July 31, 2002
Hi Wes,
I am searching for an inexpensive
(under $500) subwoofer to add to my evolving HT system (currently consisting of a pair of
Axiom M22s and a Denon AVR-1802 receiver). Here's my dilemma: My overriding priority is
high-quality sound, which, in the best of all possible worlds, would lead me toward the
Adire Rava or Hsu VTF-2. Sadly, however, these units exceed my interior-decorating
constraints, which mandate a unit with a footprint as close to one square foot as possible
(height is not an issue). The Sunfire Junior is out of my price range. The Axiom EP125 is
the right size and price, but only goes down to 35Hz. What other options could you
recommend?
Thank you,
Rob Darst
Hi Rob:
Well, the Axiom is a darn good sub. It doesn't
have the sheer impact of the Polk PSW650, for instance, but it is extremely musical and
offers real, connected-to-the-signal bass, not just boom and slam. And, in a room, it
probably delivers usable bass down to about 25Hz -- 35Hz is its anechoic -3dB point.
If you're loathe to give up that bottom-most
few Hz, however, you should check out Hsu. They don't look as pretty as some of the
competition, but they do produce accurate deep bass and they're very affordable....Wes
Phillips
July 28, 2002
Wes,
I'm looking to furnish a new family-entertainment room and
want to buy a home-theater system, TV, and VCR. After going to the retail stores and
getting mighty confused, I'm thinking that it's just too hard to figure out what the best
brand is. Can you help me?
I found your website and thought that you might be able to
advise me.
Sincerely,
Meg Murray
Hi Meg:
It is confusing. Obviously, my first suggestion is you look
at the reviews here on www.onhometheater.com,
as well as our sister site www.hometheatersound.com
and refine your search. Both sites have many reviews of good HT receivers and speaker
systems.
The most confusing -- and potentially costly -- area is the
television itself. We're on the dawn of HDTV and there are many choices ranging from
widescreen or traditional, HD-ready or not, and even direct view or rear projection.
My experience is that, when it comes to TVs, you really
have to see them. A $15,000 60" plasma TV sounds really expensive, but I know people
who have bought one on the spot after seeing one up close and personal. It sounds corny, I
know, but find a dealer you trust and let him or her guide you.
That means you probably won't be shopping at the Megalomart
and you might initially feel uncomfortable at what seems like the smaller selection of
units at the average specialty shop. Appearances can be deceiving -- what appears to be a
wide array of choices at the big box-mover stores actually is a lot of almost identical
models from eight or nine different companies -- a good specialty store will have narrowed
that down to two or three choices with real-world differences between price points.
And remember, if the salesman can't clearly explain what a
more expensive model offers you (and I mean benefits you want, not obscure
technogibberish), ignore them and choose the less expensive model.
Another benefit to dealing with a specialty store is that
most of them offer in-house delivery and setup.
Good luck!...Wes Phillips
July 25, 2002
Hi Wes,
I have a pair of dipole surround speakers from Atlantic
Technology (Compact 2). In my new house, it seems like the only logical place to put them
is four feet above the listening position and against the rear wall. I can put them in
other places, but my wife has issues with the way it looks. Will this placement work with
these speakers or should I invest in in-wall direct-radiating speakers?
Dennis
Hi Dennis:
I think that'll work. When you consider that the whole idea
is to spread the sound around and make it as nonspecific in origin as possible, I don't
see why this won't work.
Is it ideal? No, but I suspect it's one of those
differences that loom larger as deviating from theory than one that is all that audible.
Of course, if I'm wrong and it sounds like crap, then you
could always try Plan B....Wes Phillips
July 16, 2002
Hi Wes,
I want to build a surround system utilizing my existing
pair of Klipsch Chorus speakers. What considerations do I need to apply when selecting
surround and center speakers? I would like to install recessed surround speakers. Do you
have any specific recommendations? I am looking at a Yamaha RX-V122 receiver.
Thanks for your help.
Al Stark
Hi Al:
The single biggest consideration in choosing a
center-channel speaker is matching it timbrally to the front L & R speakers. If it
doesn't sound like the speakers on either side of it, you will be drawn out of the fictive
universe the film you are watching has taken such pains to establish.
The second consideration is placement. Once you've
determined where the center-channel will go, you can get a better idea of which type
center-channel will work for you. The most common type of center-channel speaker is laid
out horizontally with a tweeter between two midrange/woofers -- this makes it easy to
place on top of a large television set, but the design's dispersion pattern can have
several dead spots (also called "the Venetian blind effect").
The most common approach is to simply buy a designated
"center-channel" from the same company that manufactured the front L & R
speakers. This isn't necessarily wrong, but it also doesn't guarantee a timbral match to
the L & R speakers. Listen carefully to the "matching" center to determine
that it really does match.
Another option is to mount a third Chorus on a short stand,
angled to cover your listening position -- many home-theater buffs are ardent believers in
the "3 + 2" approach to speaker systems. The disadvantage to this method is that
it occupies valuable floor space and requires some real placement jiggery-pokery to pull
off.
There's no perfect solution, hence the advice to listen
carefully. But it is you, after all, who's going to live with it, so take some care now
and you'll reap years of pleasure from it.
There are now many excellent in-wall and in-ceiling
loudspeakers to choose from -- even models from well-known speaker manufacturers such as
Thiel and PSB. Remember that surround speakers are supposed to deliver non-localizable
sound, so try to mount them well above ear level or, if mounting them in the ceiling,
behind the listening positions....Wes Phillips
July 14, 2002
Hello Wes,
My name is Felix M. Fontan, and I'm an engineer fresh out
of school and just starting to get into all this home-theater stuff. My main passion
happens to be music, but I sincerely can't afford to have separate systems for music and
home theater. Anyway, I was wondering what your opinion (if you had tried them before) was
on the Pioneer Elite receivers. I know they have two models that were the first-ever THX
Ultra 2-certified receivers (the VSX-47TX and VSX-49TX), for whatever that's worth. There
is another receiver that I find interesting, which is an Onkyo that also is THX Ultra 2
certified.
Anyway, I was wondering if you thought these could perform
as a good setup? Do you think their performance would be something enjoyable? I'm just
trying to keep the cost down.
Felix
Hi Felix:
Some hardcore home-theater buffs will insist that separates
are the only way to go -- and if you are intent on pushing the edge of what's possible and
have the budget for it, they're right. But second best, in the guise of a good A/V
receiver, is not too shabby.
I've lived with and enjoyed several Pioneer Elite receivers
and I have just finished reviewing an Integra receiver, which I think is the cherries. If
you think carefully about how you're going to use your A/V system, you can almost
certainly find an A/V receiver that offers what you need.
That's the secret, in my opinion -- deciding what you want
your home theater or audio system to do. Do you want multi-room potential? There are
receivers, such as the Integra DTR-8.2, with built-in amenities. These days almost
anything is possible -- but it's incumbent upon you to ask for it first.
I continue to be amazed by how much performance and
flexibility the contemporary A/V receiver offers. I'm sure you can find one that will
satisfy you....Wes Phillips
July 10, 2002
Hi Wes,
I have a pair of Mirage OM-10 speakers and OMR-2 rear
speakers. I am a barber and do not have much money. I do want a good-sounding system. I
purchased my speakers some time ago. I am putting this system together little by little. I
have been working on it for over two years. Question: What subwoofer should I match with
this system? The BPS-150i was advertised with this system three years ago. Now the company
has come out with a BPS-400, which has a 12" woofer on both sides compared to the BPS
150i with its 8" woofer. I have also looked at the Boston Acoustics PV800 compared to
the BPS-150i. What do you think about these two subs, or should I stay with the Omnipolar
sound? Thank you for your help and input.
Terrence Sledge
Hi Terrence:
The great thing about subwoofers is that they are, by
design, supposed to blend with other speakers as a matter of course -- you don't have to
match them to your primary speakers by brand.
I have reviewed and recommend the 10" Titanic
subwoofer from Dayton Loudspeaker Company. It's a kit, but it's stone simple to assemble
and, in exchange for a little sweat equity, you get a great subwoofer for $349. For more
money, but also giving you a heck of a lot more subwoofer, there's my current fave: Polk's
PSW650 at $780. Of course, for that price, you get TWO 10" woofers to the Titanic's
one....Wes Phillips
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