 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wallace View Post

For nearfield listening you can't beat studio monitors.We have two systems(his and hers)and they both use American speakers.

Mine;;Alesis Monitor One Mk2 £70 from ebay

Cyrus 1 Amp £60

Her's;; Alesis Studio Monitor one Mk1 £16 ebay (look a bit battered but sound beautiful)

SMSL T-Amp 2021 chip £45

Both speakers are 4 ohms so work well with t-amps.Very detailed treble and plenty of bass.

There should be plenty of these going on your side of the pond,and personally i prefer the older Mk1's,

they won a few awards when they came out.

 

Good luck.

PS You won't need a sub with these.

Sweet, I saw the mk2s before but one review said they needed an amp. Glad you could clarify! Ill probably buy those if I cant get the KEFs. 
 

 



Quote:
Originally Posted by trog View Post

Yes i am using a Lepai TA2020 tongue_smile.gif


 

Niceee



Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenni View Post

afaik PSB's a Canadian company. not sure why the seller says British (England; Scotland; Wales).

 

they're both good speakers; the psb's may have more bass weight than the Kef's.

 

speakers at this price range are all pretty much on the same level; some may be warmer; other brighter, etc. bottom line you're not gonna get any better (imo). stick to your budget and make your choice. don't forget you need cables, and if you're using a PC as a source you may wanna consider a small DAC too.

 

whichever you do, please let us know your impression.

 

Thanks for the help, the KEF seller hasn't emailed me back concerning pictures and price yet.  I'll make sure to let you guys know how this turns out.
 

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Negakinu View Post

I had the same question you have and ended up with a Topping TP22 amp and a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's. Very happy! :)


The only 9.1s I can find are above budget, but thanks for the input!

 

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post #15 of 19
1/21/12 at 12:07pm
Thread Starter 

Sorry for such a late reply. My dad found a decent sony ministereo, which will be sufficient for now.  I'm going to be saving for a nht system or used ___ system , thanks to all!

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