What to with an old TV?
April 30, 2004
Hi Wes,
I have a five-year-old 35" Toshiba TV and a pretty
good HT setup, but I really want one of the new flat-screen monitors. I can't go crazy
with plasma or anything, but I think I can swing an LCD -- and it's bright enough to view
in my sunny living room.
My question seems kind of dumb, but what do I do with my
old TV? Is it worth anything?
Marty
I went through the same thing recently. I started out
thinking I could sell mine -- it was a really top-end set, circa 1996. No takers at what I
thought was a fair price and none at a fire-sale price either. I offered it to two
students who live in our neighborhood, but it was too big to fit through their door! I
finally found someone willing to haul it away for their mom (they ended up keeping it for
themselves when they saw the picture), but I was getting desperate.
You can see if you know anyone who will buy your old CRT,
but don't expect to get a fortune. If I'd had more time before my move, I would have seen
if a school or charity needed mine -- and the tax credit wouldn't have been
unwelcome....Wes Phillips
Speaker choice
April 28, 2004
Hi Wes,
I'll be buying a Pioneer VSX-AX5i receiver and Pioneer
DV-868AVI-S DVD player. I'm really going nuts with the choice of A/V speakers. My budget
is between 1000 and 2000 Euros for speakers (or cheaper). I have a 30-square-meter room,
but the listening area will be around 15 square meters. Any suggestions?
Hint: I've heard of Infinity Oreus, Canton Movie CD-1, and
KEF 2005.
Nelson
My advice is buy local. You'll probably get less bang
for the buck for non-EEC-manufactured speaker systems.
The KEF's a good choice, but I've been listening to some
Cantons lately and I really like 'em. Try to hear the Movie CD-1 system and see what you
think. It looks like a good match for the Pioneer receiver.
Center dilemma
April 26, 2004
Wes,
After about a month of auditioning speakers and reading
reviews, I had decided on the "perfect" set of speakers about five different
times. Then I read your review of the Magnepan MMG W/MMG C and decided that with the
60-day trial I couldn't go wrong. The MMG Ws arrived two weeks ago and your
review could not have been more accurate.
But now I have another problem -- what to use as a center
speaker? Is the MMG C as sensitive to wall placement as the MMG W? The center speaker will
be on top of a rather tall (6 1/2') entertainment center and will be approximately 2 1/2'
in front of the rear wall and the MMG Ws. Is this arrangement a problem? I prefer to use
the MMG C if possible. My second choice is Axiom's VP-150. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Anne
The MMG C actually ought to be away from the wall a bit,
so I think your placement will be OK -- the only reason I don't say "swell" is
that, in theory, the center speaker and LF and LR speakers should all be the same distance
from your seating position (creating a shallow arc).
Obviously, if the MMG C is on top of the entertainment
center and the other speakers are on the wall, you can't have that optimum placement. So
improvise! When you set up the speakers using your receiver's setup menu, you may have to
adjust the center-channel down a bit in volume to match the front side channels (a few
receivers let you set the distance from your seating position for each front channel, as
well as the surrounds, so use that if you have it).
Is this a big deal? No, it's just me being an
anal-retentive audiophile. If it sounds OK to you and you don't wish to bother with all
that, just ignore me -- I'm married, I'm used to it.
I like the Axiom VP-150 very much, but the MGM C will be a
better tonal match to your MGM Ws.
Have fun!
Home-theater with Yamaha and Axiom
April 23, 2004
Hello Wes,
I have a Yamaha RX-Z1 receiver and just ordered the Axiom
Epic 80 speaker system. I've had the receiver for about a year with old speakers, so I
never really took the time to learn about it, or home theater in general. Well, times have
changed. I'm enjoying staying home and watching movies and want to get the most out of my
system, which is why (after many hours on the Internet reading and researching ) I've
ordered new speakers.
I've learned my Yamaha has DSP. Should I get two more
speakers for L&R side effects? And what's your opinion on running two subs? Is this
all overkill and not really necessary, or will it really enhance the sound and be worth
the investment? And should the subs be matched (same size, same brand)?
Rey
Wow -- the RX-Z1 is one cooool receiver. You had it for
a whole year and only recently felt the bug to upgrade your speakers? Either it's better
than I thought -- or you have iron self-control.
Start with the basic Epic 80 system and get used to it. I
suspect you'll be hooting with glee and forcing everybody to see videos they've seen a
billion times -- but never really heard before.
Normally, I'm not a big fan of the DSP functions on
receivers, but the Yamaha's algorithms are derived from pretty sound acoustic
measurements, so they ought to sound pretty good. After you've broken in the Epic 80
system, why not hook up your old loudspeakers as side-effects speakers and see whether you
think side speakers are worth the effort?
I'm a big fan of dual subwoofers. With two, you can place
them to avoid room nulls and frequently get better sound than if you used a single larger
and more powerful sub. Do they have to match? No -- but get two that both give you as wide
a range of control options as possible. And keep reading www.onhometheater.com for the setup tips I'll be
publishing over the next few weeks.
Oh yeah -- the Yamaha has excellent bass management, so
you're really fortunate there.
If you take it one step at a time, you won't have any doubt
about whether or not it's overkill. Given the gear you've got now, I think that you can
create a deeply satisfying home-theater system that just might keep you out of the movie
palaces forever -- and that's a good thing.
Check back in and let us know what you think.
Which sub?
April 21, 2004
Hello,
I read your review of Hsu STF-3 subwoofer. I am the owner
of Magnepan MG12s up front and MMGs in the rear. I have been tormenting myself over the
purchase of a subwoofer. Hsu, SVS, and now Outlaw have relatively low-cost subs that
compete with subs that are considerably more expensive. You had glowing things to say
about the STF-3. Is it a VTF-3 without the pluggable ports? Do you think it is fast enough
to keep up with the Maggies. I use my system 75/25 for music/theater. Any thoughts of the
other brands?
KLib
Based on what I can see, the STF-3 is not simply a
rebadged VTF-3. Since all ports are "pluggable" if you have the right-diameter
foam inserts, I don’t see where there'd be any reason to do this. The two certainly
seem similar, but I haven't reviewed a VTF-3 so I can't say for sure.
I do think the STF-3 is fast enough to mate well with the
Maggies.
The Outlaw sub is a collaboration with Dr. Hsu, so I
suspect it is very good -- again, I can't speak to its similarities or differences with
Hsu's own products since I haven't gotten my mitts on one.
I'm intrigued by SVS's products. Their website makes their
products look pretty dang spiffy -- spiffy enough that I have requested a sample for
review. I'll report back on my experiences after I've had a chance to play with it.
Headroom for Maggies
April 19, 2004
Hello Wes,
I have recently purchased a Magnepan 5.1 speaker system. I
have been researching amplifiers to push these speakers, and it's turning into a difficult
decision. Which of these amps do you think would sound better with the Maggies -- Aragon
2005 or Sunfire Cinema Grand? The local Magnepan dealer recommended an Anthem MCA 5, but
I'd rather have more headroom.
P.S. I love to push my equipment to its full potential!
Thank you for you time,
Dustin
Glorioski, man -- you don't think the Anthem has
sufficient headroom? I suspect that by "push my equipment to its full
potential," you mean play it loud. I don't think the difference in output between the
200Wpc Anthem and 300Wpc Aragon will be particularly noticeable. It should work out to
somewhere between 2 and 3dB.
Besides I hate to disillusion you, but you probably won't
ever cruise above about 50W (except for a few instantaneous peaks) with either design. I
like the Anthem a lot and I've spent quite a few hours of enjoyable listening with the
Aragon, so I'd feel comfortable recommending either. I haven't really heard the Sunfire,
so I can offer no opinion there.
If you really think you can discern a difference between
the Anthem and the Aragon based on headroom, buy the Aragon. It's as valid a reason for
preference as any -- and possibly better than most.
Center-channel problems
April 16, 2004
Hi Wes,
I read your response about the problems people have in
matching a center-channel speaker for their surround systems. I'm pretty much a novice and
would appreciate any comments you might have on my particular problem.
I have acquired a pair of Legacy Classic speakers to go
with the same company's center-channel speaker. I'm not totally sure of the latter's model
number, but it has a single round center tweeter and two small side woofers. The amplifier
is a high-end Yamaha. The problem is that although music sounds great, dialogue and speech
are horribly muffled, with some of the words almost inaudible and too much background
music interfering with the "speech."
I brought in an audio guy to examine the system and he
noticed that bass and treble controls on the amp didn't seem to change any of the sound
quality at all (as if you weren't even turning the dials). He seemed to feel that the
tweeter on the center speaker was defective simply by listening directly over it with a
cone of paper.
Any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated!
Matthew
First, most bass and treble controls don't actually
exert much influence over any speaker's sound. These days, you're probably only getting a
total range of about 3dB difference between "fully engaged" and zero. But that's
just the pedant in me talking -- it has very little to do with your problem.
Your "audio guy" (you don't say if he's a repair
person, a salesman, or just somebody who is really into hi-fi) is probably right that
you're having a tweeter problem. You may not have a blown tweeter, however. Legacy uses
two sets of binding posts, which should be connected by jumpers. If the jumpers aren't
there, you may only be connecting the woofers. Use short lengths of speaker wire to
connect both positive terminals to one another (ditto for the negative terminals as well,
of course).
You should also check the setup menu on your
preamp/processor -- make sure it's set up properly and that you don't have the center
inadvertently set to "phantom" or potted way down in the mix.
In-wall dilemma
April 15, 2004
Wes,
I need to select speakers for an in-wall application in my
family room. The speakers unfortunately need to be inset into the wall approximately 10'
above the floor for the L/C/R. I looked at the Triads, but they are too deep. We only have
6" of clearance instead of the 10" required. I've heard the RBH and did not hear
the Mirage.
Listening position is 12' back approximately with a plasma
screen mounted in the center. We will most likely do two RBH in-floor subs, which will be
covered by heating registers since we have a raised floor in this room. The rears are also
in-wall. Your thoughts would be most appreciated on how to get a very wide soundstage and
the music down near the listening position.
Ray
I haven't heard the RBH in-walls, but I've been very
impressed by their speakers in the past. Since I have the Mirages in my kitchen (and
mounted up high, too), I can speak for their quality. They're very good and quite
full-bodied.
Since you'll be sitting 12' back, I think you'll get full
sound, but it will probably be pretty obvious that the speakers are in a different
vertical plane than the display. It might be possible to have your installer shim the
upper edge of the speaker mounts so they angle down slightly, which might help a little.
The rears and subs should be fine -- and the L/C/Rs might
work just fine; I just can't say. If at all possible, try to mock up a demo before cutting
your wall -- it may be a pain in the butt, but it's better than kicking yourself in the
rear end for the next five years if you get it wrong.
Which Magnepans?
April 12, 2004
Dear Wes,
A few months ago I first heard about Magnepan. For a while
now, I've been busy determining which products would be best for my 5.1 studio, where I
monitor my film and music productions. My budget is not very big, and I felt lucky when I
read about the MMG Ws. There's one point I'm doubting. In your
review, you talk about a frequency response of 100Hz to "only" 16kHz! It
seems not enough for me if I use them as front speakers. The original MMGs go to 24kHz, so
that seems a more attractive alternative to me. Is the difference in treble between those
models really that big? Oh yeah, and how about the MGMC1/MGCC2? The MGMC1 also goes to
24kHz, and the MGCC2 only to 20kHz. That seems a more satisfying alternative.
I hope you can give me some advice.
Joris
Different people will value that "extra" 8kHz
of high-frequency extension to a greater or lesser extent. I felt the MMG W was reasonably
well-balanced for a loudspeaker that sells for $300/pair -- certainly better than the
shrill boxes many manufacturers sell at that price point.
If you can afford 'em, go for the MMGs -- especially since
you're monitoring your recordings for QC. Ditto the MGMC1/MGCC2 question.
There is no question that the MGCC2/MGMC1 system is better.
It also costs more. What makes the MMG W/MMG C system so magical is the way it does not
trade away high-end magic to meet a modest price point, but if you don't have budget
constraints, more is better -- and the MGCC2/MGMC1 is more.
Display choices
April 8, 2004
Wes,
So many choices! I've come to grips with the fact that the
$3000 price point is where I'll be for a TV purchase for my newly finished basement/home
theater. There appears to be three fundamental choices at that price point, and I'd love
your insight into the pros and cons of each. They are a 50" Samsung DLP TV, a
50" Sony Grand Wega rear-projection LCD, or a Pioneer Elite or Mitsubishi Diamond
rear-projection CRT.
Though space isn't too much of an issue, I love the thin
profile of the DLP and rear-projection LCDs. They also seem significantly brighter.
However, I can't help worrying that I'd be paying a hefty premium for "new
technology" versus value. Any insight is appreciated!
Najeeb
Unlike plasma displays, modern LCDs, DLPs, and RP CRTs
are reasonably mature, stable technologies -- and very reasonably priced in comparison. At
CES 2004, I was extremely impressed by the deep colors of the LCD displays I saw there --
and surprised myself at how much I wanted one. I wouldn't worry about any of your choices
proving skittish in the long run. I think you'll probably be very well off with any of
them.
Lots of speakers
April 6, 2004
Wes,
I love your candid advice!
I'm setting up a home theater in a newly finished basement
and want to limit my speaker purchase for a 5.1 system (hope to add speakers for 7.1
later) to $1500. The listening area is about 20' x 20', with the room opening up to an
overall dimension of about 35' x 25'. Based on reviews, suggestions from others and some
listening, I'm torn between the Aperion Intimus, Axiom Epic Grand Master, Mirage Omnisat
Micro, and Paradigm Monitor 7 series. I would very much appreciate any thoughts you have
about these speakers or any suggestions you have for others at this price point that I
have missed.
Najeeb
Believe it or not, I don't think you need any more
choices -- you need to eliminate a few, if anything. You've chosen a passel of good
systems, but they're quite different from one another. Given the size of your room -- it's
a big 'un -- I'd probably look more at the Axioms or the Paradigms than the smaller
Aperions or Omnisat Micros. However, you'd be the best judge of how much space you want to
devote in your room to speakers -- the smaller models may fit in better with the ways you
use your room.
It's the balance between all of the factors that
dictates what's the best choice for you.
I suspect you'll eventually want to add a second -- or
possibly a bigger -- subwoofer to your system. You've got a lot of room to fill and it'll
absorb a lot of bottom-end sound.
Stay tuned for a series of subwoofer reviews and setup
tutorials.
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