I recently wore out the cables for my existing speaker set, RCA labeled Thomson Consumer Electronics model 5-4052 amplified speakers, so I'm looking for something to replace them. Preferably with something that won't cost a whole lot more than it would to replace the cables, but under $100 is fine, maybe $50.

On the other hand, replacing the cables wouldn't be too expensive, just inconvenient. I would need one stereo 3.5mm plug, two mono 3.5mm plugs, two mono 2.5mm plugs, and enough stereo headphone cable to connect the lot together. Oh, and I'd need to dig up my old soldering iron, and some solder.

Yeah, probably simpler if I just buy some new speakers. Any word on what doesn't suck?

I've already found these by searching with Google Product search, but they seem kind of expensive for what they do, and from photos of the tops, the speaker diaphragms look similar to some $6 speakers my dad bought for use with his iPod, and I'd kind of like something a little nicer than that.

I'm not sure what you'd consider decent, but I've got one of these and find it to be a good product for the price with an enjoyable sound. It does have a limited bottom end, but that's to be expected. I only used it with batteries once (an aging set of rechargeables) and did not even get an hour of it. It also "reboots" if you keep a cell phone near it when listening to music.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...0-047-_-Product

You're in for it now! ;-)

I ordered one of these sight unseen based on your recommendation.

These definitely DON'T satisfy your criteria - they require mains or 12 volt power - but do sound like they'd be worth a listen for a portable solution.
Edifier MP300 Plus.

Thanks for the replies.

Mains power won't be much of a problem, it's just the convenience (or lack thereof) of moving them around as I use them nightly.

I've been using these INSTEN speakers for the time being, and they're OK, but not really good.

Well, if you do not like it, for $20 the worst you can do is curse me for the loss of a Pizza!

It's nice to live in an age where for less than $100 one can get a decent (IMHO) portable speaker system and a music player that can literally hold a entire collection worth of high quality music.

Since I live pretty close to a Little Caesar's store, $20 corresponds to 4 pizzas! ;-)



Indeed, but that doesn't stop the audio elitists from complaining about the signs of the impending doom of civilization as they knew it.

They turned up, and appear to be suitable for the application. They are a very significant upgrade over laptop speakers or speakers in LCD displays.

Gee, if you can't be bothered to solder some new plugs on, I guess there's no point in me suggesting you buy a TA2024 T-amp board on eBay. So I won't. But, those amps should run from 9 to 15 volts or so. A 12V gelcell battery would be a convenient power source and easily charged from a PV panel, or a bunch of AA NiMH cells - lighter, but much less convenient to charge. For speakers, best would be some decent minimonitors like the Energies I got for $6 at a yard sale. Alternatively, cheaper full-range drivers out of no-name surface-mount car speakers or an abandoned stereo TV may sound decent in a properly stuffed enclosure. If size and money are not an object, go with Klipsch-like (semi)pro monitors with compression horn mid/tweeters. And biamp, with an active crossover. This would be considerably louder due to the much higher efficiency, and possibly not completely unreasonable if you're in a party cabin with no AC power available.

I'm glad you like it. I think it's a marvelous little device considering the cost and size.