One can go far on a small budget. But just stopping into a big box and picking up the cheapest thing won’t get you there. If you are on a budget but want good sound and don’t know where to start, here’s a guide. These components have many recommendations from a variety of places; user forums, electronic and audio magazines, and our own ears here at AudioReview.com.
Below is a list of budget components that has caught our attention over the year.
This is by no means a definitive list. Â If you have some of your own you’d like to suggest use the comment area below.
| Klipsch RF-52 ~ $660 | |||||
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5.00 of 5 -Â 
| Axiom Audio M3v3 ~ $348 | |||||
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| Onkyo M-282 ~ $200 | |||
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Onkyo is a big name in the audio industry. Â Having been around for ages and always making quality gear at an affordable price. Â The M-282 is no exception. Â A 100W solid state amplifier that does have a pre-amp (knob in back). This can easily drive your home stereo system and sound good.
Other Recommend Amplifiers – Van Alstine Insight 240, Â NAD C275BEE, ROTEL RB-1562 |
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| TEAC AG-790A ~ $150 | |||
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Listen to your favorite radio stations on the AG-790A AM/FM stereo receiver from TEAC. Its discrete output circuit configuration provides 100x100W RMS output power at 8 ohms. Its quartz PLL-synthesized tuning system delivers quality sound through your stereo system. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the built-in speaker terminals (four pairs) to connect your speakers to your stereo system. Other Recommend Receivers – Sherwood RX-4105, Sony STR-DN1000, Yamaha RX-497, Denon DRA-697CI, Cambridge Audio Azur 540R
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| Audioengine 2 – $199 | |||
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Mid-range vocals and soft silky highs are what these are all about. I’ve just finished demo’ing them at the 2011 California Audio Show and I was blow away by the clarity and presents of the vocal mid-range. Â Pair with a sub for better bass performance. Vocal’s pop off these so they will surely make great speakers for movies. Plus they fit in a small bag and are easily portable. Take them with you on your next vacation or biz trip and actually get good sound in your hotel room.
The long list of reviews from a variety of sources speaks for itself. Â These are great little desktop speakers. Other Recommended Computer Speaker Systems.
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| Sennheiser HD 555 ~ $130 | ||||
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| Acoustic Research AW 845 ~ $450 | |||
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Wireless Speakers Free your self of wires. Sounds like a dream. But with the 150ft range of the AW825 speakers, that work inside, outside, in the rain and wind, you’ll be able to live that reality. The base unit does have to be plugged into a wall outlet and a source via the 1/8th adapter, so your MacBook, your iPod, iPad, iPhone, laptop, or stereo, but the actual speakers run on AA batteries and can be moved anywhere. Each speaker is sold separately, but you can add as many as you like. Users with 4 have experienced no issues. Each speaker can be set to mono, left channel, right channel. You can place them through out your home, garden, or pool area. The speakers themselves run at 5W and are a two way design. A 2-inch tweeter and 3-inch woofer. With a 40Hz-15kHz frequencies range
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| Pro-Ject Debut III ~ $379 | |||
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Turntable Nothing says I love you to an audiophile like a gift of vinyl. The Pro-Ject Debut III is one of the top selling budget turntables because it has one focus, accurate audio playback. There are no bells and whistles, no cheap USB connections, nothing you don’t need. Also the nice thing about it, if you want to take your turntable to the next level there are plenty of aftermarket upgrades for the Pro-Ject tables that can turn a $400 table to the next several levels. Other Recommended Turntables- Rega P2, Rega P1, Music Hall MMF2.2, Denon DP-300, Thorens TD158 Accessories Phono Amps – Bellari VP130, Pro-Ject Phono Box USB.Thorens MM 001, Rega Fono, Cartridges – Shure M97xE, Stanton 681 Mk III, Audio-Technica AT440ML, Denon DL 110 |
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| Emotiva ERC-1 ~ $399 | |||
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CD Player The ERC-1 CD player is designed to be an audiophile player. Separate, shielded power supplies for the CD carriage, display, and digital and analog sections ensure noiseless operation. Using Analog Devices 1955 DAC, with 384k oversampling, and 1V rms (7V peak for extended dynamics), the ERC-1 will be your guide to rediscovering your CD collection and your love for music. Even the look of the ERC-1 will turn heads, with a sleek faceplate that features a halo-lit slot load mechanism. Other Recommended CD Players – Cambridge Audio 340C, NAD C51BEE, Marantz CD5003, Denon DCM-370
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