Cheap efficient bookshelf speakers?

mike1964 · « **on:** 18 Aug 2009, 02:04 am »

I'm in the market for a really cheap (think dorm room for the daughter) relatively efficient speakers, bookshelf-sized, to pair with a T-amp (specs say 15 watts, but in reality less than 10). Any thoughts?

Mike

mightym · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 02:23 am »

Help us out, define Really Cheap.

Would a pair of Fostex fe127's in a simple BR box be too much?

How 'bout a pair of Pioneer A11's in a simple BR Box?

hobbyhands · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 02:29 am »

Also are you looking to buy or make?

Also an interesting thought. As a general rule, most Women don't seem to care as much about fidelity as us men? Not all mind you, but I would say most. As an example. My wife can tell the difference between hifi and standard speakers, but would be just as happy with with a small combo cd speaker system in the room.

So maybe you can get away with something under $100 from the shack or other box store.

The irony is women as a general rule have better hearing then use men.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 02:37 am »

Quote from: hobbyhands on 18 Aug 2009, 02:29 am

The irony is women as a general rule have better hearing then use men.

Unfortunately this is true. And smell then?

mike1964 · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 03:01 am »

Dorm room cheap, so less than $100, used might be better than new. Building boxes would be too much effort for this project, but buying a kit box and assembling the speakers would be OK, or using old donor speakers and replacing drivers. They certainly don't need to sound as good as my Fostex FE168s.

BigRick · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 03:11 am »

Go to best buy and pick up a pair of insignia bookshelves for 80 bones. If you want to improve integrity and bass reinforcement fo rless than a bill. fill the cabinet with cement and sawdust mix and add more polyfill behind the driver. they sound awesome and are relatively efficient, 90ish db/1m.

ltr317 · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 03:18 am »

Oops. Removed.

JohnR · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 04:38 am »

Since this is the single-driver circle you are obviously looking for single-driver speakers. Perhaps the JohnBlue JB3 then. Or this kit from CSS and a cabinet from Parts Express - http://www.creativesound.ca/details.php?model=EL70KITP1

mike1964 · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 01:10 pm »

Quote from: ltr317 on 18 Aug 2009, 03:18 am

Oops. Removed.

The Hsu was a great suggestion, just a bit out of budget and not so common pre-owned. Thanks anyway.

Wayner · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 01:26 pm »

The Audio Advisor has a pair of Energy C-50's for $85 in black. Freq is stated at 65 to 20k, 88db sensitivity, 8.75" high, 5.75" wide and 8" deep. You can get the Cherry version for $95.

www.audioadvisor.com

Wayner

JohnR · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 01:32 pm »

But it's a two-way.

Wayner · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 07:20 pm »

Keep the grill on

JohnR · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 09:42 pm »

It's still a two way. And this is the single-driver circle.

Wayner · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Aug 2009, 10:32 pm »

John,

He's never going to find a single drive speaker for under $100 unless he changes his requirements. There are drivers out there but he'd have to build a box, which he doesn't want to do.

I work on outcome based solutions.

So what comes first? Stick to the circle's fulfillment, or try to help the guy out?

Wayner

jk@home · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Aug 2009, 12:02 am »

Quote from: BigRick on 18 Aug 2009, 03:11 am

Go to best buy and pick up a pair of insignia bookshelves for 80 bones. If you want to improve integrity and bass reinforcement fo rless than a bill. fill the cabinet with cement and sawdust mix and add more polyfill behind the driver. they sound awesome and are relatively efficient, 90ish db/1m.

My son's (almost) a junior in college, he likes his Insignias from BB, using a HSU sub to help out. He's using a Harman Kardon receiver to drive them, but we did try them out on my Bottlehead SEX amp. Nicely finished speakers for the $. I would pair them up with something with tones controls, and leave it at that.

mca · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Aug 2009, 12:28 am »

Mike1964,

Are you looking for single driver speakers? My bet is no, and I would go the route others have said, go to BB and get a pair of the Insignias

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Aug 2009, 01:00 am »

Quote from: mike1964 on 18 Aug 2009, 02:04 am

I'm in the market for a really cheap (think dorm room for the daughter) relatively efficient speakers, bookshelf-sized, to pair with a T-amp (specs say 15 watts, but in reality less than 10). Any thoughts?

Pick up a couple of the RS Series from Parts Express. They are $25 each, and in a small ported cabinet would make a nice little full-range.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=295-358&ctab=2#Tabs

I'd probably put a notch on that break-up but otherwise you could do this without a crossover. The notch is just three components, inductor, resistor cap to knock down that break-up at 15K. It won't effect the system efficiency. Contrary to popular opinion crossovers don't necessarily knock down sensitivity unless you design them for that purpose.

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Aug 2009, 01:06 am »

Quote from: mca on 19 Aug 2009, 12:28 am

Mike1964,

Are you looking for single driver speakers? My bet is no, and I would go the route others have said, go to BB and get a pair of the Insignias

That works too. You don't have to build anything.

JohnR · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Aug 2009, 01:25 am »

Quote from: Kevin Haskins on 19 Aug 2009, 01:00 am

Pick up a couple of the RS Series from Parts Express. They are $25 each, and in a small ported cabinet would make a nice little full-range.

Kevin, wouldn't the Qts of 0.87 make ported unworkable?

mike1964 · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Aug 2009, 02:24 am »

Quote from: mca on 19 Aug 2009, 12:28 am

Mike1964,

Are you looking for single driver speakers? My bet is no, and I would go the route others have said, go to BB and get a pair of the Insignias

Ideally, yes, single drivers. I'm working with very minimal power output so need something easy to drive. Saw a pair of cheap used C-V two-ways with horn tweeter that (94db efficiency) that might work, but am trying to do it with a full range driver. Just in case I end up with them myself...