My thoughts tend towards a PowerNode for a first one. It should be easy to sell if he decides to move up. I bought my son a nice biwired rig that he kept all through school. Now that he got PhD ed (& married?) he doesn’t even want that or any hifi.
Looking for an all-in-one just-add-speakers streamer for my son to take to college
Cambridge Audio Evo 75 is probably the top of the range, but maybe a BlueSound Powernode is good enough? Maybe there is something cheaper that fits the bill?
My son is not (yet) an audiophile, so sufficient volume may be the most important, but interested in any thoughts folks have on this topic.
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If you are just streaming, check out a Wiim Mini or Pro as the streamer and look into AudioEngine speakers. Good performance at a great price. I set up an office system with a Mini and the AE B2 and connect them with Bluetooth. The B2 is a one-box speaker so is great for a dorm room or small bedroom. The also have several other stereo pair options that you could use. |
The Yamaha R-N800A would be a better buy/all in one solution (1200 bucks) for a kid going to college at half the price of that Cambridge. The Yamaha is a Class AB grunt that can drive any speaker he’s gonna haul without breakin a sweat.... clean DAC, full featured streamer with its MusicCast Eco system and room correction (if he’s gonna have a crappy room), etc He may very much become a audiophile convert after he’s lived with it. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RN8HASL/Yamaha-R-N800A-Silver.html?tp=47041
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Hi there.First you didn't mention what speakers he has but my recommendation will drive pretty much any you might choose..Second since you said he isn't an audiophile it's doubtful he need a full on Streamer that's Roon ready(among others).What he does need is USB input, a good BlueTooth circuit. & decent headphone circuit would be a good idea as well.. |
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I don't know alot about it but PS Audio has the all in one Sprout on sale now at $300 off https://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout100-integrated-amplifier |
+1 on AudioEngine. I used their A5+ powered speakers in my home office for years with a Raspberry PI Logitech Media Player streamer/music player. That combination sounds surprising good. I think their powered speakers would also work well with either their WiFi or Bluetooth streamers. And they also have a fairly decent subwoofer that can also connect to the speakers. |
How about dusting off that pair of speakers collecting dust in the attic or garage and getting a pair of Vera-Links for $200 https://www.verafiaudiollc.com/products/best-audio-products/vera-link-53126868, your kid can use their phone to send music via Bluetooth and be happy! The Vera-Links are a pair of amplifiers small enough to be affixed to the back of speakers and with 50 watts each are powerful enough for almost any speakers, send them a Bluetooth signal from a phone or tablet and you have a simple affordable stereo system. |
This is not out yet but when it is...
https://darko.audio/2023/11/eversolos-dmp-a8-creeps-into-the-wild/ |
Purely based on reviews and Sterophile naming it “component” of the year a bit ago, I just ordered the NAD Masters M33 BluOS Streaming Integrated Amplifier for Hanukkah for my daughter. Not college, but her room. She streams but also wanted my old pro-ject turntable. Will stick with some bowers 702 that never really did it for me. has everything in a neat box, just add wires. |
I picked up an Arcam Solo Uno for my office for £300 (new) a couple of months back (originally about £650). Apart from an Aux-In all it does is stream. The Harmon Kardon / Arcam app is appalling (I could not get it to work and stay working) but for this purpose, Google Home suits my needs perfectly well and it streams Qobuz in HR very nicely indeed. |
I would not invest a lot of money in a stereo system if my kid was living in campus housing. Theft is always an issue, not to mention abuse of the equipment by drunk roommates. I'd be looking at cheap bluetooth powered speakers, or one of the bluetooth Chinese amps and a pair of cheap Dayton Audio speakers. I know I sound like an old crabby fart, but the kids should be focused on their classes and other activities and shouldn't be spending all their time in a comfortable dorm room. In fact, the more the dorm room looks like a prison cell, the better.😁 |
I'd recommend any of the Edifier powered Bluetooth speakers. I've compared them to the Audioengine speakers and thought the Edifiers sounded much better. https://www.edifier.com/global/product-category/bookshelf-speakers |
+1 for Bluetooth speaker. It kind a complicated to build and maintain audiophile environment with in college style of life. I suggest something like Harman Kardon HK SoundSticks 4-2.1 Bluetooth Speaker System. Nice build high quality BT system, pretty universal. Could be used with phone streaming or hardwired with computer, provides deep reach regulated bass. |
OP didn't mention budget, but I am very pleased with Arylic for my "not the main system" $153 on sale |
KISS - keep it simple and inexpensive. My daughter is running KEF LS50s off a BlueSound PowerNode and is very happy with the setup. I would keep the investment as low as possible, unfortunately theft is always a concern. Keep the system as minimal as possible, there is never enough space in a dorm room. A pair of active speakers that the user could cast Spotify to would be a good consideration too. Good luck and cheers. |
I was in the market for a convenient system this year. I was looking hard at the streaming-amp options. I too had about settled on the Cambridge Evo when I realized I could go with active smart speakers. I ended up purchasing the KEF LS50 Wireless II's. The value for money they offer is incredible. I estimate that I would have spent an additional $1500 if I had purchased the Cambridge Evo + KEF LS50's. I will say that software and feature set is very important for this type of purchase. And the KEF app has been rock solid. |
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The M20 powered speakers by Q Acoustics are good choices, add a WiiM streamer for WiFi and Apple 2/BT connectivity. The KEF LSX II is another option. No streamer needed. Connects to a WiFi network directly. More expensive than the Q, but more comprehensive. A headphones-capable amp might be nice, but most college students are using earbuds and their phones. Keep it all small.
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I second the commentary that a dorm room can be tricky from a left, abuse standpoint. Also isn’t likely that the environment will allow for the type of listening that would turn your son into an Audiophile. I’d go on an entirely different direction, find a good Bluetooth speaker or speakers that connect to his phone. Another option would be the JBL Boombox, rugged, water proof, built to withstand the elements, portable but definitely has the power to light up a dorm room. Around $ 450 but will likely be on sale this holiday season. I have one that we use when on the deck, around the pool. Everyone that hears it is surprised at the fullness, bass it pumps out, not saying it is audiophile in sound quality, far from it but likely has a sound almost all College kids would love. |
One thing to ask is whether he will be in a dorm or in an apartment? If in a dorm, I’d opt for the cheapest option discussed here - maybe the Bluesound Edge or Powernode (or even cheaper, one of those class-D streamer/amps by Arylic). My reasoning is that if you get him something "too good" or "too expensive and flashy" looking, it is very likely to be stolen if in a dorm room. |
May I humbly suggest this solution
Connect to any speaker - Wireless Streaming with any phone or tablet |
Be aware that wifi hookup may not be easy as school wifi won't have an easy option for connecting non-popular devices. Everything connected needs to be authenticated so they know who is using the network. Makes sure you can send via bluetooth from a phone. My son has the KEF LSX II. They sound great for the size and price but he is limited to bluetooth only in his dorm room. Someone mentioned Sonos Play 1...we have a Play 5 and couldn't get it to work as it must have internet. |
