Advice on systems please?

[admin_exported]

HI,

This is my first time purchasing my own speakers so, naturally, I have no idea what i'm talking about or what to look for.

I'l keep this nice and blunt; I am a poor student, but have inexplicably saved some money ( i know it's unheard of)... and music is my love.

I'm looking to get the best sound system I can for a few hundred quid.

Some key elements i'm looking for:

- the ability to connect a laptop to the amplifier/reciever(if it takes connections from tv's etc too, that's great)

- I am a huge fan of anything with rib shaking bass although not at the expense of sound quality.

- ovbiously volume output is always a yes, but being a student, I think i'm going to have to be realistic about this- my idea of "loud" may not be the same as yours... As long as it can fill a medium large size room with rich, deep loud sound then that's grand.

Now would it be suggested that I buy a complete system, or seperate components to link together?

I have a set of 2 speakers from an older hifi system but not sure if they'l do the job- Ministry of Sound. 6ohm.

Will these do or is it suggested that I purchase some new/better ones? Again, if I can save money then great, but if they'l compromise the system I'd rather know about it please.

I have no problems in purchasing second hand- or if anyone has tips on where to buy from please shout up.

Like I say, it's all about the music to me, so they dont exactly need to be in mint condition as long as they function to their best ability and are reliable! I would rather buy an amazing but scuffed system for the same price, than buy an average one brand new.

Cheers Guys!

 

[idc]

What about active speakers which connect to the PC and have their own amp. Look for brands such as Genelec, Samson, Yamaha, KRK, Mackie, Aktimate, M-Audio. There is a wide price range and type to choose from. Big bass would suggest you would want something from the DJ end of the market.

 

[bluebrazil]

you could buy the best amp that you can afford now and hook it up to your existing speakers (tho dont expect miracles). this would enable a connection from your tv and laptop via analogue outs. save again if the price of cheap cider doesnt get abolished by mr cameron and get some good/better matching speakers, then the only thing left would to buy a decent dac to improve the quality from your laptop (or tv/tuner if theres a digital out). dont forget to budget for cables and speaker stands tho, nothing silly is required just basic functional items

 

[Anonymous]

this is all great guys , but I'm really looking to see if anyone has any specific systems/seperates they can recommend from personal experience or just common knowledge.

Expense is variable at the moment but let's say at around £350. just any brands/ models you think are worth a look.

Bass and sound quality are really what i'm looking for.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say look at spending all your budget now on either an amp or speakers now then save up again to buy the other. Monitor Audio BR6 speakers can be had fairly cheaply if you dont mind buying 2nd hand.

 

[Anonymous]

if you like bass look at a nad amp maybe a nad c352 on ebay less than £150 then some monitor audios the br range can be bought for a good price

 

[Anonymous]

Just to echo the above post, NAD would deffo be the way to go amplification wise

 

[Anonymous]

theres a nad 370 on ebay probably take most of you budget but i had one a few years ago if you want loud then you will be hard pushed to beat it at the 250-300 mark.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others and go for a nad, the 320bee is a cracking little amp that can be picked up cheap approx £50-100.

As for speakers have a look at B&W esp. the 601 series.

 

[Anonymous]

top work guys!

cheers- i'l check it out

 

[Anonymous]

Let us know how you get on with your quest for bass!

 

[the record spot]

Tarrant89:
top work guys!

cheers- i'l check it out

Bass and sound quality?

Yamaha HS80 - good active speakers, big bass, clear as anything. £350 or so. Worth shortlisting IMO. See also KRK Rokit 5s thereafter (around £250). Assuming you like the sound of the Yammies, these would set you up nicely, build is great as is presentation; they look the part with their black finish and white cones. Very clinical finish.

 

[JamesOK]

It may also be worth you looking at the Richer Sounds deals page here. They have some good deals on new seperates systems.

 

[Anonymous]

anyone any idea how the monitor audios vary from the yamaha speakers?

i've heard good things about the monitors from a few people now... do you need to buy seperate subs for these or are the bass on these (eg the br2) good enough as it is?

this is all gold

 

[Anonymous]

I just bought my first hifi that wasn't a shoddy micro system for about your budget. Went for a NAD 315BEE (new) and 515BEE cd player (new and half price from eBay) along with Wharfedale Diamond 9.1. Then Chord Crimson Interconnects and a QED connection for the laptop and the sound is impressive in a small room. The bass is hearty but doesn't overide the rest of the sound and ruin what you're listening too. I managed all of that for about £400 and all of the gear is new.

I'd look at a second hand 320BEE for a little more power if you want to drive larger speakers. Talking of which the Q Acoustics 1030i look alright if you want something bigger. Those and a second hand 320BEE will come in under £300. If you're near London I know of a good second hand shop that currently has some older NAD amps in stock.

 

[Anonymous]

Right my budget has just gone up. (good times)

I've got about £650-700 ish

does this change the advice about going for NAD or should i still be looking at those?

 

[Anonymous]

Right, my budget has just gone up (happy days)

now got about £650-700 ish give or take a bit

Does that advice about going for NAD amp still stand or is there anything else i could be considering at this price range?

I've read that NADs were better in the 2004 era than they are currently- it seems many of them are being "outdone" by rivals...

Would you agree?

 

[the record spot]

I'd suggest you look at the Yamaha HS80s still, also you're getting closer to the mighty Genelec 8030A actives which are some of the best speakers I've heard on realistic money period. Just over £800, but you might land a deal somewhere. Try and have a listen to both though; you'll be pleasantly surprised I'd imagine. If not, you'll have chalked off a couple at least!

Traditional kit at this end, well, there's a stack and Superfi and Richer Sounds have good deals on systems around the £600 mark (Marantz 6003 series, Wharfedale speakers, etc). Check out summer sales in verious retailers and don't forget the independent shops as they can often have unexpectedly good deals, so shop around.