[HarleyMYK]

It seems my family, friends, and I always end up in the kitchen, so I am setting up a small system in the kitchen (in addition to the living room system, den system, bedroom  HT, and Office system ).  I will use my new very black SB as the source.  For amp and speakers, I want nothing too large or expensive as there will be conversation, fans, etc. going on and there is just plain not much space.  I am thinking something along the lines of a SI 5066 with an SLA battery and charger and a pair of AV123.com xl-s bookshelfs or Norh 3.0 horns.  Any ideas that are better, smaller, and under about $500 for amp and speaker pair?

[jqp]

Maybe nOrh Ceramic 4.0s? Great look for the kitchen, bet the wife or other females would also approve.

[chadh]

I've not heard them, but I have heard a few favorable comments about the tiny speakers from TBI: http://www.tbisound.com/

They sell them in a package with the SI amp too.

Chad

[amplifierguru]

Remember that song "You'll always find him in the kitchen at parties"

Heheh.. perhaps congregating in the kitchen at parties is to avoid the direct presence of a sound system, to converse and snack in peace... just a thought.

My home is so open plan you have to lock yourself in the little room to avoid it.

Cheers,
Greg

[eico1]

Heheh.. perhaps congregating in the kitchen at parties is to avoid the direct presence of a sound system, to converse and snack in peace... just a thought.

Must agree with that!

steve
 

[HarleyMYK]

amplifierguru: Thanks for the philosophical comments.  I think my wife might agree! 

I dug out what I had on hand that would fit -- a Norh SE 9 tube integrated and an old (1985?) pair of JBL LT-1’s  (5.25" x 1” two ways in a small heavy metal box).  Nice detail on guitars, no deep bass but more importantly really lacking on vocals.  Maybe a pair of Omega Mini Me's would improve the system, but would be a very tight fit.

[HarleyMYK]

Well, that configuration didn't last long.  My neighbor, who makes some pretty sweet speakers, brought me over a much nicer (open and detailed) pair of diy speakers and I swapped the tube amp back into my office for a stock SI 5066 with a huge medical type power supply.  I will install a better power outlet behind the unit to get rid of the cords and no doubt keep upgrading.  But at least I have something better than a boombox for the kitchen.