Wow. Thanks. Current setup is correct. My thinking is to replace/upgrade the speakers for now. The amp could easily come next, at some future time. But I am sticking with the RasPi for the foreseeable future. I expect someday I might upgrade it with a better DAC. But focused on speakers for now. Only interested in stereo in this room. Not sure about a subwoofer. Certainly, The Klipsch's in the HT setup do have a subwoofer, so my opinion of their sound could be colored by that. The bedroom needs only modest volume. Not interested in wall-hanging speakers. Appearance does matter some. Do not need remote control. Most everything plays thru Spotify or the SlimServer/LMS, so that handles most of the control of both musical selection, and volume. I just leave the amp at the highest volume I would want, and attenuate using app volume control.
I can imagine used. The budget, such that it is, was not 200+100 but 200 or 100. I would be willing to spend up to $200 for new speakers, OR up to $100 if I were replacing the drivers in the speakers myself.
Thanks again for your interest.
This is what I would do if I were you. Something I have, to a certain extent, actually tested. Some larger speakers will not accommodate you, we can state that, and exclude larger speakers than the ones you have now.
In the bedroom, suggestion:
-Small, mini speakers
-Subwoofer
-DSP or a active crossover
Such small speakers, that you have, cannot cope with bass. If you push them too much, you create audible distortion and it sounds bad. Really bad. Even at lower volume. It's just the nature of things, the laws of physics. You need to cut off the low frequencies for the speakers and let one or more subwoofers, bass modules take care of the lower frequencies. The subwoofer needs to be cut off for the higher frequencies. LP-HP filter is needed, works like this, purely theoretically:
Keep your small speakers or see if you can mount these tc9s in them. If it doesn't work like that, carve together a couple of small boxes. If you have the opportunity to do so:
"Taking into account the high technical performance and very low cost, TC9FD18-08, in my opinion, is just incredible speaker!"
The THD measurements at voltage level 2.83 Volt were carried out with High Pass Filter "on" (2nd order Butterworth type, 80 Hz cutoff, HPF2-80) The THD measurements at voltage level 4 - 11.2 Volt were carried out with High Pass Filter "on" (2nd order Butterworth type, 150 Hz cutoff, HPF2-150)...
hificompass.com
tc9-$20 each:
Peerless by Tymphany TC9FD18-08 3-1/2" Full Range Paper Cone WooferThe TC/TG Series offers a high performance full range and mid-bass solution for TV products and other compact applications. The use of leading-edge technologies like a polymer chassis, NRSC (Tymphany patent) paper cone, and a...
www.parts-express.com
Two tc9 elements and materials for a DIY speaker around $50 -$65.
So lets say $250 left.
A DSP solution. Then you have the possibility to use its crossover, plus that EQ (which can absolutely be needed for subwoofers to get a sensible FR but that might come at a later stage)
Here's a good budget DSP:
This is a review and detailed measurements of the thomann t.racks DSP four by four matrix DSP. It was kindly purchased new by a member and costs just US $99. I really like the form factor here and inclusion of brackets for mounting in cars and such. Inclusion of balanced I/O is much...
audiosciencereview.com
If that DSP fits with Raspberry Pi I don't know (maybe someone else can help you answer that question?) I don't know if you want to mess with different settings in the digital world? If not then this is a good budget solution,, it usually costs around $130-$150:
The LD Systems X223 is a stereo 2 way / mono 3 way crossover in standard 19"/1U rack format. Its rugged construction, high quality and robust knobs as well as the integrated power unit are rarities in this price range. It provides a...
www.adamhall.com
It's worth it, to get a filter solution. Then you plug it in and add test different crossover settings around 80-100 Hz. Now you have about $100 left to buy a used subwoofer. So once you've done that, plug all the stuff together.You plug into the input of the X 223, then from it out to the active subwoofer and to the TP22 (such a small amp works better if it doesn't have to deal with the lowest frequencies, so extra plus there with this solution)
With some reservations, it will not be optimal. Such small speaker elements, small speakers with 3 inch elements do not really do very well with a crossover as low as 80 Hz, but it will be much better than what you have now. I am attaching some pictures of the active crossover so you can see the inputs and outputs.Even if you buy an active subwoofer that has a built-in LP filter, you can still plug it in with the solution I presented. See attached picture, my test stuff, test rig with X 223 plus sub. I bought that subwoofer dirt cheap, a Yamaha YST 90. I can put it down and squeeze it under my bed so it's not visible in the bedroom.
EQ to get a good FR is something that you should definitely think about, at least for subwoofers. But it might be overkill for you at the moment, for you bedroom solution (then you also need a measuring microphone)? Then time delay speakers subwoofer, then ... there's a lot you can do, if you feel like it.
