Speakers and AMP for 2.1 setup under 500€

[Bucking]

I've been looking for suitable speakers plus AMP/DAC/Receiver for a small *2.1* setup for the TV (I already have a subwoofer).
Price-wise, I could spare up to 500€ and am definitely willing to buy used. I'm located in Germany so not everything is available to me.

After looking at some tests and reviews on ASR/Youtube/Etc., I'm almost more undecided than before due to the many different opinions and amount of products that are out there.

Are there any recommendations from you (I won't be upgrading to 5.1)

 

[Ellebob]

A DAC with volume control and remote like Topping, SMSL, Schiit, etc. or Wiim Pro if you want streaming under 200. Not sure what's available in your area pricing.
Then studio monitors like Kali, JBL, etc.

 

[staticV3]

@Bucking I'd look for a pair of active studio monitors. Here's a list of good ones in your budget: Link

To connect them to your TV and create a 2.1 setup, you could use:
-SMSL PS100 with RCA splitter cables (volume controlled by your TV remote)
-WiiM Pro/Pro+ with splitter (WiiM remote for volume, 4-band PEQ for room correction)
-SMSL M300 SE (SMSL remote for volume, separate XLR and single-ended output so no splitters required)

 

[staticV3]

If you'd rather buy a receiver with passive bookshelf speakers, then here are some good options:

Model​	Preference Score (higher=better)​	Price per Pair​
Klipsch RP-500M II​	5.2​	450€​
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2​	5.0​	230€​
Polk ES20​	4.7​	300€​
KEF Q150​	4.6​	400€​
Mission LX-3 MKII​	4.5​	250€​
Klipsch RP-500M​	4.4​	300€​
Polk XT20​	4.1​	220€​
Polk S15​	4.1​	200€​
Polk XT15​	4.0​	130€​
Q Acoustics 3020i​	3.9​	250€​

 

[Bucking]

Thank you very much

 

[Bucking]

So I found some Kef Q350s for 220€ on the used market would that be something to consider?

Also would the Loxjie A30 be sufficient for driving them?

 

[staticV3]

So I found some Kef Q350s for 220€ on the used market would that be something to consider?

Here are Amir's measurements and listening impressions:

KEF Q350 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Q350 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. It was purchased new by a member and kindly drop shipped to me for testing. The Q350 costs US $700 on Amazon including prime shipping. As with other KEF coaxial speakers, the look is unique and quite...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Also would the Loxjie A30 be sufficient for driving them?

The Loxjie A30 can drive a single Q350 to 100dB SPL (anechoic 1m).
With a stereo pair and moderate room reinforcement, you're looking at:
106dB SPL Peak @1m
100dB SPL Peak @2m
97dB SPL Peak @3m

Whether that's loud enough for your needs, I can't say.

 

[Bucking]

Here are Amir's measurements and listening impressions:

KEF Q350 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the KEF Q350 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. It was purchased new by a member and kindly drop shipped to me for testing. The Q350 costs US $700 on Amazon including prime shipping. As with other KEF coaxial speakers, the look is unique and quite...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The Loxjie A30 can drive a single Q350 to 100dB SPL (anechoic 1m).
With a stereo pair and moderate room reinforcement, you're looking at:
106dB SPL Peak @1m
100dB SPL Peak @2m
97dB SPL Peak @3m

Whether that's loud enough for your needs, I can't say.

Thank you very much I think 220€ for a pair is definitely worth it considering the score they have.

Seems to be loud enough for me

 

[Bucking]

Or is there anything like the Loxjie that would be better at around 200€?

 

[Willem]

Yamaha AS201? However, I would save for the Yamaha AS301, with subwoofer output and digital inputs. It is a tried and tested design and should be far more reliable than most alternatives. As for speakers, for a secundary system I recently bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 220s for some 130 euros and they sound very good as was to be expected from Amir's test. They are a bit bass light, but the bass that there is is clean.

 

[Bucking]

So I found a used Loxjie for 130€ and a used AS301 for 200€. Do you think the 70€ extra are worth it?

 

[Willem]

Absolutely (if it is the ASA 301 and not the AS300). You get about three times more power compared to the Loxjie and that makes for a rather cleaner sound with dynamic music. Plus, you get goodies like tone control etc.

 

[Bucking]

Thanks for the information

What about the Aiyima A07 Pro and MAX/Fosi V3 these should also have enough power right?

 

[delta76]

I've been looking for suitable speakers plus AMP/DAC/Receiver for a small *2.1* setup for the TV (I already have a subwoofer).
Price-wise, I could spare up to 500€ and am definitely willing to buy used. I'm located in Germany so not everything is available to me.

After looking at some tests and reviews on ASR/Youtube/Etc., I'm almost more undecided than before due to the many different opinions and amount of products that are out there.

Are there any recommendations from you (I won't be upgrading to 5.1)

used avr + DBR62 should work the best for you. If you are lucky, maybe you can find a denon x3300h/x3400h for EUR200 and then the rest to DBR62

 

[Bucking]

So I got the Kef Q350s for 210€ now I'm looking for a good amp

 

[Bucking]

I'll probably go for the Yamaha that seems to be the best option

 

[Bucking]

used avr + DBR62 should work the best for you. If you are lucky, maybe you can find a denon x3300h/x3400h for EUR200 and then the rest to DBR62

The denons are all above 350€ :/

 

[delta76]

The denons are all above 350€ :/

as I said, if you are lucky. buying used is finding the best deal, that takes time and patience.
you can try your luck with older versions, but I would go with x3400h as it has Audyssey xt32, eArc, 4k HDR etc. perfect to use as the center of your multimedia corner

 

[Bucking]

So I've ordered the Yamaha AS 301 for 200€.
Now I only need some speaker wires and I'm good to go thank you all very much.

 

[Willem]

Enjoy. Don't worry about cables. Cheap is good enough - expensive cables are a fraud. Use somewhat thicker cable if the cable is long, and that is all.