Home audio system: $500 budget

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

Not looking for perfection, just loud clean sound.

I am a complete newb when it comes to home audio so any help is appreciated.

I'm assuming i need a reciever/ amp, equalizer, tweeters, mids and subs... i have no idea what is decent and what isn't.

Thanks,

Psych0

Click to read more...

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I'd recommend...

A vintage integrated amp or receiver off of Ebay. Something from Rotel, NAD, Marantz, Pioneer, Adcom...lots of metal is good. Let's set a cap at $200 for this, you'll likely find something under that.

For speakers, a project like this: http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker13.html would be worthwhile, $100 a pair is pretty hard to beat.

http://www.creativesound.ca also stocks the CSS FR125, which is your best bet for a single driver, crossoverless solution. Little more expensive at $140 a pair.

Apexjr.com sells plate amps for decent prices.

Get whatever sub you can with what's left, Mach5 might be a low budget possibility, or something from Dayton. Maybe an IDQ off Ebay.

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I'd recommend...
A vintage integrated amp or receiver off of Ebay. Something from Rotel, NAD, Marantz, Pioneer, Adcom...lots of metal is good. Let's set a cap at $200 for this, you'll likely find something under that.

For speakers, a project like this: http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker13.html would be worthwhile, $100 a pair is pretty hard to beat.

http://www.creativesound.ca also stocks the CSS FR125, which is your best bet for a single driver, crossoverless solution. Little more expensive at $140 a pair.

Apexjr.com sells plate amps for decent prices.

Get whatever sub you can with what's left, Mach5 might be a low budget possibility, or something from Dayton. Maybe an IDQ off Ebay.

What is wrong with new fresh smelling plastic //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

What is wrong with new fresh smelling plastic //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

Plastic belongs in soda bottles, not in audio equipment //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

how much power do i need to get pretty loud?

btw Thanks jim

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

how much power do i need to get pretty loud?

Totally depends on the speakers you choose.

If you run very efficient speakers, you might need as little as 10 watts or less...but for typical two or three-way designs, 50-75W is more appropriate. Or more.

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

Totally depends on the speakers you choose.
If you run very efficient speakers, you might need as little as 10 watts or less...but for typical two or three-way designs, 50-75W is more appropriate. Or more.

Alright. When i said i was a newb i mean a complete newb. The reciever powers the speakers and the plate amp powers the sub correct?

so a 200 watt reciever and a 3-500 watt plate amp would be perfect for an infinity kappa 12" or other 300rms driver

 

[bk12321 10+ year member]

I got an onkyo tx-sr600 off ebay for like 150 shipped, and its the best receiver ive ever messed with... my dad has a $600 yamaha and i dont really like it.

im clueless about speakers cuz i just built my own with stuff from partsexpress but some others im sure will point u in the right direction

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

so a 200 watt reciever and a 3-500 watt plate amp would be perfect for an infinity kappa 12" or other 300rms driver

200W is a lot of power for a receiver...might not find something that does that and still stay under your budget.

The reciever powers the speakers and the plate amp powers the sub correct?

Yes.

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

jim, are those speakers going to get loud and sound good? I was thinking of getting a reciever like this http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-A-V-Receiver-VSX-516-K/sem/rpsm/oid/148426/catOid/-12851/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do in case i go with a home theatre system some day.

thanks

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I've never built those speakers, but I have no reason to believe they won't get loud enough to the point of pain/irritating your neighbors...

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

I've never built those speakers, but I have no reason to believe they won't get loud enough to the point of pain/irritating your neighbors...

kool... I would like to use this system for parties every now and then.