upgrade from computer speakers

June 26, 2013 - 1:31pm

commsysman

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Joined: Apr 4 2006 - 11:33am

I suggest that you get a pair of the Pioneer BS-22 speakers, which are less than $100 at Amazon.

These speakers were compared to 3 very good speakers costing 3 to 4 times as much in an article in the current issue of Stereophile, and found to be quite good.

They seem to be quite amazing for the price.

You can get the Onkyo TX-8255 stereo receiver for $143 now at Amazon..

That should be what you are looking for.

June 26, 2013 - 1:38pm

#3

almagg

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Joined: Jun 26 2013 - 7:18am

the speakers look nice.

the amp

1) no asian stuff

2) do not really need a tuner (there aren't any good stations here in south florida anyway); that would bring the size down; want to start out small and simple.

June 27, 2013 - 6:19am

#4

commsysman

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Joined: Apr 4 2006 - 11:33am

You are going to find that 99% of the amplifiers that cost under $1000 are made in China, or someplace else in Asia. Lots of luck with that.

You can get a nice Canadian-made Bryston amp for $4000-8000 though.

The NuForce Icon is $189 from Audio Advisor and is super-compact; the size of a book.

It is also no doubt made in China, but so is everything else.

June 27, 2013 - 10:51am

#5

almagg

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Joined: Jun 26 2013 - 7:18am

Pioneer sp-bs22 $130 (12 " high) $130
55Hz-20kHz
6 ohm
85db

but the polk line looks good if not better
http://www.polkaudio.com/shop-by-product

TSi100 - $150 (11" high)
53Hz-25kHz -- wider range
8 ohm -- not clear on this Ohm thing
89dB -- better sensitivity

TSi200 - $250 (15" high)
43Hz-25kHz -- much wider range at the low end
8 Ohm
89dB -- better sensitivity

TSx110B - $200 (11" high)
53Hz-25kHz
8 ohm
90dB - -- better sensitivity

TSx220B - $300 (14" high)
42Hz-25kHz -- much wider range at the low end
8 Ohm
90dB -- better sensitivity

i am leaning toward the TSi100 and TSx110B because of the lower height.

or is the Pioneer definitely better?

thanks for any input

oh and what about these Pyle amplifiers

http://www.parts-express.com/cat/amplifiers/106?m=158

seems to be what i am looking for i.e., controls

thanks for the input

https://forums.craigslist.org/?ID=234332683

June 29, 2013 - 1:29pm

#6

Bigberts

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Joined: Jun 29 2013 - 1:04pm

If your budget is moderate then I would recomend buying the Topping TP30 - 15 watt amp which also has a usb DAC (about $100 at amazon). This amp will easily drive any bookshelf speaker. I use this amp in my office attached to my PC. It has good reviews.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20058833-47.html

The USB DAC makes a huge difference with the sound quality and will blow away anything connected to your PC's headphone jack. The speakers should be most of your budget at this stage. You can always upgrade the ampifier as your budget and interest allow. Otherwise I would by a used receiver or amp. $50 on craigslist will get you a better receiver than anything you can buy new.

Here are several amps suggested by Steve Guttenberg who is a high end audio reviewer for CNET.com

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20092933-47/top-10-great-sounding-amplifiers-from-$40-to-$450/

Good luck with your system

June 29, 2013 - 4:16pm

#7

almagg

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Joined: Jun 26 2013 - 7:18am

here are the speakers i wantg to get

Polk Audio TSx 110B

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-TSx-110B-Bookshelf/dp/B00CHHCCXM/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1372544914&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=TSx110B

i don't think a 15w amp would be satisfactory.

Pyla e is not supposed to be the greatest but it would be a start

i was looking at these

but they are all 4 ohms, and the speaker is 8 ohms

i like these because they have Tone controls

so any input on if these are ok for the speakers is greatly appreciated.

from my understanding a 4 ohm amp into an 8 ohm speaker is ok but it won't deliver the needed current so 'volume' would suffer.

by how much in this case?

also though the speakers are 100w and the amp 120w that should be ok

thanks

Pyle PCA4 120w

now this looks good but the specs are confusing

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-2214

PylePCAU44 120w

similar to the above but with a lot less confusing specs

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-2222

Pyle PCA3 75w

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-2002

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