Audiophile, Budgetphile, and Dontgiveaphile thread.

[Ziggy]

Zigg, I like the Boston Acoustic 2.1 sets personally. Specifically the BA735, you can usually find them for ~$30 if you watch ebay, I often find them at goodwill for $15 though, and they are a really decent set for this price range.

I had that set since like '98 or so and rocked them for more than a decade. I now have this, which is probably as good if not better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6836121014

But it has a separate in-line volume knob...

Ugh. See, both of those look PERFECT (although I would like it better if the CA-3602 had grill covers) if it weren't for the stupid volume dongle thing. The BA735 looks good, but I'd never be able to use old white speakers like that (I swear - I'm not trying to be picky!).

IDK, maybe I can get a set of 2.1's with the volume dongle thing and then just change the way I do things. I can leave the speakers at 100% volume then just use the OS to control volume (I've been thinking about getting a keyboard that has a volume slider anyway). It's just that I really prefer having a volume knob on the one speaker.


edit: This is what I have now, and have been using for about 10 years...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altec-Lansing-B ... 7675.l2557

I bet I could mod mine so that the right speaker has a volume knob. It would be a pain in the ass, but I know I could do it ([urlhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTEC-LANSING-Black-Co ... 4d2c8a784b]the model below mine has it[/url], and it looks like the same speaker housing). And I would use a quality pot, so it would end up with dead spots and crackle when I turn it.

[jp1]

Zigg, I like the Boston Acoustic 2.1 sets personally. Specifically the BA735, you can usually find them for ~$30 if you watch ebay, I often find them at goodwill for $15 though, and they are a really decent set for this price range.

I had that set since like '98 or so and rocked them for more than a decade. I now have this, which is probably as good if not better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6836121014

But it has a separate in-line volume knob...

Ugh. See, both of those look PERFECT (although I would like it better if the CA-3602 had grill covers) if it weren't for the stupid volume dongle thing. The BA735 looks good, but I'd never be able to use old white speakers like that (I swear - I'm not trying to be picky!).

IDK, maybe I can get a set of 2.1's with the volume dongle thing and then just change the way I do things. I can leave the speakers at 100% volume then just use the OS to control volume (I've been thinking about getting a keyboard that has a volume slider anyway). It's just that I really prefer having a volume knob on the one speaker.

The Bostons do come in black as well. And the funky stands are optional, they look better without them in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boston-Acoustic ... 27f72b2da6

That's a model up...but basically the same.

Edit: And there are these: http://www.cyberacoustics.com/store/Pro ... rs/CA-3550

Cyber acoustics are good for the price in my experience. You can almost always find them for 25% or more off at OD too.

[Ziggy]

The Bostons do come in black as well. And the funky stands are optional, they look better without them in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boston-Acoustic ... 27f72b2da6

That's a model up...but basically the same.

Edit: And there are these: http://www.cyberacoustics.com/store/Pro ... rs/CA-3550

Cyber acoustics are good for the price in my experience. You can almost always find them for 25% or more off at OD too.

Ah, cool. When I searched that model on eBay all I saw was white ones.

So how do they sound? Again, I don't need boomy bass like I'm at the club. I just want a nice, even sound. Bass present, highs not shrill, mids smooth and not honky.

[jp1]

They sound really good to my ears. I have purchased three sets of them. They have a knob to adjust the bass, and the little speaker (while small) has really respectable mids and highs, especially for not having a tweeter.

Truthfully in sound quality it's a toss up between the Bostons and the CA set, but the Bostons are built like a tank, while the cyber acoustics feel kind of cheap. Same price, I'd go for the Bostons, but if even a $10 jump down the CA set won't disappoint.

[Ziggy]

especially for not having a tweeter.

That's the thing about speakers though. Not just desktop/PC speakers, but anything. You pretty much DON'T want tweeters unless they're more expensive speakers. Cheap(er) speakers that have tweeters usually have very shrill highs. I'd rather be missing the upper high frequencies than have them be present but all shrill and hurt your ears when you turn the volume up.



I'd like to get something like this:

But I just can't justify spending that much money on PC speakers. If I only I gamed more on the PC.

[jp1]

especially for not having a tweeter.

That's the thing about speakers though. Not just desktop/PC speakers, but anything. You pretty much DON'T want tweeters unless they're more expensive speakers. Cheap(er) speakers that have tweeters usually have very shrill highs. I'd rather be missing the upper high frequencies than have them be present but all shrill and hurt your ears when you turn the volume up.



I'd like to get something like this:

But I just can't justify spending that much money on PC speakers. If I only I gamed more on the PC.

I've been tempted by those myself. But, I just don't do much critical listening on my pc.

I know what you mean about the tweeters. I have to say though, if you could score a set of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boston-Acoustic ... 54191114de

And hook them up with a lepai or other small amp, they are exceptional. The tweeters are lynnfield and sound really sweet. They also come in black (those are the set I have)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boston-Acoustic ... 48791b8b93

Unfortunately, no good deals at the moment on ebay. You can score a set of two for less than $40 usually, and I'm not exaggerating when I tell you they sound great. A whole different level of fidelity over those other mentioned speakers. They are tiny to boot, but heavy.

[EllertMichael]

Here's my current turntable setup:



U-turn Orbit Plus turntable
Audioengine A5+ speakers
Cambridge Audio 640p Phono Preamp (with AK's HypnoToad Mods)

Whole set up came in less than a grand. Really happy with the look and sound
Speakers are still breaking in, but sounding better with every spin.

Also, finally set up a Discogs account: EllertMichael

[samsonlonghair]

Pretty setup, dude.

[jp1]

Here's my current turntable setup:



U-turn Orbit Plus turntable
Audioengine A5+ speakers
Cambridge Audio 640p Phono Preamp (with AK's HypnoToad Mods)

Whole set up came in less than a grand. Really happy with the look and sound
Speakers are still breaking in, but sounding better with every spin.

Also, finally set up a Discogs account: EllertMichael

Very slick indeed. How well do the A5s image? Do you find they have enough power? I'm a little jealous, not gonna lie.

[EllertMichael]

Cheers, dudes!

How well do the A5s image? Do you find they have enough power?

Give me a little more time with 'em
They're really getting better all the time, though and I'm already happy with everything I've thrown at them (punk, metal, hardcore, blues, classic rock, folk, electronic).
As for power: Hell yeah. They're rockin'