Looking for a mini 2.1 system

[monkey333]

Long ago I bought a creative 5.1 system that had some simple speakers and a woofer. The amp was pretty small, like 6 inches across,5 deep and maybe 3 across. Would like to buy something similar, small and not super high end, as we don't have a ton of rom in the ent center. 2.1 would suffice..

Thanks..

 

[sdifox]

budget?

 

[monkey333]

Couple hundred. This is more of an after thought as the speakers aren't that great...

 

[kornphlake]

This is for watching television? I'd suggest anything but PC speakers, but you'll have a hard time finding a 2.1 system in your budget that isn't PC speakers. In a typical PC system you'll have 3" speakers with a 6.5" sub that is crossed at >200hz and naturally rolls off high enough to be more of a woofer than a subwoofer. A decent set of bookshelf speakers will outperform a PC 2.1 system because the bass will be stereo in the frequency range where it really matters and the frequency response will be smoother, sounds will be more lifelike. You may loose a little bit of impact not having a sub, but I think overall it's a worthwhile compromise. Spend a hundred bucks on a A/V receiver at a pawn shop and another hundred on a pair of speakers and I think you'll be more pleased in the long run. Down the road as funds allow you can add a sub for LFE in movies if desired.

 

[monkey333]

Bookshelf speakers would be fine, but the receiver would ideally be smaller...

 

[sdifox]

what is the distance to the listening position?

 

[monkey333]

8 to 9 feet. One option might be a sound bar if they make one, but I've had little experience w sound bars, are they worth it?

 

[sdifox]

8 to 9 feet. One option might be a sound bar if they make one, but I've had little experience w sound bars, are they worth it?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290201

120 for the pair.

now you need amplification.


or wait for these to go on sale

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290203

150 currently.

If you go with the 150, I think you can skip the sub given you have very little room in your budget.


this receiver is going for 250


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882120165

There are decent smaller speakers, but they won't fit in your budget.


I say wait for deals

a few weeks ago new egg had these speakers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2269024&cm_re=take_5.1-_-82-269-024-_-Product

and a yamaha receiver/media player bundled for 400 bux.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=yamaha_receiver-_-82-115-322-_-Product

 

[kornphlake]

There are some really small amps out there, if you have analog outputs on your source equipment you could reasonably use something like this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812

There are some pretty nice class d or class t amps out there that are about the size of a USB harddrive, they generally top out at about 25 watts in practical applications but that's probably all you really need. One inexpensive example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HLLY-TAMP-20-Cl...387?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2310aa348b

If you only have digital outputs on your TV (most new sets only have a digital audio output) you'd need a D/A converter to use an amp, monoprice sells an inexpensive converter small enough to be hidden behind other equipment.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=6884&seq=1&format=2

 

[Bryf50]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290201

120 for the pair.

now you need amplification.


or wait for these to go on sale

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290203

150 currently.

If you go with the 150, I think you can skip the sub given you have very little room in your budget.


this receiver is going for 250


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882120165

There are decent smaller speakers, but they won't fit in your budget.


I say wait for deals

a few weeks ago new egg had these speakers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-024-_-Product

and a yamaha receiver/media player bundled for 400 bux.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-322-_-Product

What about just using a T-Amp. If he's only doing Stereo and doesn't want a big receiver it seems like it should work well enough.
Something like this should power those speakers just fine.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-383