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Video Asylum TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more. |
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Video Asylum TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more. |
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In Reply to: home theater systems posted by mrusso on July 28, 2002 at 15:56:52:
I'd consider something efficient like Klispch speakers with compression horns. That why you don't need a monster receiver or monster 5 channel amp to drive them to "healthy" home theater levels. I initially bought "Eosone" speakers (bass-reflex dynamic "box" speakers) for my first system. They were OK for music, but my 120Wx5 receiver (yeah, that's a real measurement!) struggled with just the L+R speakers. It feel flat on its face when I hooked up all five a couple times. Before I went back to "purist" (whatever that means) 2-channel audio, I was lusting after come klispch speakers, especially for movies. yeah, the compression horn systems can be a little "shouty" at times, but when you really look at the issue, they recreate the movie auditorium feel a bit better. Plus,the instead of LOT OF WATTS, you can just get any receiver. Or actually audition one based on sound quality, instead of "Can I find one cheap enought hat has enough clean power to drive my inefficient speakers? Please..?"If I would go back on construct a separate 5.1 home theater today, I'd get 5 klipsches or maybe some 2-way speakers that did human voice reproduction very well (GR-1's? AV-1s? Or whatever it is inmate cut-throat likes). Then mate them with a quality monster sub, like a paradigm servo-15 or a velodyne. The impact is really nice to have. Ka-booOOOM! :-)
As for receiver, I'm tempted by that inexpensive standalone preamp/5.1processor discussed below. I'd then mate it with 3 inexpensive used stero amps from audiogon. But that's me. For most people I'd recommend a decent receiver, since it's usually cheaper and easier to work with. on the low end (<$650?), I'd look at Yamaha and some of Denon's offerings. In the mid-end (<$1400?), I'd look at Denon (still) or maybe Onkyo. But Onkyos offerings in recent years haven't been too appealing, IMO. In the higher end I'd look at Marantz's offerings. These are very nice. Excellent build quality. Denon makes some products in this category, too, but if you're spending this much, I'd go for the Marantz. And if many-many thousands of dollars do not phase you or cause you to wince in pain - check out some of Meridian's offerings. Very good stuff (with a price too match).
sony has some interesting products, but sometimes it's hard to tell what is what. Sometimes it seems that you can't even go with price. Often a cheaper Sony may outperform a more expensive model. It's hard to tell what you are getting with Sony. For that reason, I'd avoid sony, and look at yamaha instead. Besides, many of the yamahas sound good and are good performers too. I recommend Denon, since they are generally "good" across the board. Plus the amplifier power ratings seem to be somewhat based in rality, compared to other manufacturers. Though what out. A lot of home theater geared stuff is power rated at 6Ohm (instead of the standard 8ohm) impedences. I just makes them seems more powerful.
But I wouldn't hold too much stock in the power ratings. Remember you need to effectively double the power to get 2x (3dB) louder. If a specific receiver can power you chosen set of speakers in you room without sounding restrained, compressed, or weak. Then it should be good enough.
As for DVD player, these seemt o be largely disposable items today. I'd just get a $125-250 model and use it for 12-18 months. I'd buy whatever the "videophile du jour" model is. Last year, that was the $200/street Panasonic DVD-RP56 player. If you don;t need progressive scan (i.e., you don;t have a hi-def TV) just get a decent $125 model without progressive scan. Like the panasonic 32. (rk32?)
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Follow Ups
- Some general ideas.... - Aroc 08:20:43 07/29/02 (0)
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