Hifi setup for DnB?

C

CPOliver

New Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Location
Leeds, UK
I know it's a rather vague question to ask, and that this place ain't the What Hifi? Forums, but I thought I'd finally register at this place and see what suggestions I could get.

I'm after buying Hifi seperates for a variety or genres, but I'm first and foremost a drum 'n' bass head (liquid funk and bit of techstep usually).

On a budget of £1200 are there any components (CD, amp & speakers; no vinyl for moi) that'd be worth looking into?

Cheers in advance folks :pimp:
 
get a pa system mate with bassbins go the whole nine yards..theres come good deals on ebay for that budget...i would strongly advise buying a pa system!!! lol
 
Linn Keilidh floorstanders...
or anything by Linn for that matter. will cost a lot more than ur budget brand new but im sure a lot go on ebay for less.
anyone audiophiles will know what im talking about.
you will be amazed at the deep notes that they can produce.
trust me :dutty:
 
CPOliver said:
I know it's a rather vague question to ask, and that this place ain't the What Hifi? Forums, but I thought I'd finally register at this place and see what suggestions I could get.

I'm after buying Hifi seperates for a variety or genres, but I'm first and foremost a drum 'n' bass head (liquid funk and bit of techstep usually).

On a budget of £1200 are there any components (CD, amp & speakers; no vinyl for moi) that'd be worth looking into?

Cheers in advance folks :pimp:
Click to expand...

mate.... if your looking for crispness then go for some studio monitors...... have a look at the room you are putting them in...... and then where you will sit when listening........ if the speakers are about arm length away or about half a meter more than arm length then you need "Near field" speakers...... if you are sitting about 3-4 metres away... which if you are using this for a TV set up aswell or a standard bedroom then you will need "Mid Field" speakers...... dont worry about "Far Fields" they are usually PA speakers.........

So unlike an earlier suggestion.... do not get PA speakers.... they are useless unless you are standing 10metres away.... only then will you here the true sound quality.


Id recommend these Dynaudio BM 15 they are Near to Mid Field speakers so can be used for close monitoring and general home use.
they are about £380 for each speaker but are well worth it.... you will never need any other speaker again.

And then find yourself a decent Amp.... i.e Samson Servo 201A... its not a intergrated Amp... but is made specifically for near field or mid field speakers.... will give you a proper crisp sound.

DONT FORGET!!! speaker cable makes a difference!! get decent cables!!

Hope that helps anyway mate.....
 
break2511 said:
Linn Keilidh floorstanders...
or anything by Linn for that matter. will cost a lot more than ur budget brand new but im sure a lot go on ebay for less.
anyone audiophiles will know what im talking about.
you will be amazed at the deep notes that they can produce.
trust me :dutty:
Click to expand...

Yeh they are decent speakers.... but i find are not always as accurate as you would like.
what is annoying is that Linn Keilidh wont release a sound graph so you can compensate for the speakers weakness's at some frequencies...... abit annoying!!
 
Um... why are you lot advising him to get:
1) PA systems - good for having a party, awful for listening at home at low levels;
2) monitor systems - he's not producing, he's not an engineer and he doesn't need monitors! He wants to rinse it out. Monitors are expensive and not too good for constant listening.

You're getting some weird advice mate.

1200 quid is enough to get some very nice equipment.

You can either go for new consumer grade equipment, get yourself something like a Harman Kardan CD + amp package, (i.e. STEREO LEGEND HK970+HD970) for about 500 quid. You do not need a CD player for more than 100-150 quid. More expensive amplifiers will give you more power - stay away from ones with features you don't need (like 5.1. A stereo amplifier for the same price will be better and louder than 5.1. amplifier). Get yourself a pair of 120 db speakers - JBLs are fine. Also get yourself an active subwoofer, around 150-300 watts (not less), again JBL will be fine. Sit back and enjoy.

Or you can buy yourself some VERY nice used equipment. I'd suggest checking out your local specialist hifi stores, ones that cater to hifi heads. You can basically get audiophile grade (low-end audiophile but thats a relative term, like a 'cheap' Ferrari) equipment that has been used for 40% of their sale price. Good amplifiers will last for decades. CD players are good for a decade. Speakers can last for a time but can also be abused the fuck out - but that will be something you should notice. A hifi setup is not like a used car, rarely will something jump out and bite you in the ass so buying used is not so risky a preposition as long as you get a guarantee from the store or seller (a couple of months up to a year). If you go to an used hifi dealer or find a seller on the net, tell them you want:
1) an amplifier with something like 150W at 8 Ohms (they'll know what it means)
2) speakers to match the amplifier
3) an active subwoofer to match the speakers -you'll probably told you don't need a sub with good speakers, that is true with jazz and classical music but you'll definitely want a sub with your dnb. Make sure its low goes to 20hz (I could be wrong here but that's what I think is correct)
4) a solid CD player that plays CDRS. Audiophile CD players are expensive and you don't need them. Your dnb will be more than fine on a 100 quid unit.

DON'T BUY EXPENSIVE CABLES. Expensive cables are bollocks for people who suffers from having too much money. There will be no difference between a quality copper cable costing a quid a foot and one costing 50 quid a foot. Buy some thick insulated copper cable (4mm is enough) to connect your speakers with your amp. A 5 quid connecting cable with gold ends will be good enough to connect your cd and amp.

BUY something to protect your equipment with, like a power cord with a fuse. If lightning strikes nearby, your equipment might get fried. Same goes for all your other expensive home equipment.

If you have any money left, buy yourself some good headphones so you can fry your ears without annoying the neighbours.
 
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rocksteadyuk said:
mate.... if your looking for crispness then go for some studio monitors...... have a look at the room you are putting them in...... and then where you will sit when listening........ if the speakers are about arm length away or about half a meter more than arm length then you need "Near field" speakers...... if you are sitting about 3-4 metres away... which if you are using this for a TV set up aswell or a standard bedroom then you will need "Mid Field" speakers...... dont worry about "Far Fields" they are usually PA speakers.........

So unlike an earlier suggestion.... do not get PA speakers.... they are useless unless you are standing 10metres away.... only then will you here the true sound quality.


Id recommend these Dynaudio BM 15 they are Near to Mid Field speakers so can be used for close monitoring and general home use.
they are about £380 for each speaker but are well worth it.... you will never need any other speaker again.

And then find yourself a decent Amp.... i.e Samson Servo 201A... its not a intergrated Amp... but is made specifically for near field or mid field speakers.... will give you a proper crisp sound.

DONT FORGET!!! speaker cable makes a difference!! get decent cables!!

Hope that helps anyway mate.....
Click to expand...

Some good advise.

Agree about the PA.

Don't agree about the speakers, a bit too expensive relatively but if I was building a studio, I might use them.

That amp is nice, very nice in fact.

Quality speaker cable is cheap. You don't have to overspend. As long as its thick and copper, one cable is as good as the other.

Edit: I'm advising the sub because high quality speakers and amps give nice flat responses. Most people are used to cheating speakers/frequencies so they'll want extra bass, especially with dnb. I've got a very nice setup at home, ideal for blues and jazz but I'm not feeling the low-end of good dnb tracks.
 
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Dustek said:
Some good advise.

Agree about the PA.

Don't agree about the speakers, a bit too expensive relatively but if I was building a studio, I might use them.

That amp is nice, very nice in fact.

Quality speaker cable is cheap. You don't have to overspend. As long as its thick and copper, one cable is as good as the other.

Edit: I'm advising the sub because high quality speakers and amps give nice flat responses. Most people are used to cheating speakers/frequencies so they'll want extra bass, especially with dnb. I've got a very nice setup at home, ideal for blues and jazz but I'm not feeling the low-end of good dnb tracks.
Click to expand...


The reason why i would always advise monitors is the plain simple fact that factory built "home" speakers have got their frequencies altered to be make more commercial music sound better...... i.e.... the mid range will slightly peak and the low end wont be as dynamic as you might want..... especially for DnB...... where as a Monitor speakers have had testing and be engineered to have a flat response... or as close to as possible......

Put plain and simply..... what you hear will be the way its meant to be heard..... no stupid Yamaha, JVC, Pioneer or who ever interfering with speaker cones output to what they think is a more commercial setting.

Or alternativly you could just buy a EQ and a Analizer and compensate the cone response???
 
Thanks for your replies everyone.

Regarding what someone said about a Harmon/Kardon & JBL combination, what would you think to the below combination? I know that the H/K combination is sexy as hell, not looked around for any other deals (i.e. without the DAB radio).

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&Cat=39&Sub=171&Prod=28780

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&cat=42&sub=244&prod=100491

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&cat=42&sub=178&prod=100710

Thanks again folks :)
 
if i had the money, considering my computer was top quality bang bang shit, i'd buy a pair of krk's for about 300 or summat, 150-300 for a top notch midi, hey fuck me me you have fuck loads left, with the rest buy a fat as fuck screen which doesnt annoy you producing and a fat as fuck amp to blow them breaks out your window
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not a producer. As a graphic designer by trade, my computer is more than adequate, and the point of me getting a nice stereo setup is to get out the home office and relax :)
 
CPOliver said:
Thanks for your replies everyone.

Regarding what someone said about a Harmon/Kardon & JBL combination, what would you think to the below combination? I know that the H/K combination is sexy as hell, not looked around for any other deals (i.e. without the DAB radio).

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&Cat=39&Sub=171&Prod=28780

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&cat=42&sub=244&prod=100491

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&cat=42&sub=178&prod=100710

Thanks again folks :)
Click to expand...

That package is fine and will give you lots of fun. Get some nice headphones for a 100-200 quid to go with it. You might consider swapping the tuner for a deck, so you can have a listen to vinyl.
 
Dustek said:
That package is fine and will give you lots of fun. Get some nice headphones for a 100-200 quid to go with it. You might consider swapping the tuner for a deck, so you can have a listen to vinyl.
Click to expand...

Sweet man, thanks. After looking about, the package with the DA tuner is *cheaper* than other places offering just the amp and cd.

After a while I'll consider getting something like a Project turntable to complete my set up. Will probs get some Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi IEMs eventually as well :teeth:

Disposable income + living at home seems to be quite a sweet lifestyle for now, heh. :pimp:
 
You can do better if you know what you're looking for but the H&K package will be fine if you're a novice. You can then swap the components around over time (the first swap will be speakers or amp) building a very expensive system. Don't buy 20 quid 1 metre speakers, they are a rip off.
 
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