Dorm Room set up

[Brody]

Hello all, I'm new to the whole audio world, but i am trying to get into it. I am going to university next year and am rooming with a good freind. I am planning on buying a nice set up, because whenever i go up to stay with freinds the best party is always around the room with the best speakers that isnt playing "I kissed a girl" or something stupid like that. Sorry to any fans. Anyways, i have around a $350 dollar budget, and i really mostly want something with alot of bass. It wont be something i crank all the time, dont want to annoy other people around, but i really want to be able to crank the bass when the party gets going, ill probably be playing new age/ techno such as Justice and MSTRKRFT and such. Any suggestions as to speakers, amps, or anything of the sort would be very helpful. Thank you all!

[02audionoob]

Craigslist. A decent used 100-watt receiver and an old pair of Cerwin-Vega floorstanders.

[Doc Sage]

Craiglist will set you up with a nice little system within your budget. My speaker choice would be different in that I would look at a Boston, Paradign, Infinity or the likes instead of the BIG floor standing Cerwin-Vega. You will loose some of the bass (less complaint from your neighbors) and gain some fidelity.

Doc Sage

[bfalls]

If you're looking for something that will ROCK, some SM series Infinitys might be what you're looking for. They usually have large woofers and good build quality.

Some early Klipsch' would be good as well. A pair of Kg4s, Fortes, Quartet and Chorus' would be very efficient and provide good bass. I would also look on Craig's list or ebay to get the best value.

For an amp/receiver for school I'd go with something from Yamaha. Even their inexpensive receivers provide good power and can pretty much drive any standard speaker load. These components should provide a good mix of quantity and quality on a budget.

[Kevio]

I would get a nice pair of bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer. Activate subwoofer to go into party mode. Deactivate when someone in the building needs to get some studying done. You'll have fun with this and it won't cost an arm and a leg nor take up too much space in those small rooms.

[blackraven]

Here's a few speakers to consider-

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS300

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BOCS226

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC200


http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENRC10

If you have the room, buy a pair of Bookshelfs and this sub and speaker

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENESW8
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100

Here's an inexpensive receiver http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it.../onkyo-tx-8255

For a little more money this Harmon Kardon is a good deal with plenty of power and sub out.
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-...5182774&sr=1-3

[This Guy]

Craigslist. A decent used 100-watt receiver and an old pair of Cerwin-Vega floorstanders.

From the sound of it, this is exactly what you're looking for. You're going to be disappointed with most bookshelf speakers or pretty much anything with woofers smaller than 8"-10".

[blackraven]

Go with a pair of the Energy C-100's and the Energy ESW sub. I'd take that over a pair of CW's. You will getter better sound and a dedicated sub for the strong bass you prefer. Pair this with that Harmon Kardon amp and you have a winner. Brand new equipment so you wont have to worry about taking a risk on used equipment. That HK receiver is only 80wpc but will play very loud and HK tends to under rate their power.

[02audionoob]

Craiglist will set you up with a nice little system within your budget. My speaker choice would be different in that I would look at a Boston, Paradign, Infinity or the likes instead of the BIG floor standing Cerwin-Vega. You will loose some of the bass (less complaint from your neighbors) and gain some fidelity.

Doc Sage

I wouldn't choose BIG Cerwin-Vega speakers. I used to have a pair of the D-3, with 10-inch woofers. They were probably about 14 inches wide and 26 inches tall...or thereabout. I got strong bass out of them, like most Cerwin-Vega speakers provide.

Go with a pair of the Energy C-100's and the Energy ESW sub. I'd take that over a pair of CW's. You will getter better sound and a dedicated sub for the strong bass you prefer. Pair this with that Harmon Kardon amp and you have a winner. Brand new equipment so you wont have to worry about taking a risk on used equipment. That HK receiver is only 80wpc but will play very loud and HK tends to under rate their power.

As for the new receiver, bookshelf speakers and a sub, I don't see how you're going to get all that into the stated budget.

[blackraven]

$99 for the sub, $149 for the pair of Energy C-100's and $100 left over for a receiver. He could go for the 50wpc onkyo for $128 or look at the Sherwood 100wpc receiver ($100) or go used. If he increases his budget to $400 he could get the HK.

http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-41.../dp/B0002EPWC0

You would probably have to hook the sub to the speaker outs as it probably does not have a sub out.

Consider these Athena's for $99pr http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS100

Athena $99 or Enegy C-100 $149pr
ESW sub $99
Sherwood $99, Onkyo $128, Hk $198

[02audionoob]

The Harman Kardon at the Amazon link with shipping and tax would put you at almost $250. A 50-watt Onkyo isn't likely to produce a party-level volume. I don't know that I'd want to pay even $100 for a Sherwood...personal opinion.

[blackraven]

Personally, I would get the Onkyo. Its a high current 50wpc receiver. It should play plenty loud.

[zepman1]

50 wpc should be adequate within the claustophobic confines of a dorm room with bookshelf speakers. I think Blackraven is on the right track. If you want bass AND something that sounds halfway decent you need to go with bookshelfs and a sub.

If you can find a little more cash you can get 100 wpc and not worry if 50 is enough.

Onkyo 8522 refurb @ accessoriesforless = $150 and 100 wpc


This is $350 not including shipping with the $99 sub and $99 Athenas. I don't think you can do it any cheaper than that and get the bass you are looking for. And yes, in this price range there is probably no subwoofer output so you will have to do line-level with the speakers.

[zepman1]

Also check out this receiver:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...r-BLACK/1.html

$100 refurbished 5.1 channel Onkyo with 65 watts/ch

this one has sub preout and adds some basic Dolby processing. Not a bad deal.

[blackraven]

Here's anothe 100wpc receiver http://www.abesofmaine.com/item=AG790~item.htm#tabs

Its a Teac receiver and I think I've seen it for even less money than abe's of main.