Building my own 2.1

[r1zeek]

I'm contemplating building my own "custom" sound system. I was thinking along the lines of a pair of subs (set into a home built sub box) used in cars, like JL or Alpine. Also, I want a pair of stereo speakers (so building my own 2.1/2.2 system)

I presume I will need an amp to allow the subs to interface with the PC (through optical or something similar)

I appreciate your advise.

[Howard]

Are you intending to build the speakers from scratch or just buy some and create a 2.1 system?

You can simply get a pair of small-medium-sized bookshelf speakers and pair them with a nice amp to get a more than desirable sound though

[r1zeek]

Are you intending to build the speakers from scratch or just buy some and create a 2.1 system?

You can simply get a pair of small-medium-sized bookshelf speakers and pair them with a nice amp to get a more than desirable sound though

Hopefully gonna buy a pair of car subs (between 6 - 8 inches) and wire them through to an amp. They will provide the bass and just a pair of normal speakers for everything else (basically not bass)

If that makes any sense

[Stoo]

Why on earth do you need that much bass?

Just a single sub will do - remember that bass isn't directional so you don't need multiple bass speakers unless you need *lots* of it (trying to fill a *really* big room for example).

[r1zeek]

It's down to cost though really, if they are flipping expensive then i'll forget it and just buy a 2.1 set but if they are available for a reasonable price, ill go for it.

Mainly for the braggage though (having 2 subs and all.)

[Stoo]

Hmm, if you're not very careful though you'll end up far too bass heavy and it'd probably be a waste of money on the extra sub..

[Howard]

One 8 inch sub will suffice. Believe me. This 2.1 speaker set I hvae with a 5.25" sub provides plenty of bass.

[r1zeek]

Alright, one eight inch sub it is. I'm wondering about the power input for the sub though.

If I do use a car sub, what kind of power would that need?

[Howard]

100 watts of decent amplification should be sufficient

[r1zeek]

By power input I mean like 240v 3 pin plug like
Never dabbled with in car stuff so I don't know what power they would work on.

[Howard]

I wouldn't suggest connecting 240v mains into a speaker unless you want it go bang. Lol.

[Stoo]

the voltage for the speakers will be provided by the amp, which is in turn powered by whatever it takes, but it'll probably plug in the mains at some point

[r1zeek]

Alright, cheers stoo. As you can tell, I don't know much about all this amps and subs and such stuffs.

[Stoo]

hehe, np chap, feel free to yell if you get stuck again

[Howard]

/me stands idly by, actions never recognised nor acknowledged

[r1zeek]

I do appreciate your help as well howard, honest!

So, a decent amp (Howard, you mentioned 100 watts earlier) how big a dent it'll leave in my piggy bank and where I can get one from.

Appreciate the help guys