Some old speakers...

[ind3x]

Hey all,
I'm really don't know a lot about audio, but the other day a friend of mine offered some speakers for free...
As of now i have the z506 5.1 set from Logitech as computer speakers, and i think it's pretty good for my use.

 

Before saying much else i'll just smack some pictures of the speakers here:

http://imgur.com/a/23wrk

 

The images only show one speaker, but there's two of them.

What i get from the specs on the back is that they have a semi-high impedance? But are quite powerful. (500W of sound)

 

I know that i'll need some kind of amplifier for them, but i have absolutely no idea of what size, or anything.

I would like to be able to hook the speakers up via standard 3.5mm jack or similar. (So i could hook up to both my desktop(front audio jack) and a phone for going to festivals and son on)

 

Any good ideas?

I live in Denmark, so you could use sites like pricerunner.dk to check if it's available.

Budget wise i would like to keep it pretty cheap, but don't let the price stop any suggestions.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

[carguy86]

i think you need a 250w amp for them (kindof unshure) the most suitable amp i found was this: http://www.pricerunner.dk/pl/96-2648113/Forstaerkere-og-Receivere/Skytec-SPL1000-Sammenlign-Priser

[JefferyD90]

These are not anything special really, they are a normal 4ohm speaker setup.

Are you using these for just home use?

I'd grab a Pyle Home PT270AIU if your wanting a cheap way out. It will drive them well, and I am 99% pleased with every Pyle purchase I have ever made.

[manikyath]

i have a similar speaker (just one) under my desk, and power it with one of these: http://www.radiomuseum.org/images/radio/perpetuum_ebner/hsv40t_92186.jpg

 

but honestly, any speaker amp will do. 

 

if you're on a budget, get something like this: EDIT: post #2 had a better option

 

otherwise, find yourself a high-end speaker amp at a professional store.

[ind3x]

I don't have the speakers, but a friend of mine don't have an amp or the money to buy one, so he just wants to get rid of them. (He got them for free too)

So basically what i need is just a simple amp, like the one @manikyath posted. 

But i don't know if i'm willing to buy it for 1300DKK (the 4690k costs 1900DKK to put it in perspective)

 

But the Topaz am5 amp is only 25W per channel? Is this enough to drive two of the speakers i've posted pictures of?

I might try to look for some used amps, anything i should know before buying anything?

[Lutkeveld]

But are quite powerful. (500W of sound)

 

That would break the current record for highest sound pressure produced by speakers.

 

Anyway; A Lepai LP2020A+ would power them just fine at pretty loud levels.

How loud do you want it to be?

[manikyath]

i'd personally go with the amp strando123 suggested, it does have the downside of being a rackmount amplifier tho...

 

sidenote: my amp is supposed to be 48W, and it can make my two 120W subwoofers clip off their coils...

[Oktyabr]

Exactly.  You haven't told us anything about how you want to use these yet?  The 500w is simply an advertisement about how much power (supposedly) they can handle without damaging them.  I see no specification for sensitivity and wonder about the overall quality of these in the first place.

25wpc should be plenty for a reasonably efficient speaker at very nice sound levels (a typical room).

[Lutkeveld]

clip off their coils...

 

Sounds epic, how does this work?

[ind3x]

That would break the current record for highest sound pressure produced by speakers.

 

Anyway; A Lepai LP2020A+ would power them just fine at pretty loud levels.

How loud do you want it to be?

 

 

Exactly.  You haven't told us anything about how you want to use these yet?  The 500w is simply an advertisement about how much power (supposedly) they can handle without damaging them.  I see no specification for sensitivity and wonder about the overall quality of these in the first place.

25wpc should be plenty for a reasonably efficient speaker at very nice sound levels (a typical room).

 

Alright, so basically the Lepai amp would be enough?

As mentioned i would probably use them the most at some festivals in a trailer. I would like to be able to play a bit louder than you would possibly do in a small room.

I know the speakers are old, but due to the fact of them being free, i want to know the price i would have to play to be able to use them.

So you think they're a bit sketchy? As in they look old and might not be great? or as they just look like some cheap and old crappy speakers.

I know close to nothing about speakers (amps etc.) so you'll have to excuse me for my lack of information. (Thanks for the help)

 

[manikyath]

Sounds epic, how does this work?

i dont even know... when i crank the amp over about half way the subwoofers move about an inch, and make a clicking noise... a friend thats all up in the DJ world told me its that...

[Lutkeveld]

Alright, so basically the Lepai amp would be enough?

As mentioned i would probably use them the most at some festivals in a trailer. I would like to be able to play a bit louder than you would possibly do in a small room.

I know the speakers are old, but due to the fact of them being free, i want to know the price i would have to play to be able to use them.

So you think they're a bit sketchy? As in they look old and might not be great? or as they just look like some cheap and old crappy speakers.

I know close to nothing about speakers (amps etc.) so you'll have to excuse me for my lack of information. (Thanks for the help)

 

 

Yeah, for indoor use it'll be plenty. For festival use they might be a bit lacking.

However, it is very efficient so you won't have to get an expensive battery setup for a festival.

Those cheapo 12v 7Ah sealed lead acid batteries can power it at least 15 hours at full power.

 

 

a friend thats all up in the DJ world told me its that...

 

Your friend needs to check his terminology ;p

[manikyath]

Your friend needs to check his terminology ;p

its probably my horrendous brain messing it up, i have a strictly visual brain.

[ind3x]

Yeah, for indoor use it'll be plenty. For festival use they might be a bit lacking.

However, it is very efficient so you won't have to get an expensive battery setup for a festival.

Those cheapo 12v 7Ah sealed lead acid batteries can power it at least 15 hours at full power.

 

I would have access to a power outlet, so i won't be needing batteries at the festivals i attend to

But i don't need it to be able to play the roof of my trailer, but i would like it to sit in the front, and still be able to play at an acceptable sound level.

[Oktyabr]

Alright, so basically the Lepai amp would be enough?

As mentioned i would probably use them the most at some festivals in a trailer. I would like to be able to play a bit louder than you would possibly do in a small room.

I know the speakers are old, but due to the fact of them being free, i want to know the price i would have to play to be able to use them.

So you think they're a bit sketchy? As in they look old and might not be great? or as they just look like some cheap and old crappy speakers.

I know close to nothing about speakers (amps etc.) so you'll have to excuse me for my lack of information. (Thanks for the help)

 

I briefly looked up the company.  They are not very well known.  In the USA we have something called a "white van scam" where guys buy these good *looking* speakers very cheap (because they are built very cheaply) and then try to sell them off as being worth much more than they really are.  I'm not trying to suggest that these are similar, only that they *look* like they could be (nice looking, very vague, exaggerated info on the back label, spring clip connectors, nearly no information found on them online).  Still, for free, these are probably still better than nothing.

Any good home receiver will power these fine, even older used stuff.  This, for example, would do so:  https://www.dustin.dk/product/5010629769/str-dh130

Lepai, Topping, and other compact chinese amps will also likely drive them to acceptable levels too... although if what you are really saying is that you want to use these to play out doors, around a lot of people, you will need something with more power.

[Lutkeveld]

Just buy the Lepai. It'll probably be just right for pretty high sound levels.

If it's not loud enough you're set back 20 dollars (big deal ;p). Then buy a second hand 100 to 250W or so Hi-Fi amp .

 

@Oktyabr Eltax is pretty decent. Not that big and or well known, but it isn't bad.

[ind3x]

I briefly looked up the company.  They are not very well known.  In the USA we have something called a "white van scam" where guys buy these good *looking* speakers very cheap (because they are built very cheaply) and then try to sell them off as being worth much more than they really are.  I'm not trying to suggest that these are similar, only that they *look* like they could be (nice looking, very vague, exaggerated info on the back label, spring clip connectors, nearly no information found on them online).  Still, for free, these are probably still better than nothing.

Any good home receiver will power these fine, even older used stuff.  This, for example, would do so:  https://www.dustin.dk/product/5010629769/str-dh130

Lepai, Topping, and other compact chinese amps will also likely drive them to acceptable levels too... although if what you are really saying is that you want to use these to play out doors, around a lot of people, you will need something with more power.

Alright, so if i decided to go with the 25W amp, would i be able to hook up both of these and play the music indoors? 

Some research led me to the speakers exact name being the eltax millenium 500.

Looking up reviews they are pretty good actually.

[creatip123]

The fifth line on the printed sticker. Ereq. response? Ereqtion response?? Damn, I dunno speakers can make 'that' response....

[ind3x]

The fifth line on the printed sticker. Ereq. response? Ereqtion response?? Damn, I dunno speakers can make 'that' response....

I must admit.. Usually i don't like this kind of humor, But i laughed quite a bit...

[Oktyabr]

This website says they are 94db which I assume means 94db/1w/1m.  If this number can be believed then a true 25wpc should get you around 101db at 3m, which doesn't allow for much headroom or trailer walls or if you are sitting further than 3m, or if there are a lot of people around you...  It will work but 100+wpc would be better.

[ind3x]

This website says they are 94db which I assume means 94db/1w/1m.  If this number can be believed then a true 25wpc should get you around 101db at 3m, which doesn't allow for much headroom or trailer walls or if you are sitting further than 3m, or if there are a lot of people around you...  It will work but 100+wpc would be better.

Alright. You've clarified a lot to me, honestly i don't think i want to invest in anything expensive, so i might get the lepai and get the best of it. 

Thanks a lot for your help!