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recommendation for sub $1K system

rhz

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I'm interested in putting together a quality audio system for around $1000 (USD). I live in an apartment, and the system would be in my 13X13 ft living room with 10 ft ceilings (about 1700 cu ft). The speakers would need to be on either side of an 8 ft sliding glass door and within a foot or so of the wall. Seating is on the other side of the room ~11 ft away.
I listen to jazz, blues, rock, folk/acoustic, as well as vocalists. Typical sources are content from a computer or sometimes on CDs. (I will need some kind of DAC in the system).
Due to being in an apartment, I don't play loud music, except sometimes with headphones. I am looking for a system that's detailed. pleasant, and engaging at low/medium volume. Unfortunately, in terms of points of reference, I have no recent experience with quality audio components. (I have a pair of Grado SR-60's with a Fiio e10k headphone amp. Recently ordered a pair of Grado GH3's and found them bright and really unpleasant).
My initial research identified the Emotiva TA 100. Speakers that came up in my search include Q Acoustics 3030i, along with speakers from Elac.
I'm interested in learning from those who are knowledgeable here.
 

BillG

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Speakers: Infinity Reference 162 frequently on sale at ~$180USD

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...infinity-r162-bookshelf-speaker-review.12333/

Integrated Streaming Amplifier: Yamaha WXA-50 ~$500USD

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...urements-of-yamaha-wxa-50-streaming-amp.7964/

DAC: Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle (you'll need it to bypass the computer's on-board one as they usually aren't that great) $9USD

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

Total: $689USD

Enjoy... :)

P. S. I challenge anyone to put together a better performing system for less money. I'd love to be proven wrong.
 
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AudioJester

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Speakers: Infinity Reference 162 frequently on sale at ~$180USD

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...infinity-r162-bookshelf-speaker-review.12333/

Integrated Streaming Amplifier: Yamaha WXA-50 ~$500USD

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...urements-of-yamaha-wxa-50-streaming-amp.7964/

DAC: Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle (you'll need to bypass the computer's on-board one) $9USD

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

Total: $689USD

Enjoy... :)

Bonus, money left over for beer!
 

BillG

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Archsam

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I might base the system on a pair of Focal Alpha 80 active monitors - it has an 1" tweeter and an 8" woofer driven by 40w + 100w amps.
Pair that with a SMSL M500 MQA DAC + pre-amp combo and it will sound really good.

Edit: actually looking at the room size, it might be better to go with the smaller Alpha 65 with a 6.5" woofer. 35w + 70w amps should be plenty. And cheaper!
 
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BillG

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Edit: actually looking at the room size, it might be better to go with the smaller Alpha 65 with a 6.5" woofer. 35w + 70w amps should be plenty. And cheaper!

Close to double the price of my suggestion - those monitors are $400 each, and the DAC the same - and not nearly as flexible as it's not streaming enabled. I'm still winning... :p
 

Archsam

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BillG

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Possibly the as301 Yamaha amp at $349 instead.

I can go less expensive with an amp as well, by recommending a Klipsch PowerGate at ~$200USD. However, it's advisable to bypass its DAC as it's a bit weak - $9 with an Apple dongle - and its amplifier section doesn't measure as good as the WXA-50.
 

Jmudrick

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Kali LP-6;$300 (powered)
Paradigm PW-LINK Streamer/Anthem RC $199
Schiit Modius DAC $199
JBL LSR310S subwoofer (refurb) @$300

= Balanced connections, subwoofer, room correction, and the very neutral Kalis sized right for a smaller listening area.
 
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Cahudson42

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"Speakers: Infinity Reference 162 frequently on sale at ~$180USD"

A great choice. (I have a pair in our BR driven by a $30 RX-396 from GoodWill, with $10 Echo Input) Unfortunately, now being shown as Sold Out on Harmon site. But they do have a way of coming back if you wait.

The R152 are still showing available for $160. For nearfield application, may be just fine. Maybe even better with a smoother frequency response - in it's range..

@hardisj came upon an interesting possibility - the. Neumi BS5 at $90/pair:
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/neumi-bs5-bookshelf-speaker-review.14404/
 
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Archsam

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I might base the system on a pair of Focal Alpha 80 active monitors - it has an 1" tweeter and an 8" woofer driven by 40w + 100w amps.
Pair that with a SMSL M500 MQA DAC + pre-amp combo and it will sound really good.

Edit: actually looking at the room size, it might be better to go with the smaller Alpha 65 with a 6.5" woofer. 35w + 70w amps should be plenty. And cheaper!

Just noticed the Focal can take RCA input, in that case you can go with a Topping E30 which is only $130.

Now that I had a look on American prices an alternative for the speakers are ADAM T7V, $500 a pair:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/T7V--adam-audio-t7v-7-inch-powered-studio-monitor

With the 7" woofer you probably won't need a sub. It also have RCA input so will work with the E30 as well.
 

maxxevv

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Kali LP-6 - US$298/pair
Topping D50S - US$250
RCA to 1/4" cables - US$50

You still have plenty (US$400) left over for a subwoofer such as the JBL 310S for US$399

Reason for the above is that the LP-6 are front ported, so they tend to (not for all designs though) do better when placed closed to the wall. No need for a secondary amp.

The D50S is BT enabled, means you can even stream with your handphone.

For a small room, there probably is no need to add a subwoofer unless its a very open room with loads of openings and minimal sound insulation. But that budget allows it if you choose to eventually.
 

Jmudrick

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Cahudson42

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Hmmm. Remembering the 'old rule' to spend as much of your budget as possible on your speakers, and with the R162 for now Oos, you 'could' go with a pair of the R263 at $500, the apple $9 DAC, and the as301 at $349. With enough left over for an Echo Input and or Chromecast audio for inputs in addition to your PC..

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022AS301B/Yamaha-A-S301.html

Yes - towers And an apartment. But the floorspace taken up is the same. You wouldn't be pushing it for your listening volume. Low distortion comes with that. It's really just an R162 with an extra woofer. And now a smoother three way. Likely no 'essential' need for a $200 sub.. Particularly if it's just out a bit from the wall.. Looks great down to 60Hz. Even 50.. Just would upset the neighbors going lower anyway..:)

https://www.harmanaudio.com/infinity/REFERENCE+263.html

Why not? What's the disadvantages?

R263 Harmon Spinorama:

1595734996082.png
 

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BillG

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All of the Infinity Reference line is frequently on sale, and they disappear from stock one week, and then reappear the next. I'd just keep an eye out for whichever I liked, and purchase when the conditions are right. One really can't go wrong with any of them, especially when they're on sale at deep discounts. The bookshelves do have placement advantages over the towers, which would be a consideration for apartment living.

An even less expensive amp, that's been generating some interest here on ASR and elsewhere, is the following at ~$80USD:

https://www.3e-audio.com/finished-amp/tpa32xx-all-in-one-amplifier/

While I've not seen an independent performance analysis of it yet, I suspect that someone will ship one to @amirm to review rather soon.
 
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