I need help for a new setup

[Notorious97200 339]

Hello,

One of my friend is building a small studio for a customer. He already has eveything for recording sessions, but he needs a complete setup to listen to the final results.

He's thinking of an amp (like the Behringer EP2000 or EPX, I don't know) and a 3 way system : 2 subs(10 or 12"), 2 mids and 2 tweeters. He will build the boxes.

The system he will use for recording is too "neutral" for listening sessions. So he's looking for something simple and not too expensive.

I want to order from parts-express or madisound.com ONLY.

Can you help me choose something complete please ? There are so much speakers to choose !

He mostly listen to reggae music, some rap and maybe zouk ! So, he needs big bass and midbass. He wants a sound like something you can have at home.

The room is small, and the speakers will be put in 2 "holes" already made in the front wall.

I saw differentspeaker kits with their crossovers, but it is impossible to choose without any advice.

and none of them include 10" or 12" subs ! We love big bass around here and maybe an 8" sub would be too weak.

Can I get a set of 2 -way speakers (like this onehttp://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-976 )and simpy add a sub to the system.

I think he has what he needs for crossovers but he can add a Behringer crossover too (more money to spend !).

Budget : let's say $800 for everything (the amp costs $300). So, $500 for the speakers. Shipping is not included yet.

He is in a hurry !

[///M5 2,833]

Studio monitors and in wall scares the hell out of me.

It really depends on his goals but he may be better off just buying some monitors that are premade. His budget won't work for that.

Hell I'd actually say his budget won't work if you include the sub unless that is some serious low budget sub.

[dem beats 1,223]

The technical nightmare with making that work is monumental. With a budget of 500 bucks and to have it done fast is nearly impossible. An active crossover would help to be sure, but you're still looking at a lot of work to get it right. Why not just get a pair of speakers that will work for what you need rather than put a square peg in a round hole?

[Notorious97200 339]

I told him to just buy some speakers locally, but he was so pleased with a set of Aura midbass you (at SSA) told me to buy for him !!!

I won't say he wants studio monitors, but just something to listen to music like anyone at home.

Do you think a subwoofer is really needed in this application ? Or can he just run good mids, and tweeters ?

We don't have a lot of choice around here. High end JM Lab (Focal) , Cabasse, ...and entry level speakers like Jamo,...

So, we need to order something.

For $500 what would you do ?

He has good skills in wood working, so it's not a problem to build enclosures.

I saw some sets on madisound or PE with all the instructions for the speakers and the boxes. They seem good, but I don't know.

[Notorious97200 339]

Thanks for your answers, guys !

I will tell him to buy something easier !

Maybe a set of Bose acoustimass, I jsut remember there is an authorized Bose dealer here. I have one set on a Marantz amplifier, and I like it for 8 years (I bought it used !!!).

[///M5 2,833]

Not the Blose acousticmess please! That might be worse than what you specified. The real question I have is if this is in studio is he going to use the speakers for mixing? If so, you REALLY need studio monitors and to have them placed appropriately. Personally I use headphones to mix which would mean he could do something else.

The other problem he has is the in wall. That requires a different crossover with different baffle step compensation and there is NOTHING on the market (with small exceptions) that are meant to be used that way. A custom crossover with engineering will eat his whole budget as well.

Considering I'd recommend a Craigslist special. Get something used that is worth what he pays for it. Use them for a while to determine what could be "better" and then sell them and build something appropriate. It solves the near term need and provides a long term solution without costing extra money.

[Notorious97200 339]

Not for mixing. He has all his studio equipments already.

This is for listening to the final product, as if he was home.

He has visited Tuff Gong Records in Jamaïca (it's Bob Marley studio) and he saw they had (2) 15" subs just for the listening sessions, with mids and tweeters, of course. So, he wants something like that !!! But in 12" !

He doesn't need something top notch, just a good stereo system !

[///M5 2,833]

Put the whole budget now into the fronts and a subs later.

[Notorious97200 339]

Put the whole budget now into the fronts and a subs later.

That will let him have a killer system!

But I don't think he'll be ok with that decision ! We'll talk about that with him later tonight.

Do you think he needs an amp as powerful as the Behringer EP 2000 ? I don't know if he will be able to find a smaller amp, or a home audio amp for $300.

[dem beats 1,223]

what will be the source?

[Notorious97200 339]

A cd player, I think so.

[duanebrow 6]

He won't need a ep 2000 for the mains. It would make a nice sub amp though. I'd look for an Behringer A150.

The kit you linked is very nice, but it is not made for in wall use. The xo would need to be changed. However it would be better than bose. Anything but that! Lol.

If you post this over on the parts express forum you will get more suggestions.

Duane

Edited August 21, 2011 by Duane

[Notorious97200 339]

He won't need a ep 2000 for the mains. It would make a nice sub amp though. I'd look for an Behringer A150.

The kit you linked is very nice, but it is not made for in wall use. The xo would need to be changed. However it would be better than bose. Anything but that! Lol.

If you post this over on the parts express forum you will get more suggestions.

Duane

Thanks !