General Home Theater Audio Thread

[RupTheKid]

nice job Soundman. Seriously though, that's the longest single post I can remember on AT :beer:.

On a separate note, I think you may want to mention the appeal of Bose, Gallo, etc under "lifestyle systems" in the WAF category. I know as enthusiasts we're all about bang for the buck but for some people decor comes before performance, and these people don't like technology in their face. Spouses, pets, babies, etc can also have a huge role in this decision making process.

I know as computer geeks we're used to having wires and boxes all over the place...but there's probably a reason a lot of people think we're a little crazy to begin with. .

At the end of the day, if it comes down to having a lifestyle type system or no system at all, I'd take the lifestyle system.

Excellent job sir. Keep up the good work.

 

[herm0016]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-t...&search=primus&x=0&y=0

how about this, it shows the full line. the other link has much cheaper prices though.
thanks jello.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Thanks guys. Rup, I just tried to give an indication that people looking in the WAF section should check out the Bose section to check out some alternatives to them if they still want a small sized system. Anything specific you think I should add to that?

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: RupTheKid
nice job Soundman. Seriously though, that's the longest single post I can remember on AT :beer:.

On a separate note, I think you may want to mention the appeal of Bose, Gallo, etc under "lifestyle systems" in the WAF category. I know as enthusiasts we're all about bang for the buck but for some people decor comes before performance, and these people don't like technology in their face. Spouses, pets, babies, etc can also have a huge role in this decision making process.

I know as computer geeks we're used to having wires and boxes all over the place...but there's probably a reason a lot of people think we're a little crazy to begin with. .

At the end of the day, if it comes down to having a lifestyle type system or no system at all, I'd take the lifestyle system.

Excellent job sir. Keep up the good work.

Personally, I would take the "reprogramming spouse" route first.

So far, I've gotten my girlfriend to accept that bose is crap and that my speakers are better because they have, in her words, "cute ice cream cones" on the top.

Jello, I dont know how extensive you want to make this guide, but there are some On-wall, in-wall models offered by axiom, and the other standard places.

Also, any plans for the video half of "home theater"? Or is that a huge can of worms

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: RupTheKid
nice job Soundman. Seriously though, that's the longest single post I can remember on AT :beer:.

On a separate note, I think you may want to mention the appeal of Bose, Gallo, etc under "lifestyle systems" in the WAF category. I know as enthusiasts we're all about bang for the buck but for some people decor comes before performance, and these people don't like technology in their face. Spouses, pets, babies, etc can also have a huge role in this decision making process.

I know as computer geeks we're used to having wires and boxes all over the place...but there's probably a reason a lot of people think we're a little crazy to begin with. .

At the end of the day, if it comes down to having a lifestyle type system or no system at all, I'd take the lifestyle system.

Excellent job sir. Keep up the good work.

Personally, I would take the "reprogramming spouse" route first.

So far, I've gotten my girlfriend to accept that bose is crap and that my speakers are better because they have, in her words, "cute ice cream cones" on the top.

Jello, I dont know how extensive you want to make this guide, but there are some On-wall, in-wall models offered by axiom, and the other standard places.

Also, any plans for the video half of "home theater"? Or is that a huge can of worms

That's a good idea on the Axioms. I'm not really familiar with many other in-wall/on-wall brands, so I wasn't sure I wanted to start one at all since I'm sure I'd leave many good options out.

Maybe I could start one and people could offer suggestions besides Axiom's and SpeakerCraft, etc.

As for video, things move much more quickly and I think in some cases it's much more of a model by model basis as to whether products really perform well, so I think it would be out of date as soon as the next refresh of products would come out.

On top of that, I really haven't been keeping up with mainstream display options since I've been a front projection guy for a few years now. Once high quality 1080p projectors start hitting the $1500 mark, I'll be interested again, but other display types aren't that interesting to me and I honestly don't want to put the effort into getting all the details down.

I also have some beliefs that go against what some people on this forum believe that would probably cause some problems. I think with this thread, I've tried to stay on topics that are pretty neutral and with general guidelines that most people would agree upon along with providing a lot of options for people to make their own decisions. (Well, except for a topic or two and I tried to make it clear in those parts where it's more of my opinion)

So, if anyone wants to make a video version of this, go right ahead because I have no plans to at the moment.
If anything, I might do something on front projection, but I don't think I'd really want to.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

So far, I've gotten my girlfriend to accept that bose is crap and that my speakers are better because they have, in her words, "cute ice cream cones" on the top.

You have a pair of Ohm Walsh speakers?

Those things are rare!

 

[RupTheKid]

Jello,

It's probably best to leave brands out of the whole thing. There's a million and one options out there...you'll likely just get a thread from 50 AT'ers with 50 different brands .

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: RupTheKid
Jello,

It's probably best to leave brands out of the whole thing. There's a million and one options out there...you'll likely just get a thread from 50 AT'ers with 50 different brands .

I hear what you're saying and I know that people are quick to recommend what they personally like, or as is often the case, what they personally own.

It's actually the reason I wanted to give some sort of starting point for some generally well regarded options for a variety of pricepoints.

I know a lot of people on AT looking for HT sets don't want to put much time or effort into this and just want to buy something, know they got decent value, and enjoy it.

Even though I did go into auditioning and setup sections, I know that a lot of people aren't going to put the time and effort into doing that.

I wanted to use this thread as a resource I could link to from other threads for specific topics so I could direct people to particular sections (rather than intending people to read it start to finish realistically). I wanted to create a section for product recommendations for starting points for research, so that's what it's in there. I didn't take a very scientific approach to my selections, but rather based it off the more popular options mentioned on AVSforum and the like. I knew I was going to miss some of these "go to options" which is what I really intended this list to be.

Since AVSforum can be so overwhelming, I intended it to either be a starting point for more research, or as is often the case from PMs and threads that I respond to, that the person just wants some bang-for-the-buck products and wants to be done with it.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead

Originally posted by: Tiamat

So far, I've gotten my girlfriend to accept that bose is crap and that my speakers are better because they have, in her words, "cute ice cream cones" on the top.

You have a pair of Ohm Walsh speakers?

Those things are rare!

nah, a pair of B&W 804s

 

[ultimatebob]

Well done! I hope that someone does a matching Home Theater Video Thread to go with this

 

[sdifox]

Yoyo, maybe you want to add the Mirage Nanosat in the alternative to Bose list?

http://www.miragespeakers.com/...lines&subid=640&id=640

I have no idea how they sound, but the Bose buyers don't care either so...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Yoyo, maybe you want to add the Mirage Nanosat in the alternative to Bose list?

http://www.miragespeakers.com/...lines&subid=640&id=640

I have no idea how they sound, but the Bose buyers don't care either so...

Added, thanks

 

[sdifox]

Oh, oh, another one, the ever popular Energy Take 5
http://www.energy-speakers.com...roduct-line.php?id=337

or Act Cinema

http://www.energy-speakers.com...roduct-page.php?id=288

Notice how I am mentioning all API brands?

P.S. Still sore about the Klipsch acquisition of API.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: RupTheKid
Jello,

It's probably best to leave brands out of the whole thing. There's a million and one options out there...you'll likely just get a thread from 50 AT'ers with 50 different brands .

You are way underestimating... more like 1000 brands from 50 ATOTers...

 

[tracerbullet]

Awesome, this thread just saved me $100 or so, in not getting a converter that I didn't need (by reading that HDMI = DVI + audio). Not only good links to alternatives to the overpriced Monster Cable, but the fact that I already have something on hand which I can use.

Thanks !

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: tracerbullet
Awesome, this thread just saved me $100 or so, in not getting a converter that I didn't need (by reading that HDMI = DVI + audio). Not only good links to alternatives to the overpriced Monster Cable, but the fact that I already have something on hand which I can use.

Thanks !

:thumbsup:

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

tagged

 

[SlickSnake]

Floyd E. Toole has also written extensively about audio for Harman International and here is an excellent white paper that also needs to be placed in your General Home Theater Audio sticky, YOyoYOhowsDAjello.

Floyd E. Toole Ph.D. Audio Science White Paper For Harman International

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: SlickSnake
Floyd E. Toole has also written extensively about audio for Harman International and here is an excellent white paper that also needs to be placed in your General Home Theater Audio sticky, YOyoYOhowsDAjello.

Floyd E. Toole Ph.D. Audio Science White Paper For Harman International

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Added to 3.3 "Other Resources" since it seemed to span several of the categories

 

[montypythizzle]

If someone can PM info on Subs ~<250 it would be really helpful, I have considered the X-Sub and the BIC something or another, I just need a decent upgrade from my Onkyo HTIB sub.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
If someone can PM info on Subs ~<250 it would be really helpful, I have considered the X-Sub and the BIC something or another, I just need a decent upgrade from my Onkyo HTIB sub.

(replied)

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
If someone can PM info on Subs ~<250 it would be really helpful, I have considered the X-Sub and the BIC something or another, I just need a decent upgrade from my Onkyo HTIB sub.

(replied)

HMM, never got that PM I was looking forward to talking too, JeLlO

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
If someone can PM info on Subs ~<250 it would be really helpful, I have considered the X-Sub and the BIC something or another, I just need a decent upgrade from my Onkyo HTIB sub.

(replied)

HMM, never got that PM I was looking forward to talking too, JeLlO

I meant that I replied to the initial question in the other thread rather than in this one
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2129394&enterthread=y

 

[Zorba]

If you change this link: http://www.bradfordshifi.com/prices.htm to this: http://www.bradfordshifi.com/prices.html it will have the current pricing information (at least for Paradigm).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Zorba
If you change this link: http://www.bradfordshifi.com/prices.htm to this: http://www.bradfordshifi.com/prices.html it will have the current pricing information (at least for Paradigm).

Thanks!