Audiophile System for less than $500 - Yeah... It's Possible

Elac Debut b6 amzn.to/2YVmreL
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ emotiva.com/products/airmotiv...
Topping MX3 Black amzn.to/3jvxvIN
Topping MX3 Silver amzn.to/3p2DFBe
SMSL AD18 amzn.to/2OjPOoZ
Monoprice 12" Sub amzn.to/3jvQmn6
Polk 10" Sub amzn.to/3jD6H9O
patreon.com/cheapaudioman Zoom meetings every Sunday night at 9cst
High Res Music Streaming for FREE!!!!
Amazon Music Unlimited Free Trial (For HD, Scroll to the bottom of the linked page and select “Try HD” amzn.to/3fiiMPC
Test Track Playlist:
music.amazon.com/user-playlis...
cheapaudioman
If you click on this link and sign up for a free trial I will receive a small referral fee.
If you use any of my links to purchase products I will receive a small commission on the sale of that item. Won’t cost you any more to purchase with the link.
Recommended Speaker List
Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
Sony SSCS5 - Lively amzn.to/3pZNnGk
Pioneer AJ First Gen - Laid Back
Neumi BS5 -Neutral amzn.to/3q0SR3B
Around $200
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ - Crystal Clear and Punchy emotiva.com?aff=9
Elac Debut b5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/2WPNQxw
Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 (In and Out of Stock) - Laid Back/Bassy/Detailed amzn.to/37W8hPA
Around $400
Klipsch RP600M - Neutral amzn.to/3pBoXCf (This speaker’s price can fluctuate between $440-630 which is really dumb)
Jamo C93ii Bit - Boosted on Top amzn.to/3beIG6F (Can also be found cheaper at Crutchfield)
Around $500
SVS Prime bit.ly/2LozJgF
Around $600
Elac Uni-Fi UB5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/3s3srPG
Elac Debut Reference - Buttery but Detailed amzn.to/39bt6WC
Recommended Amp List
Around $130
SMSL AD18 - DAC/Amp Lively on top but solid tone controls amzn.to/3rVZxkN
Around $400
Emotiva TA-100 - DAC, Phono Stage, Pre Outs - Balanced and Tasty emotiva.com?aff=9

[@ddcstudios1]

Mr. Randy, a year ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer and they removed my left kidney. I discovered your channel by mishap, while I'm often sick from my treatment regimen. I just wanted to say I look forward to every new video you post. Just know you are putting a smile on someone's face who truly needs reason to smile. For that I thank you! Hopefully one day you'll get to review an amp that goes to 11!! Thank you sir for the smiles and distraction from the hand that was dealt to me.

[@cheapaudioman]

That is so kind of you to say. I hope you recover quickly and I’m so glad that I can help

[@calebyi2727]

W randy

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Good stuff Randy!

[@cheapaudioman]

Steve, thank you so much!!! Sorry I had to blatantly rip you off... but you're the Godfather of audio youtubery and you've covered most things better than any of the others! Loved your video on diminishing returns this am!

[@TonicofSonic]

You guys make covid life so much more tolerable. Thanks for that! 👍

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

I bought the Airmotiv B1 a few months ago because of Steve’s positive review as my starter speakers for getting back into having a home system. For the money it’s exceptionally good compared to what I had 30 years ago. Speaker technology has come a long way. Love both of your channels.

[@tinhatrancher904]

Been a QSC fan with Crown amps for over a decade (for DJ work in public, yes DSP not analog). Learned so much about analog amps/speakers from Steve Guttenburg and now your channel. All this scratching is making me itch... Vinyl addict. Thank you Cheers

[@bowenlennon178]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does anyone know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost the login password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me.

[@vannk73]

You know what would be great, Randy? An updated version of this video! Thanks for all the great content.

[@jacobb1354]

Yup. Pretty much my setup based on your recommendations and reviews. Now I have music in my basement office and am not so sad anymore. Thanks Randy!

[@Jay_Thurston]

I just bought a Loxjie a30 and some Monitor Audio bookshelf speakers for under $375. I'm amazed at what kind of sound I am getting. It is just for my office which is 10x10 so it works great! I think playing in the cheap end of the pool is more fun these days than dropping thousands and being stuck with something for years. Keep up the good Randy!

[@audiorick841]

Thanks Randy you just helped me setup my whole garage system to listen to music and TV.

[@wgm247]

Excellent video. This is what life is about. Knowledgeable and passionate men helping other lesser mortals to see the light and save a few dollars in the process. Randy, audio aside and judging by your consistent wit, humour and facial expressions, you need your own television show to enrich a wider audience with you as a whole - you are the whole package Randy. A star. 🌟

[@trevorvantiel453]

Love how you roll Randy. I am really enjoying your channel and style. Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing coffee time with us. Stay safe and healthy, all the best.

[@blech71]

Gotta love Randy’s delivery methods. So chill.

[@brochg]

Love those B1+!!!!!! Thanks for the great show!

[@collinwood60]

Randy, you crack me up! Love your dry sense of humor. Thanks for all the reviews and product info. You should do a workout show using stereo equipment (curling subwoofers and amps).

[@cheapaudioman]

ha! that would be hiliarious

[@abbywallace5154]

You know where this kind of information shines for me? When my friends want to replicate a taste of MY system and I want to help them get the most out of their small budget and be an advocate for them. Thank you!

[@mattkalis1567]

Fill your soul with more music.... and more “between two speakers”. Keep’m coming. It’s the best part of the week

[@alexthomson7465]

Boy am I glad I came across this channel! I appreciate good sound but don't understand the technology of it really and definitely don't have the budget for other channel suggestions. I am going to definitely treat myself to some good sound! New sub.

[@spencehayashi2772]

Nice video Randy, you make the case for budding or folks who want to get into audiophile sound without spending an entire year’s salary. No one has to suffer with inferior sound and you are getting the word out in a straight forward way.

[@cheapaudioman]

Thanks so much!

[@gregoryblake3377]

Lol that's the next video on my list, I really appreciate you guys, not everyone has big bank but we all love good sound.

[@scottpc1234]

right on the money that polk sub is speaker of the year I bought one when it first came out and man was i SHOCKED! big huge sound for the money everyone needs this sub!!!! another great video sir, audio with a price right in the SWEET SPOT thank for yet another great vid 🙂

[@StewartMarkley]

Love what you're doing Randy. The audio world has changed just like TVs and everything else where the quality of experience has gone way up while the cost has gone way down and you can get MUCH better performance per Dollar than ever before. But with TVs for example, all of them give a good picture and you pretty much just need to figure out how big a screen you should get and what price range you can afford. But with audio it's more complicated and while you can get good sound for not much money, most people don't have a clue how and your work and channel are just what the masses need. All the other audio reviewers are not for the masses, although Steve Gutenberg comes closer than anyone else which is why I really like him. Keep up the good work.

[@cheapaudioman]

thanks, stewart. I really appreciate that

[@rustyjeep2469]

Seconded 👍

[@StewartMarkley]

@@cheapaudioman honestly, I think, no I know that you can get REALLY good sound without spending a whole lot of money because I have been doing it since 1971with my first system with unfinished AR 2ax speakers that cost me $90ea, an AR turntable and cartridge that I don't rember the cost but I do know that it was the best quality deal at the time, and a Sherwood 25wpc receiver I bought from the Navy Exchange. It was a wonderful little system that I stuffed into my locker in the barracks and then in my bedroom in a house on the beach in Virginia Beach. Those were good days. I've been mostly a DIYer since then building amps, speakers, and rooms, a real good way to get bang for the buck.

[@cheapaudioman]

would love to get your take on a solid little amplifier kit to put together. Why don't you write up a procedure and which parts to get and we'll sell it on here and put some money into your pocket for your time and design!

[@StewartMarkley]

@@cheapaudioman that sounds interesting. I'm currently building a set of class D amplifiers from Parts Express that cost $35 per module that can drive up to 100watts into 2 ohms, 50 into 4, 25 into 8 and they include DSP so I will finish my speaker builds by actively crossing them over and driving the speakers for $70 per speaker. My design is to mount the modules on wood boards that hang on the back of the towers so the speaker wires are very short. The whole thing is powered by 2 12 volt batteries to keep the noise floor low and provide all the current one needs.

[@JZMartinez]

Steve Guttenberg: Hi! I'm the audiophiliac. Today we will look at a COMPLETE audiophile system for less than $1,500... Cheapaudioman: Hold my mug, watch this...

[@ramondelgado6778]

Even more funny because it's TRUE! haha!

[@MisterRedBird]

He did a $500 system video too

[@OldTerrible]

@@MisterRedBird true but the comment was still funny as hell🤣

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

In France you can just walk into a shop and they'll sell you a complete audio system for 400€ and up. I scored a sweet deal on a Yamaha RN402 + Klipsch RP 600M combo for 600€ several years ago. Even the seller was surprised (if bought separately it would cost 1200€).

[@sergiofranco7728]

This made my day. Well done sir.

[@ginom407]

THIS...is what it's All about!!! Fill your soul with music (happiness)!

[@cheapaudioman]

amen, Gino

[@SamandSteve]

As a wedding photographer.....I agree.

[@cheapaudioman]

I’ve done one wedding. We were on our feet for almost 12 hours. It was brutal

[@laylaandevan2680]

@@cheapaudioman my wife’s a wedding photog. I assisted her once and never again lol.

[@yairamorales1767]

Me to Weadding Photography is my part time.

[@jeffsloane8628]

A great video Randy! I would say the original B6s are the speaker to party with as well as use for background music and the Emotiva's are the choice for critical listening. Both are absolute winners at $230 per pair. The sub output on the AD18 is "real special". I wish either of these companies would add bass management to their amps so we can cut the lows out of the mains.

[@bthivierge]

"...when you were skinny. And optimistic..." Literally spit my coffee out 🤣🤣

[@laurensmith485]

I just love your humour !!❤️

[@NeoRimeOnline]

Great video! I've been watching a lot of your stuff lately and I've been having a great time. You come from a great perspective that's super practical and relative to other products on the market. I don't know why this seems to be so rare, but you're filling a much needed niche and I appreciate it greatly. If I'm not mistaken I think Andrew Robinson lead me to your channel.

[@cheapaudioman]

He’s a great guy with very solid reviews.

[@treyhorn5645]

Cool. Great advice. I run two of the polk PSW 10's.

[@markpbowen]

Mx3 with q acoustics 3010 in the uk £180. Leaving room for a sub and headphones and/or iem’s. Full all round system. Music and tv hooked up. Great videos. Love what you do.

[@cheapaudioman]

love to hear the q's again. 3020 was a great speaker

[@darrentromblay2791]

You had me at Doris. Tell me the system with which you power "Dyer's Eve." Stay dry. Love, love, LOVE IT!!!!

[@RickMahoney2013]

One of your best if not you BEST !!!!!

[@laurelhardy4064]

Remembering your wedding day till rest of your life, that's a good thing? Great video, thanks.

[@ramondelgado6778]

ANOTHER great video that needs to reach the masses. Even $400 can get you a very nice set up FOR SURE! The Topping MX3 looks fantastic! for $139.99 and I'm probably going to pick one up, JUST BECAUSE. Haha! Even though I really LOVE the Wharfdale 11.2's, my Sony SSC5's are currently on listening duty because I love the way they sound with EVERYTHING I play through them and because 90% of speaker duty is currently for audio of my daughters playing their Nintendo Switch. haha!

[@ketkroketdumont8238]

Wow the Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ costs about double that price here in Europe. Its incredible how much more expensive audio stuff is here in Europe. Costs 449€ (=540$). Its insane!!!! Even the German Elac's are a lot more expensive here, its crazy.

[@CasparvanderLinden]

Wish I’d seen this video a year ago. Would’ve saved me several nights of research. 😝 But I can highly recommend the MX3 in combination with some Q Acoustics 3020i-s. Great daily driver for my work-from-home-desktop-setup. Mostly used with a spare raspberry pi with Volumio for streaming. 👌

[@garryk6208]

Another great video Randy. I love my newly purchased Elac B6s and now looking for a DAC. I will look into the MX3. I have a Fosi BT20 amp with the sub out driving the B6s and they drive them fine. I was looking at the Schiit Modi 3+ DAC. What are your thoughts on Schiit products have you tried any of them? Thanks again, I love my basic setup now and looking into tweaking it and now I have more to think about and possibly adding a sub. My wife may have other ideas about a sub in the room though. Keep up the great videos and thank you for turning me onto the B6s.

[@Ian-bl2xo]

Great stuff. I think there are a lot of great speakers around the £200-£300 mark. So we have a great range to choose from, that will all be good. But, what really transforms all this for me is the MX 3 amp - this thing is just so good for the price! It truly helps you get HiFi for way under £500.

[@cheapaudioman]

The Wharfedale's over in the UK are probably the best value over there and the Q accoustics I think are also cheaper over there.

[@Ian-bl2xo]

@@cheapaudioman yes that's right. The QAs 3020i and 3030i both good, excellent bass extension, but lack a little clarity for me, especially the 3030i.. Wharfedales'- you can't go wrong for the price under £250. If you can get the B and W 607s they are great - maybe they cost more in the US, but you can get a pair in the UK for between £250-£300 - I think these are a class apart again. Keep up the good work!

[@buffal0bilious]

That SMSL unit looks like a great gizmo to have around. Make it possible to set up an impromptu stereo just about anywhere with just about any speaker. I've been using a pair of Vanatoo Transparent Zero active speakers with a Dayton Sub 1000 in my bedroom for a couple years. That setup weighs in at a hair under $500 too and has all the expected bells and whistles (remote, Bluetooth, lots of inputs, DSP controlled sub out, tone controls). 30hz-20khz, good imaging, and a fairly well balanced frequency response for $480.

[@cheapaudioman]

solid. heard great things about the vanatoo's

[@raffeal247]

I must say that I am IN LUV with my B1+'s so much to the point that I'm trying to find a C2 center channel to replace my Martin Logan Encore Tf.

[@felixlaboy1453]

Amazing video buddy what about speaker stands do you have a said that you can recommend even if it takes the budget a little over 500 bucks man this is a perfect set up for my basement it’s a small basement so I don’t mind how it’s going to sound it’s just something for simple listening

[@NikiDorian]

Thank you for blowing up my ears!!! 00:55

[@christophervj4369]

'Cheap hifi' may sound an oxymoron for sophisticated audiophiles. But you channel rocks for budget folks like us. Thanks.

[@andrewmorgan6734]

Randy, I do like the combo you chose for your budget. When I built my first budget system, I watched Steve Guttenberg's budget system videos too. I went with Yamaha R-S202BL with Klipsch R51Ms. Klipsch R41M and R51M are pretty good budget speakers for Topping and SMSL Amps. Klipsch R51Ms are about 240 bucks new on eBay and R41Ms are as low as 130 bucks open boxed on eBay.

[@cheapaudioman]

The R51’s will come down to around $150 on sale and I think that’s a good price for them. They’re good but I don’t feel like they have the bass of these two.

[@rustyjeep2469]

@@cheapaudioman Hey Randy, if you could get a set of new but open box RP-500M for $315, do you feel those speakers would be worth the extra $85 over the two that you listed here?

[@FanOWater]

Great stuff! Thanks

[@klaatuprime2]

I have both of these, but I'm driving them with an old Carver TFM-6CB. I have to say that I much prefer the Emotivas. I used to use the Monoprice 9723, but found a used HSU that goes a bit lower.

[@zenquest2900]

Digging the killer budget system and this may just be my next pc setup replacement. Too bad the Emotivas are super scarce right now.

[@welderfixer]

Now this is what I think of when I see our friend - The Cheapaudioman. Thanks Randy! My family and I are really enjoying our cheap 5.1.2 HT based on your reviews and advice. I watched Ready Player One last night and it was so much like being in the movie theater. So hard to beat those Sony SS-CS5 speakers and the Sony center channel speaker. However, I have been drooling over the Emotiva speakers. I wonder if they would be worth saving up to buy.

[@cheapaudioman]

Quick answer is yes for sure. They’re super special. For you I’d see if you can save up for the t0’s though. They’re fantastic

[@welderfixer]

@@cheapaudioman Thanks, maybe someday I'll do that and move the Sony pair to the ceiling. Surely not a good match, but hey it's all about a poor man's budget.

[@lukeselker5175]

Batman aesthetic aside, I love that the emotiva speakers have beveled edges on the front baffle around that tweeter. Should give it a smoother response, polishing out some ripple response from edge diffraction in the mid-range and treble. It's a good example of function-first design.

[@cheapaudioman]

Great point.

[@tomasalmeida2940]

Man i love this guy 😂

[@Rgrrgr175]

“Sorry, I just wanted to see what it would do to my coffee.” 😂😂😂😂

[@grimblade09]

Just found your videos and I’m learning a lot. Will the Topping MX3 work with IPhone 11?

[@iowaudioreviews]

Great vid Rand👍

[@MrJason9142002]

I want a pair. If they had bigger woofers they would be perfect but adding a sub seems to be the norm for my type of music.

[@valcriston]

Randy can you recommend any active speakers where we can just plug and plau and sounds great

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Do either of those amp/dacs provide high-pass x-overs/cuts for the mains if the sub out is used?

[@BrimfulEmptiness]

I own a pair of Elac DB4's and pretty satisfied with these, given the price.

[@shaundunn007]

loved the video, I tried to get the emotiva but they seem to be sold out everywhere. i managed to get a new set of the Elec B6 for only 209 canadian plus tax

[@johnparkerzabala]

Good morning Capt.😇🙏

[@kgdblade]

Rock t-shirt with the white sleeves, that's so 1980's walmart nostalgia happening! I remember my mother would come back from Wallmart and bring me rock shirts on sale, regardless if I listened to the band or not. I recall having to wear a lot of April Wine t-shirts back in the day. It would be, okay mom, if you see Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden or Twisted Sister, pick that up. She'd come back with April Wine, Deep Purple and Meatloaf....

[@cheapaudioman]

If it was a metallica it came from their last covert down here.

[@russellpilling8749]

Hi Randy! I see you have great things to say about products in different price ranges. Generally speaking, if I have $600 for a set up, is it worth spending all $600 of it or would a less expensive one suffice? Today I listened to the Klipsch R-51PM, and I thought they sounded great! They were selling for $600. In your opinion, should I get the more expensive speakers if I can afford them, or should I go for something less expensive that still sounds really really good. Can you even get cheaper audio systems (like the ones you're proposing) that sound really really good? Thank you!

[@Andyusa11]

Dude I love the OK 🤣🤣

[@mytrung]

I have the topping mx3 and I'm having knob issues where the volume does the exact opposite of what you are trying to do for a few seconds. Its a known knob issue for alot of people. Also, the BT is a bit spotty I find myself reconnecting my mac multiple times a week. But since I bought them from a chinese company via amazon, I can't get any help for the warranty.

[@jayz313]

Love the Metallica shirt. What show is it from? Oh and btw, really enjoyed your presentation and how you cover so much detail with real examples I can identify with.

[@musclecar2891]

Randy what speakers do you suggest I pair w/ my Teac AI-101DA? It only has 26W per channel

[@danbalkey2580]

Funny man. Hey whatD class amp would you recommend I had SVS sound base thought it wasn’t what I was hoping for strong but no detail was bad any help would be great . Maybe NAD

[@timothyvaher2421]

Subscribed before I turned on my phone...

[@gupdaddy]

Heads up, I’m on the lookout for the emotiva center channel for my bday and noticed B1+ is temporarily out of stock. Very happy with the b1+ and I’m sure they’ll restock soon.

[@cheapaudioman]

NO!!!!!! That's too bad. They're sending me the C1+ I think.

[@gupdaddy]

@@cheapaudioman was looking at the c2+ and wondering if it would over power my b1+ but it’s out of stock too... maybe the universe is just telling me the c1+ is the direction to go.

[@djinn130]

@@gupdaddy I assume you can adjust the output level of your center with your receiver to blend it in. Also, based on the speed at which Emotiva went from the B1 to the B1+, they might be working a new version thus discontinuing the current model. If this is true, maybe it's the same thing with the C2+. A very wild guess.

[@gupdaddy]

@@djinn130 great points, especially as there are very few video reviews on the c2+. I figured to get the upgraded center as it does the most work for tv/movies/games and right now the b1+ is doing great for music in my small place. Could always upgrade them if needed and put them in just an audio room. Sucks because my birthday is now a month away. I’ll still probably be very happy with the c1+ though

[@thekkkisgaymkay]

Will there be any issues with sound quality if I connect an aux from my SMSL AD18 to my desktop computer? I was thinking of getting b1+ speakers with the SMSL AD18 and sub.

[@Jonathan-ff4wo]

The smsl sa300 is the upgrade to the ad18 (same price minus the optical input if someone wants to use it with a tv). I'll be getting one in a couple weeks. Hopefully it's slightly better.

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

What are the crossover set at for the sub? Does the speaker cut the lows when the sub kicks in?

[@PsyK1c]

You should review the Fosi TDA7498e. Cheap little amp with plenty of power. Also would love to see a review of the nobsound dual TPA3116.

[@PlaybackMansion]

On point!

[@jeffrielly]

I actually have a pair of Mica Mb42Xs, A dayton sub 1200, and a leppy LP-2024A+ my only 2 dislikes are the one RCA input, so I have to look for a decent Preamp so I can plug on multiple sources, as well as no remote for the amp, but otherwise I love what I have.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

These introductions 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@S_M_0009]

Nice Video. Envy you guys. In India we have to give an arm and leg to get this stuff.

[@cheapaudioman]

that stinks.

[@pacy4]

I would be very interested to see how this performs compared to similarly priced Denon home 350 speaker.

[@joestachura4199]

Do the sub outs in these units cut the low frequencies from going to the bookshelf speakers so they are freed up for mids /highs? Ala Vanattoo powered speakers ? Saturday shoot out powered speaker system vs. $500 system????

[@CasparvanderLinden]

The MX3 doesn’t do crossover when a sub is attached. Can’t say anything about the SMSLs.

[@cinohuan5492]

Great Choice ~~

[@trexypoo5360]

So some b6.2 and the smsl ad18 power amp would be all I need to play some music ? Do they come with cables or whatever I’ll need to set them up?

[@AG-33-]

"I can't see out of my left eye though." 🤣😂

[@dutenn]

Do an updated video of this!

[@g-jalil6961]

good as always but definitely should watch 2x

[@SalvadorFrieri]

Great video. By the way, Steve Gutenberg also has a $1K and a $500 video.

[@cheapaudioman]

I've seen those. they're great

[@Marker-er3ro]

I think you need to start including the opinion of the Mexico Anniversary Trip Mug(MATM) in all these reviews. It would be nice to have a second opinion. Just a suggestion. Great videos!

[@chrismurray790]

Any love for Ascend Acoustics? Would like to hear your thoughts about their budget friendly stuff. CBM-170 and maybe the Sierra 1 ($$$) or CBM-340 .

[@cheapaudioman]

I just looked them up. Looks very interesting. I'll reach out to them and see what they have to say

[@Chiroman527]

Randy, is the T0+ , the B1's big brother? Thx for vids. Good stuff and entertaining "must see TV".

[@digitalnation2876]

hello, is this setup better than Swans Hivi D300 active speaker ?

[@lostandfound6501]

How do these compare to the Infinity R162's or the JBL 305's.

[@kesselrunheroj8497]

looks like the Topping MX3 is sold out everywhere- any recommendations fro something to use instead- I don't like the size of the smsl for my set up.

[@pietroscarpa2384]

Hello cheap audio man. Is it possible to connect the Kef q350 to the SMSL SA AD18 or would you consider a different combination. Gratings from Belgium.

[@J2K2A]

Would getting these amps be better than the $150 Sony STR-DH190?

[@aphex2k]

Need to know where you got the coffee mug from? It's awesome!!

[@cheapaudioman]

mexico on my last trip down there. they're everwhere and I wish I could find a source in the US

[@nilremesien1579]

Great video. Always love the intros. I'm currently looking for "the best" smallest (passive) speakers. Any recommendations? Greetings from Germany

[@cheapaudioman]

in germany I'd look at the q accoustics 3020i or 3010i or the wharfedale diamond 12.1

[@nilremesien1579]

@@cheapaudioman thanks! :) will check them out 👍

[@acroberts4481]

Perhaps a dumb question, but do you recommend streaming HQ Amazon Music via Bluetooth or using a cable to something like the Topping or SMSL?

[@cheapaudioman]

If you can get ldac Bluetooth on your receiver and your device BT is great. Even AptX is really good. Otherwise I’d go wired. True HD is only achievable wired but LDAC gets you close.

[@alphanumeric1529]

I picked up a couple "vintage" A A/B powered Crown Amps, the D150 A II, and the D75. Would these power amps mate well with either of these speakers, or the speakers in your best under $300 vid? And, far out question, but anything in the sub $300 range that has 8" woofers so I don't need a sub. I really don't like subs, I must be an oddity but I can definitely hear directionality in the sub range, like crossed at 80 or even lower. So I find the stereo image always tugs, etc. And then there are issues with the right level of cross over etc. etc. I just don't like subs. I'd like to find an 8" that can realistically reproduce 40hz, and not 40hz down 10db, but a legit flat repro down to 4o. Doable? Thanks you shlub, think we're vinted in the same year. ;)

[@froggy442]

Hi Randy, you have a subscriber here all the way from South Africa. I really enjoy your channel, you remind me to Bill Murray. Can you review some studio monitors for similar price range to compare... Like Jbl 308 p, kali lp8, Adam t8v, and Presonus eris e8 xt, I use a pair of presonus eris e8 xt's for stereo duty connected to a Cambridge audio dacmagic and find them exceptional for the price.. Would like to hear your opinion on how studio monitors compare to passive speakers with amp combo's.

[@prasvasu4217]

Great video but why the b6 vs b6.2.

[@blueberrysmoothies1]

I have a small office, maybe 9x8ft. I am looking for budget or semi-budget bookshelf speakers that work well close to the wall and also have smaller form factor so they can fit on a 6ft desk without taking up too much space. I was looking at the Micca MB42X but don't think I would like the sound. I was also looking at the Neumi BS5, but you mentioned in a previous review they don't sound good close to a wall. I am currently trying out Micca RB42, which are way too bassy and just plain fatiguing so they are likely going back. I have a topping PA3 amp. My room is so small it seems the bass gets amplified a large amount with any speaker. Was previously using Klipsch Promedia 2.1, which are mostly harsh highs and sloppy bass.

[@cheapaudioman]

elac b5.2 on sale at $200 may work. front ported

[@sutanbathoegana1051]

Hi, both of amps are really hard to find in my country. Do you have any other option? How about Fosi Audio BT20?

[@tatialo37]

I'm looking into this price range because kids, braces, college, graduation,etc,etc.

[@TonicofSonic]

Some advice to follow if you purchase from Amazon, only purchased from the manufacturer, Amazon, or someone who fulfills their orders through Amazon and has the Amazon return policy.