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New member Username: KlepsydraPost Number: 1 Registered: May-10 | Hey I'm new to the forum. I'm looking for some speaker advice for speakers for my kitchen. These speakers will only be used to play music (streamed from computer using AirTunes) while cooking, cleaning, during dinner etc. I wan't something unobtrusive but with decent general sound wherever I am in the kitchen. I was originally thinking of installing a few in-wall speakers, but my wife says she would want to take it with us if we sale our house (possibly soon, maybe not at all). The speakers I'm looking at right now are the Bose 161's since they are small and unobtrusive and from the reviews I've read provide a nice even sound stage wherever you are in the room. I'd mount them on the walls above the cabinets. I was thinking of getting a used Accoustimas bass unit of eBay for around $30 for added base and lay it flat on its side on the top of a larger cabinet to hide, and later upgrade to a something like a powered sub like microvee or minivee or 8" Polk. Any other suggestions? I'd like the speakers to cost around $200. |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 14944 Registered: Dec-04 | Skip the Bose with a seperate module, they can't be fixed. How about upping the Ante a bit, ang looking at his? http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0305/tivoli.htm |
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New member Username: KlepsydraPost Number: 2 Registered: May-10 | Those actually look pretty dang nice. I might have to get one of those for my office some time. The Network version looks cool too, but Mac support seems to be an afterthought and starting at $799 is pretty pricey. My thought was to put the Airport express and simple power amp like the Onkyo M-282 in or on the top of a cabinet. Out of the way no mess and simply wired to a pair of speakers in the kitchen. Everything would then be controlled via the computer or my phone as a remote. The other ones I've looked at our the Polk OWM3's that seam to be great little speakers, but are designed as surround satellites. They do have the clean look and nice mounting options. Since they are designed as satellites they don't sound that well on their own. Where the Bose are designed to stand on their own more reasonably. I may not even buy the separate bass module since the Bose bass response goes lower then the OWM3's. I know many audiophiles detest Bose, and I would never pay for one of their soundwave ripoff systems or use them for a home theater where I can provide the space for better components. The 161's sound like decent speakers for this application. |
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New member Username: KlepsydraPost Number: 3 Registered: May-10 | Now that I think about it more just the speakers themselves are pretty nice looking. Would it be possible to buy two of these and connect them to my own Amp? I'm thinking two of these http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=147&cat=263&page=1# Connected to an amp like this ... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/597468-REG/Pyle_Pro_PCA3_PCA3_Mini_2_x.html or ... http://www.crutchfield.com/p_543R235LS/Russound-R235LS.html or ... http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580M282/Onkyo-M-282.html Since the Amp would be hidden away and would not be controlling volume or anything. There is no information posted about the Tivoli specs (Power Handling), can those be found somewhere? |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 14828 Registered: May-04 | . IMO, these are more than sufficient for your use. Pair these with a sub if you need thump or as is for casual listening; http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+5-1/4%22+2-Way+Bookshelf+Speakers+(Pair)/8289 167.p?id=1172277277943&skuId=8289167 They are clean, articulate and have a pleasant, natural sounding midrange which is the most important feature in any budget speaker. Bass is adequte for the size and nicely balanced when the speakers are placed close to a wall or not quite in a corner. Their size means they will disappear sonically and (for the most part) visually also. Unless you're attracted to the Bose for their looks you'd be wasting your money to buy the 161 over this speaker. If you can tolerate a larger enclosure, also listen to the Insignia NS-B2111. These have some amount of "audiophile" pedigree and often go on sale for around $50 per pair. Nuck's choice is high quality and worth the money should you prefer to have a complete "mini-system" in your kitchen. . |
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New member Username: KlepsydraPost Number: 4 Registered: May-10 | Jan, Thanks for the info, both of those probably sound great, but to be honest I don't think either of those would pass the WAF. To get her approval the speakers are going to have to come in either a wood that is fairly close to the color of the cabinets, or white. She spent a lot of time creating her "look" in the kitchen ... Have you guys ever heard of Orb Audio. What about a pair of their Mod1 speakers? http://www.orbaudio.com/ Do you think they would be OK without a sub? Most of the time these speakers will be playing classical or children's music. We've got 3 under 3 and our oldest loves to sing and dance to music. The heavier music probably won't come out until the kids are in bed and then won't be played at loud levels. |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 14832 Registered: May-04 | . Buy the Sony's and then head to a good woodworking shop for some oak, maple, birch (or whatever wood your cabinets look like) veneer tape. It'll take a few minutes to apply and you'll have a close to perfect match. For example; http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=260-050 The Orbs are better than the Bose but will require a subwoofer for most music. Give them a try before buying the Bose, they have a money back trial period. . |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 14953 Registered: Dec-04 | Just do not veneer them before the return period expires. |
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Gold Member Username: GavdawgAlbany, New York Post Number: 1459 Registered: Nov-06 | Use a Cambridge soundworks radio. I have one and like it. Better performance than the Bose for much less. Also believe focal has a system that will meet your needs well. But Jan is right. |
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New member Username: KlepsydraPost Number: 5 Registered: May-10 | Thanks for all the info guys. I think I made a decision. I found the Audioengine A5's and they look perfect for what I am trying to do. Originally I was planning on connecting my Airport to a mini Amp and then to speakers. The A5's have a built in amplifier and are designed to connect the Airport directly to the speaker. The whole setup is going to be a lot cleaner now no wires, no mess. Wherever I put the speakers. Since I don't have to buy an Amp I can justify the A5's price @ $325 per pair. Here is a link to their website for anyone else interested. They have a 30 day return policy like OrbAudio so I'm going to try them out. http://www.audioengineusa.com/a5_home.php |