Building a 2 Channel system again

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm building a 2 channel system again, gonna be an office rig this time. This is going to be a budget system, not super high end or super expensive. I'm set on the source and am buying an entry-level tube integrated from Brock. The amp is only 9wpc and I'm going to be limited somewhat on speakers, both in terms of size and efficiency. I'm thinking a bookshelf/sub combo with probably small to medium speakers, not micro per se but not huge either, something along the size of any of the offerings by Polk would be fine. I'm not looking for a near field setup though, I want something that will sound good in a medium sized room.

So here is where I'm needing some help, keep in mind this is intended to be a budget rig:

1 - Any recommendations for some high efficiency bookshelf speakers? I'm looking at $500 max budget for these, used or new, cheaper is better. If I absolutely can't get something decent in that price range then I can save up if I know what I'm after.
2 - I'll want a sub in the mix. I know the REL subs are known for their ability to integrate well with a 2 channel rig, but they're out of my price range, don't need anything fancy. I'll need something with speaker inputs and outputs since the integrated doesn't have a sub out. I'm looking at a couple of the Polk subs, the DSWPro440 and 550. I'm thinking it would be easier to implement an 8" sub into the mix vs the 10", but I'm no expert.

So there it is, any thoughts?

EndersShadow

I would think the 10 would work better as it might hit higher up and help you fill out the middle/low range better with bookshelves.

For bookies I would throw out the LSi 7's as a thought off Polks ebay site, but they are not as efficient as I think you are wanting. They are under 500 and I believe you know exactly how they sound .

These are a bit over budget but might work for you: http://app.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-von-schweikert-vr-1-maple-monitors-2013-02-05-speakers-45241-sharonville-oh

AsSiMiLaTeD

Yeah the lsi7 are great speakers but not efficient enough, I'll check that link thanks

txcoastal1

B18-F225
http://brinesacoustics.com/Pages/B18-F225/Main.html

http://brinesacoustics.com/Pages//FireSale/FireSale.html

Look at his fire sale page...has a pair for $500

bobsauto49

I recomend listening to a set of Kef Q300! These are amazing bookies! Can be had just under your budget. I really cant praise these high enough!
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFQ300BL/KEF-Q300-Q-Series-6-1/2-inch-Black-Bookshelf-Speakers-pair/1.html

AsSiMiLaTeD

Those kef are nice but not efficient enough.

Ron I've not heard those before, but those may fit the bill.

Ah the rt55, an oldie but a goodie. That's not what I had in mind for this rig but I emailed the guy anyway and said I'll take them, too good a price to pass up.

marvda1

this is one of my first reviews.
http://www.stereomojo.com/Outlaw%20Audio%20Speaker%20review/OutlawAudioSpeakerReview.htm

take a look at these.
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-outlaw-audio-bls-bookshelf-loudspeakers-seas-woofers-1-100-msrp-made-in-usa-paradi-2013-02-10-speakers-63146

txcoastal1

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Ron I've not heard those before, but those may fit the bill.

Bob is at the show every year, he manages to get quite the sound out of his single driver units pretty efficiently...real nice guy, worth giving him a shout

AsSiMiLaTeD

You guys feel free to set me straight here, but I just don't think a 9 watt amp is going to drive speakers in the 87db sensitivity range very well.

What do you guys think about the sub situation? It looks like the 440 and 550 have the same frequency response, so I assume the only difference is sol?anyone have experience with either sub?

SDA1C

I've been looking at subs to match a pair of 5jr+. I found this little guy.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MORDCARN7CAL/MORDAUNT-SHORT-Carnival-7-8-65-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer-Calvados/1.html
I would prefer a 6 inch but this really holds promise for a descent cheap powered sub.

rooftop59

Danny the problem with most of those subs is that the speaker line level outputs do not have a high pass. I am assuming with smallish speakers you are not going to want to run them full range, but I could be wrong. I have done a lot of smallish subs in my office and bedroom rigs, and there are a lot of good used options out there. I would go for something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NHT-SW2SI-SUBWOOFER-/150992737097?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2327de5349

with this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Now-Hear-This-NHT-SA-2-subwoofer-Amplifier-Excellent-condition-/221188754542?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item337fe08c6e

that way you have a nice tight little subwoofer with a built in high pass if you choose to use it.

I actually have an av123 XSUB with no amp in it that I am looking to sell. Cheap. It sounds really nice for a small two channel setup, and would pair nicely with that NHT amp. PM me if you're interested.

For speakers I would seriously consider these. I love the sound of energys and they are very efficient and easy to drive:

http://world-wide-stereo.store.rakuten.com/p/energy-veritas-v-mini-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair-rosenut/246176388.html

mantis

I think would do the trick.
http://www.definitivetech.com/products/studiomonitor-55

nwohlford

I tried a lot of bookshelf speakers over the last year or two, and on the smaller more efficient side, I have really liked the Tannoy DC4 (89 dB) and Mirage OMD 5 (90dB). I just picked up some Silverline Minuet Supreme Plus speakers (88.5 dB) and really like them so far. I have used a 25 Watt Class D integrated amp with them and would have no problem filling a medium sized room with any of them.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Yeah I'm not finding many options higher than 90db efficiency. My PSB are that high, so I'll probably just start with them, see how they sound, and then use that as a reference. If they sound good I may just use those in that rig and get the bigger PSB for the living room.

michael1947

I like the Klipsch KG 1.5...sound good, 90db efficiency and have 2 pair sitting here.http://www.klipsch.com/kg-1-5

cnh

Personally, I'd be staying with H9's classic Polk Monitor 5s with that amp. According to the site specs, they're 90db efficient and Brock says this amp drives them "fine"!

I know it does not take a lot of power to get my 5As to sing. I've had them on a vintage 20 watt x 2 receiver and they put out plenty of sound (and on 40 and 85 watt x 2 amps).

But it really does sound like you're looking for something newer? Not many new bookies are terribly "efficient" unless they're Klipsch horn-like models!

cnh

vcwatkins

I run Monitor 5's with an HCT-branded Dared MP-5 (~15 watts hybrid, early 60's RCA ecc85). The speaker cabinets are in awful shape, but after recapping they sound rich, smooth, and detailed.

This rig is in a tiny room, maybe 7x10, filled with junk like speaker parts and art supplies. There's a ledge on the long wall I can sit the speakers on to free up bench space. So they're ~8ft apart and I'm ~3.5ft from the center-front of the speakers. Not ideal - a little too shallow and tall. At some point I'll veneer, but I'm not in a hurry since I'm the only one who ever sees or hears this rig. I have never cranked it up to test its limits, so can't advise about spl/distortion, but I have to say: this cool little rig often stuns me with a lovely, ethereal character. I think the 5's are pretty much a perfect low budget match for the little hybrid.

Craig

txcoastal1

Danny, Keep in mind that we ran the 705's really well at LSAF last year on 12watt tube. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you test your PSB's on the amp.

If you get the right speaker and your office space is small you may be able to put your sub funds toward a nice speaker especially on the used market.

Good luck sounds like fun

pitdogg2

DSkip wrote: »

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/ele/3610691034.html

Go get them, sell the center channel, and get some free bookies!

That's a steal right there!!! Wish i was near Dallas...

txcoastal1

http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/ca.html?ca=75505

Here is a 96db efficient speaker on the cheap here in Texas

http://www.tektondesign.com/index.html

AsSiMiLaTeD

That's a good deal on those, Tekton is one of the companies I've been looking at. Even though I've never heard them they do look interesting, gonna contact him and see if he still has them