[arosega]

I'm trying to get something set up where I can stream spotify wirelessly, and what I have together so far is below:
 
Raspberry Pi - $45
http://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Model-Revision-512MB/dp/B009SQQF9C/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1369772156&sr=1-1&keywords=raspberry+pi
 
Raspberry Pi Case - $15
http://www.amazon.com/SB-Raspberry-Pi-Case-Clear/dp/B008TCUXLW
 
Creative Soundblaster Play - $30
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-Shipping-Creative-Sound-Blaster-Play-SB1140-USB-sound-card/207467_521012911.html
 
Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Speakers- $150
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch---ProMedia-2.1-Speaker-System-(3-Piece)---Black/9382232.p?id=1218095770265&skuId=9382232
 
Total:  $240
 
I'd be using the Pi Musicbox operating system.  My question is do you think that a computer such as the Raspberry Pi (with base low end sound equipment) with the cheap soundcard listed could produce adequate sound volume and quality wise through those speakers to be a primary music supply in a room with about 100 sq ft?  This isn't a project I have too much money to supply, so if it isn't a worthwhile endeavor I'll just get the speakers and call it a day.

 

[ValeTudoGuy]

I think the speakers and sound card are the weak link (although you will get sound on par if not better than most iPod docks.) Personally I would pay more for something like a Fiio E10 and less on getting an old Rotel/NAD/Cambridge Amp for about 20-30 and some Older proper speakers like Mordaunt Short MS10's for between 15-30.

If you however just prefer the computer speaker form factor than an amp and (normal) size speakers then I whole heatedly suggest the Acoustic Energy Aego M.... Mind blowing for the size, I auditioned loads of speakers to plug directly into the Mrs's laptop and nothing even came close to the Sound or Build quality of the Aego M's. I have no doubt that they will spank the Klipsch's along with anything else of similar form factor up to about 4x the price.

 

[arosega]

Thanks for the reply.  Yeah, I understand that cheaper speakers of that form factor will inherently produce decently lower quality sound, but that's about how much money I would want to spend on this whole thing.  I mostly want to make sure that running the Raspberry Pi through that soundcard wouldn't bottleneck the whole thing more than just plugging in say an iPod via aux.  
 
As for the other setup, that's definitely an interesting take.  I'll have to do some research and see if that DAC is compatible with the Pi and the operating system, as it's definitely finicky.  Thanks again for the help, hopefully once I look some stuff up I can make the right decision.

 

[ValeTudoGuy]

My E10 works, with a powered USB hub. Which admittedly isn't ideal. The Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC and Muse Mini USB DAC are other cheaper options that are still capable of reasonable sound.
Some people have reported clicks and pops from Raspberry Pi's into USB devices.... I haven't experienced this but YMMV.

I would seriously consider a second hand amp like a Cambridge Audio A1 can be had for around 25 second hand or even something like the Pyle Pro PCA1 small form factor amp which can be had for around 25 brand new.
With the speakers, the Mordant Short MS10 or Even MS20 can be had for less than 40 and even though they are old they are very decent speakers, TBH many reasonable older and smaller bookshelf speakers can be picked up for pocket change that will be a big step up from computer speakers. For example I won an auction for a pair of Q Acoustics 1010i's for 9.90 the other week.