How do I make this kind of speaker system work?

Question

So I am trying to get like a sound system for my room at school. My roommates and I love listening to music, and at times we get it pretty loud. We like a lot of bass, and we like speakers that can get pretty loud like I said. But I don t really know how to get a speaker system to improve on what we already have. Its like a system with two desk speakers and a sub. From what I have read, if we want more speakers and maybe a bigger sub then I think we would need to set up a receiver? Is that right? Can someone shed some light on this for me?

Answer 1

Loud equals more amplifier power plus bigger speakers Some small speakers that have long excursion drivers can produce more sound but they take more amplifier power to do so than a larger speakers needs to do the same thing..also long excursion drivers are more expensive...Take a look at Energy CB-20 speakers they play plenty loud but will need 50 watts a channel of RMS power to do so.... A stereo receiver is a good cost effective solution take a look at sherwood stereo receivers also Sony has some that are not expensive also used off of craigslist may be the way to go also used speakers on craigslist are also a good buy....but you have to have knowledge for the used market to make sure you don't get taken or pay too much for something that's not worth it.,...

Answer 2

Look in second-hand shops for an old "Home Theatre" amp. The ones that don't have HDMI connectors often sell for peanuts - possibly $30 - $50 for an amp that cost $800 new.



Make sure it has "Dolby Pro Logic" (not just dolby digital or no dolby) - and a subwoofer output. For a high-end Home Theatre amp, that will be a phono (RCA) to connect an active Sub.

(A Sony STR- series amp is a good choice).



Use any old HiFi speakers for the front stereo channels and whatever you can find/scrounge for the other channels.



Preferably, plus an active sub. That will probably be the most expensive bit, but well worth the money.

(Normal loudspeakers do not always work well at very low frequencies. An Active sub uses servo feedback and drives the speaker cone to where it should be, rather than letting it bounce about and resonate).



For a passive sub, use a large diameter speaker or a purpose-designed sub.





Example - this uses a standard passive sub rather than active, but is otherwise near perfect; 85W per channel and Dolby Pro Logic included (as well as Dolby Digital & DTS surround etc. from digital sources).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-Str-k665p-Home-Theater-Amp-/141875264728?hash=item21086cbcd8:g:prUAAOSwAKxWYHKc

https://docs.sony.com/release//HTDDW665.pdf





With that setup, you can feed the amp with any Stereo music source and (as long as Pro Logic is enabled) get full 5.1 surround sound out - all normal stereo music has actually been surround encoded for decades and it a massive difference!

Answer 3

The best way to do this requires spending more than just a few dollars.



Yes, for a proper home audio system, you start with an audio receiver, which inside of it, contains am amplifier to run the speakers, plus a pre-amplifier, which adjusts the sound and selects the source you wish to listen to, plus it has an AM/FM tuner, so you can listen to radio from the receiver.



The most basic receivers are stereo models, and can only run one pair of stereo speakers, or two pairs. For use with video gear, one would need a home theater receiver, which can run, at least one front pair, one rear pair, one center speaker, and a subwoofer.



Such receivers cost at least $200, and a decent set of 5.1 speakers would require at least $300. Plus, you'd need some speaker wire and a subwoofer cable, call that around $30 in costs.

Answer 4

Find a local audiophile, or go to an independent audio dealer,

and ask to see and hear a stereo system of reasonable cost.



$500 will buy pretty good sound, and, up to a point,

more money will buy more and better sound.





Good speakers with 8-inch or larger woofers

would eliminate the need for a "sub"

unless you like more bass than is natural.

Answer 5

Infinity Primus P153, $130 free shipping ($65 each; sale ends 1/31),

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4t7zvnvnoD7/p_108P153BK/Infinity-Primus-P153.html

 

Dayton Audio APA150 amplifier (compact size class AB amp, 2 x 50 watts RMS into 8 ohms, RCA pass through), $138 free shipping (sale ends 1/31),

 

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-apa150-150w-power-amplifier--300-812

 

Dayton Audio SUB-1000, $119 free shipping,

 

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1000-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-628

Answer 6

Obviously. So, neither you, nor any of your room-mates have a clue as to what a music system involves? how ... odd. Do some reading on line and in audio magazines, then.

Answer 7

That's nice to know, but your RD, RA's, and your fellow residents are not going to appreciate it. Move off campus, and you crank up your Justin Bieber or "Misdirection," as loud as you want.