May 25, 2001

Editor,

I need your advice urgently. I have Sony KV-36FS70 widescreen TV, which is equipped with S-video SCART inputs. My DVD player is also from Sony, a DVP-735 model which does not have SCART inputs (but has five-pin S-video output). I just bought QED AV12 (S-video to S-video SCART ) to connect DVD to my TV. But unfortunately during playback the picture shakes and the colors come and go. What could be the problem?

Many thanks for your help.

Girish Arora

These products are not sold in the US, and we do not use SCART video connections, so I will have to guess at the problem. It sounds like a sync (synchronization) problem. The DVD player is operating at a frequency the TV is not expecting. This can come from settings of either the TV or DVD player or both. It could also come from PAL vs. NTSC problems (or some other video-format difference). Sometimes the DVD players can be "dual mode," which means they can play NTSC or PAL discs. You select this from a menu somewhere. If the TV is expecting NTSC and you send PAL signals, you get the kind of problem you describe -- same problem with the signals reversed, TV set to PAL and DVD set to NTSC.

There could also be a problem if the TV is trying to make a 16:9 image from 4:3 ratio DVDs or a problem only when you play anamorphic (sometimes called "enhanced for widescreen") DVDs because the DVD player is not set to the correct mode. If the TV can produce a 16:9 image, set the DVD player menu to "Monitor: 16:9."

Those are the only things I can think of, except that the QED device may be defective....Doug Blackburn

May 17, 2001

To Doug Schneider,

I know you have reviewed the Axiom Millennia M3Ti, and I am in desperate need of your assistance. I live in the United States and, therefore, I am not able to audition a pair of the M3Tis since Axiom does not sell in the States. I am putting together a modest home-theater system powered by a Sony STR-DE 845 A/V (DTS/DD 5 x 100Wpc) receiver and a very unimpressive sub (that will be my next upgrade). I am college student and don't have much money to spend on things like HT (around $300 a pair), and I also live in a typical college apartment with a relatively small living room. I was considering the Paradigm Monitor 3s, Axiom M3Tis, and the JBL S38s for my fronts. In your opinion, which would serve me best? I am particularly interested in knowing how the M3Tis would compare to the Paradigm Monitor 3s in HT use. Just to give you an inkling of my audio preferences, I prefer a crisp and sharp midrange and treble, but I also do like moderate levels of bass. I hope you fine time to answer my questions, and I appreciate you taking time to read this e-mail. I eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,

Anthony Molet

The Axiom M3Ti is an outstanding loudspeaker and performs far beyond its price point. In fact, it's my preferred speaker over some others that cost many times the M3Ti's modest price. I'm not the only one who thinks so either -- you will see what Srajan Ebaen has to say in GoodSound! in the June issue. However, the M3Ti does have some limitations, including overall output capability. Depending on your room size and loudness preferences, the M3Ti may or may not suit your needs. As for its bass, I find it adequate, but I must say again that it will depend on your own preferences for bass depth and loudness. I am not familiar with the JBL speaker at all, and I do not have considerable experience with Paradigm's new Monitor series, but there will be a review of complete system by John Potis using the Monitor 9s for front channels. One thing I do know, though, is whether the Paradigm folks have designed the new Monitor lineup for high output and high efficiency. As well, given that the Monitor 3 has an 8" woofer (as opposed the M3Ti's 6.5" woofer) and a larger cabinet, it likely has deeper bass and more output capability. In the end, though, this information should just be taken as a guideline. It's crucial that you try to audition the speakers before you buy. As for Paradigm, that should be easy since they have many dealers sprinkled throughout the US. Axiom sells factory-direct, but I see that they do have a "30 Day Complete Satisfaction Guarantee," which should alleviate concerns....Doug Schneider

May 16, 2001

Editor,

I enjoy reading your articles on receivers and your site in general. I would like to encourage you, if you get the chance, to review the Marantz SR18EX A/V receiver. This unit is far superior in the 6.1 and 7.1 classification than the Onkyo Integra 989, Denon or Yamaha you are reviewing (even the SR19EX, which is cheaper). These flagships of Marantz make the others look like child's toys in ALL categories. Thanks again for the great site.

Timothy Pawluk

May 10, 2001

To Doug Blackburn,

I read your column "Subwoofers (and Bass) for Home Theater," and I must say that it was both a shocking experience and put a BIG smile on my lips when I realized that my home cinema was capable of much more oomph and fidelity than I first thought. I have small satellites (Atlantic Technology System 4.5), and after reading your column, I started to experiment by wiring my subwoofer with high-level connections as suggested by the manual AND low-level subwoofer output from the amplifier. I had to set my amp to "large" on all speakers and make sure that LFO should go to subwoofer to make it work, but what SOUND!

Greetings from a Swedish audio maniac.

Johan Silversjö

May 4, 2001

Editor,

Having seen your review of the EdgeAudio speakers, I wanted to ask for your opinion on how they compare to Atlantic Technology's 350THX system. You would help me greatly since, I've been agonizing over this decision for a while. (I've been reading reviews up the wazoo and haven't been able to audition the EdgeAudio speakers since they're only available online.) I'm looking primarily for home theater, but would like a very musical system as well.

Also, I know that these systems are rather different, but I can purchase either of them within a $300 price difference. Thanks for you help.

Tom Linn

I wish I could be more help with the Atlantic Technology system, but, alas, we have not reviewed it. I will inquire about a sample, though, as you are the second reader to ask about them. Regarding the EdgeAudio speakers, as the review states, we like them a lot. EdgeAudio is introducing some new products and the finish is being changed a bit, so contacting the company may be helpful. Good luck, and let me know what you get....Jeff Fritz

May 3, 2001

Editor,

I've really enjoyed your equipment reviews since I've discovered your site. I own quite a bit of mid-fi stereo and HT hardware (just bought a set of NHT Super Twos) and have seen almost nothing across the Internet regarding Wharfedale speakers (I own a pair of MFM-3s). It seems this company is not a blip on the screen and no one is reviewing their products. Do you have any subjective info on this line of speakers?

Thank you,

Scott Riedesel

I don't have any personal experience with Wharfedale speakers, but I do know the brand has been around a long time. I've also seen quite a few Wharfedale speakers for sale on the Internet. I'll do a bit of checking -- since they are selling and of interest to readers, it would be worthwhile to try and arrange a review....Jeff Fritz

May 2, 2001

To Jeff Fritz,

I liked your review of Pitch Black very much! By the way, do you have a clue if a soundtrack of that movie exists?

Tom Wagner

It seems a lot of people have been looking for the Pitch Black soundtrack; this became quite apparent during some research I conducted. Unfortunately, according to several sources, it does not exist. Sorry!...Jeff Fritz

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