Audio equipment recommendations? Options

[ryanmichaelmcclu...]

For one, I'm just new to HydrogenAudio--if I'm commiting any faux pas here, let me know!

I'm a music education student and I'm heading back for another year at school in a few months. I have a rather small dorm room, which I will share with another person. I want to look into getting some decent audio equipment for my dorm so I can have something better than my stock Dell Inspiron laptop speakers.

I listen primarily to classical music, as that is what I mainly study--and enjoy. I have everything either in FLAC format or in the form of the original disk. I can't have anything too loud, either--dorm rules and all.

What would you all recommend for a medium-sized college dorm with the intent of playing higher quality classical music--on a budget of around a hundred dollars or so, I can have some wiggle room if needed.

[LithosZA]

I would go with a pair of Sennheiser HD-280 headphones for around $100.

[DVDdoug]

I can't have anything too loud, either--dorm rules and all.

Wow! When I was in college (in the stone ages) the goal was to have a sound system that could be heard across the campus!

OK... As always, if you are picky about sound quality I recommend that you go to the store and listen. All headphones & speakers sound different, and you can't really go by specs or recommendations. As a general rule, headphones are more economical, and a good quality $100 pair of headphones might be as good-sounding as a $500 pair of speakers.

I have a pair of HD280s, and they are usually highly-rated for their price range. But still, go listen before you buy.

With a computer, you need an amplifier. The amplifier is built-into "computer speakers", or you can get "active" (or "powered") studio monitors which also have an amp built-in. (But, you won't find real monitors in your price range.) Regular hi-fi speakers need an amplifier (or receiver,etc.) between the computer and speakers.

This post has been edited by DVDdoug: Jul 18 2012, 01:59

[Canar]

I have a pair of HD280s, and they are usually highly-rated for their price range. But still, go listen before you buy.

They're really my optimal price-point. Beyond that, you get diminishing returns. I'm another happy HD280 owner.

In the end though: Use your ears! Don't let any of us sell you on anything. It's the only way to get to know a pair of phones: listen. Don't worry about "breaking them in" or anything.