[mwsimmonite]

Hi,
 
I'm new to head-fi, and hifi so if any of you could help, that'd be fantastic! 
 
I know the focus here is on headphones, but I got such great help in choosing a good pair of those that I thought maybe some of you could help with this?
 
Basically I'm looking for a pair of speakers and an amp to run them, for under £150. I know it's not a huge budget, but I'm thinking anything would be a step up from the 2.1 pc speakers I've got at the moment (>£45).
 
I've been looking around and apparently the wharfedale 9.1s may be a good option? I could get those for £90 leaving £60 (preferably less) for an amp to run them, though again I've no idea what amp would be suitable and within my budget.
 
Beyond that I'm afraid I have no clue, except that I am open to buying second hand if you could give me some guidance on what would be a good option? I guess I could get more out of my budget that way.
 
Thanks for your help,
 
Mark

 

[billybob_jcv]

What is the primary use? Are these going to be on a computer desk near you, or are they intended to fill a room?

 

[mwsimmonite]

Honestly, I'd have to say somewhere in between, as though they won't be on a desk next to me, it's not a huge room I'll be using them in.

 

[billybob_jcv]

Well, you have two options - passive speakers + amp, or powered speakers. If you go with passive speakers (like the Wharfdale), then you could use one of the low-power T-amps like the Lepai or whatever you can get in the UK. In the US, we look to Parts Express for amps like that, but I don't know about across the pond,

 

[mwsimmonite]

Ahhh, I've had a quick look and it seems like they're available on Amazon or Ebay, is this the kind of one you mean? 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LP-2020A-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier-Supply/dp/B00C2P61FO/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1419036204&sr=1-5&keywords=ta2020
 
I could instead get: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Topping-TP-22-Tripath-TK2050-T-AMP-2-30W-Power-Stereo-Amplifier-Free-Ship-In-UK-/251578762672?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3a934345b0
 
and still be in budget with the diamond 9.1's, which you don't seem to have issue with, if that would be a better option?

 

[billybob_jcv]

Yes, those are the types of amps I am talking about. In the US, we have this little guy, which is a real bargain:
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-120-class-t-mini-amplifier-60-wpc--300-3800

In your price range, I really don't know what other amps besides the T-amps would be available, except maybe something older and used.

I really don't know the Wharfedales, so I have nothing to say one way or the other about them. I don't think Wharfedale has ever really been as widely available in the US as they have been in Europe.

The one thing in the specs of the Wharfedale that give me a little concern are that they are 6 ohms & 86 dB sensitivity. That's not as efficient as I would like to see for a speaker that will be driven by mini T-amp. However, you said the room is small, so you'll probably be fine.

 

[cel4145]

Those Wharfedale Diamonds are a great speaker for the money.

Indeed's t-amps are a good step up over the build quality of the cheaper Lepai amps: http://stores.ebay.com/indeedhifilab

I'm guessing that they probably ship to the UK.