Amp & Speakers Suggestions

[hybridauth_Twitter_446889556]

I'm planning on replacing an old Sony MHC-RG66 Hi-Fi thats been dead for sometime. The speakers are still working but don't feel they perform how I want so was planning on upgrading everything. I've been using headphones for a while now and would like to switch back to a speaker system.

They will be in a small sized room but may move into a larger room in the future so something to take into account.

I mainly listen to more bass heavy music like dnb, electronic, chillstep etc so something with a good bass is a must, however I want a good sound at lower volumes as I don't want to have to upset the neighbours just so I can have a nice sounding bass.

I'd guess the speakers from the old hifi wouldn't work well if I just brought an amp and sub and used them with it?

My budget is £600 but could stretch a little over.

Thanks for your input.

 

[radiorog]

I don't know much about sub's, but I would say with your music tastes you would appreciate one. So my recommendations would be:

NAD 326bee amp ( this amp is superb and IMO you will be so happy with it)

Wharfedale diamond 9.1 speakers (these are superb value at £100, they sound close to £250 speakers)

And a sub of your choice.

That'll all be under £600 and a system that will sound fantastic.

 

[rainsoothe]

+1 to Nad C326BEE. If you could budget a pair of XTZ 93.23 mkII for it, it would be lovely - best speakers in this budget range, and they have a -2db switch for adjusting high frequencies. They're amazing speakers.

Also, if a laptop is your only source, I'm gonna suggest active monitors, which will get you way better sound for your money - Behringer UCA202 + Yamaha HS7.

 

[hybridauth_Twitter_446889556]

Thanks for the replies

The main source will be a HTPC and I've also got a laptop that will also be hooking up at times. Can the Behringer UCA202 USB be used as an audio output so I could use the input on it for the laptop?

Active monitors were something I was looking into, I was looking at some krk rokits a while back. With the Yamaha HS7's is there much difference over the HS8's? If I went with the HS7's and then went for a HS8S sub if I felt I needed more low end do the HS7's connect through the sub or would I need something different to the Behringer UCA202?

 

[rainsoothe]

the UCA 202 only has 1 usb input, and that's about it DAC-wise. I think you can use the analogue input for your HTPC and the USB for the laptop, but only USB usage will make it act as a DAC and, therefore, improve sound. If you need more inputs, look at Schiit Modi 2 DAC (with whatever upgrades you might need).

As for the speakers, if your room is big enough and you have enough space to let them breathe (at least 30cm away from walls, on propper stands), then go for the HS8. If not, the HS7 will be just fine. But if room is too small or you don't have the space for them, the HS8 might drown the room in bass.

If you wanna use a sub, i think you might have to do with something different from the UCA202. Not sure how this works, though, as I never used one.

 

[SatelliteMan]

Consider a sub from BK Electronics in Essex. If you're not familiar with that name, they sell factory direct. I have the Monolith Plus. It's all old fashioned hugeness, but the payoff is more clean and effortless bass than you can shake a stick at.