Speakers, amplifier and grill...what is the best bang for the buck?

[emb]

I am in the process of quoting my personal second arcade cabinet build, a cocktail cabinet.  After learning my lesson from my first cabinet; I should put more effort into picking out the right speakers. Better speakers could have been used. Let alone finding grills to match and mount in the cabinet was relatively painful.

Can anyone recommend any good speakers, amplifier, and grill that can be installed into a cocktail cab without many pains?

In case it matters any, I am building a cocktail similar to the dimensions of ms-pacman. I am looking for combination around the $40-50 price range. I am also planning on adding a potentiometer between the PC and the amplifier which will be adjustable on the back of the unit.

This is not going to be a jukebox or anything, so it does not have to be anything really spectacular (a jukebox is for my next project )

[Unstupid]

You can always use the speaker/vent grills they used on the real Ms Pac machines.  Twisted Quarter has em for $10 each.  Mikes arcade has the original 6x9 speaker replacement for $14 with the same bolt pattern as the grills.   

[DrumAnBass]

A good option for an amp would be something like this:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-380

Or this: http://is.gd/3I4JQ0

Drive some good 6x9 car speakers or higher-end small bookshelf speakers or computer speakers.

[MacGyver]

I did like Unstupid, I used two MS Pacman grills, the cheapest 6x9 they had at MediaMarkt (Magnat $19), and a dual-voltage 30w Pyle amp from amazon for $27

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012KZNP4

I then took the amp apart, de-soldered the potentiometer, soldered in 5 wires, and soldered the other ends back to the pot, then mounted the pot on the back.
It's the gold thing in the middle on the back with the wire hanging from it.

Here it is from the back (the tiny black thing to the left of the red button):


I bought the amp because it had one pot, and I knew I could relocate it.

[magnetik]

I ended up using some old speakers I had lying around (that I never used for the car) Grills turned out alright.  I tore up some old dell speakers and reused the amp.  You can use a small headphone amp to boost it some more.  Just pick the grills you like if they are on the front. 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,87485.0.html

[sharpfork]

For speakers, I really like a 2.1 setup.  The sub really brings a richness to gaming experience.
After messing around with a bunch of options, I've settled on using the Logitech LS21 2.1 system.
I have a Microcenter in the area so $19.99 is an easy choice:
http://microcenter.com/product/288839/LS21_21_Stereo_Speaker_System

The speakers attach to the sub + power via a 1/8 stereo cable so extending them is really easy.  The speakers and the sub are both pretty small.  There is a small box with a power switch, volume control, and headphone jack that I put behind the coin door but could be mounted elsewhere.



Last time I needed grills, I pulled the fan grills off an old PSU and am happy with the look. 

$2.48 with free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Omega-Fan-Guard-120mm/dp/B000BSN63O/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346510657&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=circle+fan+computer+grill

The only pic I could find of them on my old centipede cab is from when the thing was in pieces.  The original 6x9 grill is in the middle.

[emb]

For speakers, I really like a 2.1 setup.  The sub really brings a richness to gaming experience.
After messing around with a bunch of options, I've settled on using the Logitech LS21 2.1 system.
I have a Microcenter in the area so $19.99 is an easy choice:
http://microcenter.com/product/288839/LS21_21_Stereo_Speaker_System

The speakers attach to the sub + power via a 1/8 stereo cable so extending them is really easy.  The speakers and the sub are both pretty small.  There is a small box with a power switch, volume control, and headphone jack that I put behind the coin door but could be mounted elsewhere.



Last time I needed grills, I pulled the fan grills off an old PSU and am happy with the look. 

$2.48 with free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Omega-Fan-Guard-120mm/dp/B000BSN63O/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346510657&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=circle+fan+computer+grill

The only pic I could find of them on my old centipede cab is from when the thing was in pieces.  The original 6x9 grill is in the middle.

Fantastic idea. I love how the volume knob is I the cable. It will save me from having to rip a pot off an amp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ark_ader]

Just get you average £/$10 USB speaker set from Wallymart/ASDA and call it a day.

Most of your games will be mono anyway.

[EightBySix]

Free, if you like Pringles.....

https://speakers.pringles.com/index.php?country_code=GB&language=en

 

[JRoz]

would you guys recommend using the logitech 2.1s in a cocktail cabinet?  My concern is the sub would rattle the hell out of everything in there haha

[Aurich]

would you guys recommend using the logitech 2.1s in a cocktail cabinet?  My concern is the sub would rattle the hell out of everything in there haha

The subs just aren't that powerful on those little systems, if you can physically fit it you'll be fine. I use the same kind of set up in my cab and really like the extra low end grunt, but don't think you're getting some crazy booming bass. 

[kahlid74]

$19.00 - I use this amplifier - http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepai-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/

$4.88 - I use these speakers - www.amazon.com/BRS40-Replacement-Individually-Packaged-Clamshell/dp/B001RNNX8K/

I'm not sure where I got my grills, maybe Happs grills but purchased on EBay.

[sharpfork]

would you guys recommend using the logitech 2.1s in a cocktail cabinet?  My concern is the sub would rattle the hell out of everything in there haha

If you can fit it in there, I say go for it.  The sub in the logitech 2.1's I posted is only 5.5" x 7.0" x 8.4".  The explosions in asteroids and galaga rumble like thunder if you turn the bass up!