Speaker consensus/recommendations

[GSXRMovistar]

Hi there,

currently in the process of building a cocktail type cabinet and I need to install some speakers so wanted to see what the consensus was around what type to use within a cab (mains powered, USB powered, separate amp etc).

I’m not looking for anything too powerful as the intention is to also hook the system up to some existing AV gear in the room over bluetooth if needed. The only think I do want though is an hardware volume control rather than just relying on software.

Thanks for any pointers,
Andy

[BadMouth]

Don't use USB powered speakers.  They're underpowered for a cocktail table and often you'll get extra noises through them.
If you get a good set without noise issues, they're ok for bartops or other applications where the speakers are right at your face but a usb port just can't deliver the current required for good solid amplification.

Most people here end up using a 2.0 PC speaker setup or a small amplifier with car speakers (search amazon or ebay for lepai amp).
Either one can be turned on and off with the PC using a smart power strip.

On most setups I prefer a 2.1 PC speaker setup with wired external remote.

[GSXRMovistar]

Thanks for that, most useful. I actually have a decent set of car speakers in the garage not being used, and a quick look at the Lepai looks like I may be able to desolder the volume pot to relocate it onto the cabinet casing.

[yotsuya]

BadMouth speaks wisdom. On the cocktail cabs I've built using HaRuMaN's kits, I go to the local electronics store and buy the cheapest pair of 6x9s I can. That way, I have enough for two cocktail cabs (since they only use one). I power them with the Lepai-style amp (but you can use a Kinter amp from Amazon, too - the Lepai's have really jumped in price) and all works well.

[BadMouth]

I power them with the Lepai-style amp (but you can use a Kinter amp from Amazon, too - the Lepai's have really jumped in price) and all works well.

I got this kinter amp one time as a filler item to get free shipping:
http://www.parts-express.com/kinter-ma-150-2-channel-mini-amplifier-usb-charger-2x20w--310-370

It is the worst amp I have ever experienced.  I wasn't expecting much, but the sound was so underpowered and distorted that I literally could not find a use for it.
I ended up throwing it in the garbage.

That is my experience with Kinter.

[yotsuya]

I power them with the Lepai-style amp (but you can use a Kinter amp from Amazon, too - the Lepai's have really jumped in price) and all works well.

I got this kinter amp one time as a filler item to get free shipping:
http://www.parts-express.com/kinter-ma-150-2-channel-mini-amplifier-usb-charger-2x20w--310-370

It is the worst amp I have ever experienced.  I wasn't expecting much, but the sound was so underpowered and distorted that I literally could not find a use for it.
I ended up throwing it in the garbage.

That is my experience with Kinter.

Interesting. I have used it twice with no issue. Still, it's good to get other POVs. 

I've been using this bit of goodness for bartops:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4MT274?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

[yotsuya]

Oh, I just clicked on your link... I haven't used that Kinter at all.

This is the one I have used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TUSXEY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

It's much more similar to the Lepai.

[lamprey]

Not sure if it helps, but I picked up a couple of 2.1 systems: one with a wireless remote and one without.

I don't need to adjust the volume much, so it doesn't really matter per se.  But, I'm kind of liking the wireless remote option. I didn't need to mount a volume knob and adjusting the volume is about as easy as it gets with the remote. YMMV.

[GSXRMovistar]

Dug out the old speakers I had, they were a pair of MB Quarts MB130s which I think are overkill for this (40-100w RMS rating, and physically quite large).

Therefore instead of the speaker/amp route I think I'll try and grab a set of 2.0 speakers with an external wired remote, any recommendations?

[mgb]

For a low cost set of 2.1s the Logitech s220 set is not bad.
I have both the speakers and the small sub mounted right below my marquee behind a grill (with black material behind the grill so the speakers aren't visible). I don't think the small sub would be great too far away ( like the floor of the cab)
I have the volume pod mounted right on the top rear of the cab so its out of sight but easy to reach and adjust.

[two40]

This is the one I have used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TUSXEY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

It's much more similar to the Lepai.

I bought one of these from: http://www.hotmcu.com/tda7297-amplifier-board-dualchannel-noisefree-ac-and-dc-p-87.html?cPath=8

...and I can't for the life of me get rid of the humming feedback. I'm powering it by connecting to a molex (yellow & black) and using the onboard sound. As soon as the audio jack touches any metal on the motherboard I get feedback. I've tried all of the sound ports and I do get sound with the correct output one but still lots of feedback. I've also tried powering it externally to no avail. I must note my motherboard is sitting on cardboard at the moment but I have checked for continuity from molex to earth (electricity plug) and it's fine.

Any ideas?

[mgb]

This is the one I have used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TUSXEY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

It's much more similar to the Lepai.

I bought one of these from: http://www.hotmcu.com/tda7297-amplifier-board-dualchannel-noisefree-ac-and-dc-p-87.html?cPath=8

...and I can't for the life of me get rid of the humming feedback. I'm powering it by connecting to a molex (yellow & black) and using the onboard sound. As soon as the audio jack touches any metal on the motherboard I get feedback. I've tried all of the sound ports and I do get sound with the correct output one but still lots of feedback. I've also tried powering it externally to no avail. I must note my motherboard is sitting on cardboard at the moment but I have checked for continuity from molex to earth (electricity plug) and it's fine.

Any ideas?

First you want to make sure your components are mounted well and all.
  There are points where boards are supposed to be grounded (through the mounting screws to the case.
And make sure your audio components aren't right around things like power supplies that may give off noise.
I think a big problem with these low cost chinese amps may be crappy power supplies.
   Part of my work is with building fire alarm systems and one problem we used to have was hum on the speaker circuits. We used to sometimes put an electrolytic cap (if I remember correctly usually 10uf) across the circuit to clean it up a bit.

[BorgDog]

This is the one I have used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TUSXEY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

It's much more similar to the Lepai.

I bought one of these from: http://www.hotmcu.com/tda7297-amplifier-board-dualchannel-noisefree-ac-and-dc-p-87.html?cPath=8

...and I can't for the life of me get rid of the humming feedback. I'm powering it by connecting to a molex (yellow & black) and using the onboard sound. As soon as the audio jack touches any metal on the motherboard I get feedback. I've tried all of the sound ports and I do get sound with the correct output one but still lots of feedback. I've also tried powering it externally to no avail. I must note my motherboard is sitting on cardboard at the moment but I have checked for continuity from molex to earth (electricity plug) and it's fine.

Any ideas?

Computers are notorious for giving a ground loop hum.  Give a ground loop isolator a try.  I've used this one on computers at school with great success, there are even cheaper alternatives.

[BadMouth]

I think a big problem with these low cost chinese amps may be crappy power supplies.
   

+1,000,000

I'd spend money on a new amp with a power supply designed for it rather than spending money on fixes for this one which may or may not work.

[Miskatonic]

This is the one I have used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TUSXEY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

It's much more similar to the Lepai.

I bought one of these from: http://www.hotmcu.com/tda7297-amplifier-board-dualchannel-noisefree-ac-and-dc-p-87.html?cPath=8

...and I can't for the life of me get rid of the humming feedback. I'm powering it by connecting to a molex (yellow & black) and using the onboard sound. As soon as the audio jack touches any metal on the motherboard I get feedback. I've tried all of the sound ports and I do get sound with the correct output one but still lots of feedback. I've also tried powering it externally to no avail. I must note my motherboard is sitting on cardboard at the moment but I have checked for continuity from molex to earth (electricity plug) and it's fine.

Any ideas?

Computers are notorious for giving a ground loop hum.  Give a ground loop isolator a try.  I've used this one on computers at school with great success, there are even cheaper alternatives.

Yup, get a ground loop isolator. I use these all the time, "shark" brand, you can get them loads of places. they're a car audio part, I believe, but I've never needed to use one in a car :-)

http://images.maplinmedia.co.uk/ground-loop-isolator.jpg?w=283&h=283&r=4&o=XWH8s8gnTiWiYWTVoaEnAWxpUMwj&V=hNnt

[two40]

Thanks all.

Electronics store next door to where I work have isolators for $10. It's twice the price of the amp  but I'll give it a go. Might see if they have better amps while I'm there.

Hmm, just had a thought... the monitor I'm using has internal speakers. It has been decased and I can wire in the speakers but I suspect I won't have the power to drive 10W. I do have similar 3W 4ohm speakers which might be ok... 

[two40]

The isolator worked like a charm. Thanks all.   

[dmckean]

http://www.parts-express.com/grs-69as-4-6-x-9-dual-cone-replacement-car-speaker-4-ohm--292-459

+

http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-300