Outfitting a Dorm Room

[wannabang 13]

http://powerwerks.com/page/PW100-SYSTEM--19.aspx

Anyone heard of Powerwerks? It's the brand my friend deals out of his shop, and I'd love to support the local small business. It's half the wattage of the Carvin, but also half the price. He quoted me $300 shipped, and said if the bass wasn't everything I wanted, which it most likely won't be, i would just need a quarter inch cable to plug into the mixer.

[95Honda 486]

Like I said HE10's would be the way to go. I am building a set of Hurricanes for my garage (HE10's + 18" subs in each cabinet) right now. 95db efficiency and healthy bottom end. A set would tear a dorm room down. Pair them with a 2KW Behringer amp and you'd have the whole thing for about a grand...

PM me your email and I'll send you PDFs of the plans...

[wannabang 13]

PM'd.

Our parties are more like 50-100 people... small school, but still need some loud speakers in the room. Now that I'm finding cheaper PA gear, I'd say $600 tops for a PA system. The sub can come in later.

[95Honda 486]

Problem is, PA subs less the $500 a pair sound like garbage and are built with crappy cabinets and usually Piezo tweeters...

You need to roll your own with the budget you have to get something decent...

[wannabang 13]

I did plan on building the sub enclosure, if it's similar to the enclosures I've built for my car.

[mrbobian 0]

The two PA systems you've listed will work perfectly. No need to worry about processing/crossovers or anything. Get a system with two 15'' tops like that and an PA head/mixer and you will make most girls want to leave your party from the volume. In a small room, that stuff will be pretty outragous. Don't be afraid to go look for used PA gear like that too. Local bands and shitty DJs are always running out of money. Plus, with the PA amp and mixer all in one, it super easy to hook up and Ipod or mixer from a DJ in less than 15 seconds. Set a little EQ and gain and blast away. When you're ready, pick up a pair of 18''s and 2 500 watt plate amps from parts express and build yourselve some custom subs. Everyone will hate you in no time!

[///M5 2,833]

I did plan on building the sub enclosure, if it's similar to the enclosures I've built for my car.

That doesn't address the budget concerns Honda referenced.

Cheap PA gear sounds like shit. Of course cheap anything sounds like shit. If you don't up your budget, I'd just go with some used home audio gear.

[mrbobian 0]

Cheap PA gear sounds like shit. Of course cheap anything sounds like shit. If you don't up your budget, I'd just go with some used home audio gear.

Ha I thought that too, but honestly, the OP said for mostly dubstep, I think its hard to make dub sound decent under any circumstance... Anyway, more serious matters, my fear with the home audio stuff would be breaking it. Some jackass always grabs the volume knob and cranks it up as his drunk ears cant tell its already clipping like mad. Ive seen several receivers melt or just die at parties like this before. Plus, most have so little power, and home speakers are less efficient than PA speakers, so people run them clipped all the time. Sounds like hell and is still quieter than the cheap pro auido stuff... At least you can get a stupid loud volume without clipping...

Rock something like these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cerwin-Vega-V-15B-Used-3-Way-200W-PA-Speaker-System-Pair-/321038019345?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speakers_Monitors&hash=item4abf5b6b11

When in a band in high school we ran an crappy old set of Yamaha 15'' two ways like this and WOW could they get stupid loud for only 150 watts each or something. They did outdoor gigs just fine but we eventually started borrowing a friends powered subs.

Edited December 12, 2012 by mrBobian

[wannabang 13]

M5, I guess I'm goin' with cheap garbage then. Besides, when you're drunk and just want something loud, as long as it's not distorted, it doesn't matter. Parts-express is where I'm looking for subs.

[dem beats 1,223]

Does Ohio have a guitar center.... or any other "musician" audio store. They will have TRUCKFULLS of PA gear.

Listen to some way above your budget, some at your budget, and some below. Tell us what you liked then we might be able to help you find a good deal.

That said, from what you have been saying, I do not think you have a CLUE how loud sound reinforcement equipment is. My guess is you also have never heard home theater equipment that has any relative umph behind it. When the "rave" scene existed and I used to set up equipment it is comical how little is actually needed for anything smaller than an amphitheater. Lot's of times the, especially for the smaller known DJ's doing drum and bass, they would cart in 4-8 PA speakers and in the smaller rooms, they would have to mute all but 2 of them because of cancelation issues, or they couldn't get it quiet enough. And it was loud to the point of pain with ear plugs in.

Unless I am in a MASSIVLY open enviroment decent HT gear will do the job. And sound much much better at "normal" levels. I can fill 2 floors of house with uncomfortably loud music with my towers. If I use the itty bitty 12" HT sub I got on clearance(velodyne DPS for $260 6 years ago) it knocks paintings off the walls.... upstairs....

Reasonably priced HT gear will have way less issues with ear melting high hz. PA speakers are usually brutally "bright" and have less usable bass than a well thought out HT build.

[///M5 2,833]

Besides, when you're drunk and just want something loud, as long as it's not distorted, it doesn't matter.

Then why make a thread. Any random stereo will work for that....although everything you've looked at I bet will be "distorted" at drunk and want something loud levels. Used PA gear is a possibility as well, but expect CL to be full of seriously crappy shit.

[wannabang 13]

I didn't mean to be offensive, M5. Just wanted some more experienced input into what I chose. I've heard some loud HT equipment, but haven't heard enough to determine if it's what I needed. Thanks for all the input guys.

dem beats, I figured that would be the case. My roommates two computer speakers + sub are enough for most nights, but being maxed out all the time distorts the music real bad.