A total of 9 reviews of this product on Reddit.
·
Here’s a kit from HiVi on Amazon. I’ve heard good things about them.
HiVi – DIY 2.2A – DIY Speaker Kit – 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers Near-Field Use – Compact Wooden Cabinet – Pair – Black https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072KTZ2VC/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_glt_fabc_VM4FNJA5MWGXSE4RPFG1
·
Thinking on it slightly more. I actually enjoy diy soldering maybe something like this may be suitable: https://www.amazon.com/HiVi-Bookshelf-Speaker-Cabinet-Warranty/dp/B072KTZ2VC/ref=asc_df_B072KTZ2VC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312115315632&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11375857226128294471&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&a…
But at the end of the day I just want an ideal and cost efficient solution. Though some in the reviews say it’s not ideal for near field use others disagree.
·
Thanks. You got closer than I did. I’m looking for something like a miniature component tuner (with line out, no amp) for about $50. I saw some interesting items, but they were considerably more. I saw some cheaper ones, but they looked like transistor radios. Even worse, some of them had mono outputs. At this rate, I might as well hook up my Sandisk Clip MP3 player/radio. Bummer.
I’m toying with some other options. Thought about sending out my computer sound to my big receiver/amp, but it and its speakers are relatively huge, I’ve often had issues with hum when I do that, and I might have issues with mixing sound like i do now as well. Thought about getting a better set of active speakers – more volume, less directional sound. Then again, I was also looking at these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KTZ2VC/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IHEMOEOUXYELA&colid=14BSFTD209XVR
Because I like the idea of partially building my own, because they’re supposedly a high-quality speaker for the money, and because I’m all over the place at the moment and can’t decide what I want.
Keeping the Monsoon’s and adding a small tuner seems conservative, and I really AM happy with the sound and size of the equipment. Guess I’ll keep looking, reading, and thinking.
·
Link to the Dayton subs.
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/powered-subwoofers/95
​
Dayton has some of their amplifiers on sale. Some have Bluetooth if the OP wants it.
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/home-audio-amplifiers/106
​
I like your list of components. I wanted to build the HiVi 3.1, but they are sold out on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KTZ2VC/ref=twister_B0764GQBPT?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
​
·
Phono stage/preamp:
An external will be better than an internal in most modern budget receivers.
- Schitt Mani $129, Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 $159, and Hagerman Bugle3 $189 all have switchable input impedance and capacitance settings for proper cartridge loading.
- NAD Electronics PP 2e Phono refurbished $119 has auto shut off.
- Music Hall mini plus MM/MC Phono Preamp $150 has a variable gain knob and captivate loading switches.
- Cambridge Solo Phono $179.
Receivers:
Vintage solid state receiver and most have a good internal phono stage.
Before new, consider looking for a used modern stereo receiver, Yamaha, Onkyo, NAD etc. Or even a used THX rated pre-4k AV receiver can be found for around $200 or less and have great amps, high pass crossover for the speakers if using with a subwoofer, and Audyssey room correction EQ setup.
Refurbished with a one year manufacturer warranty:
- Stereo Receiver: ONKYO TX-8220 $130. Has a subwoofer output RCA pre put jack and an optical digital input. Or ONKYO TX-8140 $200 adds more power and wireless networking.
- AV: DENON AVR-S640H 5.2 w/HEOS $200 even with just 2 speakers, high pass crossover for the speakers if using with a subwoofer, Audyssey Multi EQ room correction speaker setup and HEOS WiFi smartphone app.
- Integrated amp: YAMAHAA-S301 2-Ch x 60 Watts Integrated Amplifier w/ Built-in DAC $270.
Speakers: Speaker recommendations from AverageJoeAudiophile and r/HTBuyingGuide.
Internet Manufacturer Direct can be a good bang for the buck with 30 day in home trials so you can try 2 or 3 pairs.
- 5.25″ Wavecrest Audio HVL-1, and order on sale at Ascend $80 each + shipping, budget Ascends. Front ported. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. Great mids which many speakers lack. To me, comparable to KEF Q100s. As with most bookshelf speakers, best with a subwoofer.
- 5.25″ Emotiva Airmotive B1 $230. Folded ribbon high-frequency transducers.
- 5.25″ Intimus 5B $270. Free shipping both ways.
- 6.5″ Ascend CBM-170s $300 + $30 shipping. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. I have these for their great mids which many speakers in the price range lack.
- 6.5″ HSU HB-1 MK2 $280 + $60 shipping. Have a good low end if not getting a subwoofer at all or right away.
On sale:
- Infinity Sale: 5.25″ Infinity Reference 152 $140 refurbished, originally $350 MSRP
- Big 6.5″ Infinity Reference 152 $175 refurbished, originally $450 MSRP.
- Towers on sale: Boston A250 $225 pair bogo.
DIY speaker kits, build your own: Add around $75+ for tools and supplies. Kits includes pre-cut cabinets. Glue, solder, paint, assemble. Comparable to built speakers costing twice as much.
- C-Notes $100, a great starter DIY speaker.
- Dayton Audio BR-1 $195, 6.5″, quicker and easier with pre-built and painted cabinets.
- Classix II MT $230 pair.
- HIVI $220.
More speaker recommendations from AverageJoeAudiophile and r/HTBuyingGuide.
Speaker wire:
- Pure Copper Oxygen Free 16 Gauge Speaker Wire 50 ft, and self adjusting wire strippers with optional banana plugs to add. Or already with banana plugs, Micca, DFWCableConnection or Blue Jeans Cable.
Speaker stands to add later:
- Dayton Audio SSMB24, Monoprice Glass or Monolith by Monoprice and Audio Advisor where most are also available at Amazon. Size to get speaker center or tweeter at ear height while seated.
S*ubwoofers on sale:*
- Infinity Reference SUB R12 12" 300 Watt Powered Subwoofer $200.
- Infinity Reference SUB R10 10" 200W Subwoofer $140.
Guides:
- Home Audio: Intro to home stereo systems • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • Guide to Home Audio • AverageJoeAudiophile’s Guides
- Speaker Positioning: Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening and How to position your speakers for great sound.
- Also check out r/BudgetAudiophile.
·
What have you already built?
Those 4″ Speedsters look good.
Most others I have looked at are lower cost:
- 4″ Overnight Sensations MT $140 pair.
- Dual 4″ Overnight Sensation MTM $192 pair.
- 4.5″ S2000 $220 pair.
- 5″ C-Notes $100 pair.
- 5.25″ Tritrix MT Bookshelf $190 pair.
- 6.5″ Classix II MT $230 pair.
- 5.25″ or 6.5″ HIVI $219 or $289.
- 7″ Samba MT $319 pair.
·
For speakers: r/BudgetAudiophile.
Infinity Reference Sale:
- 5.25″ Infinity Reference 152 $140 refurbished. MSRP $350.
- 6.5″ Infinity Reference 152 $175 refurbished. MSRP $450.
- Also Infinity subwoofer sale, Infinity Reference SUB R12 12" 300 Watt Powered Subwoofer $200.
Internet Manufacturer Direct can be a good bang for the buck with 30 day in home trials so you can try 2 or 3 pairs.
- 5.25″ Wavecrest Audio HVL-1, and order on sale at Ascend $80 each + shipping, budget Ascends. Front ported. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. Great mids which many speakers lack. To me, comparable to KEF Q100s. As with most bookshelf speakers, best with a subwoofer.
- 5.25″ Emotiva Airmotive B1 $230. Folded ribbon high-frequency transducers.
- 5.25″ Intimus 5B $270. Free shipping both ways.
- 6.5″ Ascend CBM-170s $300 + $30 shipping. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. I have these for their great mids which many speakers in the price range lack.
- 6.5″ HSU HB-1 MK2 $280 + $60 shipping. Have a good low end if not getting a subwoofer at all or right away.
DIY speaker kits, build your own: Add around $75+ for tools and supplies. Kits includes pre-cut cabinets. Glue, solder, paint, assemble. Comparable to built speakers costing twice as much.
- C-Notes $100, a great starter DIY speaker.
- Dayton Audio BR-1 $195, 6.5″, quicker and easier with pre-built and painted cabinets.
- Classix II MT $230 pair.
- HIVI $220.
Speaker wire: Pure Copper Oxygen Free 16 Gauge Speaker Wire 50 ft. and self adjusting wire strippers, optional banana plugs to add. Or already with banana plugs, Micca or DFWCableConnection.
Speaker stands: Dayton Audio SSMB24, Monoprice Glass or Monolith by Monoprice and Audio Advisor where most are also available at Amazon.
Speaker Positioning: Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening • How to position your speakers for great sound
More speaker recommendations from AverageJoeAudiophile and r/HTBuyingGuide.
·
- 5″ C-Notes $100 a pair. Great speaker to start with DIY. Watch the videos.
- 6.5″ HIVI 2.2 or 3.1 $220 or $290
- 6.5″ Classix II MT $230 a pair.
- 4″ Overnight Sensations MT $140, tall dual 4″ Overnight Sensations MTM $192
- Towers, Amiga MT $185 each.
- 7″ Hitmakers $240 a pair are designed as near field studio monitors.
Dayton Audio BR-1 6-1/2" 2-Way are the base for the AAM and Phillharmonic added an upgraded crossover. Maybe Phillharmonic can sell you the upgraded crossover or look for a similar crossover upgrade. The AAPM, P for Plus, added Morel tweeters.
Also see r/diysound
·
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KTZ2VC/ref=twister_B0764GQBPT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HR7PRV5/ref=twister_B07HR8SBTL?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This is a DIY speaker kit that, in it’s finished form, sells for over $800. http://www.highfidelityreview.com/swan-hivi-2-1se-speakers.html
The amp is adequate, and it’s only $40. It can also plug straight into a USB port on your PC, and needs no drivers. It also works for headphones and has BT.
Add some wood glue, speaker wire, a soldering iron, and a little time. Nothing is going to come even close to this for sound until you start looking at a much higher price point. Hell, this would make a very decent 2.0 music system for a medium sized room.
