£250-£450 budget 2.1 Speakers

ihkris · 1 Jan 2017 at 23:23

I listen to music and watch movies using my Android/iPad/Thinkpad Laptop and Macbook Pro as sources.

Can I consider Bluetooth/Wireless/USB/Line In along with high quality Audio in the new speakers?

I am a novice in buying good speakers with poor knowledge. Few friends suggested Bose SoundTouch 30/sonos play 5.

Cheers guys
Harry

dacads · 1 Jan 2017 at 23:40

Not many 2.1 bluetooth options but maybe what you could do is get something such as the kanto yu2 speakers and sub along with a Bluetooth audio receiver. Haven't really looked in detail at the latter but I'm guessing it should do the trick.

ihkris · 2 Jan 2017 at 08:50

For me Good Audio experience is more important than Blue tooth. Please suggest me.

Marsman · 2 Jan 2017 at 14:16

I wouldn't consider either the Sonos or Bose units you have mentioned, unless space is limited and you want a one box solution. They are what some call 'lifestyle' speakers. They are more for people who want something that looks the part, is relatively unobtrusive and convenient.

That's fine for some people, but if you are interested in what's most important; getting the best sound quality for your money, then there are better options.

With up to £450 to spend, that does give you some options:-

You could go down the budget separates route and get Wharfedale 9.1 speakers, SW150 subwoofer and a stereo amplifier.

You could get an amplifier and speakers for now, but spend more on the speakers and get a subwoofer at a later date when funds allow.

You could get some active/powered speakers and a subwoofer.

Then there's the 2nd hand market to consider, where there are some great used bargains to be had, but I'm going to hazard a guess, that's something you'd prefer not to do.

Phal · 2 Jan 2017 at 17:57

I was looking in this price range last year and almost settled on a set of Dali Zensor 1 AX speakers. These are active 2.0 speakers (don't need a separate amp) and have Bluetooth connectivity although that wasn't all that important to me.

Sadly (for my wallet) I then started to look at the Dali Kubik Free. This was an odd option since you can buy the single powered speaker on its own or you can buy the powered speaker with a passive sister speaker if you want 2.0. You can also then add a sub if you wish since it has an out for it.

I won an ebay auction at a reasonable price and gave them a try as a 2.0 system but I missed the bass that I'd had from my previous 2.1 setup so I looked for a sub. Again, I ended up on ebay and won an auction for a Dali Fazon sub 1.

These speakers weren't cheap but sound pretty good. There's better sounding stuff out there I'm sure if space isn't an issue but I like how compact this setup is for me.

The Zensor 1 AX is kinda in your budget but without the sub. The only reason I'm mentioning this is because I originally started with your budget :/ Good luck with your search lol

Ninco! · 2 Jan 2017 at 18:40

I purchased an Denon PMA-50, USB input and Bluetooth (current price around £280.00 although I think I paid less?) hooked up to a pair of Q-Acoustics 3020's. It can sit either horizontally or vertically, useful if desk space is at a premium.

It sounds great, might be a little underpowered for some, but for my purposes (powering bookshelf speakers and a variable headphone amp) fits the bill perfectly.

The Denon is immediately compatible Mac's (just plug into a USB) and even with a PC, you download a driver - only a minor thing. Bluetooth connectivity is very good.