(Part 2) Best products from r/SoundSystem

What you want is called a crossover.

Here is an example of an inexpensive (<$100) device that will do what you want. Note though that this only has XLR in/out so you will need cables to go from your 1/4" TRS to XLR. Here is such a cable (you will need 2 of course).

If you can afford it, I like DBX's equipment better than Behringer when it comes to this sort of gear. Here is DBX's current equivalent. This one is 1/4" only but a XLR version is also available. I highly recommend moving to all XLR wherever possible in your system as it is the standard for pro audio signal cabling, and you can daisy-chain cables to make them longer.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

I recently brought a pair of these for my QSC K12s and love them. Not as cheap as you hope - but very much worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-BRLSPKSM-Redline-Portable-Speakers/dp/B00B3YH90G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422317793&sr=8-1&keywords=Odyssey+redline+small+speaker+bag

Does something like this make sense? http://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Selector-Switcher-Control-SPECIALTY-AV/dp/B009LSOXHS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1411520937&sr=8-4&keywords=8+Zone+Speaker+Selector#productDetails

In a configuration like this? http://imgur.com/9BH6Klh Or do I need a stack of amps?

You could do it with simple RCA Y-splits.

If you want separate level control without having to go to the speakers to turn up or down, you might be able to use this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00102ZN40/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1491326855&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=rca+mixer&dpPl=1&dpID=51dE5WiSZqL&ref=plSrch

and run it backwards. I.e., input going into the holes labled "output" and then the signal is split across the 4 stereo "inputs" which are now your outputs. You might have a little signal loss doing that, but it's also totally passive - one less thing to have to plug in.

You could also do it with a little headphone mixer like this guy:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHMX400?siid=38044

with some 1/4" stereo -> RCA cables.

These work well and are budget friendly.

BEHRINGER Audio Interface 4-Channel UMC404HD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QHURLHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_s87vCbQQJDY9R

How about two Alto TS115as? I own two of these for my mobile DJ setup, I usually play for roughly 200-250 people, and they do fine. They're below your budget and should serve you well.

With that price range, you're scraping the bottom of the barrel for the amount of things that you want. Assuming your sub is powered, then something like the Fender Passport is really where you start getting into anything worth the money you spend. Also, without knowing what sub you have, I bet it's rated for peak, not RMS output power, that which there's a rather substantial difference. Otherwise, piecing together anything that isn't an all-in-one system like the Passport, will start to push pass $1k. To do it right, you need gear that will last and take a beating, mechanically and electronically.

JBL and ElectroVoice are my personal favorite brands.

If you don't find anything one other option would be to buy a single decent speaker right now and add another speaker and sub as you can afford it. Yeah you'll have to run everything mono but if this is unpaid house parties then no big deal. If you go this route I suggest the ElectroVoice ELX15p for $499: http://www.amazon.com/Electro-Voice-ZLX15P-Two-Way-Powered-Loudspeaker/dp/B00CE0VN3M/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1421962417&sr=1-3

would these be much better?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0029RPRZU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

This goes pretty low (31 Hz, not sure +/-), might fit your needs: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMedia-Certified-Computer-Speaker/dp/B000062VUO

Since they are 4-6Ω it is going to be a touchy thing getting something with those nominal loads to not overload most modern receivers. If you DON'T need video switching you can get away with a pre-amp+amp and do this a lot better with something like TCC preamp and a Behringer A500

After a quick Google search, seems like they are speaker isolation pads like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B6ZIGBC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dLN6Ab1TMYEXD

I'm beginning to lean toward this being the issue; though haven't been able to find out for sure whether or not my system supports this yet. Here's what I got:

https://www.amazon.com/Harbinger-M120-120-Watt-4-Channel-Portable/dp/B00M8AMDXW

RCA Coupler. I just typed into amazon and this is the first one that popped up.

Sennheiser HD280 Pro's
$80 on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1408737022&sr=8-4&keywords=sennheiser

GLS Audio 6ft Y-Cable Splitter Cord - 1/8" TRS Stereo to 1/4" TS Mono - 6' Cables 3.5mm (Mini) to 6mm Cord for iPhone, iPod, Computer, and more - Single https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062QPERU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DZzcBbBMJETPS

This would allow you to hook up phones or computers to the sound, use 3/4 inputs. If you ever need a 3rd stereo input use 1 and 2 but turn the balance to the opposite extremes on each

Your Pyle was was actually 550 watts RMS at 4ohms. Have you looked at the Behringer iNuke NU3000DSP?

https://www.amazon.com/Channel-Audio-Amplifier-Professional-Speakers/dp/B06XZL2PQD

Here's a small one.

A preamp is going to take a very small signal and bring it up to a level for mixing. The ones you are seeing are probably designed for turntables, and take the very small phono level and turns it into line level. Your computer is already line level, so you need a larger amplifier to drive the speaker. The one I linked is very small, and may not be enough to get the volume you are seeking. Too much power could blow out your speaker though.