i need a complete dorm setup and i'm clueless

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

well, i'm about to move into my dorm room and i wanted to have some sort of home audio system there. I've been in car audio forever, but I have never even gotten my feet wet in regards to home audio. So, CA forums, I turn to you for some help.

I would like to just be able to run all of this off my laptop, which I know is compatible for a 2.1 system. If that is really not an option, I'll do some sort of CHEAP, small reciever.

What I really want, even though it wouldn't be compatible running off of the laptop, is 4 speakers, one SMALL sub; keep in mind this is a small dorm room and I can have nothing extravagant.

So, recommend me a SUPER-BUDGET, diy project. The works; highs, mids, lows, reciever, cables, etc, etc.

Thanks alot

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I would avoid "computer" speakers at all costs.

What's your budget for this sort of thing?

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

I would avoid "computer" speakers at all costs.
What's your budget for this sort of thing?

i do like the klipsch 2.1's though.

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

Mine consisted of a $60 receiver off ebay, $50 sony bookshelf's from Best Buy and a DIY sub (TangBand 8 and 100W amp) for about $120 and it definitly rocks. I'm replacing the Sonys with a proper set of bookshelf's later.

You could get the 30W Class T from PE (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-952&CFID=33927&CFTOKEN=13703536) and power some small surrounds with it.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

i do like the klipsch 2.1's though.

The Klipsch's are at least listenable...but they're nothing to write home about under 100Hz //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

Quad Dayton reference towers 3 cubes to 40hz, Morel MDT29 tweets, full rack gear setup to run active. No need for a sub to start out with.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hilarious.gif.02a037aad04aa96f19982b298a3d70a8.gif

I think you, EhRon, and myself should stay out of this discussion...we'll pollute the poor guy's mind and corrupt his wallet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hilarious.gif.02a037aad04aa96f19982b298a3d70a8.gif
I think you, EhRon, and myself should stay out of this discussion...we'll pollute the poor guy's mind and corrupt his wallet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Whaaa, us do something like that??

Ya'll poluted my mind/wallet, I can only help another poor soul down the path to the dark side. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hilarious.gif.02a037aad04aa96f19982b298a3d70a8.gif
I think you, EhRon, and myself should stay out of this discussion...we'll pollute the poor guy's mind and corrupt his wallet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

LOL, that's pretty funny.... B&W & Rotel or Tubes LOL....

No but seriously, the 4 big factors are: 1 what music do you listen to, 2 how much is your budget, 3 what are your wood working skills, and 4 how long do you plan on keeping this system (just for college or longer)?

With a small budget (depending on how small) DIY is usually the way to go. Dayton makes some nice stuff, I just got a pair of the RS 7" mids for my car and I will do a write up on them once I get them installed but they look like some pretty kick *** speakers. Also, do you know anything about cross-overs and hi box tuning???

Waiting on you to do my full advice.....

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

I have a small system that might work, we could have worked out a trade for the pc if I knew sooner

Toshiba SD-6109 DVD/Receiver

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000J3OK/102-8914629-5881727?v=glance&n=172282

It is based on Onkyo internals and amps so the 50 watts per channel is not exaggerated. It also has DD and DTS. It works perfect and plays all DVD's, but it isn't to great with scratches on discs

Two pairs KLH 970A speakers

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/klh/PRD_124368_1594crx.aspx

I think I bought these for $30 pair years ago to use in the office, for the price they sound excellent, but you will need a sub if you want bass

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

I'd say my budget is no more than $200, but i'd like to say closer to $100 or so.

I've looked at the tang band stuff, and dayton, but I'm unsure as to where to start, how to tune a box for home audio compared to car audio (which I know how to do/have a fairly good understanding of)

I listen to most types of music: rock, alternative, country, classic rock, some rap here and there.

I have decent enough wood working skills, or access to the tools/people that do if it's extremely advanced (I've built some crazy enclosures before though; I'd be willing to bet I could handle most anything).

I'll probably keep the setup all through college (all 6 years of it; masters FTW), and several years after that until I can afford a larger/nicer one.

I'm majoring in EENG, so I have an understanding of crossovers.

I didn't mean computer speakers; rather speakers to be run off of my computers sound card.

Any questions; just shoot.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

PE has some kits or AA arbiter HT stuff. I just picked up their TM sets. You can build your own crossovers from the plans, and get/buy an enlosure from PE.

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

If your going to be keeping these for college, I'd try to get some more money to up your budget a little. Does that 200 just cover the speakers, or all the electronics as well?

 

[bimma85 5,000+ posts]

More $$$$ much more $$$ //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/greedy.gif.5a53e6246569d7ab79867170f3b06629.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

or you can hit up some estate/garage sales

 

[NJack2AF 10+ year member]

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=319-040

Get 1 of those sets and a sub... I'm about to...