[cel4145]

I've got a really simple question here; I want to spend $200-$300 on a 2.1 set just for casual listening. Don't need it to be blaringly loud, but I want a subwoofer that'll pack a punch without taking up too much of the budget. I'm gonna play everything from the Blade Runner soundtrack with ambient sounds and stuff, to jazz fusion, to dubstep. I guess versatle would come to mind. Any thing that fits in my pathetic budget?

A subwoofer that "packs a punch" is relative to

1) Your expectations, what that means to you.
2) The size of your room *if* you are looking for one that can give that punch in the chest feel. That might be hard to accomplish unless your room is the size of a walk in closet. Typically that requires a sub that can pressurize a room.

See, a subwoofer is an amp AND a speaker. The better SQ and more powerful bass you want from it, the more it costs, and often relative to room size.

 

[Pirakaphile]

The room isn't too big, and it dosen't actually need to be as powerful as I made it seem.

 

[cel4145]

The room isn't too big, and it dosen't actually need to be as powerful as I made it seem.

The Dayton SUB 800 and SUB 1000 are very good subs for building a budget setup. You could pair them with active or passive speaker setups. Here's a review of the 8": http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57558460-47/dayton-audios-almost-too-good-to-be-true-sub-800-subwoofer/

 

[Pirakaphile]

Probably will get that SUB 800 thing, looks real nice, and that review is good too. Thanks!

 

[link1393]

Thanks for the fast answer

 

[cel4145]

Probably will get that SUB 800 thing, looks real nice, and that review is good too. Thanks!

Glad to help

Good pairing with that sub could be NHT SuperZero 2.0s and a Topping TP21 t-amp. NHT just updated the SuperZeroes (again--they've been making this model forever it seems) to 2.1, so discount on the 2.0.

Here are reviews of the SuperZero 2.0s: http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-superzero-20-speaker-system
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20020422-47.html (same CNET reviewer as the SUB 800)

 

[sixly]

I have a set of Logitech Z-2300 2.1 THX Certified computer speakers with an upgraded control pod that I absolutely ADORE.  They actually sell more used on Amazon now then they cost when I bought them new 5 years ago.  I think they go for between $150-$170 maybe a bit more with a new pod like mine.  I don't intend to ever give them up

 

[Nirvana1000]

I highly recommend The Earthquake IQ-52 ipod docking active bookshelves.I demoed them a few months ago with my ipod and was very impressed.Very powerful,dynamic and they filled the big storefront demo area with undistorted clean sound with about 70% volume.And they seem very well made,with a lot of features.

http://www.earthquakesound.com/iquake.html

 

[PurpleAngel]

Are the Monoprice 5' studio monitors considered a good value?

 

[bixby]

If this is any indication of Monoprice quality, then no
 
http://www.noaudiophile.com/Monoprice_2Way/

 

[cel4145]

If this is any indication of Monoprice quality, then no

http://www.noaudiophile.com/Monoprice_2Way/

I'm not saying the Monoprice speakers are great (I have not heard them), but that reviewer is as questionable as he makes the speakers out to be. He calls the tweeter wave guide a "strange protective grill"--obviously has no clue what a wave guide is. Polymer based cone materials are used in many speakers effectively (my Ascends have polymer cones). How can one know the port tuning needs without the TS parameters for the driver? And I've seen ports that size in other, more expensive, good sounding bookshelves. He's harping on the response he gets at the listening position where obviously room acoustics are going to dramatically influence how the speakers sound. He knows just enough to put together that crap, but not enough to really know what he's talking about. :rolleyes:

 

[PurpleAngel]

Any opinions on the Fostex PMO.4 studio monitors ?
(they are selling for $130)

 

[Migou67]

I do not know the Fostex, but I'm really happy with the Behringer B3030A, you can find them for under 400$.
 
- 140-Watt Bi-amp
- 2" velocity ribbon tweeter
- 6 ¾" woofer Kevlar and aluminum frame
 
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/B3030A.aspx
 
Very good value for money.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Any opinions on the Fostex PMO.4 studio monitors ?

 
 
http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Number=561884

 

[BetaWolf]

I'm looking for good compact 2.0 speakers less than $200. These are for my bedroom to put on a dresser/headstand to help me relax. They must be self-powered and have RCA audio input capability. The source is going to be streaming MP3's at 192 and above kbps from a Blu-ray player. Not going to be playing it loud, just at comfortable listening levels. Bass must be recessed or have fast response. I cannot relax to boomy bass.
 
I'm looking the AV40, but I'm not sure how those will fit. Something about the size of typical Logitech/Creative desktop speakers will do. It doesn't really have to be anything special, just something with a good sound:size ratio.