How to power a ghetto-rigged sound system?

[R0CK3TM4NN]

My roommates and I want to have a powerful sound system for our apartment next year. Basically, we want to put this thing together ourselves with used/ebay'ed parts in an attempt to try and save some money, while at the same time trying to get this thing as LOUD as possible (fidelity is a minor concern...just as long as it doesn't sound like total crap we're fine w/ it). The problem of course is I have no idea how to power this system. I'm fairly proficient with home theater electronics, but as far as the nitty gritty of amps, pre-amps, processors and whatnot, I'm more or less clueless.

Basically what we have now is:
2 Rockford Fosgate 12" car subs (with enclosures)

What we want to add is:
2 midrange and 2 tweeters (this could be accomplished by getting a pair of box speakers).

I'm looking on Ebay and I see 2 channel amplifiers, pre-amps, stage amps, and other things that put out power, but I don't know exactly what I need.

Do I need to get a receiver for the box speakers, and a 2 channel amp for the subs? We won't be starting this project till the summer, but if I know what to get, then I can lurk around ebay and maybe score a deal in between now and the summer. I'll definitely start a work log when we get to work on this thing...

[zabomb4163]

I would look into PA speakers if you really dont care about SQ.

do you mind me asking how you can turn the sound so loud when you live in an apartment?

[Ryan T]

Your best bet is to gets some seperate speakers. You've got a couple of options to power it. You could either get some sort or receiver and plug a CD player etc into it. Or you can use your computer as a preamp and buy power amplifiers. Which way you go is really dependant on budget and what source material your going to be playing through the system.

I would hunt around locally maybe on craigs list or other classifieds for some big old tower speakers. They usually dont sound the greatest but the play LOUD. You should be able to get a pair for $50~$100. You will also need an amplifier for the subwoofers. You can get a plate amp or something from Ebay or parts express but it'll run ya $100. You can power them with an old 2 channel stereo receiver though. It wont have as much power but should work.

Check around at garage sales and second hand stores. You can usually pick up old analog receivers and big tower speakers for pretty cheap.



Ryan

[R0CK3TM4NN]

Well, the source is going to by my computer or my ipod, or an old 5 disc cd changer I have. What I guess I really want to know is how is this going to be wired up? Lets say I get a pair of old tower speakers...and lets say I get an onkyo 300 watt receiver to power them, and to power the subs lets say I get a 2 channel plate amp (if there is such a thing) that puts out 300 watts or so. Do I wire the receivers output to the plate amp's input?

do you mind me asking how you can turn the sound so loud when you live in an apartment?

The apartment building is three flats, so each room is its own floor, and we know everyone in the building really well. Since we live right off campus (of Ohio State), I'm sure we're gonna throw a huge party of some sort, so having a bangin system is a plus.

EDIT: Would this thing work? ebay linky (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64451&item=3781747211&rd=1)