I'm looking for my first speaker build. It will be a bookshelf setup and will run off an 80w RMS receiver. Eventually I'll also add a subwoofer but for now I'm just looking for mids/highs. The speakers will be sitting on my desk and will be pretty close to the back wall, if that matters. Which kit would work best?
Can someone also point me in a direction for powering my new speakers, whichever kit is recommended? This will be a setup for my desk, source is my computer and I have a DAC that I use for my headphone setup that should work if needed. I'm trying to make this a budget setup so I'd love to stay around $200 or so for the receiver. I don't need bells and whistles. Just honest sound and enough power to drive my speakers. I also won't be doing surround sound or anything like that. Just the two bookshelf units and a sub at some point.
If you're sticking to this site, The Overnight Sensations would probably be your best bet, although the Nano Neo would work as well. Any of the other kits would probably be a bit large for desk use. You could push them with this: http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-21-2x40w-mini-amplifier-1x68w-sub-output--310-308 It's a 2.1 channel amp so it also has 68 watts to give a subwoofer. I think a good option for a subwoofer down the line would be the Anarchy kit also on this site. It's not too big, but from what I hear, it packs a solid punch and doesn't need much power. Total cost of everything would be a touch over 300 and give you a pretty sweet PC system. Since you wont be adding the sub right away it'll only run around $165 for now. I haven't tried the Lepei amp myself though. There are a number of small digital amps at parts express that would work well for your application. Bruce