patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Anyone hear just have to have a kickass sound system? I'm not talking about car audio, I'm talking about home stereo systems. Before Hurricane Katrina, I had a Pair of Cerwin Vega DX-9's in the 4 ohm version. These were 15" woofers, 6.5" drivers, and liquid cooled 2.5" tweaters. They were rated at 102 DB @1 Watt/1 Meter. I rewired inside with larger guage wires and that helped a lot. Speakers were 105 pounds each. 400 watts RMS @ 4 ohms. I had an old Sansui Receiver 2000SX driving them. It was 4 ohms rated at 140 watts RMS. This was one of the best sounding receiver I have ever heard. Had a nice Pioneer CD changer and it sounded awesome. Also had an old no-name orange tube amp that sounded 10 times better than the Sansui, but it needed a few new tubes so it was eventually retired, but man nothing can compare to the clarity and highs that came out with the tube amp driving those DX-9's. I had nothing after Katrina but my life.

Anyway now I have a shitty Altec Lansing 5 speaker suround system and it just leaves so much to be desired. Anyone know what's good besides Cerwin Vega? I will be looking for some used high end stereo components this summer, and Cerwin Vega will be on the list. Anything else to look for? I've had Bose before and didn't like them. I've heard some Pioneer stuff but wasn't wild for that. FWIW, my Uncle has a 15K dollar stereo and his speakers are Acoustic Research, but I doubt I could ever find any of these used for not too much. His stereo sounds incredible, indescribable.

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

old school cv fan here too, i got myself a pair a dx-7's with re series center and surrounds. at onetime had re 38 15's too....i really haven't found anything thay will play as loud and as long as vegas while being clear. bose sucks, build something badass, i haven't had the time in years but from my experience even mediocre monitors with a badass amp sound insane enough to make the hair on your arms stand up

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

I might would build something, but I would have a lot of learning to do before I could attempt that. I could build a damn strong and rigid box, but don't have the knoledge to know what space and ports it should have and all. I guess i need to find an audio forum and read up.

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

it's been a long time for me but there's plenty of info out there to build something sweet, audio was my obsession till i got my license then it kind of faded out, you can do something easy off partsexpress.com that will sound sick with a nice amp.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

forget brand names and figure out your budget first. then figure out what you want the system to do... play loud at parties or play at normal levels REALLY well.

I'm pretty sure Cerwin Vega fell out of favor with audiophiles about the time Vanilla Ice fell out of favor with the white rapper crowd.

I have a pair of Polk LSi7 speakers that are very sweet. they were on sale about 75% off as a refurb.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...lf/series/lsi/

they also make floorstanders with a built-in sub but the price goes up fast. oddly they do duty as my garage speakers.

for a receiver / amp, the sky's the limit. I like my denon as a home theatre receiver. the sound is less shrill than the previous sony i had.

but for the most part, I build my own speakers. There's a few places to get kits that are ready to assemble without having to know too much.

www.madisound.com
www.partsexpress.com

Matt

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Ok, I want it to sound damn good at normal levels. My Cerwin Vega's were loud, and sounded good, but they I've heard systems that sounded much better for sure. I would rather have something that sounded good than loud.

It looks like a bookshelf setup with a sub would be the best configuration and fit my low budget. I'm afraid to say what my budget is for speakers. I could spend the money but I'd rather get a good value setup then a top notch setup so to speak. Not saying I want a Wal-Mart stereo, I'm saying I'd rather spend say 100 on a pair of bookshelf speakers that sound pretty damn good then spend 250 on a pair that sound a little better.

I'd love to build my own speakers. I've done car boxes before, like probably 10 different ones, but never home stereo enclosures. I do know enough I could learn anyways.

Ok, how about a 300 dollar budget for two bookshelf speakers and a floor sub? I could go more, but If 300 would do nicely that would be great. Again, I don't want it to sound like ***, I already have a shitty setup. I want it to sound crisp, clear, balanced, full, stuff like that. Quality over volume I guess.

Edit: I may can find a high quality receiver or amp from my Uncle. He has a nice setup, and I may could get one of his old receivers or something like that. Any suggestions in this area Matt?

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

in you're case here it's going to be all in the crossover setup, build it nice with nice drivers and properly tuned boxes and you'll be rewarded with nice sounds

blaque

iTrader: (1)

Check out http://www.zaphaudio.com/ for DIY setups and driver reviews and ****


But this is probably what you want(actually, it is what you want :P): http://www.zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html

4 - http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...TOKEN=68305346

2- http://www.madisound.com/catalog/pro...roducts_id=795

get the crossover components from Madisound as well, and your total cost of supplies will be right around $200. It can't be beat at that price.



You will want a plate amp as well for the sub to take care of processing / amplification. This would be my choice:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=300-804
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-470

About $400 on that setup will serve you good

y8s

iTrader: (8)

I was gonna suggest a zaph kit. WAY more value for your $200 pair of speakers.

I'd hold off on the sub and decide if you really need it later.

my advice on receivers is: take free **** from your uncle!

Ben

iTrader: (33)

You really need to figure out what sounds good to you. Because what you like might not be my definition of good.

Some of my favorite brands that you can get amazing deals on used stuff are Snell Acoustics, Jamo (beware of their low end stuff tho), and Monitor Audio.

My theater room at my last house was Parasound and Snell.
Haven't done anything really at the current house (yet).

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I'll sell you my head unit:



can't beat that ****.

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

I would also stay away from the chain stores. Find yourself a nice little mom&pop place that specializes in some of the upper end companies. They will always work with you on prices.

I don't know how far this place is from you, but they have Boston, DefTec, Mirage, Monitor, and Klipsch... should be good place to do listening homework.
http://www.fidlerhifi.com/Product_Lines.html

This place has B&W, Paradigm, and JBL.
http://www.lookandlistenmobile.com/

SORRY! I just saw your budget.
Craigslist is your friend. Keep up to speed on the major cities in the area and wait for something good to come up for cheap.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

That's looks like exactly what I want. Build a nice pair of speakers and good sub and I think I'd be pretty happy. I do appreciate the low frequencies in music so I would want a sub. Plus from what I've read the drivers will handle more power if they are cut off around 60HZ and let the sub take over there.

Hard to describe what sounds good to me. I want it to sound full and clear. The Vega's were loud and sounded good to me, but some of the mids were WAY to loud, but then the deep base wasn't there. I want everything balanced I guess, and a large enough sub that I can get the lower frequencies. I know in car audio there's a big difference between 10's, 12's, and 15's. My Unlce's system last time I heard it had an Acoustic Research 18" sub and it was amazing. It wasn't loud, but you could hear the lower notes well.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

there are a few place online to purchase used equipment that was stolen or seized from police warehouses. usually have some good **** for cheap.

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

Not bookshelves, but a great deal:
http://jackson.craigslist.org/ele/580479627.html
http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop...mart&Itemid=37

Here's a complete Infinity system... resell the mains and center and just keep the bookshelves and sub:
http://mobile.craigslist.org/ele/561001834.html

Saml01

iTrader: (9)

If you want nice bookshelf speakers, Bang & Olufsen, Energy, NHT, and my favorite - PSB come to mind.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

I'd agree with PSB. I own a pair of their bookshelves myself.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Hmm, I got some money and I think I'm gonna order the Zaph kit Blaque suggested. I talked to my uncle and several friends and nobody has an old reciever. I looked at this one yesterday at a local place and I could get it for 179.99. It says it's 110 watts a channel, but I'm skeptical. Is this junk or good? I need something. Suggestions welcome.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

Sherwood. Great on a budget.
http://sherwoodusa.com/am_cat_av.html

street prices are about half the MSRP listed on each page.

or since you're near NYC, try anything from www.jr.com

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Yea, they had a 100W x 5 channel Sherwood for 100 bucks there, but I have never heard of them. So when they rate them 100 Watts, is that 100 watts maximum peak possible power for .0001 seconds or actual RMS? I've heard they are really only 20 watts RMS or so before the THD goes way up. I've been eying some old Sansui receivers on eBay. Might could get a 50 watt RMS per channel 2 channel Sansui for around 100 shipped.