Will pre-amp work on bookshelf speakers? plz help

[HariBhushan]

Hi all !
 
I have been looking to upgrade "not even respectable" logitech Z323 pc speakers to something decent, and i am going to go with Axiom m3 v3 bookshelf, but can anyone tell me if these are self-powered or if they require an amp?
 
here is the info i have obtrained
 

Enclosure:
Max Amp Power:
Min Amp Power:
Freq Resp +/-3dB:	60 Hz- 20 kHz
Freq Resp +3dB- 9dB:
Impedance (Ohms):	8 Ohms
SPL in Room1w/1m:
SPL Anechoic 1w/1m:
X-Over
Tweeter:
Woofer:
Dimens. H W D (inches):
Dimens. H W D (mm):
Weight (lbs) each
Weight (kg) each

[td=colspan:3] Millennia M3 Specifications [/td] [td=colspan:2] Vortex / Reflex
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 175 Watts
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 10 Watts [/td] [td=colspan:2] 50 Hz - 20 kHz
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 96 dB
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 92 dB
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 2.2 kHz [/td] [td=colspan:2] Single 1"
[/td] [td=colspan:2] Single 6.5"
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 13.5" x 8.5" x 8.25"
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 343 x 216 x 210
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 12.7 lbs
[/td] [td=colspan:2] 5.761 kg [/td]

 
and a picture of the backside
 


 
 will pre-amp(from the back of my tube amp) work on this? I don't even know if these are self-powered or passive. If passive, what acceptable amp in the $100 to $200 range will work that has volume control?   I am all terribly new to this, so please help a brother out !

 

[Dalamar]

Looks like no amp built in, so you need a real amp.
If you hook a preamp up to it, you could ruin the preamp or speakers since it's not designed to drive speakers.
 
Audiosource amp100 50 watt: $100 Class A.
Harman Kardon's 80 watt stereo amp is $200 - I'd probably go with that. Class A/B.

 

[ROBSCIX]

 
Quote:

Hi all !
 
I have been looking to upgrade "not even respectable" logitech Z323 pc speakers to something decent, and i am going to go with Axiom m3 v3 bookshelf, but can anyone tell me if these are self-powered or if they require an amp?
 
 will pre-amp(from the back of my tube amp) work on this? I don't even know if these are self-powered or passive. If passive, what acceptable amp in the $100 to $200 range will work that has volume control?   I am all terribly new to this, so please help a brother out !

You need an amplifier as those speaker are passive.
I have tested an own a Tweak CIty Gizmo amplifier and they are great little amps for the price.  Have a look here: TCA Gizmo
This little amp sounds great and has more then enough power for those speakers and also has a subwoofer output so you can add a subwoofer down the road if you want/need more bass.
Considering your budget, I would seriously consider the Gizmo.  There are many great amplifiers out there for your budget.

 

[Dalamar]

Gizmo looks like a ripoff, 25 watts of Class D or T should cost much less.
No measurements given either.

 

[Dev Avidon]

There are many a good amp out there that can work very nicely for little bookshelves.  I'd go with the audiosource; they're not bad for entry level amps in my experience, and 50 watts will be plenty for those guys.

 

[Uncle Erik]

The little T-Amp was a FOTM for awhile. I don't recall the exact price, but I think it was under $100. You should take a look.

 

[ROBSCIX]

 
Quote:

The little T-Amp was a FOTM for awhile. I don't recall the exact price, but I think it was under $100. You should take a look.

I know the one your talking about..I think that thing was like under $30 but you needed really efficient speakers with it.  Battery powered also..right?
 
Quote:

Gizmo looks like a ripoff, 25 watts of Class D or T should cost much less.
No measurements given either.

Well feel free to link to something else...  However, make sure it is a finished amp in the same class, not a PCB board and has digital display, adjustable tone controls and dedicated subwoofer output.
Your right to the point you can find cheap class D's but they are usually PCB's of lower power that need to have many things added to make them a finsished product.
The subwoofer output on the Gizmo, is also a main reason I recommend this particular unit as it is a very unique feature and allows the end user the option of adding a subwoofer easily.  Have a listen to one if you ever get a chance.
 
To the OP:
There are many cheap amplifiers out there, some are good and some are bad.  Do some research and see which one fits your budget, space requirements and has some upgrade options.

 

[grokit]

Or take a look at powered monitors instead of the Axioms, there are plenty of really good ones out there.

 

[Dev Avidon]

Quote:

Or take a look at powered monitors instead of the Axioms, there are plenty of really good ones out there.

Indeed, take a look at the Audioengine line for example, very good entry level monitors. 
 

 

[ROBSCIX]

Sure, powered monitors are also another possibility.
Just depends on what you want for your system.