Please help choose my speakers - 2.0 and 2.1s options inside

sbi85

sbi85

sbi85

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12 Sep 2013
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hey everyone,

I am about to replace a really cheap 2.1 system that I was using for my laptop for more than 2 year. I have recently bought a projector for my small room and I would like to have nice set of speakers with it that will play me some movies, series and occasionally some music.
I would not like to spend too much money on it though as I only rent the room and will plan to move in the near future, so I was thinking around £40-80 for it.

(I was thinking about 5.1s as well but since the source is just one 3.5mm from the laptop I heard I can only have stereo from it. Tell me if I'm wrong!)

So I was thinking about 2.1 and 2.0 systems as I heard that in some cases 2.0s can be better even without subwoofers.

So here are my choices:

2.1
Logitech Z523 - £50

Microlabs Fc360 - £52

2.0
Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II - £75
Genius SP-HF1800A - £47

Larger ones
Microlabs SOLO6c - £75

Behringer MS20 - £75 but USED!

Edifier R1900 TII - £80 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-004-ER&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=719

Please advise me which one would be the best for me or if there are better alternatives I am happy to hear from them.

Thanks a lot in advance guys!:)
Balint
 
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Is the used market an option? For up to 80 quid i'd fish something out on sites like Gumtree UK @ a town near you and go with either a vintage/classic stereo amp or AVR and a pair of floor standers/bookshelf speakers?
 
limoslight said:
Is the used market an option? For up to 80 quid i'd fish something out on sites like Gumtree UK @ a town near you and go with either a vintage/classic stereo amp or AVR and a pair of floor standers/bookshelf speakers?
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I have checked that option as well but near London I haven't found any that would fit in this budget. And since I'm no expert on this I probably would lean to buy a new one anyway.

Any ideas about the ones I listed?

I was also told that the Microlab M-910 might be a good option as well
update: well actually I found this on Gumtree, but this would mean spending less than 40quids on the speakers which I'm not sure is a viable option or not
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/a...d-good-working-order/1031676353#photo-content

or this: http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/j...er-hifi-amplifier-including-remote/1031131430
but the thing is I understand amplifiers even less then speakers so I dont know which is good.
 
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First of all, best to remove any Amazon links. Against the forum rules to posts links from competitors sites for similar products. :)

Personally, I wouldn't bother looking into buying second hand. Nothing wrong with second hand audio gear, but I don't really see the point at this budget. If you were looking to get a hi-fi setup with £150 say, then used is probably the way to go.

No point going for 5.1, as you have already said, you can only get stereo from the laptop; unless of course it's a high gaming one, some of which do have 5.1 outputs. You'd know it though, as there would be many more jacks. Plus, 5.1 speakers need to placed correctly to be effective, rather than plonked anywhere.

You've listed a lot of good choices. I suppose the question to ask is; are you looking for bass? As you have 2.1 already, are you looking for a similar level of bass? If so, then either a 2.1 set, or Microlab Solo 6C would be the way to go.
 
Marsman said:
First of all, best to remove any Amazon links. Against the forum rules to posts links from competitors sites for similar products. :)

Personally, I wouldn't bother looking into buying second hand. Nothing wrong with second hand audio gear, but I don't really see the point at this budget. If you were looking to get a hi-fi setup with £150 say, then used is probably the way to go.

No point going for 5.1, as you have already said, you can only get stereo from the laptop; unless of course it's a high gaming one, some of which do have 5.1 outputs. You'd know it though, as there would be many more jacks. Plus, 5.1 speakers need to placed correctly to be effective, rather than plonked anywhere.

You've listed a lot of good choices. I suppose the question to ask is; are you looking for bass? As you have 2.1 already, are you looking for a similar level of bass? If so, then either a 2.1 set, or Microlab Solo 6C would be the way to go.
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Oh true I haven't thought through the amazon linking. Sorry about that.

I'm guessing the bass would be kind of important if the main job of the speakers would be playing movies.
Does the Microlab Solo6c produces enough bass for this without a separate subwoofer? If so I like that a bit better than the 2.1 systems I have checked so far.
 
Oh true I haven't thought through the amazon linking. Sorry about that.
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No worries. I thought I'd mention it before a mod came along and gave you a telling off. :p I'm kidding, they aren't that bad. :)

The Solo 6C's are quite large. They have I think 6.5" woofers. Larger woofers effectively mean more bass, when compared to smaller ones, as they shift more air. I think quite a few of the cheaper 2.1 speakers have a 6.5" subwoofer, although they are dedicated to only producing low frequencies, whereas woofers in 2.0 speakers cover mid range frequencies as well.
 
Marsman said:
No worries. I thought I'd mention it before a mod came along and gave you a telling off. :p I'm kidding, they aren't that bad. :)

The Solo 6C's are quite large. They have I think 6.5" woofers. Larger woofers effectively mean more bass, when compared to smaller ones, as they shift more air. I think quite a few of the cheaper 2.1 speakers have a 6.5" subwoofer, although they are dedicated to only producing low frequencies, whereas woofers in 2.0 speakers cover mid range frequencies as well.
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thanks a lot for the help. I think I'll just go ahead and order the Solo6C, I dont think I can go wrong with it :)
 
sbi85 said:
I have checked that option as well but near London I haven't found any that would fit in this budget. And since I'm no expert on this I probably would lean to buy a new one anyway.
but the thing is I understand amplifiers even less then speakers so I dont know which is good.
Click to expand...

How big is the room for the audio set up? At a low budget like yours i would have an eye out for slightly more sensitive/efficient speakers and not worry about getting pricey/beefy amp that put out lots of watts/per channel :p

Here is a suggestion for your budget range

Arcam Alpha 3 40 quid
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/arcam-alpha-3-amplifier/1032072503
Review
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/editorial/review-arcam-alpha-3-integrated-amplifier

Eltax Monitor III 45 quid
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/p...s-90w-4-8ohms-inc-covers-and-wires/1031858953
Review
http://www.scribd.com/doc/62899302/Eltax-Monitor-III-Whathifi
 
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