Complete beginner needing advice

[tkdj123]

I am located in USA, I am a complete beginner. I only will only be listening to music through Apple Music on my iphone and mostly jazz, electronic, and classical music, in my living room which is 15 x 13. I currently use a Bose soundlink flex bluetooth speaker. I have decided to go with the following items:

- Sony CS Speakers, SS-CS5M2 ($198)

- WiiM Amp ($299)

- Monolith 24 Inch speaker stand ($90)

- Gearit speaker wires pair with banana plugs ($25)

I am just missing a subwoofer, and I am looking for the best value for money. Any recommendations on budget subs hat are worth it? I was thinking about tht 8' 60watt monoprice subwoofer ($119), any thoughts on that?



Thank you!!

 

[Chrispy]

I'd concentrate on better speakers first. 8" subs I never consider. The wires are how long? Sound a bit on the high side price wise, and banana plugs aren't necessary unless you plan on changing connections a lot....

 

[tkdj123]

I'd concentrate on better speakers first. 8" subs I never consider. The wires are how long? Sound a bit on the high side price wise, and banana plugs aren't necessary unless you plan on changing connections a lot....

the wires are 6.6 feet. Speakers are bought already as they are in my budget, and best value for what I found.

 

[Chrispy]

the wires are 6.6 feet. Speakers are bought already as they are in my budget, and best value for what I found.

Curious, best value defined how particularly? You can go to your local hardware store and get perfectly good 16g/14g wire for a lot less....maybe check this out http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

 

[kemmler3D]

If you have less than $500 to spend on a sub I would advise you to look for something secondhand in your area. I sold some BIC F12s for around $125 each (bought them for about the same) and they're pretty performant for the money.

An 8" sub is typically not worthy of the name.

 

[tkdj123]

Curious, best value defined how particularly? You can go to your local hardware store and get perfectly good 16g/14g wire for a lot less....maybe check this out http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Based on everything Ive read online honestly and based on the review by cheapaudioguy on youtbe, they were the best value speakers under $200, which is within my budget and what I am looking for. What are your thoughts on that? Do you think there are other speakers under $200 that are better?

 

[Chrispy]

Based on everything Ive read online honestly and based on the review by cheapaudioguy on youtbe, they were the best value speakers under $200, which is within my budget and what I am looking for. What are your thoughts on that? Do you think there are other speakers under $200 that are better?

Cheapaudioguy means nothing to me....just a youtuber. So the choice was entirely someone's subjective opinion? Did you consider buying used to save some money on better speakers? Sony isn't anyone I look to for decent speakers to start, tho....

 

[tkdj123]

Cheapaudioguy means nothing to me....just a youtuber. So the choice was entirely someone's subjective opinion? Did you consider buying used to save some money on better speakers? Sony isn't anyone I look to for decent speakers to start, tho....

Yea based on reviews online, youtubers, reddit, etc. It was based on a lot of peoples opinion and tests done by some youtubers. Ive tried looking for used speakers but there is none for good ones and no stores really selling any within my budget where I am located.

 

[JeffS7444]

That ought to be a pretty nice setup, but be aware that those speaker stands are $90 each. I expect they'll be pretty hefty too. If you have downstairs neighbors, consider fitting the stands with rubber feet, rather than the supplied metal spikes. Products sold to the home hifi market can be pricier than ones sold to pro sound users, so consider comparing with vendors like Sweetwater.

Dunno what the fuss is regarding the speaker wire: $25 with banana plugs seems alright provided that the wire gauge is adequate for the length needed.

Subwoofer: Kinda depends on your situation and expectations. Me, I have only a front-firing 5" Fostex hooked up to the cinema sound system, but I am listening at close range, and I live in a quiet apartment building. In the old days, with noisy neighbors, I could count on a bit of give-and-take, but ever since the pandemic, people have grown super-quiet.

As for buying from thrift stores it depends on how thoroughly picked-over the shops are in your area. I frequently check out a large Goodwill store close to my grocery shopping, but that store is very popular, and I'd guess that fewer than 1 out of 10 visits results in a purchase. Subwoofers are common sights, but many appear to be part of a larger package, they're often wireless-only, and may not be designed to work with speakers other than the ones included in the original kit, so caveat emptor.

 

[Chrispy]

Yea based on reviews online, youtubers, reddit, etc. It was based on a lot of peoples opinion and tests done by some youtubers. Ive tried looking for used speakers but there is none for good ones and no stores really selling any within my budget where I am located.

Did you review the speaker reviews on this site?

PS Where are you located? Listing speakers available to you could help....

 

[tkdj123]

That ought to be a pretty nice setup, but be aware that those speaker stands are $90 each. I expect they'll be pretty hefty too. If you have downstairs neighbors, consider fitting the stands with rubber feet, rather than the supplied metal spikes. Products sold to the home hifi market can be pricier than ones sold to pro sound users, so consider comparing with vendors like Sweetwater.

Dunno what the fuss is regarding the speaker wire: $25 with banana plugs seems alright provided that the wire gauge is adequate for the length needed.

Subwoofer: Kinda depends on your situation and expectations. Me, I have only a front-firing 5" Fostex hooked up to the cinema sound system, but I am listening at close range, and I live in a quiet apartment building. In the old days, with noisy neighbors, I could count on a bit of give-and-take, but ever since the pandemic, people have grown super-quiet.

As for buying from thrift stores it depends on how thoroughly picked-over the shops are in your area. I frequently check out a large Goodwill store close to my grocery shopping, but that store is very popular, and I'd guess that fewer than 1 out of 10 visits results in a purchase. Subwoofers are common sights, but many appear to be part of a larger package, they're often wireless-only, and may not be designed to work with speakers other than the ones included in the original kit, so caveat emptor.

Thank you!

I didn't even notice the price for the monoliths were only for one.

What are your thoughts on the monoprice 8' 60 watt sub ?

 

[Chrispy]

.

What are your thoughts on the monoprice 8' 60 watt sub ?

A waste of money....

 

[tkdj123]

A waste of money....

Gotcha, thanks.

Is RSL Speedwoofer 10 the best sub under $400? https://rslspeakers.com/products/rs...TNMnDZaKBDMyrshaT_lUR2wT6zisCvvJ16zIngTMPeMMe

Or do you have another recommendation for a <$400 sub ?

 

[Power Pop 23]

Welcome to ASR !

I second the recommendation to look for a subwoofer larger than 8 inches - when you can save up for one.


WiiM's parent company Linkplay occasionally sells a refurbished WiiM Amp with a 1 year warranty for $209 at their outlet store on Ebay - it goes in and 'out of stock' regularly.

Pardon Our Interruption...

With the potential $ savings, you may be able to consider other options for loudspeakers - Accessories 4 Less dot com sells refurbished Polk Audio ES20 bookshelf loudspeakers for $319/pair.

Polk Signature Elite ES20 Review (Bookshelf Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Polk Signature Elite ES20 bookshelf speaker. I purchased it from Amazon for US $349 a pair including shipping. I really like the look and finish of this series from Polk. Despite budget pricing, it looks nice and purposeful as you can tell...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Chrispy]

Gotcha, thanks.

Is RSL Speedwoofer 10 the best sub under $400? https://rslspeakers.com/products/rs...TNMnDZaKBDMyrshaT_lUR2wT6zisCvvJ16zIngTMPeMMe

Or do you have another recommendation for a <$400 sub ?

It's one of the better choices.

 

[tkdj123]

Welcome to ASR !

I second the recommendation to look for a subwoofer larger than 8 inches - when you can save up for one.


WiiM's parent company Linkplay occasionally sells a refurbished WiiM Amp with a 1 year warranty for $209 at their outlet store on Ebay - it goes in and 'out of stock' regularly.

Pardon Our Interruption...

With the potential $ savings, you may be able to consider other options for loudspeakers - Accessories 4 Less dot com sells refurbished Polk Audio ES20 bookshelf loudspeakers for $319/pair.

Polk Signature Elite ES20 Review (Bookshelf Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Polk Signature Elite ES20 bookshelf speaker. I purchased it from Amazon for US $349 a pair including shipping. I really like the look and finish of this series from Polk. Despite budget pricing, it looks nice and purposeful as you can tell...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks!

Thoughts on the Polk signature elite ES15 rather than the ES20? Almost $100 less.

 

[Chrispy]

Thanks!

Thoughts on the Polk signature elite ES15 rather than the ES20? Almost $100 less.

I'd still look higher up the food chain. Speakers, and rooms to an extent, is where the greatest sound differences will manifest.

 

[tkdj123]

I'd still look higher up the food chain. Speakers, and rooms to an extent, is where the greatest sound differences will manifest.

Gotcha, I think I am going to settle on the refurbished signature elite ES20's and hold off on a sub for now. Thanks!

 

[Chrispy]

Gotcha, I think I am going to settle on the refurbished signature elite ES20's and hold off on a sub for now. Thanks!

Why the ES20?

 

[Power Pop 23]

Thanks!

Thoughts on the Polk signature elite ES15 rather than the ES20? Almost $100 less.

Amir measured an earlier version called the S15

Polk Audio Signature S15 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Polk Audio Signature S15 bookshelf speaker. It was kindly sent to me by a member for the review and costs US $229 per pair. If I did not tell you the price, you would think the S15 retails for $1000 given its very nice and "high-end" looks...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The fact that the ES15 will likely not extend as low as an ES20 may matter little if you eventually deploy a subwoofer.