Just started down the HiFi rabbit hole and after watching multiple reviews on equipment that I’d didn’t even know existed, this is the most down to earth video that shows you don’t need $20k plus to have a cranking set up! I grew up in the 80’s so loud music is part of my lifestyle, can’t wait to build a system with all these new gadgets!
I put together a bookshelf setup about two years ago and spent around 450 bucks for a good preamp, amplifier, and a pair of speakers. I was blown away by the fidelity and anyone who came over and heard music playing on my setup couldn't believe it. Since then I've built setups for some friends ranging in price quite a bit and anything over like 300-400 you get seriously diminishing returns. To the trained ear you can pick up the nuanced differences and of course the volume can get higher without distortion, but just a nice setup to listen to while you're around the house can be purchased for 250.
The cheap audio man sounds like the screaming character in a 70's electronic store commercial. "Come on down to the Hifi Mart this Friday and get $20 off a new Pioneer receiver, JVC dual cassette deck or RCA color television when you tell'em The Cheap Audio Guy sent you"
Old guy here - I cant believe how they have schmoozed the public into forgetting about old school gear - 100wpch receivers with actual bass and treble controls, real power and radio, three way floor standing 12" speakers that made great bass with no need for a sub woofer. Guess I was lucky to live during the great "watt wars" of the 70's when stereo's could shake windows and sound great doing it.
I used to be an audiophile back in the 70's but when I got married, my wife didn't share my interest so it got sold off. Now 44 years later she has her TV in the living room where she sits with the dog and watches all that Hallmark stuff. I now have my room where I have a flat screen and sound bar with surround speakers. The whole surround thing really didn't work for me so I've removed it. Don't know why I started watching TH-cam videos on audio stuff but found out the hobby was not dead as I had assumed. I discovered this guy called the Cheap Audio Man and he "spoke to me". I see that there is actually a whole new genre of equipment that you can put in the palms of your hands and with a couple of bookshelf speakers, let's you have a nice system! So I got the Aiyima T10 and the A7. I have one Oppo DVD/CD player so I had just enough room in my dinky corner cabinet for this set up. I got the cheap Klipsch sub and the JBL stage 120 bookshelf speakers. Quite a nice little system if I do say so myself. I committed a cardinal sin that I would never have done back in the day and that was not going down to my local audio store to audition them but I just went by the Cheap Audio Man's reviews and did ok. I'd like a bit more clarity from the speakers but I guess that's where the ear buds have influenced me some. All in all a nice system that ought to last me until they put me in the casket.
@@davedunham605 first mistake ....never give up on what you like for your wife. Ok, it's a family and love and bla bla, but after all you live your life for yourself not for your wife. You have to make her happy, but in order to do this, you need ro be happy.
Just found this channel. This channel is absolutely gold. My ears are not good enough as a musician for all the mad expensive hifi stuff. So a resource pool like this from a knowledgeable person like yourself is literal treasure. Thank you so much!
Finally I can BREATHE! Ive been holding my breath for a year waiting for the Cheap Audio Man to recommend a complete cheap audio system. Thank you, thank you, thank you...... now im out of breath.
Found this video before I made my purchase and am I ever glad! I can't believe I suffered so long with my garbage sound equipment. I'm falling in love with my music all over again! All this for a heck of a lot less money than I ever dreamed. Thanks so much!
I just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it. There are so many channels that talk about "cheap HiFi systems" and they end up being $700+. It really puts people off and scares them away from the amazing hobby. I am rebuilding a setup that I tore down years ago and while my budget is a bit higher, it is still good to know that cheap stuff exists too. I will most likely pick up those sonys as rear speakers because that price is so good!
Hey Randy...Wow! Good work, and thank you! Thanks for bringing attention to gear that is more accessible to people who are interested in this hobby. This is the content we need to keep it alive! Keep doing what you do!
Good post, thanks! Alternative $330 amazing system w/sub - put this together for two different homes and it gets rave reviews: Yamaha R-S202BL $150 - Includes Bluetooth and RCA inputs, pre- and power- amp , remote 50; Dayton Audio B652-Air Bookshelf speakers - $58 (seriously, at this price point they are amazing); Polk Audio Subwoofer PSW10 - $129. Use phone or other for music source. Have fun! (thanks to the Audiophiliac too, always informative)
First dip into high quality audio. Got the T8 and AO7 run to elac UB51s and it is the best audio I have ever heard, don’t know how it could get much better.
I've been using mono all in one Bluetooth speakers for many years now (Libratone) but I wanted to listen to music in stereo again. I just got the A07 and T8 based on your advice. Paired them with Dali Spektor 2 and I'm now enjoying hi-fi stereo sound again. Thanks Randy!
I was a headphones guy. In fact, I still use my HD800S, but much less frequently now that I've delved into the speaker realm. Music is so much more than just "hearing"; you have to feel it in your body, something cans will never be able to replicate. I bought the LS50 Wireless II and an SVS PB 1000 Pro and I couldn't be happier. Before someone scolds me, yes, I know the ceiling would have been higher if I'd opted for a passive pair, but most notable amps are too bulky for a PC setup.
Very true, a decent pair of speakers with a sub is always more fun because you can feel it in your bones... I can always hear more detail with good headphones, but it's also less fun.
I just hooked up a new Aiyima A07 and this little amp is awesome. I'm pushing a pair of old inefficient KLH 15" floor speakers and the sound is incredible. The highs, mids and are all there and clear, as well as the crisp, punchy lows. What a bargin. I can't wait for the T8 preamplifier to show up and hook it into the mix. Thanks for the review.
I'm relieved to see a review like this. After yesterday's review of a $900 super DAC I was thinking CAM was experiencing mission creep and moving slowly over to the dark side. I was missing your Saturday Speaker Shootouts, best speakers for $100, $200 ,$300 etc. It was cool when you pushed a speaker off your desk or poured port lube into it because it just didn't measure up sound wise value wise. Other reviewers cater to the high dollar stuff occasionally doing a small spiel for a decent cheap option. Sort of like a big law firm doing pro-bono work. But CAM started out as the idealistic public defender, looking out for the regular Joe who didn't have the big buck resources. Much admired. Often folks who live with a smaller budget need to be educated about the tech, about what to listen for so they can hear what they might have been missing. But music is in their soul and for them CAM was a hero. CAM is not just a name for a product but a real concept. Thanks for keeping it real.
100 is almost my öld böse nö köss pc-x?? i ölmöst gifftät för my pärentz. they meant 20 xD im still ön a quaRD like quarter centüry aghöh ^^ and fössteckce
@@hardtymz2517 "port lube" refers to one of CAM's Sith products which he demonstrated by pouring oil into the port of a speaker he really didn't like. Might have been the same speaker he shoved off his desk because it just wasn't worth it. Iirc it was a Polk T15 but don't quote me. This video is a year old. Port lube refers to an even older video. I've followed CAM since his early days. Apparently you haven't
Freaking amazing, thanks to cheapaudioman! TV with roku -optical, AT LP 120 w Schiit Mani 2 -RCA, old dvd player for CD transport -coax, & long usbc adapter cord for Usb Player Pro on phone > Aiyima T8 w/ a GE 5670 tube > 48v Fosi V3 >Elac Uni-Fi UB5. Only tweak upcoming so far so far is to add in a wiim, probably soonish. I want to clean it up a bit, currently running music apps through roku >HDMI>old tv by optical into the T8. It sounds fine but it is bottlenecked at 48khz. Distant goals are sparkos opamps and turntable stuff. Thanks again, my soul is filled with happiness. Should have ditched the logitech computer speaker setup long ago.
Just bought me the Aiyima A07 for my workbench. (Where i do diy speaker repairs and listen to my Frankenwonders. I just cant walk away from a secondhand cheap pair of good speakers...🤷♂️ ) Saves me a lot of space! I always was in the understanding that an amp needs to be heavy and hot to be good. 😅 At least to produce a decent sound. Thanks! Update: Just arrived and installed it. This is indeed surprisingly good! Even at high volume, what I didnt expect for that price!
I just discovered this channel. Technically, I'm not in need of a system, but so impressed that i bought the amp and preamp anyway. thank you Cheapaudioman for your info. So useful.
I already brought Sony SSCS5 and I am running the pair with Sony STRDH190 with a little help from S.M.S.L M100 Dac cost me less than $300 total. Thanks to this channel!!
I just picked up some mission mv8's. A Yamaha v475 receiver. A topping dac. A chrome cast. And a audio separator all for $250 and in great condition separate on ebay. I couldn't be happier as it my first system. Just need some cables now. So will be checking more of your videos for advise. Thankyou very much great vids.
Thank you!!!! I just missed CDs and was just trying to figure out if it’s worth buying em again and good Lord every other video I saw said so many words I couldn’t understand. Thank you for speaking plain language. I was getting turned off of the whole idea and it was making me so sad cause I hate streaming. But then you popped up! I want a set up for my downtime after work but I need my money to do other things too like clothe and feed my children.
I recently put together my first system for under 260-270ish Euros with used Klipsch R51m's that were used as demo units and an SMSL AD18 hooked up to my TV as a source. The best speaker I had before was a Sonos Play5 and the difference is huge, I'm having a blast listening on it
Klipsch is great. I fell for them in 1974 when in an audio equipment store years before I was able to buy my first good audio system. I have the R50s facing me in my living room with a pair of Bose 301s surrounding me at the sides of my sofa outside of the side tables. The two pairs together compliment each other nicely, give great imaging and fill in nuances between each other. Best of all both engulf the room with detail without a need to play them loudly.
Went from here to Amazon. My speakers will be here in 3 days. Thx for the tip! I was looking to upgrade my old Logitech which have held up well over the years.
Good subject. Yes, burn in is real. I have the Elac B6.2's, they took maybe 200 goes to burn in but worth it. Then I Toed them in SLIGHTLY and angled them about 3 degrees up. Nice sound. But need some volume to really bring them to life. The woofer is nice and quick. I use a sub also, which I think all book shelves need. Thanks Randy.
You bring up a good point. The 6.2's are truly excellent, the best under $1000 imo, but they need power to get the most out of them. People need to choose the amp with this in mind.
All I have left from my old system is a pair of B&W 602 mk2 speakers and their stands (Atacama ballast filled) This video is great to help me build a system again since I've been out of it for a decade now.
Thanks cheap audio guy! I was about to scrap my cs5s and Marantz amp until discovering your channel YESTERDAY. You told me how I was doing it wrong. Now I’m not going to buy anything, saving hundreds, possibly thousand. Much better than Andrew Robinson. Thanks,
I bought the Sony RX66 Mini Hifi System back in the 1990s. It was only $299 for 2 3-Way Speakers, 60WPC Amp with Reciever built-in. 3CD changer, Dual Cassette player, Mic Input, Good Headphone amp. To top it off the sound is actually really great. Clear and gets loud with minimal distortion. Speakers are made of fairly cheap material but still handle sound surprisingly well. Today good luck even finding just a 100 wpc power amp for under $500.
I got the a07 and T8 with the Nuemi BS05 for all under $300 and I can't thank you enough! I would have thought so much more money was necessary but this is all I need for a desk setup.
I took a few spills on 3-wheelers as a kid. Then I got a Honda TRX125 4-wheeler for Christmas! I was the happiest kid in the world. I rode that little 4-wheeler several hours every single day for many years.
I feel schiit audio deserves a chance to be on your recommended list. They have budget friendly prices for the low end of their products which are also made in the States.
Totally agree Randy. There is great sound quality to be had at budget price points. It's just a matter of putting some effort in into looking for the gems that are out there.
I can vouch for those Sony’s. I’ve got them paired with an SMSL Sanskrit Mkii, and a little Fosi audio amp, and I’m running them through optical out of my bedroom tv-sounds pretty excellent to me, and that system was only about $225. Definitely blows my living room soundbar out of the water.
I have the Sonys CS5s in my HT. I was thinking of getting a 2nd pair for a hi-fi system. Do I need both the Preamp and amp or should I shop an integrated amp? I want some connection options but not all are necessary.
@@veeclash4157 I still haven't allowed myself to buy anything hifi. I bought some Emotiva E2+ surround speakers for my HT. I was thinking of getting the Aiyima 07 and the T8 preamp from Aiyima as well. It's either those two or the $350 Yamaha integrated amp or reciever. Forget what it is.
@@mikeortiz2139 The Aiyama combo sounds pretty cool. I think my next upgrade will be a Monolith THX 10 Subwoofer. I'm running an Aiyama D03 myself. In future I'm either getting a dedicated DAC like the IFi Zen DAC V2 or maybe picking up a Yamaha RX-V385 if I add a second set of speakers to my 2.1 setup.
@@veeclash4157 I'm looking at getting dual Monolith 10's or 12's for HT. I already have the Sony Core Series sub that I upgraded from. I'll use that for a 2.1 set up.
Agree on giving the Elacs some time. Although you won't hear audiophile and powered speakers mentioned in the same sentence very often, there's a few in this $350 price range that would be a great solution for a lot of folks.
Great stuff! Keep these budget system options coming. It's fun seeing what you and Guttenberg come up with at various price points... I love the Aiyima 07. I'm thinking of building a system for my son with the new Aiyima 08 (same amp as the 07 + bluetooth + dac (usb in), Elac 5.2 or Airmotiv B1+ (if they ever come back in stock) and, eventually an RPI streamer with the Boss2 hat. Total approx. $400.
Still got a pair of the Sony SS CS5. They perform great for the price. Only thing slightly lacking would be the mids. If it had a bit more weight there, they will be really great to own. Pair them with the Yamaha RN303 and it’s a done deal. You got all you need to stream music. Total: $600 max.
I paired these speakers with a Sony STRDH190 stereo receiver, I have a 40+ year old Sony PS-T3 turntable that sounds great together, considering the age.
I spent a lot on my main system with the Kef LS 50 Metas, however I want a second setup for my personal little PC hangout area. Your channel rocks for these kind of project, and if I didn’t have the money to afford the Metas I’d still be able to have a nearly identical setup with all the info you put out there. Thanks dude!
I'd prefer the Andrew Jones Pioneer bookshelf's over the Sony's....great budget system you put together...geared for people living in Apartments, college dorms and even a garage man cave !!
I have the Elac 6.2s and I can confirm that about 100 hours of break-in was required . Well, "required " isn't quite right I guess because the speakers sounded good initially . They just kept getting better and better for the next 100 hrs or so .
Excellent ,I have heard many positive things about Elac . Are these designed by Andrew Jones. I bought some 3 way Pioneers with a 12 inch woofer. These were excellent. I had a good system with a Kenwood reciver,CD and tape deck. I would use Bose 30's as my front speakers in a small room and the Pioneers in a big one. I bought each piece one at a time. It lasted fromm 88 till I gave it to my niece going to college.
Thanks for a great video for obtaining a cheap 350 starter system loved It! Let me suggest an alternative that some may prefer and that is buying used! I have been involved in audio for over 45 years and I have never seen such a glut of quality high quality equipment on Craig'slist that exist right now. If you are care ful about checking the condition of equipment before you purchase you can buy a nice system for 350 easily After I watched video I did a little experiment went on Craig's and found a pair of KEF towers an Adcom amp/preamp and a energy sub and a Sony 5 disc SACD player for 325.00 total ! Add a blue tooth adapter for 30 to 50 dollars and go.
Perfect video for the brand you are building. Now double it...the list at $700 or $999! This is way more fun than when I had $20,000 invested in my audio system! Again, great video!
Thanks so much for your videos! You just helped me get a great Christmas present for my father. You've also helped me so much at my new job. I am doing smart home systems now (including high end home theater) and your videos have really helped me get acclimated to developing those projects and communicating with my clients about their systems as well.
AWEESOME !!! You are a LEGEND !! Thankyou a Million from Australia!! When i was a kid like fifty years ago my dad loved classical music and didnt have a ton of money so bought second hand components and built a system which i had no idea about but sounded pretty cool,.... i recntly chekced out used prices of what he had then and almost fell off my chair..because i know he didnt pay a lot for the stuff.....hows this for a list from second hand places...AR speakers cant rememebr which ones...rega planar 3 turntable...dynanco amps and pre amps and then i thinka crown...also originally an ar turntable whihc eh loved hitting with a hammer to show ppl how great it was while paying beeethoven.....and of course ...where is it all nowthat hes over 80....i think he still has at least some of it !! anyway ..excuse my rant ...i just decided to get back in and pplay some vinyl again ...do you have a budget TT recommendation ? to go with the stuff in this video ? Many Thansk Nand Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Oz
This may not be a popular comment, but I’ve really enjoyed a pair of Sonos Play:1’s that I found on sale after they came out with the newer versions. They may lack the low end, but they have separate amps and crossovers for the individual components, they are wall powered, plus you’re getting hi quality streaming through the wifi vs bluetooth. The app plus the ability to have different things playing throughout the house is really nice. Very hard to beat in a "bookshelf" type application, but I do think there are much better options for home theater.
My dad died on a 3wheeler at Sand Mountain Nevada. The thing flipped and landed on his stomach. They revived him in the helicopter, flew him to the hospital and took his guts out on the table, pieced them back together and shoved them back in. He’s still alive now at 60.
This is a great channel. You are 100% correct. You don't need 10 Grand to have a great sounding stereo system. Thanks for the info. I have 3-Fosi P3's and a Fosi V3 amp. I bought those Jamo speakers you reviewed for $100. from some guy on Marketplace. Very happy with them and because my Kenwood KA-3500 has Speaker A&B, they sound incredible together with my old Large Advents. The Fosi P3 is the Preamp. Keep up the great work. There are enough Audiophile snobs who usually go by specs and not their ears. And half the stuff they listen to is terrible music imho. Rock, Jazz & some occasional Classical is what I listen to. Thanks for being you.
Those Sony speakers are crazy good for the price you talked me into those awhile back... the idea that the more something costs is the only way to enjoy music is being righteously challenged here ....its about the music and a cool hobby...nice job Randy
Thanks for this video! I am just diving down this HiFi/vintage path. I ordered the A07 to hook up from my pre out on my AV receiver to the A07 and then some huge 85 lb speakers I got while thrifting. They are 200 watt 4 ohm speakers, so I hope this does the trick.
Hey Cheap Audio Man , we here in Costa Rica really appreciate your videos , I agree with you , an excellent sound shouldn't necessarily cost more than a having a good time with your friends sharing some beers. Regards from Costa Rica Pura Vida 😎
Yikes Randy! That’s cheaper than just my single eArc hdmi cable! Cool! And yes. There is such a thing as soft parts break in with speakers, there just isn’t any need to use special processes to break them in 👍🏻 I’m into car audio as well and you wouldn’t believe the lengths to which some people go to loosen up their subs before installation haha.
This is straight facts. I picked up a small USB-C to 3.5 mm DAC, and a dirt cheap two channel amp to connect my tower speakers to a laptop or phone. It's setup in my daughters room and it sounds great. Total spend was $270 AUD (speakers from FB Marketplace). In a bigger room it wouldn't be that great, but in her average sized bedroom it puts out decent volume, and the speakers have decent bass (no subwoofer need).
Randy, here in Oz I'm afraid ANY pair of finished speakers costs too much in shipping to ever meet your price points but DIY is my saviour. I look forward to your build vid for the Desktop Mini ;)
Speakers are like a fine wine and get better with age and use (as long as you don't hurt them from the beginning). All quality, and good, manufacturers will recommend a "break-in" period before turning the volume up. One manufacturer I love and respect, have owned and did what they said, proved this and most professionals with engineering degrees will confirm as parts that move need to become more free after solid manufacturing (I won't say the manufacturer as they're very expensive and that's why I did what they said and continue with everything I buy). Things sounds better as they're allowed the freedom of movement they're designed to do but production is a solid state form. Anyhow, to not talk crap so much, the best way to break in a sweet of speakers is this (also the quietest way). Reverse polarity of wiring and place them facing each other no further than 300mm (200W bookshelf speakers this applied to but I've done it with 1000W standing and subs). Play at a low volume for a continuous, you can stop and start again, play cycle for minimum 24hrs (the longer the better, like I said fine wine you can drink but gets better with age, but this is minimum is absolutely recommended). Doing this will create a noise cancellation of the sound created, read about how cancellation headphones work to understand, and help the parts learn to move and get freedom to do so. Do it while you're at work and your neighbours won't know. Do it 13hrs a day for a week, like I said while at work, and then you'll get all the beauty of what you paid for when you need it (without disturbing the neighbours and they cats and dogs). Think of it like buying a new performance, or sports, car but not putting your foot down for the first 20k km (everything that moves needs time to find it's place and settle). Speakers get better with age when looked after and that's the reason why. You're a good honest person and I instantly liked and subscribed halfway through your audiophile rant video. Too much truth that not many people say (just the logic instills fear into people wasting money and aren't sound engineers). Keep up the good work and I'll binge and share your channel and videos with others who need layman's explanations. Peace!
Just bought my own budget setup. $240 JBL 530s, a $90 SMSL A100, and a set of Micca 6ft cables. The plan is casual small room listening until I can build out a new desk for my workstation/gaming PC. Stretch goals might be a JDS Labs Atom DAC and Atom amp for headphones and then maybe a small sub like the Jamo S810
Thank you. My hifi is about $870. Tube is key for me. Put tubes in the mix, you get almost scary real sound. Elac dbr62, Rockville 70 watt hybred tube amp, stands, banana clip speaker cables. Source from Sony TV or PC Laptop, copper RCA connections. Computer and TV extra, of course. Oh what a feeling... Would take many thousands to equal or better this rig. Yes I know.
$100 TARGET: Once again, you are spot on. How about a $100 target? You can get the Sony SSC5S (renewed) on Amazon for $65.67. Then visit local thrift stores to pick up an old Sony 2 channel A/V receiver for around $15-$20. (You may also find an old Yamaha 2 channel A/V receiver too for a low price). You can also get 16 gauge cable at Walmart or Menards for a low price. BTW, your review on SSC5S inspired me to do what I just described. I manages to score a Sony STR-D611 for $10. It has separate tone controls for Bass and Treble, so you can tune it the way you want. I do love your videos and share them.
Great job Randy! I remember back to my very first system which was in about 1981. I bought a Technics 25 wpc Receiver for about $120, a Technics turntable for about $120 and a pair of Bose 201 bookshelf spkrs for about $120. So for a little less than that today you can still buy a complete system and it probably sounds better than what I had 40 years ago! It is an amazing time to be an audiophile!
@@tassostsoutis601 I disagree with you. I understand the inflation over that period, however electronics today is far better than it was 40 years ago. Inexpensive gear today sounds way better than inexpensive gear from 40 years ago. Also as electronics has gotten way better, it has driven the cost down, so even with inflation $350 today buys way more than $350 did 40 years ago. For example what would you have paid for a 40 inch TV in 1990. Probably $2000. Today a 40 inch TV might be $200 dollars and the quality is incomparable. While audio gear hasn't changed as much as video gear, it has improved considerably as well.
@@neilfisher7999 Do you still have that Technics receiver? If you do, it will sell for the cost of Randy's system with the Elac's. You'll probably have money left over. My dad has that same receiver...gorgeous. BTW, advancements don't always mean better quality. You can use a receiver with a pc board to save space and money. That will not make it better than point to point wiring.
i actually use a pair of sony sscs5 in my bedroom and klipsch r51 m in my basement on my computer. the sscs5 from a customer pov is a really high quality speaker ive had minr for about 2 years now chose them over polks and never went back.
Yamaha R-S202 receiver with Bluetooth , The Sony speakers, and a Dayton Audio 8” subwoofer. Around $365 when the Sony’s are $118. Under $350 when they drop to $75. I bought my wife this system for her office. Sounds fantastic.
When I add this up €390,- , it costs a little under a set of Kanto YU6 active speakers for €405,- ... but those have phono inputs. So add the Aiyima T3 phono pre-amp €67,-. And then you're over what the YU6 would cost. So I love this idea of very affordable versatile components you can pick and choose for your needs. But when I do the math: The YU6 also hits that spot for the same or actually less money. I think I'll go with those. Heck, even throw in a little €30,- Sonos HDMI to Optical converter and you can connect any TV to this system digitally.
In an interview with Steve Guttenberg. Alex Jones confirmed that speaker break-in is a very real thing. With mid and bass drivers, the suspension is elastic in nature and requires a little bit of time to loosen up. I should post a link, but I'm driving. Lol
Thank you for this wonderful video Randy!!… just newbie and stating with the hifi sound. I purchased the Sony sscs5 , aiyima a07 and aiyima t8.. I’m excited.!!😁
You have some of the best videos and tons of humor 😁🤣 Better than the serious guys who review snobby equipment with stuck up attitude! Keep up the great work sir!!
My desktop is Fulla Schiit 3 (Dac, Headphone amp, Mic input, $109), an SMSL SA-50 ($69 class D amp), and a pair of Jamo S801's ($149). Stays nicely under your $350 target. Add in a pair of DROP HiFiMan HE400i headphones and you're gonna blow your budget, but man, they sound good ;D As happy as I am with this system, I'm upgrading the Jamo's to a pair of GR-Research mini's, as soon as the flat packs get here. Puts the system at $377. My first foray into DIY speakers... which, from what Danny says, was kinda the point of these Mini's. Still looking forward to a Schiit Modi Multibit review... if you can get your hands on one.
Nice video. My non-pro tip is, of course, to buy used stuff. Last time I bought a new piece of hifi kit was in 1993: a Sony CDP-X33ES. Still have that player, but it's currently in storage.
This is so American ^^ comparing prices to a set of tires (I haven't been driving a car for 10 years now), homes for our troops and paying your taxes (here in Germany you pay taxes automatically) are all so unrelatable
Yeh I'm usually pretty doubtful of audiophile claims, but yeh given different material choices there is going to be a time where when the dome is fresh it's going to be more or less rigid due to being flexed a lot so a speaker having a certain time until it falls into sounding mostly like it will for the rest of it's life makes sense.
Just purchased the Aiyima A07 just for a laugh i connected them to a pair of $50 computer speakers. This amp sounds awesome it is the best value under $100.
Those are nice looking speakers for the money. Obviously not audiophile quality but they will get the job done. If you look hard enough you can find a old used receiver for like 50.00 at a thrift store. I have a old Scott receiver that is only 20 Watt s per channel that I got from my next door neighbor after he passed away. With high efficiency speakers like my old Polk audio monitor 4a the amplifier section is fairly powerful.
My system currently needs a little better speaker set, but it is what I have. My reciever and dual cassette tape deck system are vr505 av, and ct-203 Kenwood. Kenwood ec 55 Sony shelf speakers and currently I'm using a Pyle pyblt 10 with a boss audio cxx10 subwoofer..
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
Just started down the HiFi rabbit hole and after watching multiple reviews on equipment that I’d didn’t even know existed, this is the most down to earth video that shows you don’t need $20k plus to have a cranking set up! I grew up in the 80’s so loud music is part of my lifestyle, can’t wait to build a system with all these new gadgets!
@@keithmarlowe5569 That mithril is the real deal!
I put together a bookshelf setup about two years ago and spent around 450 bucks for a good preamp, amplifier, and a pair of speakers. I was blown away by the fidelity and anyone who came over and heard music playing on my setup couldn't believe it. Since then I've built setups for some friends ranging in price quite a bit and anything over like 300-400 you get seriously diminishing returns. To the trained ear you can pick up the nuanced differences and of course the volume can get higher without distortion, but just a nice setup to listen to while you're around the house can be purchased for 250.
Ya , crap that probably sounds good at low volume, anything any louder sounds like barf.
@@keithmarlowe5569 LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD!! 🤣🤣😂 I've done some work in the industry and always thought the same thing.
alaways was headphone guy but recently im a bit tired of wearing them constantly
No one brings Audio Value to the people like the Cheap Audio Man!!! Bravo Randy... BRAVO!!!
Agreed, I love watching and sharing his videos
@@anilm.s8356 👍👍👍
He brings it no frills. I dont think speakers like this sound that much better with my expensive amp.
The cheap audio man sounds like the screaming character in a 70's electronic store commercial.
"Come on down to the Hifi Mart this Friday and get $20 off a new Pioneer receiver, JVC dual cassette deck or RCA color television when you tell'em The Cheap Audio Guy sent you"
Old guy here - I cant believe how they have schmoozed the public into forgetting about old school gear - 100wpch receivers with actual bass and treble controls, real power and radio, three way floor standing 12" speakers that made great bass with no need for a sub woofer. Guess I was lucky to live during the great "watt wars" of the 70's when stereo's could shake windows and sound great doing it.
I used to be an audiophile back in the 70's but when I got married, my wife didn't share my interest so it got sold off. Now 44 years later she has her TV in the living room where she sits with the dog and watches all that Hallmark stuff. I now have my room where I have a flat screen and sound bar with surround speakers. The whole surround thing really didn't work for me so I've removed it. Don't know why I started watching TH-cam videos on audio stuff but found out the hobby was not dead as I had assumed. I discovered this guy called the Cheap Audio Man and he "spoke to me". I see that there is actually a whole new genre of equipment that you can put in the palms of your hands and with a couple of bookshelf speakers, let's you have a nice system! So I got the Aiyima T10 and the A7. I have one Oppo DVD/CD player so I had just enough room in my dinky corner cabinet for this set up. I got the cheap Klipsch sub and the JBL stage 120 bookshelf speakers. Quite a nice little system if I do say so myself. I committed a cardinal sin that I would never have done back in the day and that was not going down to my local audio store to audition them but I just went by the Cheap Audio Man's reviews and did ok. I'd like a bit more clarity from the speakers but I guess that's where the ear buds have influenced me some. All in all a nice system that ought to last me until they put me in the casket.
Got real grim there at the end, why do all "old" people always manage to squeeze their own death into every sentence they speak..
@@davedunham605 first mistake ....never give up on what you like for your wife. Ok, it's a family and love and bla bla, but after all you live your life for yourself not for your wife. You have to make her happy, but in order to do this, you need ro be happy.
Just found this channel. This channel is absolutely gold. My ears are not good enough as a musician for all the mad expensive hifi stuff. So a resource pool like this from a knowledgeable person like yourself is literal treasure. Thank you so much!
Finally I can BREATHE! Ive been holding my breath for a year waiting for the Cheap Audio Man to recommend a complete cheap audio system. Thank you, thank you, thank you...... now im out of breath.
Found this video before I made my purchase and am I ever glad! I can't believe I suffered so long with my garbage sound equipment. I'm falling in love with my music all over again! All this for a heck of a lot less money than I ever dreamed. Thanks so much!
I just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it. There are so many channels that talk about "cheap HiFi systems" and they end up being $700+. It really puts people off and scares them away from the amazing hobby. I am rebuilding a setup that I tore down years ago and while my budget is a bit higher, it is still good to know that cheap stuff exists too. I will most likely pick up those sonys as rear speakers because that price is so good!
Hey Randy...Wow! Good work, and thank you! Thanks for bringing attention to gear that is more accessible to people who are interested in this hobby. This is the content we need to keep it alive! Keep doing what you do!
Good post, thanks! Alternative $330 amazing system w/sub - put this together for two different homes and it gets rave reviews: Yamaha R-S202BL $150 - Includes Bluetooth and RCA inputs, pre- and power- amp , remote 50; Dayton Audio B652-Air Bookshelf speakers - $58 (seriously, at this price point they are amazing); Polk Audio Subwoofer PSW10 - $129. Use phone or other for music source. Have fun! (thanks to the Audiophiliac too, always informative)
Nice! I would like to see more reviews of budget Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer and Onkyo. Cant find many on youtube
First dip into high quality audio. Got the T8 and AO7 run to elac UB51s and it is the best audio I have ever heard, don’t know how it could get much better.
I've been using mono all in one Bluetooth speakers for many years now (Libratone) but I wanted to listen to music in stereo again. I just got the A07 and T8 based on your advice. Paired them with Dali Spektor 2 and I'm now enjoying hi-fi stereo sound again. Thanks Randy!
I was a headphones guy. In fact, I still use my HD800S, but much less frequently now that I've delved into the speaker realm. Music is so much more than just "hearing"; you have to feel it in your body, something cans will never be able to replicate. I bought the LS50 Wireless II and an SVS PB 1000 Pro and I couldn't be happier. Before someone scolds me, yes, I know the ceiling would have been higher if I'd opted for a passive pair, but most notable amps are too bulky for a PC setup.
Very true, a decent pair of speakers with a sub is always more fun because you can feel it in your bones... I can always hear more detail with good headphones, but it's also less fun.
Yes! More of these budget system build vids! I learned a lot from your early ones (Fosi + B6)
I just hooked up a new Aiyima A07 and this little amp is awesome. I'm pushing a pair of old inefficient KLH 15" floor speakers and the sound is incredible. The highs, mids and are all there and clear, as well as the crisp, punchy lows. What a bargin. I can't wait for the T8 preamplifier to show up and hook it into the mix. Thanks for the review.
I would love to see a future version of this video for a price point build of a system based on balanced components. Great work!
Saw the title and said there is no way unless using the Sony. I wasn't disappointed. Great video!
I'm relieved to see a review like this. After yesterday's review of a $900 super DAC I was thinking CAM was experiencing mission creep and moving slowly over to the dark side. I was missing your Saturday Speaker Shootouts, best speakers for $100, $200 ,$300 etc. It was cool when you pushed a speaker off your desk or poured port lube into it because it just didn't measure up sound wise value wise. Other reviewers cater to the high dollar stuff occasionally doing a small spiel for a decent cheap option. Sort of like a big law firm doing pro-bono work. But CAM started out as the idealistic public defender, looking out for the regular Joe who didn't have the big buck resources. Much admired. Often folks who live with a smaller budget need to be educated about the tech, about what to listen for so they can hear what they might have been missing. But music is in their soul and for them CAM was a hero. CAM is not just a name for a product but a real concept. Thanks for keeping it real.
Dean that was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me. Thank you so much.
I can't find a video that I believe you made. I want to buy a brand you recommended that come as 2 units: the amp and a DAC I believe
100 is almost my öld böse nö köss pc-x?? i ölmöst gifftät för my pärentz. they meant 20 xD
im still ön a quaRD like quarter centüry aghöh ^^ and fössteckce
Wtf is “port lube”?? This is the wrong channel for you, brah. Please try again.
@@hardtymz2517 "port lube" refers to one of CAM's Sith products which he demonstrated by pouring oil into the port of a speaker he really didn't like. Might have been the same speaker he shoved off his desk because it just wasn't worth it. Iirc it was a Polk T15 but don't quote me. This video is a year old. Port lube refers to an even older video. I've followed CAM since his early days. Apparently you haven't
Freaking amazing, thanks to cheapaudioman!
TV with roku -optical, AT LP 120 w Schiit Mani 2 -RCA, old dvd player for CD transport -coax, & long usbc adapter cord for Usb Player Pro on phone > Aiyima T8 w/ a GE 5670 tube > 48v Fosi V3 >Elac Uni-Fi UB5.
Only tweak upcoming so far so far is to add in a wiim, probably soonish. I want to clean it up a bit, currently running music apps through roku >HDMI>old tv by optical into the T8. It sounds fine but it is bottlenecked at 48khz.
Distant goals are sparkos opamps and turntable stuff.
Thanks again, my soul is filled with happiness. Should have ditched the logitech computer speaker setup long ago.
Just bought me the Aiyima A07 for my workbench. (Where i do diy speaker repairs and listen to my Frankenwonders. I just cant walk away from a secondhand cheap pair of good speakers...🤷♂️ ) Saves me a lot of space! I always was in the understanding that an amp needs to be heavy and hot to be good. 😅 At least to produce a decent sound. Thanks!
Update: Just arrived and installed it. This is indeed surprisingly good! Even at high volume, what I didnt expect for that price!
I just discovered this channel. Technically, I'm not in need of a system, but so impressed that i bought the amp and preamp anyway. thank you Cheapaudioman for your info. So useful.
I already brought Sony SSCS5 and I am running the pair with Sony STRDH190 with a little help from S.M.S.L M100 Dac cost me less than $300 total. Thanks to this channel!!
I just picked up some mission mv8's. A Yamaha v475 receiver. A topping dac. A chrome cast. And a audio separator all for $250 and in great condition separate on ebay. I couldn't be happier as it my first system. Just need some cables now. So will be checking more of your videos for advise. Thankyou very much great vids.
Thank you!!!! I just missed CDs and was just trying to figure out if it’s worth buying em again and good Lord every other video I saw said so many words I couldn’t understand. Thank you for speaking plain language. I was getting turned off of the whole idea and it was making me so sad cause I hate streaming. But then you popped up! I want a set up for my downtime after work but I need my money to do other things too like clothe and feed my children.
I recently put together my first system for under 260-270ish Euros with used Klipsch R51m's that were used as demo units and an SMSL AD18 hooked up to my TV as a source.
The best speaker I had before was a Sonos Play5 and the difference is huge, I'm having a blast listening on it
Klipsch is great. I fell for them in 1974 when in an audio equipment store years before I was able to buy my first good audio system.
I have the R50s facing me in my living room with a pair of Bose 301s surrounding me at the sides of my sofa outside of the side tables. The two pairs together compliment each other nicely, give great imaging and fill in nuances between each other. Best of all both engulf the room with detail without a need to play them loudly.
Went from here to Amazon. My speakers will be here in 3 days. Thx for the tip! I was looking to upgrade my old Logitech which have held up well over the years.
Good subject. Yes, burn in is real. I have the Elac B6.2's, they took maybe 200 goes to burn in but worth it. Then I Toed them in SLIGHTLY and angled them about 3 degrees up. Nice sound. But need some volume to really bring them to life. The woofer is nice and quick. I use a sub also, which I think all book shelves need. Thanks Randy.
You bring up a good point. The 6.2's are truly excellent, the best under $1000 imo, but they need power to get the most out of them. People need to choose the amp with this in mind.
All I have left from my old system is a pair of B&W 602 mk2 speakers and their stands (Atacama ballast filled)
This video is great to help me build a system again since I've been out of it for a decade now.
Thanks cheap audio guy! I was about to scrap my cs5s and Marantz amp until discovering your channel YESTERDAY. You told me how I was doing it wrong. Now I’m not going to buy anything, saving hundreds, possibly thousand. Much better than Andrew Robinson. Thanks,
I bought the Sony RX66 Mini Hifi System back in the 1990s. It was only $299 for 2 3-Way Speakers, 60WPC Amp with Reciever built-in. 3CD changer, Dual Cassette player, Mic Input, Good Headphone amp. To top it off the sound is actually really great. Clear and gets loud with minimal distortion. Speakers are made of fairly cheap material but still handle sound surprisingly well. Today good luck even finding just a 100 wpc power amp for under $500.
I got the a07 and T8 with the Nuemi BS05 for all under $300 and I can't thank you enough! I would have thought so much more money was necessary but this is all I need for a desk setup.
I just got this very setup on your recommendation, and am absolutely loving it. Thanks so much!
I took a few spills on 3-wheelers as a kid. Then I got a Honda TRX125 4-wheeler for Christmas! I was the happiest kid in the world. I rode that little 4-wheeler several hours every single day for many years.
I feel schiit audio deserves a chance to be on your recommended list. They have budget friendly prices for the low end of their products which are also made in the States.
@@zeeMuniStacksBundles That Fulla Schiit Stack lol. Some of their naming schemes just kill me.
Thanks much! The Aiyima T8 resurrected my Bose Wave radio AWR1-1W with blue tooth function through RCA cables. Sounds great!
I am 45 seconds into the video and I already love it😂😂 your vibe is just amazing😂✊🏽
Totally agree Randy. There is great sound quality to be had at budget price points. It's just a matter of putting some effort in into looking for the gems that are out there.
I built myself a cheap system using quality 70s equipment. May not have all the bells and whistles but I love the sound
I can vouch for those Sony’s. I’ve got them paired with an SMSL Sanskrit Mkii, and a little Fosi audio amp, and I’m running them through optical out of my bedroom tv-sounds pretty excellent to me, and that system was only about $225. Definitely blows my living room soundbar out of the water.
I have the Sonys CS5s in my HT. I was thinking of getting a 2nd pair for a hi-fi system. Do I need both the Preamp and amp or should I shop an integrated amp? I want some connection options but not all are necessary.
@@mikeortiz2139 What did you end up getting? I'm running an Aiyima D03 with my Sonys. I haven't heard a better speaker for the value yet!
@@veeclash4157 I still haven't allowed myself to buy anything hifi. I bought some Emotiva E2+ surround speakers for my HT. I was thinking of getting the Aiyima 07 and the T8 preamp from Aiyima as well. It's either those two or the $350 Yamaha integrated amp or reciever. Forget what it is.
@@mikeortiz2139 The Aiyama combo sounds pretty cool. I think my next upgrade will be a Monolith THX 10 Subwoofer. I'm running an Aiyama D03 myself. In future I'm either getting a dedicated DAC like the IFi Zen DAC V2 or maybe picking up a Yamaha RX-V385 if I add a second set of speakers to my 2.1 setup.
@@veeclash4157 I'm looking at getting dual Monolith 10's or 12's for HT. I already have the Sony Core Series sub that I upgraded from. I'll use that for a 2.1 set up.
Amazing the quality you can get these days on the cheap...I remember when it wasn't like this.
Agree on giving the Elacs some time. Although you won't hear audiophile and powered speakers mentioned in the same sentence very often, there's a few in this $350 price range that would be a great solution for a lot of folks.
Great stuff! Keep these budget system options coming. It's fun seeing what you and Guttenberg come up with at various price points... I love the Aiyima 07. I'm thinking of building a system for my son with the new Aiyima 08 (same amp as the 07 + bluetooth + dac (usb in), Elac 5.2 or Airmotiv B1+ (if they ever come back in stock) and, eventually an RPI streamer with the Boss2 hat. Total approx. $400.
the speakers double what you quote, the amp on amason over $100, and so on amp and speakers about $500! I am checking on Amazon!
Great info and presentation, appreciate it.
Wow. Thanks so much!
Still got a pair of the Sony SS CS5. They perform great for the price. Only thing slightly lacking would be the mids. If it had a bit more weight there, they will be really great to own.
Pair them with the Yamaha RN303 and it’s a done deal. You got all you need to stream music. Total: $600 max.
I paired these speakers with a Sony STRDH190 stereo receiver, I have a 40+ year old Sony PS-T3 turntable that sounds great together, considering the age.
Dang, you put a ton of work into this video, research, and description details. Thank you!
thanks for this!! was gonna buy directly thru Amazon but have now clicked to buy via your links above.. thanks again
Absolutely love using my father's 1985 Honda Big Red 350 ATC! Tipsy but fun!
I spent a lot on my main system with the Kef LS 50 Metas, however I want a second setup for my personal little PC hangout area. Your channel rocks for these kind of project, and if I didn’t have the money to afford the Metas I’d still be able to have a nearly identical setup with all the info you put out there. Thanks dude!
I'd prefer the Andrew Jones Pioneer bookshelf's over the Sony's....great budget system you put together...geared for people living in Apartments, college dorms and even a garage man cave !!
I have the Elac 6.2s and I can confirm that about 100 hours of break-in was required . Well, "required " isn't quite right I guess because the speakers sounded good initially . They just kept getting better and better for the next 100 hrs or so .
Excellent ,I have heard many positive things about Elac . Are these designed by Andrew Jones. I bought some 3 way Pioneers with a 12 inch woofer. These were excellent. I had a good system with a Kenwood reciver,CD and tape deck. I would use Bose 30's as my front speakers in a small room and the Pioneers in a big one. I bought each piece one at a time. It lasted fromm 88 till I gave it to my niece going to college.
WOW! What a system for people on a strict budget! University students would love this!!
Thanks for a great video for obtaining a cheap 350 starter system loved It! Let me suggest an alternative that some may prefer and that is buying used! I have been involved in audio for over 45 years and I have never seen such a glut of quality high quality equipment on Craig'slist that exist right now. If you are care ful about checking the condition of equipment before you purchase you can buy a nice system for 350 easily After I watched video I did a little experiment went on Craig's and found a pair of KEF towers an Adcom amp/preamp and a energy sub and a Sony 5 disc SACD player for 325.00 total ! Add a blue tooth adapter for 30 to 50 dollars and go.
i’m seeing a nirvana poster in the background, i’m hearing about cheap audiophile setups… i’m a simple man, i hit the subscribe button.
Perfect video for the brand you are building. Now double it...the list at $700 or $999! This is way more fun than when I had $20,000 invested in my audio system! Again, great video!
Thanks so much for your videos! You just helped me get a great Christmas present for my father. You've also helped me so much at my new job. I am doing smart home systems now (including high end home theater) and your videos have really helped me get acclimated to developing those projects and communicating with my clients about their systems as well.
AWEESOME !!! You are a LEGEND !! Thankyou a Million from Australia!! When i was a kid like fifty years ago my dad loved classical music and didnt have a ton of money so bought second hand components and built a system which i had no idea about but sounded pretty cool,.... i recntly chekced out used prices of what he had then and almost fell off my chair..because i know he didnt pay a lot for the stuff.....hows this for a list from second hand places...AR speakers cant rememebr which ones...rega planar 3 turntable...dynanco amps and pre amps and then i thinka crown...also originally an ar turntable whihc eh loved hitting with a hammer to show ppl how great it was while paying beeethoven.....and of course ...where is it all nowthat hes over 80....i think he still has at least some of it !! anyway ..excuse my rant ...i just decided to get back in and pplay some vinyl again ...do you have a budget TT recommendation ? to go with the stuff in this video ? Many Thansk Nand Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Oz
Great to see how you've grown over the past year Randy!
This may not be a popular comment, but I’ve really enjoyed a pair of Sonos Play:1’s that I found on sale after they came out with the newer versions. They may lack the low end, but they have separate amps and crossovers for the individual components, they are wall powered, plus you’re getting hi quality streaming through the wifi vs bluetooth. The app plus the ability to have different things playing throughout the house is really nice. Very hard to beat in a "bookshelf" type application, but I do think there are much better options for home theater.
Just bought the Sony's around $70 to start a cheap system... Thanks to your help
My dad died on a 3wheeler at Sand Mountain Nevada. The thing flipped and landed on his stomach. They revived him in the helicopter, flew him to the hospital and took his guts out on the table, pieced them back together and shoved them back in. He’s still alive now at 60.
This is a great channel. You are 100% correct. You don't need 10 Grand to have a great sounding stereo system. Thanks for the info. I have 3-Fosi P3's and a Fosi V3 amp. I bought those Jamo speakers you reviewed for $100. from some guy on Marketplace. Very happy with them and because my Kenwood KA-3500 has Speaker A&B, they sound incredible together with my old Large Advents. The Fosi P3 is the Preamp. Keep up the great work. There are enough Audiophile snobs who usually go by specs and not their ears. And half the stuff they listen to is terrible music imho. Rock, Jazz & some occasional Classical is what I listen to. Thanks for being you.
Thanks for watching!!
Those Sony speakers are crazy good for the price you talked me into those awhile back... the idea that the more something costs is the only way to enjoy music is being righteously challenged here ....its about the music and a cool hobby...nice job Randy
Thanks for this video! I am just diving down this HiFi/vintage path. I ordered the A07 to hook up from my pre out on my AV receiver to the A07 and then some huge 85 lb speakers I got while thrifting. They are 200 watt 4 ohm speakers, so I hope this does the trick.
The woofers on those Sony's remind me of my Polk LSI15's. New fav channel!
Hey Cheap Audio Man , we here in Costa Rica really appreciate your videos , I agree with you , an excellent sound shouldn't necessarily cost more than a having a good time with your friends sharing some beers.
Regards from Costa Rica Pura Vida 😎
Yikes Randy! That’s cheaper than just my single eArc hdmi cable! Cool!
And yes. There is such a thing as soft parts break in with speakers, there just isn’t any need to use special processes to break them in 👍🏻 I’m into car audio as well and you wouldn’t believe the lengths to which some people go to loosen up their subs before installation haha.
This is straight facts. I picked up a small USB-C to 3.5 mm DAC, and a dirt cheap two channel amp to connect my tower speakers to a laptop or phone. It's setup in my daughters room and it sounds great. Total spend was $270 AUD (speakers from FB Marketplace). In a bigger room it wouldn't be that great, but in her average sized bedroom it puts out decent volume, and the speakers have decent bass (no subwoofer need).
Randy, here in Oz I'm afraid ANY pair of finished speakers costs too much in shipping to ever meet your price points but DIY is my saviour. I look forward to your build vid for the Desktop Mini ;)
Yes Randall , There absolutely is such a thing as break in. On speakers. That is a fact.
Speakers are like a fine wine and get better with age and use (as long as you don't hurt them from the beginning).
All quality, and good, manufacturers will recommend a "break-in" period before turning the volume up.
One manufacturer I love and respect, have owned and did what they said, proved this and most professionals with engineering degrees will confirm as parts that move need to become more free after solid manufacturing (I won't say the manufacturer as they're very expensive and that's why I did what they said and continue with everything I buy). Things sounds better as they're allowed the freedom of movement they're designed to do but production is a solid state form.
Anyhow, to not talk crap so much, the best way to break in a sweet of speakers is this (also the quietest way).
Reverse polarity of wiring and place them facing each other no further than 300mm (200W bookshelf speakers this applied to but I've done it with 1000W standing and subs). Play at a low volume for a continuous, you can stop and start again, play cycle for minimum 24hrs (the longer the better, like I said fine wine you can drink but gets better with age, but this is minimum is absolutely recommended).
Doing this will create a noise cancellation of the sound created, read about how cancellation headphones work to understand, and help the parts learn to move and get freedom to do so. Do it while you're at work and your neighbours won't know. Do it 13hrs a day for a week, like I said while at work, and then you'll get all the beauty of what you paid for when you need it (without disturbing the neighbours and they cats and dogs).
Think of it like buying a new performance, or sports, car but not putting your foot down for the first 20k km (everything that moves needs time to find it's place and settle). Speakers get better with age when looked after and that's the reason why.
You're a good honest person and I instantly liked and subscribed halfway through your audiophile rant video. Too much truth that not many people say (just the logic instills fear into people wasting money and aren't sound engineers).
Keep up the good work and I'll binge and share your channel and videos with others who need layman's explanations. Peace!
Just bought my own budget setup. $240 JBL 530s, a $90 SMSL A100, and a set of Micca 6ft cables. The plan is casual small room listening until I can build out a new desk for my workstation/gaming PC.
Stretch goals might be a JDS Labs Atom DAC and Atom amp for headphones and then maybe a small sub like the Jamo S810
Thank you. My hifi is about $870. Tube is key for me. Put tubes in the mix, you get almost scary real sound. Elac dbr62, Rockville 70 watt hybred tube amp, stands, banana clip speaker cables. Source from Sony TV or PC Laptop, copper RCA connections. Computer and TV extra, of course. Oh what a feeling... Would take many thousands to equal or better this rig. Yes I know.
$100 TARGET: Once again, you are spot on. How about a $100 target? You can get the Sony SSC5S (renewed) on Amazon for $65.67. Then visit local thrift stores to pick up an old Sony 2 channel A/V receiver for around $15-$20. (You may also find an old Yamaha 2 channel A/V receiver too for a low price). You can also get 16 gauge cable at Walmart or Menards for a low price. BTW, your review on SSC5S inspired me to do what I just described. I manages to score a Sony STR-D611 for $10. It has separate tone controls for Bass and Treble, so you can tune it the way you want. I do love your videos and share them.
Side note. If you plan on upgrading and having a ton of sources buy a receiver. You’ll save money in the long run. Learned the hard way lol
Great job Randy! I remember back to my very first system which was in about 1981. I bought a Technics 25 wpc Receiver for about $120, a Technics turntable for about $120 and a pair of Bose 201 bookshelf spkrs for about $120. So for a little less than that today you can still buy a complete system and it probably sounds better than what I had 40 years ago! It is an amazing time to be an audiophile!
I dont think it would sound better. 1981 360$ with inflation is 1176$ today
@@tassostsoutis601 I disagree with you. I understand the inflation over that period, however electronics today is far better than it was 40 years ago. Inexpensive gear today sounds way better than inexpensive gear from 40 years ago. Also as electronics has gotten way better, it has driven the cost down, so even with inflation $350 today buys way more than $350 did 40 years ago. For example what would you have paid for a 40 inch TV in 1990. Probably $2000. Today a 40 inch TV might be $200 dollars and the quality is incomparable. While audio gear hasn't changed as much as video gear, it has improved considerably as well.
@@neilfisher7999
Do you still have that Technics receiver? If you do, it will sell for the cost of Randy's system with the Elac's. You'll probably have money left over. My dad has that same receiver...gorgeous. BTW, advancements don't always mean better quality. You can use a receiver with a pc board to save space and money. That will not make it better than point to point wiring.
There is no chance this will sound better than your vintage Technics and Bose 201.
i actually use a pair of sony sscs5 in my bedroom and klipsch r51 m in my basement on my computer. the sscs5 from a customer pov is a really high quality speaker ive had minr for about 2 years now chose them over polks and never went back.
GREAT system match vid. This build would fit budget, space in home, etc for anyone. Also great closing exit
Yamaha R-S202 receiver with Bluetooth , The Sony speakers, and a Dayton Audio 8” subwoofer. Around $365 when the Sony’s are $118. Under $350 when they drop to $75. I bought my wife this system for her office. Sounds fantastic.
When I add this up €390,- , it costs a little under a set of Kanto YU6 active speakers for €405,- ... but those have phono inputs. So add the Aiyima T3 phono pre-amp €67,-. And then you're over what the YU6 would cost.
So I love this idea of very affordable versatile components you can pick and choose for your needs. But when I do the math: The YU6 also hits that spot for the same or actually less money. I think I'll go with those. Heck, even throw in a little €30,- Sonos HDMI to Optical converter and you can connect any TV to this system digitally.
Yo Randy!! Great review! Back to the roots!
Great review!!, get these kids in early...cheap and good...they are the future
Vanatoo Transparent zero’s for an all in product. Add a subwoofer and watch them shine.
In an interview with Steve Guttenberg. Alex Jones confirmed that speaker break-in is a very real thing. With mid and bass drivers, the suspension is elastic in nature and requires a little bit of time to loosen up. I should post a link, but I'm driving. Lol
I should post a link, but I'm driv
That's Andrew Jones. Alex Jones is the insane conspiracy nut. LOL
It's true, Joe Rogan confirmed it when he was talking to Tackleberry.
@@rapaudiophile2881 "We're breaking in the conditioning!"
we use dali pico... dayton audio original t class amp....alexa...great clean fast tube like sound if u tell alexa,, jazz24 radio
Awesomeness!! Jacques (yes I had 2 look up the spelling) Cousteau would have loved your theme music!
Thank you for this wonderful video Randy!!… just newbie and stating with the hifi sound. I purchased the Sony sscs5 , aiyima a07 and aiyima t8.. I’m excited.!!😁
You have some of the best videos and tons of humor 😁🤣
Better than the serious guys who review snobby equipment with stuck up attitude!
Keep up the great work sir!!
Great channel - an antidote to those hifi chatrooms where each person cannot resist adding what their own system consists of as a badge of status.
My desktop is Fulla Schiit 3 (Dac, Headphone amp, Mic input, $109), an SMSL SA-50 ($69 class D amp), and a pair of Jamo S801's ($149). Stays nicely under your $350 target. Add in a pair of DROP HiFiMan HE400i headphones and you're gonna blow your budget, but man, they sound good ;D
As happy as I am with this system, I'm upgrading the Jamo's to a pair of GR-Research mini's, as soon as the flat packs get here. Puts the system at $377. My first foray into DIY speakers... which, from what Danny says, was kinda the point of these Mini's.
Still looking forward to a Schiit Modi Multibit review... if you can get your hands on one.
I just checked (July 19, 2021) and the Sonys are $73 on Amazon! Get'em!!
Nice video. My non-pro tip is, of course, to buy used stuff. Last time I bought a new piece of hifi kit was in 1993: a Sony CDP-X33ES. Still have that player, but it's currently in storage.
This is so American ^^ comparing prices to a set of tires (I haven't been driving a car for 10 years now), homes for our troops and paying your taxes (here in Germany you pay taxes automatically) are all so unrelatable
Yeh I'm usually pretty doubtful of audiophile claims, but yeh given different material choices there is going to be a time where when the dome is fresh it's going to be more or less rigid due to being flexed a lot so a speaker having a certain time until it falls into sounding mostly like it will for the rest of it's life makes sense.
Just purchased the Aiyima A07 just for a laugh i connected them to a pair of $50 computer speakers. This amp sounds awesome it is the best value under $100.
Don't need a new stereo system, but I still watch for fun
Same here, but my problem is I end up buying a new system anyway.
Just doin some research. wasnt looking for a laugh lol. thanks for the smiles!
Thank you for this great video about getting a great system on a small budget!
I love my Sony’s and bought with the Sony Subwoofer, very happy with them . . . .
Those are nice looking speakers for the money. Obviously not audiophile quality but they will get the job done. If you look hard enough you can find a old used receiver for like 50.00 at a thrift store. I have a old Scott receiver that is only 20 Watt s per channel that I got from my next door neighbor after he passed away. With high efficiency speakers like my old Polk audio monitor 4a the amplifier section is fairly powerful.
My system currently needs a little better speaker set, but it is what I have. My reciever and dual cassette tape deck system are vr505 av, and ct-203 Kenwood. Kenwood ec 55 Sony shelf speakers and currently I'm using a Pyle pyblt 10 with a boss audio cxx10 subwoofer..