Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 22

Thread: Good Budget Hifi

  1. #1
    MurphmanL
    Guest

    Good Budget Hifi

    As the title suggests, have rounded down to these few.
    Am just thinking of giving my 100W Acoustic Solutions surround system the boot because it takes up too much room!

    I am a little unsure of Hifi knowledge so I'm relying on you Hifi wizzes that probably have massive speakers etc, anywhoo heres the selection to choose from:

    Real Budget Model, Bush

    Venturer Model, has 5 CD Changer


    Liking the Look of this Goodmans Surround Jobby

    And Finally this powerful but ugly Hifi

    Im also looking for one of them (if any) that may allow me to connect it to a dvd player or games console for increased sound goodness
    I am tempted by the Goodmans as it has surround sound, although a snazzy LED display would be nice too
    The main reason of me downgrading my system is space, and the Acoustics simply have too many cables for my liking, so guys, what'll it be?

  2. #2
    AKA Chrispynutt Gunbuster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Fife
    Posts
    1,627
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked
    68 times in 56 posts
    • Gunbuster's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Aorus AX370 Gaming K7
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 7 1700x + Scythe Kotetsu MK I
      • Memory:
      • 32GB: 4x 8GB HyperX Fury 2400mhz CL15 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 2x Sandisk Ultra II 960GB, 1x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI Gaming GTX970
      • PSU:
      • EVGA Supernova G2 750w
      • Case:
      • Cougar Panzer S
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Home Premium
      • Monitor(s):
      • DGM IPS-2701WPH 27" 1440p IPS Monitor
      • Internet:
      • Aquiss Fibre
    I would say goodmans is the best of the budget brands, but generally they do not take to wear and tear so well. I had a 3 cd changer (AIWA) ages ago and it was rubbish, it would ramdomly refuse to play discs. I bought a nice single disc Denon micro-hifi and it is a lot better (and a lot more expnsive). Goodmans are one of Alba's brands: http://www.goodmans.co.uk/albaplc_new/html/Products.htm

    Goodmans are fine and either of those would be ok, but I would rather have a micro hifi from Sony, JVC or Sharp. Aiwa are a Sony company now so they to are an option.
    Argos have some £150 ones half price at the moment for £74. I don't know how to link to Argos so just go to the micro hifi section.

  3. #3
    HEXUS.timelord. Zak33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    I'm a Jessie
    Posts
    35,185
    Thanks
    3,126
    Thanked
    3,179 times in 1,926 posts
    • Zak33's system
      • Storage:
      • Kingston HyperX SSD, Hitachi 1Tb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Nvidia 1050
      • PSU:
      • Coolermaster 800w
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Fortress FT01
      • Operating System:
      • Win10
      • Internet:
      • Zen FTC uber speedy
    well, as Argos are mentioned (and rightly too)

    http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name



    Always find JVC does ok stuff for small hifi

    and at Argos its £75

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

  4. #4
    MurphmanL
    Guest
    But the JVC is just soooo small
    Very tempting but I want to make a BIG impression with something big!
    Im strongly urged toward the surround sound GOodmans, but is there anyway to hook an xbox/dvd player to one of these?

  5. #5
    AKA Chrispynutt Gunbuster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Fife
    Posts
    1,627
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked
    68 times in 56 posts
    • Gunbuster's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Aorus AX370 Gaming K7
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 7 1700x + Scythe Kotetsu MK I
      • Memory:
      • 32GB: 4x 8GB HyperX Fury 2400mhz CL15 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 2x Sandisk Ultra II 960GB, 1x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI Gaming GTX970
      • PSU:
      • EVGA Supernova G2 750w
      • Case:
      • Cougar Panzer S
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Home Premium
      • Monitor(s):
      • DGM IPS-2701WPH 27" 1440p IPS Monitor
      • Internet:
      • Aquiss Fibre
    Small and good is better than big and cheap to be honest. I highly doubt the Surround sound credibility of the Goodman's, it doesn't mention Dolby or even connections, e.g. its a gimmick.

  6. #6
    AKA Chrispynutt Gunbuster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Fife
    Posts
    1,627
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked
    68 times in 56 posts
    • Gunbuster's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Aorus AX370 Gaming K7
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 7 1700x + Scythe Kotetsu MK I
      • Memory:
      • 32GB: 4x 8GB HyperX Fury 2400mhz CL15 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 2x Sandisk Ultra II 960GB, 1x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI Gaming GTX970
      • PSU:
      • EVGA Supernova G2 750w
      • Case:
      • Cougar Panzer S
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Home Premium
      • Monitor(s):
      • DGM IPS-2701WPH 27" 1440p IPS Monitor
      • Internet:
      • Aquiss Fibre
    Also that Goodmans is 10 watts per speaker front and 5 watts per back speaker. The JVC Mini is 60watts each. Even the 5CD micro hifi from Goodmans is 20watts each.

  7. #7
    MurphmanL
    Guest
    right then i have a question, how can i connect external equipment to this hifi? Please tell me it has phono inputs

  8. #8
    AKA Chrispynutt Gunbuster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Fife
    Posts
    1,627
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked
    68 times in 56 posts
    • Gunbuster's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Aorus AX370 Gaming K7
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 7 1700x + Scythe Kotetsu MK I
      • Memory:
      • 32GB: 4x 8GB HyperX Fury 2400mhz CL15 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 2x Sandisk Ultra II 960GB, 1x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI Gaming GTX970
      • PSU:
      • EVGA Supernova G2 750w
      • Case:
      • Cougar Panzer S
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Home Premium
      • Monitor(s):
      • DGM IPS-2701WPH 27" 1440p IPS Monitor
      • Internet:
      • Aquiss Fibre
    All of them will have aux inputs. I don't know about the goodmans as they don't have a site. The JVC has http://www.jvc.co.uk/product.php?id=...id=100069&lid=

    One thing you could show off in the JVC which I only just noticed is the 5CD MP3 player. Though no audio tapes.

  9. #9
    Almost in control. autopilot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Region 2
    Posts
    4,071
    Thanks
    51
    Thanked
    12 times in 11 posts
    Sorry but they are all crap really. But I suppose one of them has to be the least worst. How much have you got to spend?

  10. #10
    Drop it like it's hot Howard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Surrey, South East
    Posts
    11,731
    Thanks
    14
    Thanked
    42 times in 39 posts
    • Howard's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P5B
      • CPU:
      • Core2Duo E6420 2.13GHz
      • Memory:
      • 2x1gb OCZ DDR2 6400
      • Storage:
      • 250GB & 500GB Seagate
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Inno3d iChill 7900GS
      • PSU:
      • Antec SmartPower 500W
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster Elite 330
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2x AG Neovo F419
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 20mbit
    None of your links work, but Dangerous Dom is right.

    And so's Gunbuster. Get a small, decent one. You'll be more satisfied in the long run once the "big and impressive" novelty has worn off.

    JVC and Panasonic are some of the best mini systems IMHO.
    Home cinema: Toshiba 42XV555DB Full HD LCD | Onkyo TX-SR705 | NAD C352 | Monitor Audio Bronze B2 | Monitor Audio Bronze C | Monitor Audio Bronze BFX | Yamaha NSC120 | BK Monolith sub | Toshiba HD-EP35 HD-DVD | Samsung BD-P1400 BluRay Player | Pioneer DV-575 | Squeezebox3 | Virgin Media V+ Box
    PC: Asus P5B | Core2duo 2.13GHz | 2GB DDR2 PC6400 | Inno3d iChill 7900GS | Auzentech X-Plosion 7.1 | 250GB | 500GB | NEC DVDRW | Dual AG Neovo 19"
    HTPC: | Core2Duo E6420 2.13GHz | 2GB DDR2 | 250GBx2 | Radeon X1300 | Terratec Aureon 7.1 | Windows MCE 2005
    Laptop: 1.5GHz Centrino | 512MB | 60GB | 15" Wide TFT | Wifi | DVDRW


  11. #11
    Cable Guy Jonny M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Loughborough Uni
    Posts
    4,263
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    4 times in 1 post
    Denon UD-M31

    But that's £250

  12. #12
    Gold Member Marcos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    England
    Posts
    4,119
    Thanks
    54
    Thanked
    26 times in 17 posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Zak33
    well, as Argos are mentioned (and rightly too)

    http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name



    Always find JVC does ok stuff for small hifi

    and at Argos its £75
    Im going to have to recommend JVC too, i've been to a friend's house and fired it up, really impressed me with how it filled a good size room despite its size. Shame im such a bass head, something small like that would be convenient.

    I'd probably seriously consider a Denon too

  13. #13
    Spider pig, spider pig
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Cardiff
    Posts
    1,781
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked
    34 times in 20 posts
    Have you considered second hand separates? If you get stuff that's 2-3 years old you could well get some real bargains that would completely blow these mini systems out of the water...

    A quick eBay search revealed the following potentials:

    Cambridge Audio A3i Amplifier Haven't heard this, but Cambridge Audio stuff is usually good, and the A5 is good having heard that.

    Denon DCD 825 CD player Denon stuff is usually good. I'm just using this as an example of course, but older CD players can still be quite good, having listened to my housemates 10ish year old Denon CD player. don't know what the reserve on this is though.

    TDL Nucleus 2 Speakers I have a set of these as my rear speakers and I think they are actually pretty good for their price range.

    Anyway, I dont know how much these will eventually go for, but it is entirely possibly to geta system like this off eBay for under £100 if you keep your eyes open, and something like this would completely do away with almost any midi/mini system. There are things coming along all the time from the likes of Marantz, Denon, and Cambridge Audio which all tend to be pretty good quality, and well worth a look. Just look at some stuff by these brands, and google for reviews to see if they are any good.

    'Tis what I'd do at least.

  14. #14
    Senior Member joshwa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sheffield, UK
    Posts
    4,856
    Thanks
    132
    Thanked
    67 times in 62 posts
    • joshwa's system
      • Motherboard:
      • PC Chips M577 AT/ATX
      • CPU:
      • AMD K6-2 500Mhz
      • Memory:
      • 128mb PC100 SDRAM
      • Storage:
      • 8GB Fujitsu
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 3dfx Voodoo 3 3000 AGP (16mb)
      • PSU:
      • ATX 500watt
      • Case:
      • Midi Tower AT
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 98 SE
      • Monitor(s):
      • 22" TFT Widescreen
    yep - go for second hand seperates - they go SO cheap it's crazy, like £30 amps, when they cost £120 12 months ago - but they're still just as good. seperates will sound SO much better than any cheap - mid priced hifi anyway.

  15. #15
    Almost in control. autopilot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Region 2
    Posts
    4,071
    Thanks
    51
    Thanked
    12 times in 11 posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Caged
    Denon UD-M31

    But that's £250
    Yup. I have that one in the bedroom. She's a beauty alright

  16. #16
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    140
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    Quote Originally Posted by joshwa
    yep - go for second hand seperates - they go SO cheap it's crazy, like £30 amps, when they cost £120 12 months ago - but they're still just as good. seperates will sound SO much better than any cheap - mid priced hifi anyway.
    What he said. Try ebay or 2nd hand shops. If you go ebay make sure they have 50+ good feedback on other similar stuff...

    Or buy cheapo stuff from richer sounds will still be 100 x better than a £500 technics with 10000 flashing lights.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Need a good Team Co-Op style game for 2
    By Zak33 in forum Gaming
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-08-2004, 11:31 AM
  2. good or no good idea?
    By mr_anderson187 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 17-06-2004, 12:20 AM
  3. yeeah im back but it not good at all thx to scan
    By bigjonnyauk in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 22-05-2004, 01:59 AM
  4. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-03-2004, 11:47 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •