DJ setup: surround vs. shelf system

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dymaxion

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Good afternoon folks. I'm a college student and have recently started doing some very amateur software DJing. That is, using VirtualDJ to mix playlists of a variety of songs (some hip-hop, some house, some trance) in small to medium parties for friends and at frats. No turntables, no fancy mixers--just my laptop hooked up to someone's crappy shelf stereo system or occasionally a receiver with some decent mid-range speakers. Although this is technically not "disc-jockeying," I'll call it DJing for the purposes of this post.

I'm looking to spend $200-$500 on a new speaker system that will be mainly used when I DJ at small to medium parties. I know that it's a pretty big price range, but I'm really looking for a good bang for my buck, so I wanted to keep it open. From what I've seen online and in stores, I have two main options:

1. Sub/sat surround sound system (5.1, 6.1, etc.): I have a low end surround system at home which sounds pretty good. I've never tried it for a party, i.e. I've never turned it up past -20db. It might be nice to get this at school because I could also use it for 5.1/6.1 sound from movies. However, I'm concerned that the lack of solid midrange speakers and the single subwoofer might lack some power (especially in the middle frequencies) compared to a similarly priced shelf system.
A few examples:
Yamaha YHT-390BL 5.1 System $349
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3685296&Sku=Y23-3050
Sony DAV-HDX275 5.1 System $315
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8724384&type=product&id=1200703058075

2. Shelf stereo system: Although a shelf system might lack all the inputs and surround sound compatability of a discrete surround system, I think it might make up in the power of the larger speakers and stronger midrange. It would also be easier to carry around a shelf system than an entire surround system.
A few examples:
Sony MCH-GX99 2.1 system $235
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...=product&tab=2&id=1170290206932#productdetail
Sony LBT-ZX6 2.0 system $440
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...=product&tab=2&id=1170290206932#productdetail

Which route do you think would be best: surround sound or shelf? Thanks. =)
 
There is a third option, and maybe the best one for your situation and budget!

You could get a dedicated amplifier and speakers, or just a pair of powered speakers.

I know Gemini Sound makes some, but really, check around DJ equipment / Pro audio sites -- you can certainly come in under your budget.

It'll be a whole lot easier to move around than the other options, and since they're made to be moved around, much, much less likely to break.
 
Yeah, no doubt. If you dj, you need dj equipment. Stuff has to be TOUGH.
 
Definately best to get yourself a set of cheap studio monitors for serious djing compared to pc/multimedia speakers.

Check out monitors like KRK's popular (and fairly cheap) Rokit series: http://www.krksys.com/rokit/index.html

Plus, studio monitors definately look more pro :)
 
Thanks for the input folks. I've done some research into the different options for low-end powered speakers, and I have one question about frequency range. Most of the speakers don't go as low as 20hz which I know is the low-end of human hearing. For example, the Behringer B212A ($229 at http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB212A) are 65hz-20khz. Will I need a separate subwoofer to complement the woofer in this speaker or is 65hz low enough?

Thanks.
 
Pick up 2 of these
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gem-Sound-PXA252-15-Active-2-Way-Speaker?sku=600062

You will be happy with them, and they are much better than any shelf / HTIAB (Home theater in a box) options for your needs.

If you are going to DJ just get DJ stuff, speaker cabinets take a serious beating at parties, and you cna store / transport PA Speakers really easy.

Also watch Musican's Friend for specials, they run some really good deals some times
 
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