Help with buying a cheap sound system

Ldarkchoc on 16/09/2016 - 18:09
Last edited 16/09/2016 - 21:33 by 1 other user

Hi all

I'm trying to set up a budget hifi system that I can use for Spotify, music from my phone (android) and my small collection of mp3s on my Mac mini. Will be listening at mid volume to relaxing music. Sound quality is important to me. Budget is also important to me.

The rooms to set up are medium sized.

So far, I have decided on the following:

Input: Google Chromecast Audio - $59 each
Amp: Lepai LP-2024 - $40 each delivered from ebay

Speakers: I wanted to get some excellent quality budget speakers (e.g. Micca MB42 for US$65 or Dayton Audio) but I am not sure where to source them from in Australia as delivery from US is almost doubling the price. Any help on speaker recommendations and links would be appreciated.

Cable: What speaker cable should I be getting and where from?

I know I could achieve everything i want with a Sonos system, but I can't justify the cost!

Any other recommendations for an approx $200 setup per room would be really appreciated as well!

Happy to use second hand - I just don't know what to look for though!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • bgalway on 16/09/2016 - 18:58

    Lg music flow? sonos rip off. works pretty well

    • darkchoc on 16/09/2016 - 20:33

      Thanks -I'll look into it

  • apple2016 on 16/09/2016 - 22:32
    +3

    At this price point I would be looking at seconds if you need quality as well. May be something like this and speakers.
    This would support two zones or two rooms.

    • donnot on 17/09/2016 - 00:30

      +1 for that amp (I own the exact model). Overkill for budget (<$100) speakers but at that price, I'd definitely go for it. Very powerful.

    • darkchoc on 17/09/2016 - 15:14

      Thanks for the tip!

  • captobvious on 17/09/2016 - 00:04

    Bunnings, jaycar sell speaker wire cheap enough

  • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2016 - 00:10
    +1

    There is always good value in old second hand speakers.

    I am creating a multi system throughout my house. I just bought 6 Amazon dots as a source (and I will buy a few cheap airplay receivers off ebay too), and then Im going to run cheap stereo amps (from ebay) to some old speakers I have. I have set up a few of these and they sound great. I love the echo dots because I just say the song I want to play and it plays.

    • darkchoc on 17/09/2016 - 15:15

      Hey mate - I hadn't heard of Amazon echo dot until I read your post.

      Quick q - what make you pick dot over Chromecast Audio?

      • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2016 - 15:58

        Because I just say 'play the Beastie Boys' and it does it.

        I also have apple airplay receivers which i can stream music to from my iphone on the same systems, but these days I just use echo. I can also say play BBC Radio 2, and it will do that. Plus it can set alarms, control my lighting and heating, read me out wikipedias, tell me how long it will take to get to work etc etc etc.

        • darkchoc on 19/09/2016 - 13:21

          looks like there is a new Echo dot coming out - i reckon i might try one out! thanks for the tip.

  • fruit on 17/09/2016 - 09:06

    Back of White Van

  • darkchoc on 19/09/2016 - 13:20

    in my research, I have found Micca MB42 or MB42x bookshelf speakers from Amazon that look amazing for the price.

    https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweete…

    its coming up to $169AUD delivered to me. I know shipping is expensive so i'm relectunt to pull the trigger as i'm sure there should be some locally available speakers! do you guys have any recommendations?

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