2 Speaker package (inc amp) for under £400

[Ango]

Need a 2.1 speaker package for my study. Will be used for music only. Needs to have good bass. Has got a maximum budget of £400 including the speakers and amp, maybe buy the sub at a later stage?

Have mainly been looking at satellite speakers.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Is my budget too small for any decent speakers?

 

[Hawklord]

If you only have a budget of £400 I'd forget about getting a sub initially and just get some speakers. To get anything like a musical subwoofer you'd have to spend >£300 imo so that'd use most of your budget
If I was in your position I'd do a bit of research on speakers around the £400 bracket and put together a short list you'd be interested in auditioning.
You'll have decide wether to get floorstanders or standmounts. This is generally down to room size and your own prference regarding sound. Floorstanders generally give more bass due to the larger cabinate size but some standmounts on GOOD stands can offer comparable bass.
I'd definately look at the usual suspects being B&W 600 Series 3, Mission, Kef Q series, Dynaudio, Wharfdale, Quad and Tannoy.
You'll have to decide which is best with your own ears as none are neceissarily better than any other just different in their charactuer.

happy hunting

 

[MuFu]

Richer's are doing the NAD C350 for £180 which is a great sounding amp and a bargain at that price. That would leave you £220 for speakers and maybe stands - definitely not too little to get something decent, especially if you go the s/h route.

MuFu.

 

[Ango]

Anybody suggest any other good amp & speaker package?

 

[Hawklord]

Amps:-

Arcam A75+ ex dem here (from £220):-

http://www.sevenoaksdb.net/ssav/stockclearance/clearance.aspx

or £200 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/1578

or £250 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/1240

Speakers:-

£200 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/1091

£200 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/1145

£250 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/1366

£150 http://www.richersounds.co.uk/index.php?f=itemdetl.php&p=301822


I've gone for standmount rather than floorstanders as you tend to get better value within this price range imo.

Best get yourself to your local dealer and audition some bits to find the sound thats best to your ears

What sources are you using? Musical preferences?

 

[Ango]

All types of music really, as I said, they will be used on my computer. Quite a lot of RnB as well. I will take a look at those links now.

Cheers

 

[Hawklord]

By the way those links are just examples of the likely candidates. If you shop around you could pick up cheaper elsewhere. I just used superfi as they have all the usual suspects.
I'd certainly look into purchasing a designated cd player too. Your pc's sound card will probably not do as good a job and if your playing mp3's which are lower bit rates than cd replay you'll lose out sound quality wise too.

 

[Ango]

Found the MARANTZ PM4400OSE AMPLIFIER for £150, although I do like the look of the rotel ra01, is there much difference spec wise?

 

[Hawklord]

Both are fantastic amps for the money. I'd personally go for the RA01 as I like the Rotel sound and prefer the styling. The only way to judge if the Rotel is worth the extra is to go have a listen. The arcam A75+ is definately worth a look too. It's recently been superceded by the A80 so some bargains are to be had exdem and clearence stock. I've seen for as little as £220 which was a little sickening as I paid £395 only six months ago
The arcam also has an av in mode too so if you add a surround sound system (av amp) at a later date you'll be able to combine and integrate the two systems easily.

 

[Ango]

Couldn't find the arcam on the look you gave me, but I will have a look around.

 

[Ango]

Found an ex-demo RA-01 for £130, might get that... Then maybe some suitable bookshelf speakers.

 

[Roam]

If you buy a complete system you get a good discount. These are just an example but you can mix and match and then negotiate a good price:

http://www.richersounds.com/index.php?f=hifisystem3.htm

 

[MuFu]

Originally posted by Ango
Found an ex-demo RA-01 for £130, might get that... Then maybe some suitable bookshelf speakers.

Sounds good. £270 for speakers and stands really opens up your options. The Rotel is a decent amp - a little bit more bright/forward sounding than the NAD. Try both if you can.

MuFu.