Sugggest Dorm Room Speakers (reps)

[joecam18]

Looking to get some speakers for my dorm room next year but ima noob when it comes to them. as far as i know i need a 2.1 system? i think its two satellites and a sub. Im only asking the forum cause you guys seem like you would know. are there any brands or models that stand out as high quality? not lookin to spend more then $200 though.

aware me

[FuzzeWuzze]

Your not going to get much for 2.1 for 200 bucks.

I would normally say buy two speakers that you can later fold into a 5.1 setup later in life...

But honestly you can barely even get a decent sub for $200...

[joecam18]

hmmm. are there any other options that i could do? other setups?

[FuzzeWuzze]

hmmm. are there any other options that i could do? other setups?

You can probably get an ok 5.1 setup of computer speakers for 200 bucks, especially if you go deal hunting on slickdeals or find a sale online. For that Logitech makes some good stuff.

[joecam18]

You can probably get an ok 5.1 setup of computer speakers for 200 bucks, especially if you go deal hunting on slickdeals or find a sale online. For that Logitech makes some good stuff.

logitech it is. i think ill go to best buy or somewhere to physically look into some. idk what to look for so maybe someone there can give me a skooling in speakers

[yourdad23]

Depending on your dorm, you are more than likely going to have the RA's up your ass about noise complaints. I would suggest getting an awesome pair of headphones for listening to **** yourself and a decent pair of speakers for when you have people over. If you drop cash on an expensive pair, you wouldnt even be able to utilize them to their full potential.

[FuzzeWuzze]

Depending on your dorm, you are more than likely going to have the RA's up your ass about noise complaints. I would suggest getting an awesome pair of headphones for listening to **** yourself and a decent pair of speakers for when you have people over. If you drop cash on an expensive pair, you wouldnt even be able to utilize them to their full potential.

This is true, investment of 80-100 bucks for a pair of decent wireless headphones might be a better option.

[joecam18]

Depending on your dorm, you are more than likely going to have the RA's up your ass about noise complaints. I would suggest getting an awesome pair of headphones for listening to **** yourself and a decent pair of speakers for when you have people over. If you drop cash on an expensive pair, you wouldnt even be able to utilize them to their full potential.

this is also true. another floormate had a nice setup and he bumped pretty heavy. ill keep researching and see what i can get for my money

[joecam18]

ill rep you guys on RC. thanks!

[cyde]

Not sure a subwoofer would be a good idea for a dorm. You could pick up a pair of used bookshelves off craigslist or ebay & drive it with a cheap amp. With a $200 budget, I'd get used.

[209manny]

I used to have these bookshelfs. They sound really clear, just get a decent sub because they don't have much bass

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-B652-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU

[tdnick]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E158DE/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[SCAR-H]

I had some logitech z523 speakers in my dorm room and they bumped pretty loud. Quiet hours didn't start until 9:30 so you could have it as loud as you wanted (within reason of course)

[SteelSS]

I'm sure your roommate will love you.

All this thread did was confirm that I needed a really nice pair of noise-isolating headphones.

[xR1pp3Rx]

klipsch makes a nice 2.1 set, find one of these on ebay for cheap! and they have rich sound so you wont have to turn it way up to enjoy it.

[joecam18]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E158DE/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

this thing looks like something at a mini concert lol. have you tried it out before? they look like they might be overkill for a small room! but then again i have no idea what im talking about

[George Costanza]

To be honest dude you won't even need a bumpin speaker system in a dorm. RAs aren't gonna allow you to be blasting music even on weekends...and even if they do it's gonna look EXTREMELY suspicious and they'll prob come in and shut the party down/write kids up for underages. I'd wait til you move into an apartment for a nice system when you can actually take advantage of it...save up.

[joedirt87]

just get a cheap set of computer speakers from insignia or some other brand that have the 2 speakers and a subwoofer for like $30. You don't need great speakers because you are going to be in a small area and putting it loud will just get people complaining because of the paper thin walls.

[joecam18]

there are many truths in this thread. I think i will look on craigslist for a 2.1 system. saw a couple for $25 and $30. even if they end up not being awesome or break down the road its no skin off my ass. thanks for the suggestions and keeping me from dropping $200 + on something i will only need for my house or apt.

[martindaman]

what about a logitech 2.1 system.. i know they're kinda lame.. but its way better than nothing.. and if you where from denmark.. then i had a couple of old B&O 100W 8ohms speakers you could have bought.. but i cant afford or stack em probarly to shiå overseas

[George Costanza]

there are many truths in this thread. I think i will look on craigslist for a 2.1 system. saw a couple for $25 and $30. even if they end up not being awesome or break down the road its no skin off my ass. thanks for the suggestions and keeping me from dropping $200 + on something i will only need for my house or apt.

Lived it and learned it brah haha.

Had big dreams for dorm room bumpin parties. Sadly had to wait til I lived in the frat house sophomore year to take advantage of the speaker system.


You going to college in NJ bruh?

[joecam18]

Lived it and learned it brah haha.

Had big dreams for dorm room bumpin parties. Sadly had to wait til I lived in the frat house sophomore year to take advantage of the speaker system.


You going to college in NJ bruh?

Nah im in pittsburgh at Duquesne. I live in jersey though. at Duquesne for PT Doctorate program

[George Costanza]

Nah im in pittsburgh at Duquesne. I live in jersey though. at Duquesne for PT Doctorate program

No ****? I'm gonna be xferring to Pitt in the fall from Purdue. Used to live in NJ...Roselle Park. Where are you at?

[joecam18]

No ****? I'm gonna be xferring to Pitt in the fall from Purdue. Used to live in NJ...Roselle Park. Where are you at?

Im in moorestown. right outside of philly. gonna be going into my soph year at duq

[DubV]

No ****? I'm gonna be xferring to Pitt in the fall from Purdue. Used to live in NJ...Roselle Park. Where are you at?

Pitt ftl.


OP just get decent speakers. Don't go all out because you probably won't be able to blast them. We only drank in the dorms to pre-game. We never really had a "dorm party" because we all woulda gotten caught easily.

[lsiberian]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321817-REG/Behringer_B2031P_B2031P_2_Way_Passive.html

Very nice speakers don't need a sub and are good enough to be fronts in your future systems. Unfortunately they ain't cheap anymore.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/

has individual Primus(excelllent) speakers for cheap. 120 bucks for a pair would be fantastic in a dorm room. No way you get a real sub for 80 bucks though. I can't even build a sub that cheap for myself.

I personally think the headphones might be the better way.

etymotic er6i have incredible sounds. I use them for speaker testing they are so good. They can also be used as earplugs should your get a snorer. Believe me this helps a ton in the computer lab. Plug it in and you can pretend to listen to music while getting 30 db isolation.

I got the more expensive ER-4p's to counter a loud and annoying office mate, but in hindsight I'd have opted to save some money and get the er6i's

[james562]

I have a basic $100 5.1 logitech setup i my bedroom and for movies and games it's awesome. The bass is insane and it can get stupid loud for such tiny speakers.

Only downside is music doesn't really sound great through it though at high volumes though.

[jabryl]

You shouldn't even think about getting a sub until you get your own house, and I don't mean apartment. I mean HOUSE, with actual open air between you and your neighbors. In a dorm or apartment a sub will just make your neighbors hate you. Subs aren't really needed in small rooms anyway.

[lsiberian]

You shouldn't even think about getting a sub until you get your own house, and I don't mean apartment. I mean HOUSE, with actual open air between you and your neighbors. In a dorm or apartment a sub will just make your neighbors hate you. Subs aren't really needed in small rooms anyway.

I have an apartment and a real sub. I even built it on my balcony lol. I guess I break all the rules. You don't want one in a dorm though. I think the noise isolating headphones would be best. Great for study and music. Plus it's something you can use for travel, future work etc.

Theft happens a lot in dorms too. So seriously get you some headphones. I wouldn't put a good sound system in a dorm and I'd not endure a bad one when you can get reference headphones for much cheaper.

[cyde]

You shouldn't even think about getting a sub until you get your own house, and I don't mean apartment. I mean HOUSE, with actual open air between you and your neighbors. In a dorm or apartment a sub will just make your neighbors hate you. Subs aren't really needed in small rooms anyway.

A subwoofer in an apartment isn't that big of a deal. You could always decouple the sub from your floor with a DIY sub riser which will greatly reduce vibration through the floor. A little bit of cheap acoustic treatment would go a long way too. And of course not blasting music past city ordinance cut off time.

But yeah I wouldn't use a subwoofer in a dorm room.

[6Pax]

Later this summer I'm gonna pick up a pair of Corsair sp2500's for my dorm, they're supposed to be pretty legit and get reviewed really well everywhere I look. They're PC speakers though, which might not be what your looking for.

[joecam18]

whats the miscs view on Altec? Paramax? Creative? Jamo? Logitech? (all brands ive found on CL)

[joecam18]

bump

[balboa22]

have had my Logitech Z4s for 4 years now and they're still going strong

[joecam18]

have had my Logitech Z4s for 4 years now and they're still going strong

what do you think of logitech altogether? good quality stuff? ive been looking at the z-2300 but they are a bit much

[balboa22]

what do you think of logitech altogether? good quality stuff? ive been looking at the z-2300 but they are a bit much

i think the quality is amazing. plus you always get people asking what the blue LED is on the volume controller

[joecam18]

i think the quality is amazing. plus you always get people asking what the blue LED is on the volume controller

im gonna go smaller and look at the Z623. any thoughts? what do you have?

[joecam18]

bump

[joecam18]

Z623. anyone?

[cyde]

Z623. anyone?

Trashy speakers. If you can get it for less than $30, I say go for it. Your best bet would be used bookshelf speakers and drive them with a used/refurb stereo receiver or t-amp.

If you're going to buy new, these Dayton's are good considering how low the price tag is listed. They're well reviewed for cheap bookshelves.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652

Cheap amp to power the speakers:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-2000
or
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-300

If you ever decide to upgrade in the future, the bookshelves could be used as surround speakers for a 5.1 set up.

[mrawdtsi]

Trashy speakers. If you can get it for less than $30, I say go for it. Your best bet would be used bookshelf speakers and drive them with a used/refurb stereo receiver or t-amp.

If you're going to buy new, these Dayton's are good considering how low the price tag is listed. They're well reviewed for cheap bookshelves.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652

Cyde hit the nail on the head. From a pure acoustic perspective, in a small room a good pair of bookshelfs driven by a decent receiver/amp is your best bet.

if you're lucky, you may be able to find some used Klipsch bookshelfs and a used receiver on craigslist. Harmon Kardon/Polk make decent bookshelfs in that price range used as well.

if you could squeeze out $300-$400 you could get your hands on some used Paradigms if you looked hard enough.

[cyde]

Those Daytons + a 40wpc stereo amp would run you about $100 shipped from Parts Express, and they would take a dump on that Logitech set. Both items could be re-used in an upgraded set-up. You could use the amp to power a small DIY subwoofer, and the bookshelves could be moved to surround position.

With Logitech you're paying for a THX cert even though the speakers are terrible. You could do even better if you bought used off Craigslist, Ebay, or Audiogon.

edit:
You can get a pair of Polk Monitor 40s (open box) off Newegg for $72 shipped. Great deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290203R&cm_re=polk_monitor_40-_-82-290-203R-_-Product


Cyde hit the nail on the head. From a pure acoustic perspective, in a small room a good pair of bookshelfs driven by a decent receiver/amp is your best bet.

if you're lucky, you may be able to find some used Klipsch bookshelfs and a used receiver on craigslist. Harmon Kardon/Polk make decent bookshelfs in that price range used as well.

if you could squeeze out $300-$400 you could get your hands on some used Paradigms if you looked hard enough.

You're one cheeky kunt, mate. Some Paradigm monitors would be sweet, but it's out of his budget.

[209manny]

Those Daytons + a 40wpc stereo amp would run you about $100 shipped from Parts Express, and they would take a dump on that Logitech set. Both items could be re-used in an upgraded set-up. You could use the amp to power a small DIY subwoofer, and the bookshelves could be moved to surround position.




The Daytons are real good, OP can just get an older used receiver to drive the speakers, I think an old receiver would be better than the amp you listed.

A Pioneer, Onkyo, or Denon receiver from the 90s can be had for cheap.

[cyde]

The Daytons are real good, OP can just get an older used receiver to drive the speakers, I think an old receiver would be better than the amp you listed.

A Pioneer, Onkyo, or Denon receiver from the 90s can be had for cheap.

Definitely. A used receiver would sound better and provide more power, but I wanted to give him an option for buying new that would trump the Logitechs (for less $$$) just in case he didn't want to hunt down deals on CL.

[SirStealth]

Later this summer I'm gonna pick up a pair of Corsair sp2500's for my dorm, they're supposed to be pretty legit and get reviewed really well everywhere I look. They're PC speakers though, which might not be what your looking for.

I've had the SP2500's for 6 months now and they're great. Got them for $200 off amazon. Deff worth the money. They were on sale the other week for $150ish too so if you wait a bit you can probably get them for that again which is a steal.

[KRANE]

Depending on your dorm, you are more than likely going to have the RA's up your ass about noise complaints. I would suggest getting an awesome pair of headphones for listening to **** yourself and a decent pair of speakers for when you have people over. If you drop cash on an expensive pair, you wouldnt even be able to utilize them to their full potential.All the more reason to buy quality speakers rather than bass/noise amplifiers. Truly good speakers do not have to be played loud to give you great satisfaction. One hundred dollars a piece should get you in on the entry level of that.

Stay away from those PC speakers things unless you absolutely want/need to travel lightly. That's about the only thing they're good for.

[TheBarbellTolls]

I have a pair of these, logitech Z-2300s:
http://www.infobarrel.com/media/image/22341.jpg

They're an outdated model now, but they have decent quality and excellent bass, sound freaking awesome when cranked up. There's a control to adjust the bass (and therefore the sub) individually as well, so you can make it really boomy or turn it right down when you don't wanna disturb people so much.

Like I said they're an outdated model but I'm sure logitech have something similar these days with a decent price - just be sure not to get a really cheap model because those generally sound like **** and have tiny subs. Check reviews etc.

Edit: unless you're an audiophile you don't need anything fancy for a dorm room, a lot of the time it's just going to end up costing more money and effort, especially when they get stolen or your room gets trashed or you accidentally knock a speaker off a shelf or you spill your whey shake on them etc.
I can definitely appreciate a good quality pair of speakers or headphones (I love my audio-technica cans), but you gotta be honest with yourself and ask yourself how much use you're actually gonna get out of them and what their primary intended use is actually gonna be, and whether spending that extra money will be worth it in the end. Thumpy computer speakers for parties and badass quality headphones for private listening imo.

Edit 2: I guess the Z623s would be the equivalent of the Z-2300s.

[joecam18]

Does anyone know of Jamo? I found Jamo i300s on CL for $60

http://www.amazon.com/Jamo-Powered-Subwoofer-Satellite-Speaker/dp/B000MQNLCG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310570002&sr=1-1

Also for the bookshelf/amp rig, are the easy to set up? i remember i flipped a car sub on CL and the wires coming out of the sub were all frayed and it took a while to get it figured out on the guys amp. and what does the amp plug into? i know the wires from each speaker goes into the back but what else does it take to get them to run?

[cyde]

Does anyone know of Jamo? I found Jamo i300s on CL for $60

http://www.amazon.com/Jamo-Powered-Subwoofer-Satellite-Speaker/dp/B000MQNLCG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310570002&sr=1-1

Also for the bookshelf/amp rig, are the easy to set up? i remember i flipped a car sub on CL and the wires coming out of the sub were all frayed and it took a while to get it figured out on the guys amp. and what does the amp plug into? i know the wires from each speaker goes into the back but what else does it take to get them to run?

Jamo makes good home theater speakers, but that particular set isn't worth mentioning. You should just drop the notion of a subwoofer entirely unless you plan on spending $100+ on a subwoofer alone. All those "subs" that come with computer speakers are not subwoofers but rather mid-bass modules. They usually don't dig deeper than 50hz that play loud and sound like muddy diarrhea. A good pair of bookshelf speakers can get the same low frequency response and provide smoother & tighter bass.

I know you don't want to spend a lot of money, but you're doing it wrong by looking at computer speakers. The only PC speakers I would buy is the cheapest $5 pair to get sound. Like I said before best bang for your buck is a pair of bookshelves + used receiver or cheap amp from Parts-express.

2.0 is easy to wire. All you need is two cuts of speaker wire from amp to speakers, and another wire to your TV/playstation/PC/etc.



All the more reason to buy quality speakers rather than bass/noise amplifiers. Truly good speakers to not have to be played loud to give you great satisfaction. One hundred dollars a piece should get you in on the entry level of that.

Stay away from those PC speakers things unless you absolutely want/need to travel lightly. That's about the only thing they're good for.

Listen to this man.

[joecam18]

Jamo makes good home theater speakers, but that particular set isn't worth mentioning. You should just drop the notion of a subwoofer entirely unless you plan on spending $100+ on a subwoofer alone. All those "subs" that come with computer speakers are not subwoofers but rather mid-bass modules. They usually don't dig deeper than 50hz that play loud and sound like muddy diarrhea. A good pair of bookshelf speakers can get the same low frequency response and provide smoother & tighter bass.

I know you don't want to spend a lot of money, but you're doing it wrong by looking at computer speakers. The only PC speakers I would buy is the cheapest $5 pair to get sound. Like I said before best bang for your buck is a pair of bookshelves + used receiver or cheap amp from Parts-express.

2.0 is easy to wire. All you need is two cuts of speaker wire from amp to speakers, and another wire to your TV/playstation/PC/etc.




Listen to this man.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/ele/2480936571.html

found these. Guy said he could do $70 for both. what do you think? im using your advice about the bookshelves and i know that bose is supposed to make good stuff. does it matter what the watts of the amp are?

[joecam18]

bump

[DaDeKong]

klipsch makes a nice 2.1 set, find one of these on ebay for cheap! and they have rich sound so you wont have to turn it way up to enjoy it.

This..I had Promedia 2.1s for a while and they were $180. ..."can't get good 2.1 for 200" ...damn must be ballin' outta control ^ ^

[cyde]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/ele/2480936571.html

found these. Guy said he could do $70 for both. what do you think? im using your advice about the bookshelves and i know that bose is supposed to make good stuff. does it matter what the watts of the amp are?

Bose speakers aren't that great, and they're not worth the $70 he's asking. Pass on that, brah. If you can't find any good deals on CL, look into those Daytons I mentioned earlier for $35/pair. They're pretty damn good for cheap speakers. Don't let the price tag fool you.

Give it another week or so. Something good should pop up in your area.

[josh001122]

This is the place to ask OP.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=89

[joecam18]

Bose speakers aren't that great, and they're not worth the $70 he's asking. Pass on that, brah. If you can't find any good deals on CL, look into those Daytons I mentioned earlier for $35/pair. They're pretty damn good for cheap speakers. Don't let the price tag fool you.

Give it another week or so. Something good should pop up in your area.

Thanks for the advice. I think my GF is gonna let me use her old bookshlef speakers. they are sony or something. ill post when i know for sure. ill have to figure out how many watts they are. does it matter which amp i get? or will the 20 watt one be jsut as good as the other when it comes to a smaller room?

[Krispy1]

DONT sleep on these http://www.ncixus.com/products/27404/S330D/EDIFIER/

edifier is engineered in vancouver, they make the absolute best speakers for the price, i own 1 edifier 2 logitec and 2 altec lansing and these are def more worth it at similar price points

[DakoMan]

i'd say save your money and just get these

http://www.usa.philips.com/c/pc-audio/12189/cat/

like $40 at walmart and i can hear the bass through my whole house without even maxing the volume, it sounds clear and it has a nice volume knob thing so you don't have to always do it through the computer. i would never pay $200 for indoor pc speakers lol....

[joecam18]

does it matter which amp i get? or will the 20 watt one be jsut as good as the other when it comes to a smaller room?

bump

[cyde]

Thanks for the advice. I think my GF is gonna let me use her old bookshlef speakers. they are sony or something. ill post when i know for sure. ill have to figure out how many watts they are. does it matter which amp i get? or will the 20 watt one be jsut as good as the other when it comes to a smaller room?

It will work, but I have no idea which speakers your girlfriend is giving you or what's the recommended power rating. Look on craigslist for a reputable brand receiver made in the 90's. You should be able to get one for under $50 used that will provide plenty of power for the speakers.

[joecam18]

It will work, but I have no idea which speakers your girlfriend is giving you or what's the recommended power rating. Look on craigslist for a reputable brand receiver made in the 90's. You should be able to get one for under $50 used that will provide plenty of power for the speakers.

will do. ill report back with what type of speakers and such

[WWUCasey]

why do you keep bumping this? any set of speakers over 20 bucks is going to get you written up for a noise complaint.

[hdphysiques]

Not sure a subwoofer would be a good idea for a dorm. You could pick up a pair of used bookshelves off craigslist or ebay & drive it with a cheap amp. With a $200 budget, I'd get used.

x2

This.