February 28, 2002
Hi Wes,
My name is Chris, and I live in British Columbia, Canada.
Recently I opted for a home-audio upgrade from my nearly ten-year-old Pioneer Dolby Pro
Logic system. I ended up purchasing a Kenwood HTB-304 system. Now, just a couple of
questions about it. I was very disappointed to see when I opened the box that the five
speakers were plastic jobbies and only one-way rears and two-way center and fronts. Now
I'll admit looks can be deceiving as the sound out of these little things is pretty damn
good. Just wondering what kind of a comparison the pressboard material that usually makes
up speakers is to these small plastic ones for longevity and sound quality. Also the
grilles on all the speakers, including the sub, are not removable. Fishy? I found this to
be an option on even some lower-priced systems. On the whole, I am happy with what I got,
and being on a limited budget with a family, this is going to have to do. Would appreciate
your knowledge on this.
Thanks from B.C.,
Chris Felske
Hi Chris:
I've reviewed a few of these inexpensive HT speaker systems
and you're right -- the first thing you think when you unpack them is, "What
the...." But they do sound surprisingly good when you actually play them.
I wouldn't worry too much over the plastic cabinets --
after all, the $1300 Thiel PowerPoint has a molded plastic cabinet, too. And the fact that
the grille is attached probably means it won't rattle. Also, I've seen some fairly
well-regarded surrounds that were one-way designs -- although that's certainly not the way
to get the best sound out of surrounds.
It comes down to how much you like the sound of your
system. It would probably be hard to buy a powered subwoofer and five separately available
speakers for the price you paid for the Kenwood system. So if you like the sound you're
getting and you don't want to fill the room with boxes, why worry?
On the other hand, you can buy some very good speakers
these days for under $300 per pair -- like the Axiom M3Ti SEs -- and with two pairs of
them, you might get as much bass as you do out of the average inexpensive complete HT
system's subwoofer. Since most surround-sound processors allow you to set the playback for
a phantom center channel, two pairs of good-quality full-range loudspeakers might be all
you need. And if not, it's a start...Wes Phillips
February 26, 2002
Hi Wes,
I reside in the UK and have a question regarding replacing
a Dolby Pro Logic amp with a Dolby Digital amp.
My current setup is Yamaha DSP-A590, KEF 70S (front
speakers), KEF 80C (center), Celestion Little 1 (rear), Kef 30B (sub), and a Sony
CDP-XE510 CD player. In 15 years of video ownership, I have about six pre-recorded videos.
I make this point as I am unlikely to purchase a DVD player in the near future. I do have
a satellite connection with Sky Digital in the UK. Is there any point in me purchasing a
Dolby Digital amp? I am unsure if I get a "digital signal" from any of the
components in my setup -- and I'm assuming that if I don't, then a digital amp would be a
waste of time. I'm trying to find out if Sky Digital actually broadcasts, or plans to
broadcast, in DTS 5.1 (or better). Any advice you can throw my may would be gratefully
accepted. Thanks.
Nick Garrod
Hi Nick:
I don't know a whole lot about Sky Digital, but DirecTV
over here in the States does broadcast a certain number of pay-per-view films in Dolby
Digital and the new generation of set-top boxes allows you to output a digital signal via
TosLink.
Personally, I really like having the digital output almost
more than the Dolby Digital option (although, to be accurate, you have to have the digital
out to utilize the Dolby Digital), because it allows me to use my own digital processing,
which is a heck of a lot better-sounding than the set-top box's.
I can't imagine that Sky Digital doesn't offer the same
service as DirecTV, but even if they do offer it on a limited basis, there might be a good
reason to opt for one of the newer, better surround-sound processors that has Dolby Pro
Logic II, which is rumored to have far superior steering logic when processing non-Pro
Logic signals.
I haven't heard it yet -- although I think the Integra
receiver I have on deck has DLP II -- but if the rumors are true, then all TV programs and
movies, not to mention CDs and tapes, are grist for the mill.
And wouldn't that be nice?...Wes Phillips
February 22, 2002
Hi Wes,
The "Ask Me" section of GoodSound! and "Ask Us"
of onhometheater.com have really been of a big help.
Are you familiar with MIT Terminator 2 cables and
interconnects? Are they good? The problem is, I cannot audition them from the dealers
because they don't allow such negotiations, unlike van den Hul, which I can return after a
week. Now I'm trying to decide which cable would best fit my system: Onkyo TX-DS696
receiver, Denon DVD-2800 DVD player, Denon CD player, and Mission 77x speakers. Any
recommendations?
Gilbert Simbol
Hi Gilbert
I have used other MIT cables in several of my systems and
they can be extremely good indeed. While the choice of cable can depend a lot upon
synergy, it also comes down to a matter of personal choice -- and any dealer who isn't
willing to either offer you a loaner or return privileges on cables is not working very
hard for your money.
There are several Internet-based cable retailers that do
offer these privileges, so if you can't get satisfaction from your regular dealer, I urge
you to approach them instead. More than any other component, cables must be auditioned in your
system before you spend your hard-earned cash on them...Wes Phillips
February 20, 2002
Dear Wes,
I have a pair of Mission 773e front speakers. I am looking
for a matching center. The frequency response of the Mission center is 75Hz-20KHz. It
seems to me that they don't have enough bass. What is your opinion?
Thanks,
Lee
Hi Lee:
I personally think the center-channel speaker should match
the response of the LR speakers as closely as possible, which is not the same as saying
they should all be the same speaker -- the center's dispersion pattern needs to be
different from that of the FL& FR speakers.
When HT was new, many people assumed that the
center-channel didn't work as hard as the FLs and FRs because it was a
"dialogue" channel, but, in reality, it handles all of the same sounds, special
effects, and ambient noises that the other front channels do in addition to having to
reproduce most of the dialogue. This means it must be just as robust as the other front
channels.
But here's where it gets tricky -- the center-channel
should match the tonal character of the FL and FR speakers as closely as possible, so that
when action pans from L to C to R, it doesn't sound different as it moves. This is why the
easy answer to buying a center-channel is to buy a model from the same company as your
other front speakers. Since that's not always possible, try to get your dealer to set up a
demo with your missions as the LR speakers and check carefully for as close a tonal match
as possible...Wes Phillips
February 15, 2002
Dear Wes,
First of all, congratulations on your superb new website.
It gives us so much info on the ever-changing technology of home theater.
I just want to ask a simple question regarding subwoofers
and speakers. My room size is 11'W x 18'L x 9'H. I am planning to go for the Dynaudio
Audience 122 towers for the front mains, 122C for the center channel, and 42W for the rear
channels. What is your opinion about these speakers? What is the best way to position the
rear-channel monopole speakers? Should they be aimed toward or away from the ears? I also
want to know whether ported subs can give better slam/punch than sealed subs. Thanks.
Dipesh Nandu
Hi Dipesh:
I like Dynaudio's Audience speakers a lot.
As to surrounds, I actually place monopoles and
dipoles at the same spot, which is to say, on either side of my viewing position, several
feet above my ears. With dipoles, this puts me in the null; with monopoles, it keeps the
effects reasonably non-specific -- especially if you have the surround channels adjusted
properly (lower than most people set them). I'm not a huge fan of placing
"surrounds" behind me, although Dolby EX, of course, puts the "extra"
channels there on purpose.
Yes, it's possible for a ported sub to match the
slam of a sealed enclosure, but most of them don't seem to have the same sort of impact.
There does seems to be something special about a sealed box, doesn't there?...Wes Phillips
February 11, 2002
Wes,
Can you please tell me if five channels are enough, or do I
need six or seven? I can get a good deal on a receiver, but it only has regular DTS, Dolby
and Dolby Digital. Do I need something new?
Bob
Hi Bob:
That all depends on you. I've used five channels
for years, and I have felt sufficiently enveloped by the alternate
"environments" manufactured by films. I've only heard short demonstrations of
seven-channel sound -- and it was good. Things like flyovers and such were better
presented.
I just don't know on a film-by-film basis whether
or not the extra channels justify the expense and inconvenience.
I do think, in a perfect world, that more channels
are better -- or perhaps that home systems should more closely emulate those in movie
theaters. It's just that we don't live in a perfect world, and price and room
considerations probably count for more than a theoretical perfection.
I will soon be reviewing an Integra processor with
7.1 sound, so after living with it, I may feel differently. But right now, I say, if
you've got a good deal and you like the sound, go for it!...Wes Phillips
February 6, 2002
Hi Wes,
Great site you have going. I look forward to more of your
writing on home theater. I cannot afford a PLUS Piano, but can you tell us what you have
coming up for equipment reviews?
Your fan,
Ross Wilson
Hi Ross:
Next in line the Polk LSi HT
speaker system, Philips/TiVO DSR-6000, Integra DTR-8.2 AV receiver, a nifty HT speaker
system from Axiom, and the Anthem AVM 20 preamp/processor. There's more on the way, but
that's the queue at the moment....Wes Phillips
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