Hello & Help me get Started!

[ALTRE552]

Hello!

Looking to replace my logitech 2.1's with something a little more delicious. They'll be for my bedroom computer and used for music & also some mixing (rock/pop). Doesn't need to be loud, just a decent amount of detail.

Since desk space is limited, I'm thinking 2 bookshelfs with an 8" sub. I've got my eye on a pair of M4's from LSK

M4 Kit Speaker - The Loud Speaker Kit

I'm really clueless about amplifiers. Will something like this be good enough?

M20 EX TA2020 Mini Audio Stereo Sound Power Amplifier | eBay

Subwoofer will be active.

Thoughts? Budget is around 500 of your earth dollars (US/AUD).

[thaumaturge]

Originally Posted by ALTRE552

I'm really clueless about amplifiers. Will something like this be good enough?

Hello... Immediate problem I see with the one you linked to is the total lack of any specs. Which means it could sound horrible... or not, but you would have no recourse if it did.

You can do A LOT with $500.

Some guidelines: The only valid power rating is RMS. This is music power. Peak is meaningless. The power rating should state into what speaker impedance. Most common is 8 ohms. Normal listening levels are 5-15 Watts. Look for distortion of less than 0.05% (Best trained listeners can easily hear 0.02%, others are oblivious to 10%). Signal to noise ratio of -80 db or more is most acceptable.

You state this system is for your computer? Don't expect MP3 files to sound like a live concert. They sound okay on computer speakers or small portable players.

A few nights reading here might save you a bunch of money or dissatisfaction.

Doc

[wintermute]

Hi Altre, welcome to diyAudio. You might want to consider posting in the multiway forum. you will likely get more views there

Also have a browse of the chipamp forums

Tony.

[ALTRE552]

Thanks for the pointers!

[planet10]

You'd have to build your own boxes, but i'd suggest that these CSS EL70 Full Range - PAIR [EL70] - $129.00 : Darcher Audio in a suitable box would give better performance.

dave

[milsman2]

Originally Posted by thaumaturge

You state this system is for your computer? Don't expect MP3 files to sound like a live concert. They sound okay on computer speakers or small portable players.

A few nights reading here might save you a bunch of money or dissatisfaction.

Doc

However, should you go down the path of diyAudio that has sucked me in lately, there are options like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

to drastically improve sound quality from a laptop source. Also, I looked up the M4 kit and unfortunately I think your biggest problem there will be the relatively low sensitivity of those speakers. Right now I am running a set of 90db 1W/1M Venturi 62 Bookshelf speakers off of a Dynakit ST-35 (As in 35 Watt Max) and it sounds fabulous with little effort. Part of that is due to the fact that the speakers are sensitive enough to respond to that sort of power. They were 100 bucks for the pair and worth every single dollar.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by milsman2

...off of a Dynakit ST-35 (As in 35 Watt Max)

35 w when pushed and you add the 2 channels together. 12-15 w per channel is more realistic.

With a simple impedance curve, 85 dB isnot out of line with that kind of power, as long as the room isnot huge, and the loudness levels are kept below ear damaging levels.

dave

[ALTRE552]

Originally Posted by planet10

You'd have to build your own boxes, but i'd suggest that these CSS EL70 Full Range - PAIR [EL70] - $129.00 : Darcher Audio in a suitable box would give better performance.

Cheers planetX!

They look like they'll suit me perfectly.

[ODougbo]

You want a high performance speaker for less? These are top notch. I did also post a thread in Multi – way HDS kits. Kit comes with tweeter, 2 woofers and impressive crossover (pre built). The fellows at Madisound did a nice job blending the cross over point.

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com...it-parts-only/

Pic of cabinets that I built used.