Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Fine Living, Home, Design & Auto › Small amplifiers and bookshelf speakers
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Small amplifiers and bookshelf speakers

post #1 of 14
9/24/11 at 2:28pm
Thread Starter 
I've got a klipsch promedia ultra 5.1 setup on my computer. Now that I live alone, and don't play computer games I rarely use it (don't even have the surrounds hooked up). Unfortunately, the amp is dying. It might be fixable but its not worth it.

Since I have a full surround setup with my TV in the next room over, I just want something for my bedroom computer that can do reasonable 2.0 stereo sound.

Anyone have experience with an amp like this:
http://www.amazon.com/PCA2-40-Watt-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B001P2VV50/ref=pd_cp_e_1
The reviews are reasonable on amazon and they come in several different power outputs. Is there a similar form factor device made by someone else that would be better?

I want to grab a couple of used/thrifted/closeout bookshelf speakers to be powered by it. Any basic suggestions on what kind of thing to look for at a thrift/craigslist (or any cool stuff on sale somewhere right now)?

Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 14
9/25/11 at 3:48am
That amp will need to be placed next to your chair. With no remote control you will have to stand up every single time you want to change the volume.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 14
9/25/11 at 6:14am
Have you Looked at behringer or audio engine powered speakers? Good speakers that don't need amps.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 14
9/25/11 at 6:45am
2nded on Audioengines, I have A5s and they are incredible.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 14
9/25/11 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackhood View Post

That amp will need to be placed next to your chair. With no remote control you will have to stand up every single time you want to change the volume.

This is for computer speakers that will really only be used when I am at my desk (or maybe during other bedroom activities...) so this is no different than my current setup that has a little control box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackToothedGrin View Post

Have you Looked at behringer or audio engine powered speakers? Good speakers that don't need amps.

Thanks, these look nice but a ways out of my budget...the reason I was looking to go the small amp route is that I could temporarily repurpose some speakers I already have until I find a good deal on some used bookshelves
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 14
9/25/11 at 9:59am
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-383

Class T Amps sound really great
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 14
9/25/11 at 11:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by willpower View Post

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-383

Class T Amps sound really great

I was going to recommend that too.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 14
9/25/11 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
oooh I like that, but I might try one of these cheapo ones first. They don't look as nice but for $25 you get a class T amp and a bunch of people online have had some luck modding them.

Might just get these: http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-B652-2-Way-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313100439&sr=8-1
instead of thrifting/used
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 14
9/25/11 at 11:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otc View Post

oooh I like that, but I might try one of these cheapo ones first. They don't look as nice but for $25 you get a class T amp and a bunch of people online have had some luck modding them.

Might just get these: http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-B652-2-Way-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313100439&sr=8-1
instead of thrifting/used

Yeah, that one is probably just as good and 1/4th the price.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 14
9/26/11 at 9:48am
Thread Starter 
oooh even better new plan:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-385

They have a video where they have it installed inside of one of those dayton bookshelves with some crappy looking mp3 player addon.
I think I will install it with just a 1/8 input into either a set of those daytons or something else similar or a little smaller that I can find.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 14
9/26/11 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by willpower View Post

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-383

Class T Amps sound really great

Sweet! This looks like a lot of fun! Does anyone know if any of the audio rags have reviewed this?

--Andre
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 14
9/26/11 at 5:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by akatsuki View Post

2nded on Audioengines, I have A5s and they are incredible.

Thirded. Audioengine makes great speakers and has excellent customer service.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 14
9/26/11 at 5:40pm

yet another + for Audioengine.

 

Most older passive speakers are ported and need airspace to sound decent. A desktop is the last place for them. Meanwhile mini monitors or sealed units need more power to drive them. Not to mention the cabling mess. Go with Audioengine 2s. Try them you'll be suprised how good they are.

Reply
Reply
post #14 of 14
9/26/11 at 6:38pm
http://www.youtube.com/user/audioengineUS#p/a/u/0/UcXEVk5JRN8
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Fine Living, Home, Design & Auto › Small amplifiers and bookshelf speakers