[slackr9527]

Hi everyone,
I am thinking of getting a set of speakers, and am quite stuck on where to start. My budget is about £200-300.
 
I would like speakers that would work in a dorm at boarding school, so I think bookshelf speakers are probably good idea. Sound wise I am looking for speakers that are mainly for bass, but don't sacrifice mids and highs too much. I would like them to be good for the odd party if possible.

On this site the Audioengine a5/a5+ seem to be good for what I need, but to be honest I don't know much about speakers.
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks a lot,
Jake

 

[Bones13]

If bass is your priority, then look for a 2.1 system. I used to have a klipsch promedia set, and the sound was pretty good. I'm sure there are others.

In the bookshelf system, with you budget, a pair of vintage speakers, and integrated amp would be a great bet.

 

[slackr9527]

Hey, thanks for the quick reply,
Sorry, I don't know the lingo, what is a 2.1 setup? 
And also apologies, I may have phrased that badly, by bass as main priority, I meant that they would be all round, with a more prominent bass end. Does that affect the recommendations?
 
Also, as for vintage speakers, any makes/models, and anywhere to buy? and how is an integrated amp different from any stock amp, and again what types am I looking for?

 

[trog]

Being in the UK i would think Gumtree UK has lots of vintage/classic amps on the cheap rather often and you could start fishing out the offerings from NAD, Cambridge, etc for amps? Also up to 300 quid in the used market you can actually start landing something respectable like Monitor Audio BX2s perhaps?
http://www.whathifi.com/review/monitor-audio-bronze-bx2

 

[slackr9527]

hey, thank you for the advice.
Does the amp really improve the sound quality? And any advice on what model amp, and how much do you reckon I would need to put aside for the amp? The BX2's look really good, definitely in my price range, as 250 new and even cheaper used is great. Are there any more speakers you recommend, or are those really the best in my range?
Thanks a lot

 

[trog]

Well if you into 2 channel i would definitely look into as good speakers i could spring for with limited funds - as to how much if merely for near field you dun need a beefy amp and T-Amps might just feed the bill

 

[Lenni]

this 2.1 speaker package might be of interest. check Gumtree for a used amp.
 
the A5+ seems to fit the situation nicely - unless the dorm is huge, imo.
 
the 2.1 will have more bass, but the A5+ will probably have better SQ (I guess).

 

[slackr9527]

Thanks, yeah I'm probably between the Bx2s and the A5s, but which would be better SQ? Also regarding the amp I have looked around and the nad 3020 seems to be a good vintage amp, and for only 20-30ish... Is that a bad choice? Has anyone got any experience with the nad and the bx2s or a5s...
Also, apparently the a5s dont need an amp, is this true?

 

[Lenni]

the A5's are active powered. the amp is inside one of the speaker. you connect them to your PC/iPod whatever, and you're good to go.
 
the Bx2s (and the 2.1's) require a separate amp and lots of cables to connect all.
 
the A5's sounded to me as good (if not better) as other passive speakers I heard in the same price range. considering they've a built-in amp, they choice is obvious.

 

[Mauricio]

 
Quote:

the A5's are active. the amp is inside one of the speaker. you connect them to your PC/iPod whatever, and you're good to go.
 
 

 
The Audioengine A5 are not active.  They are powered.

 

[trog]

 
Quote:

 Also regarding the amp I have looked around and the nad 3020 seems to be a good vintage amp, and for only 20-30ish... Is that a bad choice? 

 
The NAD 3020 is a legendary stereo amp and if it were available for that price where i'm @ i'd jump all over that 

 

[mibutenma]

If your looking for standard speakers you use with a amp.
And your in England I would at least try to give Mordaunt Short a listen.
 
http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-speakers/mordaunt-short/aviano-2/mord-aviano-2-dk-wal
http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-speakers/mordaunt-short/mezzo-1/mord-mezzo-1-dkwd

 

[slackr9527]

Thanks a lot everyone, this is really helpful.
Ok, this may sound very stupid, but could I connect the nad 3020 to a computer, or do I always need a cd player?
As for bx2 or the Mordaunts, I think I will go to richer sounds and check both out. Does anyone know of a place in the uk where I could test the a5s?
Purely SQ wise, will the a5s be on a relative par with the bx2s, or will they be better/worse?

 

[trog]

You hook up to PC to NAD 3020 using a 3.5mm-to-RCA to one of the inputs on the rear of the amp like "Aux" for example

 

[danny93]

 
MicroLab SOLO6C...thats them in the background of my Pic thingy
 
Yeh you have never heard of microlab but more people should have... got these a few months back and I can whole heartedly reccomend them...they are crazy for the price of £70 over here in the UK and with the rest of your budget add a subwoofer!
You can connect a 3.5mm or RCA aux into the speakers for iPod etc, they have built in EQ and a remote...bloddy brilliant and solidly made too, with thick wooden panels, if Microlab had the mark up of more mainstream companies like M-Audio, or Swan etc they would quite literally be 2-3 times the price, and still then I would still be over the moon with the SQ for that price!
 
Soundstage is a little narrow but that is the only thing i can say are bad about these speakers! clarity, mids and highs are all very good...bass even shocked me quite a bit for such small speakers, (bigger than your average set of 2.0´s with their 6.5" woofers!) but I had already bought a used wharfedale SW150 10" subwoofer, and I have to admit this setup really has to be up there for one of the best bang for buck things i have ever gotten, compared with my parents B&W 684 floorstanders with an arcam solo neo, this 2.1 setup > Titanium HD really does compete well considering its a fraction of the price!
 
If your not a basshead then you will find the Microlab just fine with no sub...heck I sometimes dont even turn it on and dont feel I am missing anything, only thing is when you put on some dubstep or similar with bass that extends past 30Hz then that is where a sub does add more of a benefit as you can sense the Micrlobs start straining, but still put on a good show!
 
Also for the price I doubt you will find any active set that can go louder...when my parents go out and i have a few friends over they literally shake the house LOL...as in i go downstairs and glasses are shaking, and this is WITHOUT the sub (but 5 bumps in bass EQ)! 
 
This review sums it up quite nicely...http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4112/microlab_solo6c_powered_stereo_speakers_review/index5.html
 
Sooooo glad i went for these over the swans as i really cant see the extra cash giving me a big increase in SQ...you would be better upgrading your soundcard or adding a used sub!
 
Pics dont do the speakers justice, I love the retro look of em´ (wood panels look great!)
 
EDIT: I think i made these seem like a bass heavy set of speakers...and I would just like to clear this up, they are more on the bright side than dark tbh...but after a bump in the built in bass EQ and treble the balence is lovely, they neutral stock with no EQ but i like it with an authoritive bass thump, and these are capable of producing that, whilst retaining great levels of clarity and full mids with sparkly treble! 
 
I was in the same position as you and im planning on taking these speakers to uni with me in a few months...not decided on the sub...probably wont fit