Speakers for my BVM?

[Koop]

Hey guys,

I need dedicated speakers for my BVM. Any suggestions on something I can pick up quick and easy? Something with a subwoofer?

Thanks guys

[accaris]

I've been using Logitech Z200 speakers in my setup, best sound quality achievable for under $20 in my opinion... you can usually price match these versus Wal-Mart or another source for $19.99. I haven't really felt a need for a subwoofer for retro games, but if you absolutely have to have one, for a little bit more you can get the Creative A250 or Logitech Z313 for reasonable quality.

[werk91]

Creative T10 all the way. Extra 10$ or so but imo the sound (and build) quality improvement over the Z200 is very big.

[Ji-L87]

As already mentioned, 2.1 pc speaker systems are a great way to improve audio on a budget, also readily available.

If you're wanting some more ideas, used stereo systems and bigger boomboxes with aux RCA inputs are also great things to look out for.
Spend a little higher than that and you can start looking for a pre-hdmi era AV Receiver, some cheap bookshelf and an active sub - all used, of course. There's lots of great deals to find in the used audio market!

Edit:
A bonus with the latter is that with most AV receivers you also get a headphone out (although not as good as a proper headphone amp), which can be really nice to have when you don't feel like blasting late nights, or just want to get extra immersed.

[FinalBaton]

As already mentioned, 2.1 pc speaker systems are a great way to improve audio on a budget, also readily available.

If you're wanting some more ideas, used stereo systems and bigger boomboxes with aux RCA inputs are also great things to look out for.
Spend a little higher than that and you can start looking for a pre-hdmi era AV Receiver, some cheap bookshelf and an active sub - all used, of course. There's lots of great deals to find in the used audio market!

Edit:
A bonus with the latter is that with most AV receivers you also get a headphone out (although not as good as a proper headphone amp), which can be really nice to have when you don't feel like blasting late nights, or just want to get extra immersed.

If I was in the OP's position, I would definitly go with your second option.

I would pick a low wattage mid/late 70's integrated amplifier. Preferably a Sansui (many models to choose from : AU-117/217, AU-111/222, AU-2900/3900, AU-1100/2200/3300 etc), or a Luxman (lv-113, or the r-113 receiver). Those are my 2 favorite amp manufacturers and they happen to make good amps even in their "Bottom of the line" range (I use that term loosely here, because those "BOTL" amps are still very good quality). Those lower wattage amps are relatively cheap on craigslis/kijiji.

The Sony ES pre-5.1 receivers are also generally very nice and some can be had for cheap. Some of them even have a couple of S-video inputs.

Like you said, they mostly always have an headphone jack, and the headphone pre-amp in those will be substantially better than the one on an active-pc speakers systems.
You also benefit from 4 to 6 or so audio RCA inputs, in wich you can plug a bunch of your consoles and switch between them with the simple turn of a knob.

[Ji-L87]

The thing I like with AV receivers over stereo amps is the versatility they offer, even old models. You have bass management and cross-over settings with gives you bit more control over your speakers that I really value. Having pre-outs, even if it's just for the sub, is great - not many stereo amps offer that and I've only seen it on some modern models.

That said, old amps are probably great too! It's just that I always want the option to easily add an active sub, and some of the cheap models don't have speaker level connections, only RCA.

/goes on a tangent


That said, I have heard great things about vintage Sansui amplifiers and there's lots of people saying stereo amps being better actual amps than receivers, which I might believe.

[FinalBaton]

All the higher end Sansuis in the series I mentioned (AU-317 and up, AU-555 and up, AU-5900 and up, AU-5500 and up) have pre-out, main-in rCA connections.

And yes an integrated will have a better preamp and poweramp than the receiver that's at the same price (from same company, same era). So for relatively low money you get tremendous sound quality with vintage integrateds. And to a slightly lesser extent, with vintage receivers of the same price.

Having said that, I can see how the options you mentioned, found on more modern receivers, can prove handy. I totally do. But personally I'm perfectly fine without them (I adjust the crossover on the sub itself, and the many EQ switches on my Sansui satisfy me). But to each their own

[sesshin]

Does anyone have any issues placing normal home stereo speakers close to their CRT with the speaker magnets interfering with the tube? Computer speakers and monitor speakers are usually shielded so I assume wouldn't have this problem, but most home stereo speakers, especially older ones, have unshielded magnets.

[22point8]

I use Creative T20,

[FinalBaton]

Does anyone have any issues placing normal home stereo speakers close to their CRT with the speaker magnets interfering with the tube? Computer speakers and monitor speakers are usually shielded so I assume wouldn't have this problem, but most home stereo speakers, especially older ones, have unshielded magnets.

you need to place them a bit farther from the screen, yes

[BazookaBen]

I imagine most speakers coming out today aren't shielded, right? Seems like it's unnecessary since they usually won't be placed next to CRT's

[ryu]

I imagine most speakers coming out today aren't shielded, right? Seems like it's unnecessary since they usually won't be placed next to CRT's

I was a bit worried about that when I got a pair of desktop speakers for use with my PVM a while back. Haven't had any problems with them yet though.

[werk91]

I reckon every set of speakers that's decent quality will have shielding even nowadays.