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Budget 2.1 setup (Noob)

TheKaosDome

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Jul 24, 2024
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Hey all


I hope you all doing well.

If this is posted in the wrong section, my apologies. (mods please move as needed)



So I am in the process of building my first 2.1 system. I was using the Corsair SP2500, but they are no more. (I know they aren't great speakers, but for "computer" speakers they were ok)

Currently I will be using an ifi Zen Dac V2 leading into either a FOSI BT30D Pro or I can use the DA2120C.

How do you guys feel about TAS5352A vs TPA3255.



I am currently using the 8" sub from the 2.1 I had as a passive sub. (120W RMS, 8", in 4th order bandpass enclosure) but would like to pair it up with some floorstanders.

The room I am using them in is tiled and has dimensions: +-30m2 (double car garage converted to listening room)

These are the floorstanders currently available with my local suppliers in no specific order. (based in South Africa)

MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE 200
Fyne F303
Yamaha NS-777 (Maxing the budget)
POLK MONITOR XT70
Klipsch R600F (Maxing budget, but currently on special)
DALI OBERON 7 (Maxing budget, but currently on special)
Bentley Acoustics FS-150



I was looking at getting the Fyne F303, they seem to have good base extension and good reviews, but some have said they are picky with amps.

I am open to all advise since I am terribly new to this.
Regards
 
Hi, and welcome

This is a really useful resource for speaker reviews (measurements) and recommendations https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-recommendations-for-usa-by-sweetchaos.28296/

Polk do well.
Yamaha, Klipsch and Dali tend to be coloured - they add their own sound rather than being neutral
I'd be careful about the Fyne - I own a pair of bookshelves - I like something about the voicing, but they don't measure that well and I know I could have done better (this was before I found ASR)

The Fosi gets a good review https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/fosi-audio-bt30d-pro-review.39706/

I don't know enough to talk about your sub but, since you have it, plug it all in and see what it sounds like :)
 
Thanks very much for the warm welcome.


I really appreciate the links, when searching from work, google is very well blocked, but I can still follow some links, luckily these work !!


Lets not talk about the sub, it gets low enough to make windows rattle, but there is nothing refined about it ... haha, for now it will work until I get another sub.
 
Sub sound quality largely depends on the room integration, i.e. how you deal with room modes. The standard strategy is to use a second sub and dsp room equalization.
 
Sub sound quality largely depends on the room integration, i.e. how you deal with room modes. The standard strategy is to use a second sub and dsp room equalization.

I will have to look into this, I still have lots to learn it seems.

Thanks :)
 
Is the sub an active sub that you are using as a passive one?
 
Speaker markets are regionally quite disconnected, so what may be a good buy for me in the Netherlands may not work for you. However, at the budget end I have been very impressed by the Wharfedale Diamond 220 that I bought at 150 euros a pair for a modest secundary system), and at a higher price level (500 euros a pair) the Elac Debut Reference DBR 62 that I bought as a gift for our son. Both were tested very favourably by Amir, and I felt justified buying them without listening to them. For a room of your size the little Wharfedales may be a bit anaemic. The DBR62s like a fair bit a power, which is never a bad idea anyway.
 
Speaker markets are regionally quite disconnected, so what may be a good buy for me in the Netherlands may not work for you. However, at the budget end I have been very impressed by the Wharfedale Diamond 220 that I bought at 150 euros a pair for a modest secundary system), and at a higher price level (500 euros a pair) the Elac Debut Reference DBR 62 that I bought as a gift for our son. Both were tested very favourably by Amir, and I felt justified buying them without listening to them. For a room of your size the little Wharfedales may be a bit anaemic. The DBR62s like a fair bit a power, which is never a bad idea anyway.

And South Africa is not just disconnected, but also ridiculously expensive when it comes to Audio.


Quick search shows the Wharfedale Diamond 12.4, not sure how these compare to the 220s but these ago for around R17k (+- $930 / €860) as a price comparison.



There is a local brand that I would love to try, but I am struggling to find much information on these other than client reviews.

Have you guys heard of Bentley Acoustics ? (Not sure if I am allowed to post a link, if not, please let me know and I will remove it)

 
Is the sub an active sub that you are using as a passive one?

The sub was originally active. The sub came with two class D amps, that drove the 2.1 system.

After the amps died, I then converted it to a full passive sub running off an old Sherwood receiver. (Ran speaker wire to terminals, and just used the passive amp in the receiver for it)



Only spec I can find on the sub is:

  • 8" 120W (IEC60268-5 24hr continuous rating) subwoofer with durable rubber surround
  • Fourth-order closed bandpass enclosure design
  • Bridged dual 60 Watt class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP for 120 Watts of power (measured via FTC RMS method)
1721983729495.png



Granted it was from a gaming company so I dont expect much audiophile type specs.
 
Quick search shows the Wharfedale Diamond 12.4, not sure how these compare to the 220s but these ago for around R17k (+- $930 / €860) as a price comparison.

That doesn't seem outrageous, Wharfedale are a British* brand and they are £699.00 in the UK, which would be $899.00 US, or €830.00 at current exchange rates.

* I think some of their more expensive models are still made in the UK, but most are now manufactured in China.
 
The (now discontinued) 240s were about 700 euros here. How about the Elac DBR62s? I have been very impressed, and they would have a big enough sound for your room. You can always add (multiple) subs later for more low end extension. Your current sub does not seem worth using. As for electronics, I would suggest a Wiim Ultra streamer/DAC/preamp, plus a good and beefy class D power amp. And a miniDSP Umik-1 measurement microphone to help you design the best low frequency filters to deal with room modes.
 
That doesn't seem outrageous, Wharfedale are a British* brand and they are £699.00 in the UK, which would be $899.00 US, or €830.00 at current exchange rates.

* I think some of their more expensive models are still made in the UK, but most are now manufactured in China.

Its not outrageous, this is true, but when you think that the speakers are 6k more than I earn in a month, its a different story ... lol.
 
The (now discontinued) 240s were about 700 euros here. How about the Elac DBR62s? I have been very impressed, and they would have a big enough sound for your room. You can always add (multiple) subs later for more low end extension. Your current sub does not seem worth using. As for electronics, I would suggest a Wiim Ultra streamer/DAC/preamp, plus a good and beefy class D power amp. And a miniDSP Umik-1 measurement microphone to help you design the best low frequency filters to deal with room modes.

The sub is 100% temp. Friend is upgrading his Jamo sub which I will be inheriting (Jamo Sub210)


I think my current amp/pre-amp setup would be fine for a few months until I can get upgrades on them going.

Any suggestions on a power amp that wont cost a kidney ?



Regards
 
It is tricky to make recommendations for such a disconnected market. If you can continue using the Sherwood for at least a while that would help a lot. How much power does it have? Anyway, try finding a source for the Elac DBR62. They sound very good, and at about 500 euros they are a bargain, at least over here. Have a look at Amir's test.
 
It is tricky to make recommendations for such a disconnected market. If you can continue using the Sherwood for at least a while that would help a lot. How much power does it have? Anyway, try finding a source for the Elac DBR62. They sound very good, and at about 500 euros they are a bargain, at least over here. Have a look at Amir's test.

100W RMS per channel on the Sherwood.

Also have the Fosi BT30D Pro that I can use as well.



I dont see that model available locally unfortunately.
 
2x100w should be fine with most speakers. The Fosi probably has a similar output, and will probably be sonically indistinguishable from the Sherwood. Pity if you can really not find the DBR62, because they are such a fine speaker at such a great price (at least here). Can you find KEF speakers?
 
Once you have some better speakers, you may find that your existing subwoofer doesn't really add anything and the speakers are better on their own.

Decent stand mount and floor standing speakers will get down to around 40Hz in room, maybe a little lower. I doubt that your PC subwoofer is getting much below that with any significant output. It may help fill in the low end with small PC speakers, that can't get lower than 80 to 100Hz, but is less useful with bigger speakers.
 
Once you have some better speakers, you may find that your existing subwoofer doesn't really add anything and the speakers are better on their own.

Decent stand mount and floor standing speakers will get down to around 40Hz in room, maybe a little lower. I doubt that your PC subwoofer is getting much below that with any significant output. It may help fill in the low end with small PC speakers, that can't get lower than 80 to 100Hz, but is less useful with bigger speakers.

I will agree with you, trust me when I say that I was embarrassed to state the sound I was currently using, especially since the forum is filled with such wonderful setups, but we all start somewhere right .. ha ... ha ... sigh ... lol


I know it probably doesnt help, but these are the only 2 frequency graphs I could find for my setup:

Full Range:

1721989220618.png



Sub:

1721989241919.png
 
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