Stepping up from Stock Sound on the cheap

[RyanW2050]

I'm investing in a 50" soon and I don't want to suffer the stock speakers, but I don't want to invest in an actual soundsystem until i get my own place.

Is there some cheap, effective 2ch or 2.1ch system that will make a nice impact on audio?

 

[moonboy403]

Check on craigslist. There are sellers practically begging you to take away their speakers for a bag of chips. You should look into getting vintage speakers since they still compete well with current generation of speakers especially considering their price . I've seen a pair of really nice Boston Acoustics floorstanders that orignally cost $500 going for $35.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

How cheap is cheap?

Indeed craigslist is a great way to get a good system on a tight budget. (There are also some audio-oriented used sites, but they're generally going to cater to higher budgets than the craigslist sellers)

 

[RyanW2050]

$200-300 would be great. I was looking at something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16882152098

really any 2 channel setup would work great, i just cant imagine trying to get 5.1 set up in a bedroom.

 

[moonboy403]

$300 is an extremely healthy budget for a pair of floorstander and a stereo receiver (if you find them on craigslist and ebay).

 

[bdubyah]

just a heads up, smae unit at amazon, $258:

http://www.amazon.com/Boston-A...&qid=1219207364&sr=1-1

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Indeed craigslist is a great way to get a good system on a tight budget. (There are also some audio-oriented used sites, but they're generally going to cater to higher budgets than the craigslist sellers)

My Craigslist search:
"speakers -rent -pc -lansing -pioneer -ipod -creative -kenwood -dj -bose -computer -sony -logitech -car"

That should get you some decent listings. In particular, there are often some amazing older speakers (including some full-range ones, which are almost impossible to afford these days) in excellent condition for dirt cheap.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: RyanW2050
$200-300 would be great. I was looking at something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16882152098

really any 2 channel setup would work great, i just cant imagine trying to get 5.1 set up in a bedroom.

Unless you really like the aesthetics of a set like that, I would recommend getting a more traditional set.

Check out the section of my sticky thread on an upgrade path. If you get a system that you can add to in the future (for when you do get your own place), you'll be on your way to getting a better system in the end.

You could get a basic surround receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers for that much. When the time comes that you have more space, you can use this set of speakers as surrounds to make room for new speakers up front.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Unless you really like the aesthetics of a set like that, I would recommend getting a more traditional set.

Agreed, and I would say it even more strongly: You will certainly not come close to a quality surround setup with that "surround bar". It is physically restricted. You can't get the sound separation.