As an acoustics engineer I have build a sound system of maximum sound quality compared to the cost. I have a 5.1 system of 5 identic small speakers of 6 litres (self-constructed but not self-designed) and a passive subwoofer (55 litres, also self-constructed but not self-designed) for frequencies 25-50 Hz. This kind of system works well with both music and movies. The loudspeakers are put carefully in my room about 1 m away from the walls. All these loudspeakers cost only about 1000 euros total! The loudspeakers have very flat frequency response and good power response. The sound is neutral. The only "weakness" is low sensitivity, only 81 dB/W/m. All speaker elements are by Norwegian SEAS.
Many Finns have build their own
Hifi 6/2 speakers. This is what it looks like. On the right is a pic of my passive
Hifi 55/2 subwoofer.
My amplifier is
NAD T762. It has plenty of dynamic power and the sound is fantastic, extremely controlled and analytic but never clinical. The amplifier was 1400 euros but I got it for 1000 euros.
My CD-player is
Denon DCD-735. It has served me well for 11 years never skipping on any CD! It cost about 300 euros.
My DVD/DVD-Audio/SACD-player is
Pioneer DV-575A. It cost only about 200 euros and serves me very well as a region-free DVD-player and SACD player.
My headphones are Sennheiser HD-580 (200 euros).
For outdoor listening I have
iPod shuffle 512MB (100 euros) with
Sennheiser PX-200 headphones (60 euros).
