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Topic: Total NOOB: Suggestions for very small speakers/amp (Read 2616 times) previous topic - next topic
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Total NOOB: Suggestions for very small speakers/amp

Hi everyone. I'm a total newbie trying to put together a small sound system for my small living room. The speakers will go on a shelf, which has a depth of only about 9.5 inches, so obviously there are space constraints.

The music will come from my computer via Airport Express wireless.

I was wondering if I could push the input from the Airport Express through a Sonic Impact Class-T Audio Amplifier:
http://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Portable-Class...0607&sr=1-3

out to these speakers:
Dayton BR-1S Shielded 6-1/2" 2-Way Monitor Kit Pair
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl....tnumber=300-642

Does that work?

Additionally, at some point, I'd like to add a subwoofer: Maybe one of these?
Dayton T1003K 10" Titanic Mk III Subwoofer Kit
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl....tnumber=300-760

I really have no idea what I'm talking about here, but I'm willing to learn if anyone has any guidance or suggestions. In particular, I note that the Sonic Impact amp doesn't have a subwoofer output. Is there another way to connect a subwoofer, or should I be looking at a different amp?

  - Alaska Jack

Total NOOB: Suggestions for very small speakers/amp

Reply #1 –
The best way to judge a speaker system is to LISTEN and compare.    (I don't think you can do that with the Dayton speakers, unless you happen to live near Parts Express.)  Speaker specs are close to useless. 

That said, judging from the general construction, the Dayton speakers do seem to give you "more for your money" than most of the competition.    Before you order speakers over the Net (especially a speaker kit), just understand and accept that you are taking a gamble... 

I'd guess that the "weakest link" in this system will be the amp.  But, it's probably adeqUate for most situations, especially if backed-up by a 200W subwoofer!

The subwoofer is probably overkill...  But there's nothing wrong with a little overkill...  I recently bought a pair of the 15" Titanic subwoofer drivers.  I haven't built the cabinets yet, so I don't know if my "gamble" will paid-off...  I'll be disappointed if I don't blow-out my windows!   

Quote
In particular, I note that the Sonic Impact amp doesn't have a subwoofer output. Is there another way to connect a subwoofer, or should I be looking at a different amp?
  The subwoofer has line-level inputs & outputs.  You'd put the sub in-between the Airport Express and the "main" amplifier.  I couldn't tell from the sub-amp's description if there's an active crossover (which, ideally you should have) to block the bass from the main amp.  With this set-up, you'll have to use the comptuer's software volume control (if it works with the Airport Express), because the amp's volume control wont' affect the sub.

Or, you can use the sub amp's speaker-level inputs.  You'd run the main amp's output to both the main speakers and the sub.  The downside of this setup is that you are sending bass to the main speakers too, and at higher levels you can drive the main amp into distortion (and maybe overdrive the main speakers) well before approaching the sub amp's power-limit.

Total NOOB: Suggestions for very small speakers/amp

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
The best way to judge a speaker system is to LISTEN and compare.    (I don't think you can do that with the Dayton speakers, unless you happen to live near Parts Express.)  Speaker specs are close to useless. 

That said, judging from the general construction, the Dayton speakers do seem to give you "more for your money" than most of the competition.    Before you order speakers over the Net (especially a speaker kit), just understand and accept that you are taking a gamble... 

I'd guess that the "weakest link" in this system will be the amp.  But, it's probably adeqUate for most situations, especially if backed-up by a 200W subwoofer!

The subwoofer is probably overkill...  But there's nothing wrong with a little overkill...  I recently bought a pair of the 15" Titanic subwoofer drivers.  I haven't built the cabinets yet, so I don't know if my "gamble" will paid-off...  I'll be disappointed if I don't blow-out my windows!   

Quote
In particular, I note that the Sonic Impact amp doesn't have a subwoofer output. Is there another way to connect a subwoofer, or should I be looking at a different amp?
  The subwoofer has line-level inputs & outputs.  You'd put the sub in-between the Airport Express and the "main" amplifier.  I couldn't tell from the sub-amp's description if there's an active crossover (which, ideally you should have) to block the bass from the main amp.  With this set-up, you'll have to use the comptuer's software volume control (if it works with the Airport Express), because the amp's volume control wont' affect the sub.

Or, you can use the sub amp's speaker-level inputs.  You'd run the main amp's output to both the main speakers and the sub.  The downside of this setup is that you are sending bass to the main speakers too, and at higher levels you can drive the main amp into distortion (and maybe overdrive the main speakers) well before approaching the sub amp's power-limit.


Thanks -- very informative! Now before I whip out my credit card -- is there any other small amp you think might be better than the Sonic Impact for this?

  - AJ