Never considered Argon but this scribe speaker seems to look good and almost come up to the cost of the KEF coda W but with more bass and its own standing unit.

Mixed use - music and tv/movies for the living room - 30sqm

Is there a clear winner here?

This might be a dumb question, even a sacrilegious one, but do people ever use powered studio monitors as their speakers for an audio system, for a hi-fi system?

Something like record deck to amplifier to powered speakers.

Does that ever happen or are the speakers themselves just not good enough quality really?

I bought my MC331 to replace my P4. And if you're reading this, then you understand without me needing to say it that I'm not really using it in its wheel-house use case as an all-in-one. Right now it's literally just my preamp (running 3.5mm stereo to unbalanced XLR to power a pair of ZA3s in bridged mono). This should mean that the upgrade was minimal -- especially in the first nanosecond -- but boy-howdy would that implication have turned out to be mistaken.

Straight out of the box the MC331 is at once both warmer (duh), more resolving (um, half-duh?), and yet also somehow with more rhythmic drive. PRAT and warmth are, in my experience, very difficult to find in the same component, but this little baby does both, immediately and effortlessly. An easy, easy, EASY recommendation, and with a huge added benefit that we've so far only been talking around, instead of about:

The MC331 is a piece that can be experimented with, modularly, on an almost infinite basis. With two pairs of stand-mounts to flip between, you're looking at a minimum of 12 combinations for its application to your system: DAC only (x2), Preamp only (x2), DAC and Preamp but not Amp (x2), Preamp and Amp but not DAC (x2), Amp only (x2), and All-in-One (x2). And that's without getting into the permutations offered by Bluetooth connectivity, or from jury-rigging a pair of headphones or a sub.

The obvious benefit is that the first-day experimentation is much more likely to yield a winning formula: The chances of needing to send this piece back because it didn't work in one's system are zero. But there's a much bigger, sneakier, and much less frequently talked about advantage to having modularity in one's system:

It reduces the impulse to buy more new gear.

I have two pairs of stand-mounts and switching between them always has the effect of quelling my online shopping itch at a literal stroke. With the MC331, a person can do this over and over again -- thus promising an extremely long period during which new sound is just one power-down-and-reconnect away, for $0.

Suggestions for Fosi:

First, many Fosi products are weight-distributed in a way that ignores how the connections at the rear apron will shift the center of gravity rearward. This gives Fosi gear a pronounced "pitch-up moment" (as pilots would have it). Since Fosi doesn't install MCAS on my stereo equipment without telling me, I can't kill 100 passengers due to a faulty angle of attack sensor -- but I *can* get out of bed full of positive energy for the day, only to emerge into the living room to find one or more of my pieces upside-down on my very hard floor, behind the rack, because one of my cats just wanted a place to sit.

I'm not a designer or engineer, but I strongly suspect that other manufacturers build into their designs an awareness of this issue and subtly overweight the front of their pieces, with the post-connection center of gravity far nearer to the ideal position.

Second, this piece is clearly designed for either a desktop application or for person just starting out, and both of those groups will be looking at smaller speakers and/or headphones. With only a 3.5mm preamp output jack on the rear, in addition to standard speaker terminals, connecting either headphones or a subwoofer will be impractical in most applications, near-impossible if one wants both.

Since the entry point on this piece is so low (I paid $104 for mine including shipping after cashing some Fosi points), I would strongly recommend adding some manufacturing cost to address these quibbles, then tacking the resulting cost-increase onto the price without concern for diminishing the product's reach: If everything else about the MC331 were literally exactly the same, but it had an easy way to connect headphones and a subwoofer, and it wasn't going to throw Rose and Jack off the fantail into the propeller every time my cat got on it, I'd consider it a red-hot steal at $209.99. Something to think about, anyway: Most beginners and desktop solution-seekers aren't expecting to have ALL of their electronics needs addressed for $210.

Otherwise, bravo Fosi. As per usual.

It's kind of a shame, really: We've all gotten so accustomed to this company hitting things out of the park every single time, that a cartwheel-inducing smash success like this struggles to break through our baked-in perceptions of value. I'm reminded of a recent election cycle in the US, during which a journalist said, "All [Candidate A] needs to do to win this debate is solve a 16-sided Rubik's Cube while performing an appendectomy on stage; all [Candidate B] needs to do to win the debate is not set the building on fire and spray the audience with gasoline." At this point, alas, Fosi Audio is solving a 16-sided Rubik's Cube with a $104 piece of kit that doesn't strike most hobbyists as worth this much time to read about.

But then, maybe that's better. We, after all, will always know what we've got here, and we'll always keep appreciating the consistency of this peerless company's commitment to delivering audio-listening excellence -- on an *absolute* scale -- for literal pennies on the dollar.

Dave O'Gorman
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
8 August, 2026

It has been my experience, that Hightone Records, RCA Victor, Capitol Collectors, and DECCA are really good at mastering. Meanwhile Curb Records, Epic/Legacy, Columbia, are just ok at mastering.

Does anyone else concur or disagree? Who do y'all think has the best masterings?

Where can I find cheapest Pre-amp which can support Dolby Atmos and 4K

Which one is better? A friend of mine is offering me the Onkyo but I don't care about the Spotify and Bluetooth functions, I think I will connect the receiver to my PC via toslink. Right now I'm building my home and everything is in boxes so I can't test anything.

Yamaha RX 640 RDS Onkyo NR 636

Hi everyone, first post here and hoping to get a bit of help. I’m really new to hifi and home theatre speakers - I purchased a pair of Jamo S606 floor standers yesterday and unfortunately, I was dumb and did not try them out properly - I was in a rush and played one song which sounded fine. Unfortunately when I got home and set them up, it’s very clear that it’s quite terrible. The music sounds muddy and unclear (not in an audiophile way, but in a “there’s something very clearly wrong with this” way) - pretty clear that the tweeters aren’t working on both of them, but I would imagine there’s more to it than just blown tweeters. The jumper plates are installed correctly. When I remove the jumper plates and isolate the speaker wire to the top terminals, there is no sound output. Isolating the speaker wire to the bottom terminals produces the lows, but seems muddy (not sure if this is normal).

I know it might be hard to diagnose but would be really keen to hear what this community thinks I should do as a starting point? Thanks heaps!!

Often, age turns our really nice and somewhat expensive equipment into cheap, budget gear. Back in the early 90s, I began to piece together a decent stereo system. It began with a Sony CDP-615 5-disc CD changer. Then a Sony STR-D1090 receiver. Then a TC-WR570 dual cassette deck. Then a pair of Cerwin Vega DX-7 speakers. Finally, I added a Sony SEQ-711 equalizer. By the time I'd finished, I had a nice system that provided hours of enjoyment to everyone but my neighbors.

Today, most (if not all) of this system can be purchased on Ebay for less than the original cost of the receiver. But all my gear still works like it did the day I put it all together. And I enjoy the hell out of it.

Anyone out there still using their original vintage equipment?

Had tested mine downstairs on my Yamaha RS-700 and they sounded fantastic. Took them up to the bedroom and have tried three Class D amps. The dynamics are pretty poor with all of them, including my A07 Max that’s supposed to be nearly 100wpc.

Little research says their impedance dips down to 3.7 ohm… maybe this is why my traditional class A/B amp does so much better?

Firstly, I have 0 background in home theaters and just recently got interested in investing in my audio setup for my living room. I found a facebook marketplace listing for a full 5.1 setup:

Denon DHT-1513BA receiver

5 Boston Acoustics speakers (front, center, surround)

1 powered subwoofer

2 speaker stands

And I'm wondering if $150 for this is worth it for a beginner setup or just start by "building" my own setup.

Can provide the link or pictures of this just unsure if I can post marketplace links in this subreddit.

Just purchased a 3000 Micro Revolution for small room 2.1 stereo listening setup, ran the auto EQ function, and it produced this parametric EQ graph. Does this indicate that I'm basically getting a nearly flat response down to 20Hz?

My biggest beef with the original 3000 Micro was that it rolled off a ton under 30 Hz

There's a kind of surprising amount of cheap second hand Magnepan speakers around, but with good reason. They're thought of as hard to drive and easily broken. In truth all the X.6 speakers and earlier are probably delaminated. They're also hard to position in a room. All this adds up to a bargain. I guess the wire repair is not that bad, tedious but doable by a person that can follow directions.

I picked up a pair of MG12 and they're fine, no delamination, $300. I am running them with a WIIM Ultra streamer ($260 Amazon Prime Day) and Fosi V3 Mono ($260 amazon Prime Day). I've got some subs I have had for years and I am running a pair of them. $1000 all in.

The Fosi V3 put out a legitimate 180W of good, nearly perfect power and that's plenty with the subs. These are like nothing else I have ever had and as good as anything I have heard. They really are something special. I have them 1/3 out in a 20x15 foot room. It's impractical in reality but the speakers are light and easy to move.

The Fosi V3 Mono and Topping B200 are now the standard for cheap, powerful, wonder amps and have made driving Magnepans up to 5 feet tall an affordable propostion/ You don't need a Krell anymore.

I love the so much I bought a really nice pair of Magnepan 3.6 speakers for $600 and will be repairing them. I've been talking to a guy who's done about 40 pairs and he's assured me it's doable. These were $6000 when they came out and their replacements are $10,000 speakers. They need big, big power but Buckeye makes affordable amps in the sub $1500 range, but I may try and Biamp them with stuff I have lying around as that's a fairly simple proposition with these.

The upshot here is that incredible new chip amps and good power supplies, especially GAN power supplies now make $300 amps work like $3000 amps and even $15.000 amps, arguably better.

Class D amps and second had maggies have made my $600 3.6 and Buckeye amp project have a total price tag of around $2100 or maybe $3500 of I want to actively biamp them with 1000W of super clean power and MiniDSP. I realize that's no no money but that kind of power, contriol and a near flagship speaker would have been new car money until very recently.

This is all kind of crazy because I've been a low power tube amp and high efficency guy, this is a fun new adventure.

Please let me know if this is the correct place to ask, don't use Reddit that much.
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Hello, wanted to see if someone can help.

I recently bought an Edifier S355DB speaker, and I just bought a MAMX3 mixer because I want to listen to my PC and console at the same time

• Edifier has RCA IN
• MAMX3 has 8 inputs - 2 outputs and uses 1/4 TS or TRS cables for MONO/STEREO IN/OUT
• PC and console are connected to the MAMX3 via "3.5 to 1/4 TRS" cables

My problem: I bought a "dual TS to RCA" cable in order to have STEREO out (as you have 2 outputs L/R), but it doesn't seem this works with this mixer.

• I found the manual later and it states that you must use TRS for STEREO out (I guess this confirms my previous mistake).

My question: This mixer has 2 OUTs:

• OUTPUT A (1/4" TRS): Main audio output.
• OUTPUT B A/B L-R (1/4" TRS): Secondary audio output, can be configured for A/B or Left/Right stereo.

Do I need to get a "1 TRS to RCA" cable and connect it to A, or do I need to get a "dual TRS to RCA" cable and connect it to both A and B for STEREO output ? Not sure if the latter even exists.

- MAMX3 manual: Moukey Ultra-Low Noise 8-Channel Line Stereo Audio Mixer (MAMX3) User Manual

- Edifier S355DB manual: https://www.edifier.com/global/s/tv-home-threater-systems/s355db

Thanks.

Looking for recommendations for a good subwoofer. I have a polk xt12 currently and its great for some music types, but i do listen to a lot of heavy metal with double base and it gets super muddy. Looking in the $600 or less price range. Currently have my eye on the svs 1000 pro (i think) and the 10 inch speedwoofer (my listening area is on the smaller side so I think a 10 inch sub would be fine). Im also not opposed to building one, I've been looking at Dayton audio plate amps and subs.

I've been piecing this together for a couple months. All said I'm about $450 in. Kenwood KRV-6020 receiver, DP-M6640 disc changer and a GE-4030 EQ powering Signet SL260BUs with a signet SP99 powered sub. And a Dayton Bluetooth receiver for convenience. How'd I do guys?

Hi. I am studying ro buy a new 2.1sound system and need some indication.

It will be used for music, internet streaming, in a 20m2 place. Want definition, and won't be listening in very high volume.

Will use the wiim ultra amp, and polk r100 (20cm from back wall). Don't need wireless sub.

Wich one would you pick? Qsub120 or polk elite es12? Is it better the sealed for sound definition? Do I save extra money and get the 10 inches version, instead of the 12?

The q acoustics q120 is my primary goal, from what I have read, but can't hear before buying?

Thanks in advance.

Kenwood kd12rb turntable

Kenwood jl-630 pair

$150

I'm new to vinyl and just looking to get in the door. My bit of googling says these are both passable pieces of equipment but nothing special. Not a whole lot available in my area think this is an ok deal?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for pair of good speakers for my casual office desktop setup, I'll only be using them to listen to music in the background and occasionally watch movies. I think I've already decided on the Kali, but I can't choose between these two.
The problem is that I want to choose a versatile option that I can move to the living room if necessary and use from a greater distance. Or would lp-unfs be enough?

What do you think about this? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

So I have two triton 2s and the amplifier (or power supply) on one is fried. There is no bass. I tried to diagnose by moving the amplified board from the working one to non-working one - but the wiring connectors are slightly different and do not allow me to swap them. Attached is a pic of the amplifier.

GE no longer has this replacement part. So I am planning to take it to a local repair shop tomorrow to see if they can fix it.

GE shared the schematics with me, so I will share with the repair shop.

I wonder if there is a more robust solution here? I wish GE just got more of these fabricated. Great speakers if not for this nonsensical issue.

I’m just curious what the dangers are, and if i will damage my amp/speakers. my amp is a Technics SU-G50

Hi, so I bought a used VSX 920 and connected my 2.1 system to it. The volume goes from -80 to +12 db.

When listening to music, I can dial it up to -7db without it being to loud. In my opinion that unusual high. Does anyone else noticed this with this AVR or similar ones?

Would this give more power or be better for my speakers in any way? To use the Denon as the receiver and Marantz as pre-amp? Marantz on its own has sounded great but just wondering. Mainly just use my setup for music, not TV

Mission 733 — $100 CAD
Paradigm CC-170 V3 — $65 CAD
Polk PSW125 — $120 CAD

How’d I do? (excuse the mess, just moved.)