Photo studio hifi help

[Scho]

Hi all,

I'm fed up with the sound from my 2.1 pc speakers in my studio.

Looking at getting an ipod dock, amp, speaker combo for improved sound quality with the bonus that visitors will also be able to operate the system. floorstanders are out of the question as i need the floor space clear so it's bookshelfs. I'm going to put the amp and ipod on a new unit in the corner next to the sofa but i've not yet decided what to do with the speakers:

one thing to consider is that i do get complaints from next door (adjoining the wall with the pics on) so i want to avoid directing sound that way.

i was thinking about:

a. putting a pair of bookshelf speakers in the unit in the middle of the back wall.

b. mounting them on the lighting support rail, one at either end.

c. putting one in each corner of the back wall (bit worried about the right hand side being so close to the shard wall-it's only stud)

pic of the space:



I'm open to suggestions on amp/speaker combo's too. got a couple of hundred budget.

Thanks,

Rick.

[Sciroccology]

That glowy-blue iPod dock with the valves would look good in there.

Someone will be along in a moment with a picture/make/model.

[Mr E]

My friend has just bought a Sony CMT-HX80R for his pool room.

It's not brilliant quality by any means, but on the other hand it didn't make me cringe when he turned it on. And it's pretty minimalist and compact.

Might suit?

[bored-of-coding]

I'm sure Eric will sort you out when he's finished his tea

.. edited to correct a bit of grammar

Edited by bored-of-coding on Tuesday 17th February 17:45

[miniman]

[Scho]

thanks for the help guys, that black one looks pretty cool but what i'm after is a proper amp and speakers.

I've already got an apple ipod dock that has a phono-out like this one:



these docks with speakers are all a bit pants arn't they?

Edited by Scho on Tuesday 17th February 17:57

Edited by Scho on Tuesday 17th February 17:57

[miniman]

The Arcam is a proper amp, and speakers are available!

www.arcam.co.uk

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I would play flac files through an audiophile soundcard rather than use an iPod.

I have a Quad 34 pre and 405 power amp which I think sound lush. Check out eBay, they aren't particularly expensive now. Alternatively go for an Audiolab 8000 if you want to go integrated. My favourite bookshelves have always been Epos. Alternatively Mission do some decent bookshelves (771 I think) which seem to be peanuts on eBay.

You should be able to get a good set up for £500 if you get used equipment.

[stackmonkey]

Given that you apparently have very few 'soft' furnishings in there, make sure you get some 'warm' sounding speakers; otherwise you may well end up with a very tinny sound. Make sure whichever shops you go into know this and ideally get the equipment for a week end home demo to make sure.

[cjs]

For mounting the speakers, I would go either end under the lighting rail. If you mount them on or up against the neighbours wall you will be asking for trouble.

[shalmaneser]

Fatman iTube ValveDock Carbon Edition 2



http://www.trustedreviews.com/mp3/review/2009/02/1...

I want I want I want. £250 odd + say £150 for speakers? Would be a quality system.

or....

B&W Zeppelin



http://www.trustedreviews.com/mp3/review/2008/01/2...

supposed to be the absolute best iPod dock about - bit more compact too. £400 odd quid, so about the same price overall.

I can certainly vouch for the quality of B&W speakers, I've had mine for 6+ years and they are fantastic. Fatman argueably a bit more versatile, and those valves are lovely.

[miniman]

Is it wrong to say Bose Acoustimass? I quite like them and they sound ok, not "proper" HiFi I know, but not diabolical. Right?

[shalmaneser]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

I would play flac files through an audiophile soundcard rather than use an iPod.

I have a Quad 34 pre and 405 power amp which I think sound lush. Check out eBay, they aren't particularly expensive now. Alternatively go for an Audiolab 8000 if you want to go integrated. My favourite bookshelves have always been Epos. Alternatively Mission do some decent bookshelves (771 I think) which seem to be peanuts on eBay.

You should be able to get a good set up for £500 if you get used equipment.

To be fair, this is a good call too. It's what I'm running, decent sound card (£40 odd) running through NAD 320BEE amp into B&W 602 S2's. Sounds lovely.

[shalmaneser]

miniman said:

Is it wrong to say Bose Acoustimass? I quite like them and they sound ok, not "proper" HiFi I know, but not diabolical. Right?

hideously overpriced, like all bose stuff.

[Scho]

Hi chaps,

Ended up using an old mac for storage/playback and got myself a couple of pairs of JBL control one's. using an amp i borrowed off a mate for the time being.

much improved

[Famous Graham]

Looks good.

Although a) your keyboard might melt and b) your amp might overheat