OT: Audio geeks?

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

so I ended up getting a really great deal on this:
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4484.asp

now i'm in for a set of surround speakers...
Trying to stick to the ~<400 for the set right now... I know that speakers are going to make a huge difference, but I have to be realistic... no SVS in my immediate future!

anyone have some suggestions?
i was looking at a nice set of inifity, but would consider another brand...
(and I like this techno-geek thread!) Smile

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

added:
does anyone know anything about Monster's speakers? (other than they are expensive)

http://www.monstercable.com/speakers/home_theater_speakers.asp

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

For $400 check this out:
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/energy-take-classic/4505-7868_7-33310963.html?tag=rnav
In my experience, the Canadian speaker brands such as Paradigm, Energy, and Athena tend to have the best sound for the money.
Even though the latter two were bought by klipsch not too long ago.

Never heard the monster speakers, but I generally boycott them as a brand.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Overpriced unnecessary goods.
Monster is not the only one.
There's a lot of BS in the audio world because its an easy sell.
Its amazing how much money people will throw away on stuff because the salesman tells them it sounds better but people will never notice that there is no difference because naturally aural memory is so terrible. There's a lot of placebo effect.
I don't see their products (overpriced cables) as trying to fill a need rather than taking advantage of the fact that people won't ever notice that it doesn't matter.
To me its a scam.
Never met the owner.

Asking what kind of cable to use is like asking "how many watts?" right off the bat.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu May 07, 09 11:45 am

damn dude, nice receiver!!

i wouldn't stress too much over the surrounds. There is actually only a very small amount of sound that actually comes out of them. Check out the dipole speakers from axiom http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4.html

or the mini monitors from AV123

http://www.av123.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=193&category_id=51&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

infinity makes some good book shelves as does Polk. Polk typically has very good tweater and high range response which is important for your surrounds. Not much bass coming out of them. I can't remember what my crossover settings are on the surrounds but they are pretty high.

I think the best thing you can do to improve your home theater experience is get your wife used to listening to movies really loud. Smile

I was listening to the "broken arrow" scene in we were soldiers the other night at volume 60. Planes taking off on aircraft carriers, bullets winging by on the surround speakers, Japs eating huge napalm bombs. Had the couch shaking until the wife cam down with sleepy eyes "what; in THE Fuck; are you doing ?
Embarassed

Check it out, great movie!!

Link

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

that brought up something else I read...

do i want dipole just on the side? or side and rear?
do dipoles belong in the front? or is direct better? (or does it matter if you have a nice center?)

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu May 07, 09 11:58 am

dipoles for surrounds

your mains and center are direct

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 150 Posts hillsboro Stoked

http://www.hometheatermag.com/compactspeakers/1107dcm/

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu May 07, 09 12:48 pm

dude, just noticed that you were actually looking at products made my the monster corporation.

The only thing that company is good for is the easy identification of people that don't know jack shit about electronics. There cables and speaker wire are soo insanely priced and there have been several independent studies done that show there is no discernible difference.

You need an HDMI cable.. $5 from e-bay. You need heavy gauge gauge speaker wire...Lamp cord from home depot..

Nak · Thu May 07, 09 10:18 pm

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I love my Dennon receiver! I have some small Definitive Technology speakers that do real well for the size of room we have. The sub provides plenty for my non audio file expertise. The one thing about the Dennon receivers that sucks is the setup menus. It took some serious patients trying to read the stupid manual. I heard the Yamaha setup is a lot more user friendly.

BTW, if anyone wants some BIG DCM speakers I need to get rid of them. They are big and loud and best of all cheap. They would be perfect for a shop/garage/basement.

Mark · Fri May 08, 09 8:54 am

Steve,
Talk to Pepi. He is looking for audio gear for his "party van".

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-13042.html