WTB - $1000 to spend on office A/V setup - speakers?

Pancho Urbano · « **on:** 15 Apr 2006, 04:09 pm »

Hi, folks.

I have $1000 from the university to spend on A/V equiptment for my office (I teach media studies). I'm trying to put power to the pavement here, as this is a one-time thing (or until a new Dean comes around). I can't really listen loudly, but I need a basic A/V set up. I especially need suggestions on speakers. Here are my ideas:

Receiver - Teac Legacy 800 - $200
DVD - Teac Legacy 800 - $80 (at least they match)
VCR - Panasonic cheapo - $60
Monitor - Samsung Synchmaster 940MW 19" (700:1 contrast, high resolution, HDTV ready) - $420

This leaves me with about $200 for office speakers. Should I pick up some Athena AS-B1.2s? I remember they were on my list a few years ago along with the Ascend C-170s and Axiom M2/3s (which are wonderful). The Athenas are at AA for $120, which leaves some budget room for a video capture box. Paradigm atoms? What would speakers would you order?

For that matter, if you had $1000 for an office AV setup, what would it look like?

PS - I should mention that I can't blow the $1000 on speakers alone, as this has to be a legitimate, useful AV setup.

Brad · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Apr 2006, 04:57 pm »

How about the Tivoli stereo setup paired with a 20 or 24" Dell widescreen LCD. Add one of the upsampling Samsung DVD players.

May not have enough inputs on the Tivoli, but the sound is great in an office sized room. Won't blow you out, but good, warm, clean sound.

Lots of alternatives in this price range - interesting problem to think about.....

Gordy · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Apr 2006, 05:20 pm »

These are not on sale at the moment, but keep checking the link as they might go back on special within your time frame... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=26898&highlight=polk+r30

Bummer about those initials Pancho

Pancho Urbano · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Apr 2006, 05:39 pm »

Thanks for the posts about the Tivoli. They might be a little limited in terms of AV functionality. I really admire the Teac Reference series for a small system (I'd jump for the NAD L53 if I had a larger budget). The Legacy series is not as well built, I think, but still a nice little amp/source for two channel and 5 channel/DVD abilities for maybe later on when I get a bigger office.

For AC members, what would your $1000 go toward?
What about the Athenas? Other low-price options? Those Polk floorstanders seem like a good deal ($100 for both?) - would the Polks stand up against the Canadian Athenas (although tainted in the audio community for their Best Buy affiliation)?

More ideas are welcomed!

-pu (pseudonym, of course!)

Brad · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Apr 2006, 06:06 pm »

Dell has that 20" widescreen for $363 shipped right now.
Pretty good deal.

How much space do you have?

My office is small and very cluttered - I wouldn't have room for floorstanders. Are you going to integrate this with your computer system?

Pancho Urbano · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Apr 2006, 06:12 pm »

There is some room for floorstanders, but bookshelfs would probably be easier. I have a MacBook Pro on order, which as optical in/out.

I'll have to check out that Dell monitor. I'm impressed with the Samsung - check it out. Quite a robust little performer, an HDTV-ready monitor with black blacks and high contrast hidden among the computer LCD monitors at retail outlets. Most Best Buys and Frys probably don't know what they have there.

pu

mgalusha · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Apr 2006, 08:23 pm »

We've got about 1/2 dozen of the Dell 20 widescreen monitor's and they've been trouble free. I've watched a few DVD's on mine and they look pretty good. Like most LCD's they viewing angle isn't as good as a CRT but it's not bad.

You might want to check out the x-ls speakers from AV123 that Danny Richie designed for them. By all reports they are very nice for the $200 price tag.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

Doublej · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Apr 2006, 03:18 am »

Check out the Infinity Primus 150s for under $80/pr shipped.

http://www.electronics-expo.com/product.jsp?x=PRIMUS150

or E-bay. That gives you an extra $120 for a center channel or a slightly bigger monitor.

Personally for an office setup I spend most of the budget on the TV and skimp on everything else.

For example you can get a Syntax 26" wide screen LCD for $700. Add a DVD/VCR combo for $100 (or you can get a separate DVD and VCR for about the same price) and if you need them a pair of pro audio powered monitors for $150 and $50 for a switch box. (Or get a refurbed 5.1 receiver from Onko for $130 and the Infinity Primus 150s for $80)

YMMV

nickspicks · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Apr 2006, 12:56 pm »

i'd find a used or refurbished Sony STR-DA3000ES A/V reciever (DSD converting on all inputs !!), plus it does video switching from S-V to Componant. Probably under $400.

Speakers, i'd go w/those Paradigms you mentioned, or maybe a used pair of Epos EL3's.

any ol' cheap upsampling DVD player, or perhaps a VHS/DVD combo deck for less clutter.

thats around $700, leaving the rest for a monitor.

Pancho Urbano · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Apr 2006, 03:59 pm »

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that I should get a good monitor, and I still like the Samsung. I'll look at the Dells more closely, though. OK, there are some good candidates for my speakers:

AV123 x-ls ($200)
Infinity Primus 150s ($80)
Paradigm Atoms ($180)
Athena AS-B1.2 ($120)

I haven't heard any of these. I really like the Axioms and Ascends, which I've heard at a friends (I have Michauras at home, made by Axiom and quite hyped a couple of years ago afther they went under). I like neutral sound, and considering the office set up, I'll be listening at low volumes. Are there any thoughts as my best option?

Pancho Urbano · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Apr 2006, 08:35 pm »

Hi - thought I'd bump this up and see if I get any more responses.

I'm going to decide on the speakers in the next couple of days. What do you all think about the following speakers:

AV123 x-ls ($200)
Infinity Primus 150s ($80)
Paradigm Atoms ($180)
Athena AS-B1.2 ($120)

The AV123s seem to get some *very* good reviews and they look really nice. But the Stereophile review of the Infinity 150s sounds convincing. I'm torn. Any thoughts are welcome.

Any other comments on my components help as well

_scotty_ · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Apr 2006, 02:40 am »

I have discussed the AV123 x-ls ($200) with Danny of GR Research and these are the serious bargain of the bunch. They will give up very little when compared against $1500 a pair loudspeakers.
They should measure Very Well and be musical to boot.
Scotty

Danny Richie · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Apr 2006, 03:19 am »

I guarantee you that nothing in this price range will touch the X-LS speakers. It will be the new budget class king.

See review: http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/Onixxlsp1.php

Pancho Urbano · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Apr 2006, 10:40 pm »

Are the AV123 really that good? Better than the Axiom M2i or Ascend C170?

What do you think? I might be able to squeeze out another $100 if I use my own money.

pu

Danny Richie · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Apr 2006, 10:59 pm »

Yep, easily.

Plus, the X-LS speakers look good. And for what the C170 cost you can almost cover the cost of a pair of X-LS speakers and the X-sub too. The two together are a killer combo.

Carlman · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Apr 2006, 08:23 pm »

Quote from: Danny

Yep, easily.
Plus, the X-LS speakers look good. And for what the C170 cost you can almost cover the cost of a pair of X-LS speakers and the X-sub too. The two together are a killer combo.

Danny, don't you sell these speakers to AV123? If so, please be sure to indicate this when touting things you have a financial stake in.... You're appearing to give advice like a fellow hobbyist... and only a fellow hobbyist... when in fact there is more to the story...

Danny Richie · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Apr 2006, 09:13 pm »

Quote

Danny, don't you sell these speakers to AV123?

No, but there is more to the story.

I did all the design work on these speakers for them. I designed the tweeters, the woofers, the enclosures, the crossover etc, top to bottom.

But it belongs to them and they purchase nothing from me involving the production of them.

The real story though is the marketing strategy of AV123.

Mark said that rather than spend a bunch of money in advertising through various magazines and stuff that he is going to advertise his company by giving away these speakers at little more than cost to produce them.

It is one heck of a promotional item. Mark says it will be his companies calling card. It will definitely draw a ton of attention to AV123.

The real winners will be the consumers. These are a steal.

It is not designed to be the worlds greatest mini-monitor, but it will compete easily with anything in the sub $1,000. a pair range, and for $199. a pair nothing will touch them.

I will be glad to answer any technical questionsif there are any, but if you want to know just how great they sound then order a pair. They offer a 30 day in-home trial period.

Carlman · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Apr 2006, 12:14 am »

Thanks for the clarification, Danny... I may indeed order a pair... If they came in cherry, I probably already would have.... That maple looks great, though... hmmmmm