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New member looking for advice please!!

dibbo89
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dibbo89 Rookie

dibbo89

Posted
Posted

Hi there,

Been researching a few options to get together a speaker / subwoofer set ups for around $500. Keen to muck around with seperate speakers / subwoofers / amps etc if its louder / cheaper - like car speakers. Bit of background info: making a unit that can be hired out at various parties, so just needs to be as loud as possible with good bass to keep cutsomers happy. Speakers / everything will not be visible (behind a speaker fabric / mesh), so doesn't matter what they "look" like they'll sound like.

Option 1 - logitech z-5500 speakers

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Logitech-Z-5500-5-1-Digital-Speaker-System-Z5500-PC-PS3-XBOX-Optical-SPDIF-/170903008762?pt=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item27ca9cf5fa#ht_4781wt_986

Option 2 - car speakers / amp. not sure how loud this will be or if $500 is enough to make it viable - 10 inch sub? 12 inch sub? 2 subs? 6 inch speakers? tweeters? done a car install before and done a lot of researching on prices on ebay and other stores.

Option 3 - dj / PA speakers - no idea about these never looked in to them - good option? which ones? cost effective?

Other options?? basically looking for most cost effective option that is LOUD!

Thanks a lot hopefully you know a bit about some of these options and can help me out!! Much appreciated!! Daniel.

Zaphod Beeblebrox Grand Master

Zaphod Beeblebrox

Posted
Posted

Hi there,

Been researching a few options to get together a speaker / subwoofer set ups for around $500. Keen to muck around with seperate speakers / subwoofers / amps etc if its louder / cheaper - like car speakers. Bit of background info: making a unit that can be hired out at various parties, so just needs to be as loud as possible with good bass to keep cutsomers happy. Speakers / everything will not be visible (behind a speaker fabric / mesh), so doesn't matter what they "look" like they'll sound like.

Option 1 - logitech z-5500 speakers

http://www.ebay.com....a#ht_4781wt_986

It isn't April 1st, so I assume you're serious. Short answer: Forget it.

Option 2 - car speakers / amp. not sure how loud this will be or if $500 is enough to make it viable - 10 inch sub? 12 inch sub? 2 subs? 6 inch speakers? tweeters? done a car install before and done a lot of researching on prices on ebay and other stores.

$500.00 should get you the components to build a decent sub. Then you need a plate amp to drive it. The rest will cost more.

Option 3 - dj / PA speakers - no idea about these never looked in to them - good option? which ones? cost effective?

Second hand PA speakers will certainly go loud. Your budget won't allow new stuff.

Other options?? basically looking for most cost effective option that is LOUD!

Thanks a lot hopefully you know a bit about some of these options and can help me out!! Much appreciated!! Daniel.

Look at good, second hand speakers. Adjust your budget to around $1,500.00 and you should be able to source something that will go loud (you're looking for high efficiency here). Amplification should be something like a used Behringer perhaps. Forget car stereo equipment for such an application. The power supply will kill your budget.

  • Like 1
LogicprObe Life Member

LogicprObe

Posted
Posted (edited)

Good advice from ZB.

I'd be looking at second hand, active PA monitors.

Good ones may still stretch your budget somewhat.

Edit = http://www.kosmic.com.au/professional-audio-1/powered-speakers/behringer-eurolive-b115-1/

These guys are in WA.

Two of those will go loud and with a 15" driver, you may not need a sub.

You can always add one later.

http://www.kosmic.com.au/professional-audio-1/powered-speakers/behringer-eurolive-b1500d-pro-15-1400-watt-peak-active-subwoofer-1/

Edited by LogicprObe
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ayou2 Veteran

ayou2

Posted
Posted

$500 is going to struggle unless you can track down some screamer 2nd hand bargains.

I'm guessing you have some cabinetry skills ?

DIY is easily your cheapest option. Something like these would be a good start. Sum stereo through just the one speaker.

http://www.essentialaudio.com.au/contents/en-us/p865_Eminence_ALPHA-15A_PA_Loudspeaker.html

http://www.essentialaudio.com.au/contents/en-us/p886_Eminence_H395_Horn_Flare.html

dibbo89 Rookie

dibbo89

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for all your kind replies!! I still want to stick with the $500 - $600 budget max. I've held 30-40 people-parties using my $130 logitech computer speakers and they were pretty loud - i can't see my idea being for parties of more then 80 people. i thought that if i got the logitech z5500's, they would be much louder then my z523's and would be sufficient for a smallish party. all they need to be is decently loud so that when i rock up to some guys house who knows nothing about speakers and press play, he can go "wow" - i need some new computer speakers so might just buy the z5500s and if theyre not good enough for the unit i'll use them myself. but if you think i've lost the plot, tell me!!

Good advice from ZB.

I'd be looking at second hand, active PA monitors.

Good ones may still stretch your budget somewhat.

Edit = http://www.kosmic.co...urolive-b115-1/

These guys are in WA.

Two of those will go loud and with a 15" driver, you may not need a sub.

You can always add one later.

http://www.kosmic.co...ve-subwoofer-1/

i like the idea of the behringers from kosmic. defitely will try find some second hand ones on gumtree .. anywhere else i can look?

$500 is going to struggle unless you can track down some screamer 2nd hand bargains.

I'm guessing you have some cabinetry skills ?

DIY is easily your cheapest option. Something like these would be a good start. Sum stereo through just the one speaker.

http://www.essential...oudspeaker.html

http://www.essential...Horn_Flare.html

yep dad's got a furniture-making factory so wood / cabinetry are easy. is this root sort of like the car-audio root?

few car audio things i've been considering:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Free-Shipping-PIONEER-TS-W309S4-12-Champion-Series-Subwoofer-/280897112543?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4166c5c9df#ht_4148wt_986

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Pioneer-GM-6500F-4-C…

Thanks again all your replies are very appreciated!!

pete_mac Grand Champion

pete_mac

Posted
Posted

Yep, you've lost the plot! ;)

Logitechs are not party speakers.

However, if you consider your current Logitech 2.1s to be OK for parties, perhaps you'd be more than satisfied with a pair of powered 10" or 12" speakers. These will put out significantly more volume than any Logitech system, and will sound better in the process.

If you do want something that will work well as PC speakers, as well as being able to put out a surprising amount of output for an indoor party, the Behringer Truth B2031As are quite a competent package. They aren't suitable for proper PA work, and will run out of steam outdoors. Still, they will crap down the throat of any Logitech system.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-Behringer-Truth-B2031A-Studio-Monitors-8-inch-SOLD-PAIR-/180904036224?pt=AU_Pro_Audio&hash=item2a1eb88780#ht_3581wt_986

  • Like 1
LogicprObe Life Member

LogicprObe

Posted
Posted

People don't want to hire DIY stuff.

Also, you can get the same model with a built in MP3 player for $50 more.

(I wouldn't do that myself, but it's an option)

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pete_mac Grand Champion

pete_mac

Posted
Posted

still interested in the supposedly "easily cheapest" option of DIY??

Given the price of the Behringers, you'll struggle to build a comparable system for less dollars if you go down the DIY route. Half-decent drivers, crossovers and components aren't cheap, and you can't just slap them together and expect them to sound good.

You didn't mention hiring out the system in your first post. In that case, ABSOLUTELY remove the Logitechs from your short list, and also forget about the Behringer Truths. You really want some hard-wearing pro-style PA speakers.

Mr Probe is on the money with the Behringers. They are about as cheap as you'll get for half-decent brand new PA speakers without wasting money on the crappy Chinese cheapies.

  • Like 1
dibbo89 Rookie

dibbo89

Posted
  • Author
Posted

People don't want to hire DIY stuff.

Also, you can get the same model with a built in MP3 player for $50 more.

(I wouldn't do that myself, but it's an option)

sorry let me explain myself a bit more - the speakers will be hidden in sort of a big box 2m x 1m x 1m, a section of it will be speaker grill / fabric where the speakers will sit near for the sound to come out. so no one will know what the speakes are or what it looks like, and target market is 14-21yr old parties. i just want to be able to say "1000 watts of booimng sound!!!" and it'll sound impressive no matter what is in there. then just want the speakers to sound good enough!

Given the price of the Behringers, you'll struggle to build a comparable system for less dollars if you go down the DIY route. Half-decent drivers, crossovers and components aren't cheap, and you can't just slap them together and expect them to sound good.

You didn't mention hiring out the system in your first post. In that case, ABSOLUTELY remove the Logitechs from your short list, and also forget about the Behringer Truths. You really want some hard-wearing pro-style PA speakers.

Mr Probe is on the money with the Behringers. They are about as cheap as you'll get for half-decent brand new PA speakers without wasting money on the crappy Chinese cheapies.

soooo the behringers won't even be able to be seen - which is fine. but behringers sound like the way to go just not sure if 2x 12 inch PA speakers will have enough bass - but that wont matter and if i really need more bass i'll add more - even if that means putting a shitty 15" sub with a **** amp just so i can say "with a massive 15 inch subwoofer, this system could even be too loud!!" - you get the point.. thanks for your reply :))

LogicprObe Life Member

LogicprObe

Posted
Posted

It will not sound impressive.

Putting speakers in a big box will make them sound boomy or muffled.

You'll have to adjust the EQ.

How many people are you going to have to move this around?

Is it a Punch and Judy show?

ayou2 Veteran

ayou2

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've seen the kind of thing your wanting to do, basically a portable juke box type of thing and they can plug straight into it with an Ipod, iphone .. that sort of thing.

If you can find a 2nd hand Peavey power amp, they have DDT driver protection and are rugged and reliable or Yamaha are also bulletproof.

The Eminence I linked to would be ideal for the speakers.

One of the entry level 15" & then the horn & they also sell the crossovers, so everything you need, then you just gotta make the cabinet to suit.

Get a second hand Peavey or Yamaha power amp and run it in Mono bloc mode, that should give you lots of watts. You can set the amp to a volume that will be safe and then lock it away in the cabinet.

The ipad, phone , mp3 player , whatever, can then vary the volume but only to a predetermined maximum that is safe for the two speakers.

Make sure you sum stereo into that one channel so you still get all the recording but it just comes through one channel of the amp and one woofer and tweeter.

You'll need to make something really really simple but above all reliable. Your hire business will fold up pretty quick if your rental jukebox stops working in the middle of some 21 yr olds party and he/she has 1000+ facebook friends who all hear about it for the next week. You'll end up refunding too, so in the long run, cutting too many corners won't pay off.

For that reason and with the type pf thing your trying to do, you should keep a spare / replica so you can run out to replace should the original fail.

The other thing I forgot to say ..... A system can sound plenty loud tested in a small to medium size room that is quiet. Computer speakers for example can sound pretty loud in this scenario.

However ... take the system to a medium size bar / hall / venue, put 50-80 people in that venue and all of a sudden, you'll find you actually need about 3-4 times the system that you thought would cope fine.

Good luck !!!

Edited by ayou2
ayou2 Veteran

ayou2

Posted
Posted

There's a saying in the PA industry

"Barks like a Behringer"

They also have a track record of making some products that are as reliable as a $2 watch.

LogicprObe Life Member

LogicprObe

Posted
Posted

There's a saying in the PA industry

"Barks like a Behringer"

They also have a track record of making some products that are as reliable as a $2 watch.

He wants loud and only has $500.

He's better off buying new...........with warranty...........from a local dealer.

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Pops110 Grand Champion

Pops110

Posted
Posted

Hi,

There is a set of kenwood MV50d speakers on gumtree at the moment, for $250.I think they would be perfect for what you want. That would leave you $250 to find a second hand pa amp. Quite a few come up on gumtree. Good luck.

Cheers Dave.

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ayou2 Veteran

ayou2

Posted
Posted

He wants loud and only has $500.

He's better off buying new...........with warranty...........from a local dealer.

Not if it's a Behringer. I was at a place in Mildura on Tuesday who are a Behringer service agent. They waited 9 months for parts from Behringer and when the parts did arrive, the out of warranty cost was $48 dollars. It was a power supply too. In my estimations that means it was probably worth $30 tops.

On the other hand I know a gigging Muso who's got about a Peavey that had 5 liters of water spilt in it after a mop bucket got knocked over cleaning up after a gig. He took it home, put in the hot water cupboard for a week, took it out, plugged it in, still works and is still working to this day. It's 15 years old and hasn't let him down once.

LogicprObe Life Member

LogicprObe

Posted
Posted

Yes.......Dave's solution is good and cost effective!

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/peppermint-grove/audio/kenwood-speakers-very-rare-mv50d-450-watt/1003695121

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/QA1000-172025-QA-SERIES-POWER-AMPLIFIER-QA1000-QTX-POWER-AMP-PA-/160804173437?pt=AU_Pro_Audio&hash=item2570acf67d

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PRO1000-QTX-PA-POWER-AMPLIFIER-PA-STEREO-DJ-BAND-AMP-/110882106020?pt=AU_Pro_Audio&hash=item19d116aaa4

LogicprObe Life Member

LogicprObe

Posted
Posted

Not if it's a Behringer. I was at a place in Mildura on Tuesday who are a Behringer service agent. They waited 9 months for parts from Behringer and when the parts did arrive, the out of warranty cost was $48 dollars. It was a power supply too. In my estimations that means it was probably worth $30 tops.

On the other hand I know a gigging Muso who's got about a Peavey that had 5 liters of water spilt in it after a mop bucket got knocked over cleaning up after a gig. He took it home, put in the hot water cupboard for a week, took it out, plugged it in, still works and is still working to this day. It's 15 years old and hasn't let him down once.

Peavey is good stuff at a reasonable price.

A bit out of his range though!

We used a lot of Peavey bass heads with 15 " EV TL bins.

Ultra reliable.

  • Like 1
ayou2 Veteran

ayou2

Posted
Posted

I agree LP that it is over budget, but equipment failure during hire means non payment or refund .... Then you gotta pay to get it fixed anyways cause no company will warrant gear that goes out for hire and gets blown up (and let's face it, that's the cause of death in 90% of hire equipment) ...... It'll all just even out in the long run.

PS- I took a photo of the offending piece of Behringer. The end user gave up on it ever being fixed and never collected it.

The original paperwork sello taped to it is so old you can't read the ball point ink anymore, it's faded that much having been abandoned. The repairer can't flick it to cover costs till after a certain amount of years though, so it might be there a bit longer yet.

Bus_Boy Veteran

Bus_Boy

Posted
Posted (edited)

I reckon your budget is just about spent on an amp that will run reliably under pressure for an entire night. Even the cheaper end like the Behringer EP2000 is about 450 bucks...

Edited by Bus_Boy
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