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Resolved Question

How to pick a stereo unit/speakers

Aug 21, 2011 2:52PM PDT

I am trying to decide whether I need a stereo unit or a pair of speakers to play music from my iPod and CD.

I need to play the low frequencies well (strong vibration) and loud. I'd like to ask the following questions:

1) Is it the stereo unit or the speakers that's going to make the difference (stronger vibration and volume)?
2) What numbers should I look at on the specifications to determine these qualities?
3) Any recommendations (or ones to avoid)?

Thanks a lot.

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danawenco has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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How to pick a stereo unit/speakers
Aug 22, 2011 12:03AM PDT

"or a pair of speakers: -- do you mean directly connected to the IPOD, like a docking station with speakers? If so -- forget about any good loud sound and bottom end.

Onkyo and Pioneer make decent stereo receivers. Unfortunately, the lower price of a two channel receiver does not include IPOD connectivity unless you buy an optional dock that connects to the receiver. These docks run about $130 and usually include the USB/video cable. Might as well look at a home theater receiver. not stereo. Home theater receivers play stereo also. As I tell people with buying a commputer or a receiver -- grow into it, not out of it.
I've seen the Onkyo TX-NR509 on sale as low $300 and the specs says it has a USB port for direct connect of an IPOD but you still need to buy the dock. Pioneer has the VSX-921-K for $399 which includes a built in dock and a cable. See the specs:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pioneer+Receivers/VSX-921-K
You didn't give any details about the size of the speakers you need. Bookshelf speakers and floor standing speakers have about the same freuency response at entry level prices. Frequency response of the speaker is what you have to look at. An average frequency response for entry level speakers is 49-20,000 Hz. The lower the first number the better the bass response. Floor standing speakers, though, could include 2 woofers (and the woofers in a tower can be bigger than bookshelf) as opposed to 1 in a bookshelf speaker and could give you better bass. Of course, you can increase the bass using the receiver and a tower speaker could better handle that. Towers, though, can be twice the price of bookshelf.
No matter what type of speaker, check the receiver power ratings -- don't exceed the max watts per channel that the speaker can handle. It's usually best to get speakers that can handle more than the receiver can put out so the speakers can handle music peaks better.

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Thanks...
Aug 22, 2011 2:35AM PDT

Thanks a lot. Yes, by a pair of speakers I meant connecting directly to my iPod. But, I don't really need a docking station because I can just connect to the speakers using the outlet where I connect to my headphone?

Is a receiver the same as a stereo unit? Sorry I am pretty ignorant in this area, googling both terms show similar results. I've been searching in Bestbuy.com and I don't see any frequency response listed on the specs (e.g. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia%26%23153%3B+-+200W+2.0+Channel+Stereo+Receiver/9693507.p?id=1218151628383&skuId=9693507&st=receiver&cp=3&lp=11).. not sure if I am looking at the right thing.

I'd prefer something smaller so bookshelf speakers would be what I need.

Sorry I am a bit lost, so do I need both a receiver and speakers? I don't have to play from my iPod, can just play from my CD.

Thanks again for your help.

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Bottom Line
Aug 22, 2011 4:54AM PDT

A receiver can be stereo or home theater (more than left and right channel sound)
BB is not known for showing the best specs. If your CD player has left and right audio out RCA cables or jacks -- it'll work and you can connect and you can enjoy from your easy chair with the Insignia receiver you selected if you buy a pair of bookshelf speakers to attach to the receiver (it'll work anyway without speakers as you can listen via headphones). This is not rocket science.
I don't know if I understand your IPOD situation. I don't think you can connect the IPOD to a headphones (1/4" jack) jack that's why I talked about the usb/video cable.

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Thanks
Aug 22, 2011 5:15AM PDT

Thanks for the info.

No I won't be using headphones because my primary goal is to mask the boom sound from my neighbor (that's why I only care about the volumn and the frequency response).

I can just play from my CD's, so don't need to fiddle with my iPod I guess. I think I know what to look for now. Cheers for your help!