Recommendations for DIY stereo systems

[Larry Becker]

I think I qualify pretty well as a "pseudo audiophile" (I think I like that!), but (despite my wife's opinion) I try not to go overboard on it. Sure, in my home theater/main music listening space, I have the best I could afford, all carefully purchased as floor models at the dearly departed Good Guys store out here -- at HUGE discount, I might add... (something like 60% off of list).

But when I went shopping for a new clock radio/ cd player for my bedroom, I went with a Boston Acoustic CD/clock radio model. It uses some similar acoustic tricks that Bose does, and has some electronic gadgetry to boost the bass performance, but I really like it! Don't need surround sound to wake up to.

Not sure I need it in my spa, either. HOWEVER, I did hear some Sundance spa speakers that really sounded nice.

D1 has, I guess, a nice speaker/transducer system that somehow picks up audio from your main stereo. It's about a grand for just the speaker/wireless music receiver system. It wasn't on my floor model spa (yes, that's how I often buy stuff) and they said they couldn't retrofit. I don't believe I've heard a D1 spa sound system.

SO... to beat the last bit of life out of this already dead horse, for the spa sound application, given my close neighbors, I'm not sure I could use it much anyway.

Larry

[drewstar]

The Boston Acoustic radio is the same price as the wave.  But folks wont bash that.  

[Larry Becker]

The Boston Acoustic radio is the same price as the wave.  But folks wont bash that.  

That's kind of my point... they're basically the same thing -- small boxes using acoustic "tricks" to create a big, sound -- and sometimes that's ok, or even preferred!  

I also considered the $599 Polk Audio I-Sonic dvd/cd/HD radio/XM satellite redio device... but I just wanted a nice clock radio with cd player, so and even the $425 I spent on the Boston Acoustic unit (yes, I'm a good haggler) seemed over the top.

More on topic... I need to figure out what kind of receiver or maybe amplified cd player to use that can be controlled by my Dolphin learning remote. Best Buy and Circuit City sometimes have floor models pretty cheap...

Larry

[drewstar]

That's kind of my point... they're basically the same thing -- small boxes using acoustic "tricks" to create a big, sound -- and sometimes that's ok, or even preferred!  



Larry

Once agian Larry, if i were a nail, you'd be hitting me on the head.  

[bluesman]

That's kind of my point... they're basically the same thing -- small boxes using acoustic "tricks" to create a big, sound -- and sometimes that's ok, or even preferred!  


Amen! 8-)

[Mendocino101]

More on topic... I need to figure out what kind of receiver or maybe amplified cd player to use that can be controlled by my Dolphin learning remote. Best Buy and Circuit City sometimes have floor models pretty cheap...

Larry

If you get the chance to listen to the wave audio, do so. You will hear crisp clean highs and great low end, Here at our store we offer the Sherwood 4105 a simple 2 channel receiver 100 watts x 2 .....As for the Bose if you like them great but the 251 which I believe are carried at Best Buy A/B them next to the Klipsch or the JBL both are comparably priced and you hear a big difference, the wave audio will perform as good as either but for about 100.oo dollars less. One more thing yes if you like the small footprint than the Bose are fine but in the outdoor line they are of similar size to the others.

[Vinny]

Vinny, did you inhale?  

Yes I did!!! 8-) We all did!

[Vinny]

That's kind of my point... they're basically the same thing -- small boxes using acoustic "tricks" to create a big, sound -- and sometimes that's ok, or even preferred!  

I also considered the $599 Polk Audio I-Sonic dvd/cd/HD radio/XM satellite redio device... but I just wanted a nice clock radio with cd player, so and even the $425 I spent on the Boston Acoustic unit (yes, I'm a good haggler) seemed over the top.

More on topic... I need to figure out what kind of receiver or maybe amplified cd player to use that can be controlled by my Dolphin learning remote. Best Buy and Circuit City sometimes have floor models pretty cheap...

Larry

$425 for a freakin clock radio - I thought you were a minister. Where the heck do you get that type of money? Divine intervention?

[Larry Becker]

"Divine intervention..." Something like that...

"Freaking clock radio..." Have you been talking to my wife??

No... it is a cd music system that also is a clock radio, and a really nice one.

As far as where I get the money... same as anyone, I guess, but in this case, it was some Christmas money I had received, as well as some additional money I came into... I've been shopping off and on for about 6 months for this, and kind of setting a little money aside from time to time (weddings, etc). I saw this one at a Magnolia store and they knocked $75 off it, so I jumped.  Circuit City stuck to the list $499 price.

I looked at several Sony radios and the typical stuff at Circuit City/Best Buy... ick. I'd rather wait and get something good than impulse buy the first thing I see. I also considered the Bose radio, but this one was better. My last clock radio lasted 25 years. I'm hopeful of at least 10 out of this one. You could buy several crappy radios or whatever and not ever be happy and always have something failing, or you can try to get something of quality and save a little longer for it.  In my experience, the money often works out about the same, but I'm happier with what ever I do end up buying. I really appreciate and use quality stuff -- tools, musical instruments, computers, stereo equipment, spas... whatever. If I'm going to buy something, I won't waste my money on junk, but I will try to get a good deal or something on sale.

See, I mentioned spas in the post so it's on topic...

Larry

[tony]

Back to topic...Sundance uses a subwoofer in the equipment compartment.  Has anyone tried that in a DIY application?

[gcbrowni]

I suspect that would take care of the difficulty with lows outside, but I'd be nervous about the rattle: might it shake something loose? My HT sub can rattle my window glass pretty well from 20 feet away.

[Mendocino101]

There are outdoor subs available, I am unsure as to how effective they would really be, it depends on what your expectations are.