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Inexpensive Amp and Speakers

I'm really really new to home audio. I have done some audio stuff in my car, but nothing with home audio. I am currently just using some Cambridge SoundWorks $50 speakers haha, and I really started to notice that the sub and mids sound like crap. I checked out the Zalytron website and was thinking of getting the budget German 2-Way speakers. I would probably order all the parts and materials but put the box together myself to save some money.

Now I need a receiver and I am clueless as to what to get. The only audio place around me is Circuit City and they sell moslty crap, so I can't really demo any receivers and plus they wouldn't have the speakers I am going to use anyway. I looked a little on eBay for new and used equipment but I really didn't know what to look for. I need some suggestions on any kind of amp for around $150. It doesn't need to be anything fancy at all, because I'm ONLY going to be playing music out of my computer, so the amp just has 1 set of RCA inputs and a line-out for a sub it'd be fine. I think that about 100w per channel would be fine, but I'm not really sure how many watts those speakers can handle.

If anyone has any suggestions on other speakers and amps I could look into I'd be very greatful to hear what you have to say. I'm sure almost anything will be better than these cheap speakers I'm using now!
jcdem
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
NAD3020 is legendary and can be had for around $150. Check out Ebay for a Proton receiver, excellent tuning section and a reliable product at around $175. Don't get hung up on specs, I'm certain any of the suggestions posted is more than adequate for your application. As for speakers my pick would be Wharfedale 7.1's or B&W DM302's (used, approx $150). The B&W's have a little more low-end/mid-bass than the Wharfdales. Good luck!
jcdem OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for all of the input, I've been doing a lot of reading and researching and I have another load of questions: Do most amplifiers have crossovers, like so I can have the speakers play 90Hz and up, and have a separate powered sub play 90Hz and below? I would hate to beat up any speakers I get by playing too much bass with them. I am planning on getting a sub and amp and building a box for it sooner or later.

I am also hearing mixed reviews on the B&W DM302's. Some people say that they aren't so great for hard rock music, which is mostly what I listen to. I need speakers that can handle a lot of hardcore and complex music with fast guitars and drums, lots of cymbals, and screaming vocals. I am willing to spend a few hundred on speakers. For an amp how much power do I really need for my room which is about 15' by 15'? I want the system to be able to pound the room pretty hard... will this be possible with about 100w pc?
ohlala
1,231 posts
 
Most amps do not have crossovers.

Tough to say whether you would like the 302s or not. Compared to their competitors, they are slow to get confused, but they do not like to be played very loud. There is also a recessed region in the lower midrange that may leave you wanting more. Are you in a position to listen to them? Anyways, I thought you were on to something by putting together a kit, but i really to not know how they would compare.

Being conservative in regards to your wish for power, I would say that as low as 75-80 watts (for a monitor) would be fine. A lot rides on the sensitivity of the speaker, though.

Putting a sub in to 15x15 room is not going to be pretty, but since you are a headbanger you may not care :) Good luck. Let us know what you decide on and how it sounds.
consttraveler
250 posts
 
If the sub is powered it probably has it's own crossover, run it off of a line out (tape, etc.) and set its' crossover a bit higher than your speakers low end. That is, if your speakers are rated to 45, set your sub at 50. Experiment.
jcdem OP
15 posts
 
Hey hey Ohlala, I can be a headbanger and have good taste too! haha. I actually do listen to some different types of music, some more instrumental stuff like NIN and lighter stuff like Radiohead.

Would a sub really be that bad in a small room? I mean, I'm not looking for a big powerful sub, maybe a 10" sub with an 75-100w amp would be good. I just don't want to get shortchanged in the low frequency area.

Oh, I also checked out some reviews on the B&W DM602 speakers and saw some on eBay and they didn't look to be too expensive. I think those would definately be a large step up from the DM302's.
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