A/V Speaker Hunt With a Catch

[Dae314]

So, I'm looking for a good 2.1 set of speakers that I can get in the US for $200-$300. That part's pretty normal. The catch is that I'm going to need to move this set of speakers from California to Hawaii after I graduate from college. This is going to be a pain in the butt to handle, mostly because of the sub. I've considered just getting a pair of more portable satellite speakers, but I really want the deep, powerful, clear base that a good sub would afford me. I did give a look at the B&W mm-1's, but that's way above my budget :P.

So assuming a sub is a must, and that any other small speakers can be taken with me instead of being shipped, I'm looking for the most powerful, most clear travel sized sub. If I can get the sub to fit in a 12"x12"x5" (30.48cmx30.48cmx12.7cm) box (USPS flat rate box) + some stuffing, I will be able to ship the sub to Hawaii for ~$20. Even if I cannot find a good sub that will fit in that box, if I can get a very small/light sub, I'll be able to ship it more cheaply (I ran some rough calculations using the aego m sub and it would cost me ~$100 to send that). The Razer Mako set (these are above my budget and appear to have retired so this is just for an example) has the smallest sub I could find at 22cmx31cmx31cm. Any recommendations would be awesome, and if nothing really fits my need then I'll just go without for another year and get a set shipped straight to Hawaii :P.

[docodine]

If moving them is such an issue, you should get a decent pair of headphones!

[Deders]

I have a friend who's hooked these up to batteries and carries them about in a backpack for camping and parties. They sound pretty decent too.

[Atomic]

Paying $100 to ship something worth only $200 doesn't seem logical. I'd buy something cheaper second hand and then sell it when you graduate.

There's no need to move it about and then you can buy something decent when you're back in Hawaii...

[alecamused]

save the 100 you'd spend for shipping and invest into headphones + dac/amp

(i got these for ~150€ last dec + these and i haven't heard speakers in this price-range that come close ..

[Dae314]

I actually have a set of headphones that are usable already (given to me as a gift, they're really bass heavy but still usable). The reason why I'm looking to buy this is really for the apartment I'm living in. This semester one of my apartment-mates brought some speakers which we tend to use somewhat frequently to project sound (whether for movies or music or whatnot). Since he's graduating and we won't have his speakers anymore, I'd like to get a set, but if I do get a set I want it to be a set that I'm going to use for myself after college is over.

One of my other apartment-mates suggested to me another alternative which would be to get a good set of satellites and buy the sub later (or alternatively get a 2.1 set shipped to HI and only bring up the satellites). Any suggestions on that front?

[alecamused]

i heard some bose companion (can't remember wether 3 or 5) that sounded great altough the sub wouldn't fit into the box you mentioned.

[docodine]

Just curious, what headphones do you have now?

[HandMadeAndroid]

I have a small Topping T-amp and a pair of q acoustics, they rock

[Dae314]

@Doco

Creative Fatal1ty MK-II. I've considered getting better headphones later after I graduate since those never were the best quality and they're starting to get kinda old and dusty ^^; Also, I use the term gift kinda loosely since I was promised reimbursement only within a certain budget back when I got them :P.

[Dae314]

Ok, so after some more research and asking friends, I think I've settled on a set. Now the sub for this set is not going to fit in the flat rate postage box I wanted it to fit in, BUT it's also not 20lbs, so shipping the thing at normal rates will not cost me half as much as I spent on the speakers. I'm talking about the Harman/Kardon Soundsticks III. The reviews I've read/watched on these (including the bit-tech one) say that the sound quality is passable (which is fine by me since I'm not an audiophile). I didn't see any reviews saying the set was overpriced or didn't deliver the sound quality expected for the price, and the plastic design is more than just looks for me (it's low weight which translates to low shipping cost for me). The speakers fall under my price range too ($170 and my range was $200-$300). Is there anyone who has objections to my choice?