subwoofer / satellites with built-in crossover for low-power class-t setup

[meeotch]

I know there are resources out there for "boominator" style DIY portable class-t based setups. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to D it Y-self this summer, and need a solution in the next month, so...

I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a passive sub/satellite system with built-in (or cheaply obtainable) crossover, similar to the old Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble II, that can be had used for around $100.

The context: in 2011 we went to Burning Man (no eye-rolling, please) with a Lepai 2020+ and a craigslist Ensemble II system. Sounded great, cranked up to just below distortion, was loud enough, bassy enough, and we ran it for a week off marine batteries since it drew about 1.5A @ 12V.

Sadly, the speakers have since wandered off to seek their own destiny, and I have to replace them by next month. Don't have time to build anything, nor much of a budget, nor the available power to go with a powered sub solution. I figure finding a similar replacement for the Ensemble II's is the safest route to a setup with decent output that will sound better than a pair of bookshelf speakers.

(I'm not against standard 2 or 3 way speakers, btw - but I figured we wouldn't get the same sound/bass at that price point. I've had an E-II setup in my office since about 2002, and always thought it sounded remarkably good.)

 

[Inductor]

What you need is a passive sub system if I'm not mistaken.
Buy/Build a passive/active bandpass subwoofer. (go to ebay).

 

[meeotch]

Actually, I need the whole shebang, including satellites. Searching "passive bandpass subwoofer" on eBay brings up a handful of items in my price range, but presumably there needs to be some sort of numerical matching between the sub & satellites, since they'd be connected to the same terminals. (The t-amp has no separate sub output - the E II system we had was designed to be connected with the sub in parallel with the satellites.)

My hope was that there were similar systems produced by competitors back in the day that could be gotten on the cheap used (or alternately, a pair of used multi-way speakers with similar response & sensitivity) as a no-brainer solution, because again, I don't have the free time to build or test anything.

Basically, I have a fairly restrictive set of requirements with the batter/t-amp setup, had a working solution, and am now looking for a drop-in replacement, since I can't find the same item for sale.

 

[Inductor]

If you have a stereo battery/t-amp setup I would have a standard system hi-fi (low frequency extension) or PA type (more sensitivity for low power amp). In this case I don't know what's your best bet besides solutions that where already tried by others.

Amazon.com: BIC America DV62si Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black): Electronics
Amazon.com: BIC AMERICA DV-32B 3 1/2" 2-Way Compact Shielded Speakers - Black: Electronics
Amazon.com: Gemini RS-308 8" ABS Passive Loudspeaker: Musical Instruments
Amazon.com: TIC CORPORATION TFS50-CN 250-Watt Terra-Forms Outdoor Rock pro-Stone Speaker (Canyon): Home Audio & Theater
Erster Testlauf Lautsprechereigenbau auf 12V Basis - YouTube
Subwoofers at zZounds.com
Onsia Invisible Speaker technology - YouTube
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/133490-need-good-drivers-copper-speaker-cabinet.html 😀

 

[meeotch]

Thanks for the suggestions. The BIC DV62si's look like a decent fallback plan, if I'm not able to find a solution with a sub in my budget. They seem to have decent (and possibly exaggerated) sensitivity & bass response.