General Asylum

need advice on building a simple system

67.250.133.237

LennyF

I'm hoping to find small wall mount speakers or at least small desktop speakers, and an integrated dac/amp with bluetooth. All ideas welcome.
Lenny

Follow Ups:

Silverline Audio Minuet Supreme Plus....... - Todd Krieger 08:25:57 05/09/25 (0)
A blast from the past, they are still available, the Silverline Audio Minuet Supreme Plus..... (Not the Minuet Grand, which goes for triple the price.)
These are a definite step up from the current inexpensive raves, and I prefer them over the Chesky cubes (better soundstage and bass definition).

Unless you're a bass freak, these speakers sound much bigger than their size, and provide a clean, coherent presentation and soundstage for $700/pair.
- https://silverlineaudio.com/main/index.php?option=com_conten (Open in New Window)
Go for Lucca Chesky cubes for a grand - Bill the K 03:30:59 05/09/25 (0)
and match it with Wiim and choice amps from other amp recommendations, all for less than 3G. Will be better than the powered stuff.

Bill
RE: need advice on building a simple system - Tuckers 21:36:48 05/08/25 (0)
I also have another killer all in one system that looks amazing and sounds great. This is by the company Totem Acoustics that have been high end speaker manufactures for a long time. They make excellent speakers, with the reputation of getting amazingly large sound (including low bass) from very small cabinets. This Kin system is gorgeous (especially in white), and thought the main speaker is a soundbar form factor, the sound it puts out is very sophisticated for music, and creates a very large soundstage.

This bundle with 10 inch Sub checks in about $2,300. Even has phono input.
- KIN by Totem Play Soundbar II Bundle with KIN Sub 10 (Open in New Window)
RE: need advice on building a simple system - Tuckers 21:25:02 05/08/25 (0)
At the Audiophile Foundation, we had a zoom event where participants put together a system under $2,000 and presented it. We had a lot of fun, and there was a lot of good pairings and thinking that went into this. I am linking to the page that listed the systems. My system was the PSB Alpha Towers and the Marantz M1 streaming reciever.
- Mid-Month Virtual Series: $2000 Budget System Design Challen (Open in New Window)
Two questions - Ozzie 09:53:46 05/08/25 (1)
Are you looking for audio geek sound quality, or just something that sounds ok?

How much are you willing to part with?

If you want ok sound for cheap, check out the Soundcore Bluetooth speakers on Amazon. Connect your phone to them with something like IHeart radio.
- Sorry, 3 K. - Ozzie 10:00:52 05/08/25 (0)
  A lot of options.
for less than 3k, preferably a lot less - LennyF 07:36:35 05/08/25 (1)
There's some great recos here. Powered Kefs - drool! Vanadoo - intriguing, as is the svs. I see research ahead. Thanks!
Lenny
- Plenty of good recommendations so far then... - musetap 11:35:58 05/08/25 (0)
  Though now someone will suggest a GREAT system for only $3,812.00 IF
  you can, you know, STRETCH your budget.
  
  "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
There's no denying the benefit of active systems - E-Stat 06:00:45 05/08/25 (0)
but if you find some conventional speakers you like (perhaps used), I can recommend an inexpensive DAC/integrated with Bluetooth capability. Am quite pleased with a Fosi MC351 in the garage system. Use old phone via BT for playing Bandcamp and Sirius XM. $170.

Edits: 05/08/25
RE: need advice on building a simple system - tedk. 05:31:27 05/08/25 (0)
First, you need to say how long is a piece of string - your budget. " Simple system" means different things to different people as evidenced by suggestions so far.
RE: need advice on building a simple system - Phil_S 04:58:09 05/08/25 (1)
$500 and up.
- Vanatoo (Open in New Window)
- RE: need advice on building a simple system - G Squared 06:04:27 05/08/25 (0)
  Those are great sounding speakers.
  Gsquared
RE: need advice on building a simple system - G Squared 17:53:49 05/07/25 (6)
LS50 Wireless is all you need.
Gsquared
- https://www.crutchfield.com/S-jTFOxYHGrUm/p_991LS50W2G/KEF-L (Open in New Window)
Edits: 05/07/25
- Cheaper - G Squared 17:57:24 05/07/25 (5)
  SVS wireless
  Gsquared
  - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_946PWPROBK/SVS-Prime-Wireless- (Open in New Window)
  - Even Cheaper..... - Rod M 18:08:13 05/07/25 (4)
    AudioEngine A5+ Home Music System w/ Bluetooth aptX-HD - $499 - $569
    
    -Rod
    - https://audioengine.com/shop/wirelessspeakers/a5-wireless/ (Open in New Window)
    - Even Slightly Cheaper..... - tlea 20:26:10 05/07/25 (3)
      I have not heard the Audioengine A5+, but I have the A2 in a desktop system and they are about as good a bang for the buck as I've found, and you can add a powered subwoofer as an easy upgrade.
      
      You can often find them Open Box direct from the mfg for 20% discounted. One of the best bargains out there IMHO.
      
      . . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
      Audioengine A2+ (Open in New Window)
      - Now, I'm getting tempted..... - Rod M 08:18:03 05/08/25 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Even Slightly Cheaper..... posted by tlea on May 07, 2025 at 20:26:10
        
        I also have the old A2s. Then I upgraded for a pair of A5s and gave my old A2s for my wife and later, got another pair of A5s for her other video workstation.
        
        Now, I'm tempted to get another pair of A2s with bluetooth for the She-Shed. It seems like the cost has gotten lower and also getting more bang for the buck.
        
        -Rod
        
        Not to mention an expanded... - musetap 11:37:26 05/08/25 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Now, I'm getting tempted..... posted by Rod M on May 08, 2025 at 08:18:03
        
        color range to choose from!
        
        A2s rock!
        
        "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
        
        RE: Not to mention an expanded... - G Squared 12:21:36 05/08/25 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Not to mention an expanded... posted by musetap on May 08, 2025 at 11:37:26
        
        I have then on my home workstation in stylish white. Great little speakers.
        Gsquared

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