Need help buying my first Audio setup in tight budget

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vijay96

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Hi folks,

This is my first post here on the forum, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes.

I'm looking to set up a basic Hi-Fi system within a budget of under ₹18,000 , primarily for movie and music. I know this isn’t much to work with, but it’s all I can afford at the moment. Eventually, I’d like to expand the setup over time as I invest more.

Initially, I was considering a mass-market 5.1 home theatre system or even a soundbar, but I’m pretty sure those would lack clarity and detail. Since I'm not doing full surround sound right now, I’m leaning toward a stereo setup with active bookshelf speakers , focusing on quality over quantity but I am going to invest gradually on AVR, Sub and Surrounds.

I'm open to suggestions — whether new or used gear — and I'd really appreciate help in putting together a great-sounding system that gives the best performance possible under this tight budget.


I'm based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh , so if anyone has recommendations for local shops or pre-owned options in South India, that would be very helpful too.


Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
 
You may have to resort to a budget Active loudspeaker like an Edifier. Unfortunately you cannot expand or extend this to a Home theater later on. However, this will sound way better than all the plastic Htib junk.

Alternatively look at Norge. They do have something within your budget. Its a good brand to consider when you are starting out.

Used is usually the better path to take. More value for money. That said, I have yet to come across anything within the price range you have. The quality of the equipment is always an issue at these price points.
 
I am not sure how would you connect these to your TVs as most of them in the budget will come with RCA only. Do they still give RCA on TVs?

Regardless - check something LIKE THESE - https://www.amazon.in/PreSonus-Eris...e=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&th=1. (just an example)

This is a monitor with 4.5 inch mid/woofer driver, comes with BT so ease of connecting music directly & has the option to tweak the sound a little to your taste.

You can try and look for similar products - there are many companies that make them - from the pro world - it will be PreSonus, Mackie.
Form consumer world maybe edifier in this budget.
 
vijay96 said:
Hi folks,

This is my first post here on the forum, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes.

I'm looking to set up a basic Hi-Fi system within a budget of under ₹18,000 , primarily for movie and music. I know this isn’t much to work with, but it’s all I can afford at the moment. Eventually, I’d like to expand the setup over time as I invest more.

Initially, I was considering a mass-market 5.1 home theatre system or even a soundbar, but I’m pretty sure those would lack clarity and detail. Since I'm not doing full surround sound right now, I’m leaning toward a stereo setup with active bookshelf speakers , focusing on quality over quantity but I am going to invest gradually on AVR, Sub and Surrounds.

I'm open to suggestions — whether new or used gear — and I'd really appreciate help in putting together a great-sounding system that gives the best performance possible under this tight budget.


I'm based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh , so if anyone has recommendations for local shops or pre-owned options in South India, that would be very helpful too.


Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
Click to expand...
I think the option for you would be the Active Speakers PreSonus Eris 4.5BT that someone has already mentioned (Or Edifer, M-Audio or Yamaha studio monitors). The Eris doesnt have any USB input but you can connect and play music over bluetooth (although Bluetooth cannot be considered HIFI as it compresses/decompresses the files). It seems to have two 3.5mm for inputs. So you will have to use like RCA<->mono3.5mm cables for each channel (not the generic 2xRCA<->stereo3.5mm that are available). If not active speaker, then the other option would be 50/50W rms passive speakers + some good class D amplifier like Fosi Audio or Aiyima.
I see that you have asked about used gear. There are whatsapp channels that you can join for south India that sell such items, like "South Electronics" contact admin Tulasidhas 9443830852, but that one group is enough as most sellers sell the same wares on other whatsapp groups too. Kindly note that used gear will always need service/repair+recapping.
 
Not a well known brand or audiophile grade product. But this could be a good choice - Obage 4.1.
I have their 2.1 system and liked the sound clarity and quality of the product.
 
sandeepmohan said:
You may have to resort to a budget Active loudspeaker like an Edifier. Unfortunately you cannot expand or extend this to a Home theater later on. However, this will sound way better than all the plastic Htib junk.

Alternatively look at Norge. They do have something within your budget. Its a good brand to consider when you are starting out.

Used is usually the better path to take. More value for money. That said, I have yet to come across anything within the price range you have. The quality of the equipment is always an issue at these price points.
Click to expand...
Firstly, thank you for your suggestions and I apologize for the delayed response I was not a hectic travelling.
Infact thats what I thought given the budget am aware that I dont have a lot of options. So I was considering the a decent active bookshelf speaker over the junky Htib.

I had a look at Norge speakers but I dont see any powered speaker (subject to correction). Are they better than powered edifiers?

I will now actively look at used market as well.

I am currently considering
https://amzn.in/d/76XrQdy Kali Audio LP-6 V2
https://amzn.in/d/6rTpDIA Edifier Studio Series Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
https://amzn.in/d/fTC9guB Jbl Professional 306Pmkii-Eu

Please advice if there are good for the money or should I look at other speakers.

​

 
chander said:
I am not sure how would you connect these to your TVs as most of them in the budget will come with RCA only. Do they still give RCA on TVs?

Regardless - check something LIKE THESE - https://www.amazon.in/PreSonus-Eris...e=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&th=1. (just an example)

This is a monitor with 4.5 inch mid/woofer driver, comes with BT so ease of connecting music directly & has the option to tweak the sound a little to your taste.

You can try and look for similar products - there are many companies that make them - from the pro world - it will be PreSonus, Mackie.
Form consumer world maybe edifier in this budget.
Click to expand...
Thank you for you suggestion,
I had a look at the PreSonus Eris 4 but the description suggests they are near field speakers but iam looking for a room fillers as iam going to be using them with my tv and phone.
 
zero7 said:
Not a well known brand or audiophile grade product. But this could be a good choice - Obage 4.1.
I have their 2.1 system and liked the sound clarity and quality of the product.
Click to expand...
I had come across these but like you said these are not popular and am not able to find any reviews on them. Are these any better from other mass market home theatre systems?
 
vijay96 said:
iam looking for a room fillers as iam going to be using them with my tv and phone.
Click to expand...
Hi, if you want room flllers and on tight budget, you can look for used Philips/Akai/Pioneer/Sony bookshelves from the vintage era. Those speakers are highly sensitive and require low power, sound qualitywise, though not audiophile grade, they are very musical and satisfy all genres of music, particularly Indian. (Yesteryear music lovers may put their loved stuff on sale, as they may not able to use it due to spece constraints or no more in use due to obvious reasons). You will get such speakers pair within 8-9K. You need to look carefully and check properly the quality and functionality.

Some thing like....

Add a low cost chinies Class D amp or Class-D+tube hybrid amp (20W is enough) withich you will get less than 10-12K. This will meet your requirement for at least next 5 years, till you plan for a big upgrade.

Some thing like.........

BTW my journey started like this and below than your budget.
 
ronthedon said:
I think the option for you would be the Active Speakers PreSonus Eris 4.5BT that someone has already mentioned (Or Edifer, M-Audio or Yamaha studio monitors). The Eris doesnt have any USB input but you can connect and play music over bluetooth (although Bluetooth cannot be considered HIFI as it compresses/decompresses the files). It seems to have two 3.5mm for inputs. So you will have to use like RCA<->mono3.5mm cables for each channel (not the generic 2xRCA<->stereo3.5mm that are available). If not active speaker, then the other option would be 50/50W rms passive speakers + some good class D amplifier like Fosi Audio or Aiyima.
I see that you have asked about used gear. There are whatsapp channels that you can join for south India that sell such items, like "South Electronics" contact admin Tulasidhas 9443830852, but that one group is enough as most sellers sell the same wares on other whatsapp groups too. Kindly note that used gear will always need service/repair+recapping.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid of the fact that presonus eris 4.5 are a near field monitors so i was assuming that they wouldnt be good enough for watching movies (correct me if im wrong). I'm now also looking at the passive route be it used or new.
Thank you for the contact, I will get in touch with Mr. Tulasidhas today,
 
Buy modern speakers and build Philips 40-40 circuit at cheap (under 2000₹) or get P3A amp (Norge 1000 circuit) at 1500₹ (transformer extra cost) and use it daily u won't regret. If u wanna need any help or demo kindly DM me I shall forward u demo videos and sellers available at various locations all India.
 
raj12345 said:
Buy modern speakers and build Philips 40-40 circuit at cheap (under 2000₹) or get P3A amp (Norge 1000 circuit) at 1500₹ (transformer extra cost) and use it daily u won't regret. If u wanna need any help or demo kindly DM me I shall forward u demo videos and sellers available at various locations all India.
Click to expand...
Dm'ed you.
 
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