Letters to the Editor - January 2002
January 23, 2002
To Jeff Fritz,
I'm considering the purchase of the PLUS
HE-3100 Piano, and enjoyed your comments on the unit. You mentioned that it's ideal
for viewing DVDs, but what about having the gang over to watch the big game? Would I be
better off going with a widescreen HD-ready 65" Mitsubishi for all-around viewing
pleasure? Am I going to be disappointed down the road since the Piano is not HD-ready?
Thanks for your input.
Sincerely,
Brad Crews
This is a question that often arises, and one that is
really a matter of personal taste. I would suggest you take a close look at the amount of
HD programming available now and the latest projections and weigh this against your
movie-watching pleasure and desire to have a picture larger than 65". Many have asked
if the PLUS Piano will be upgraded to handle HD. That is not something we can definitively
answer now. If it happens, it is unlikely they will be able to hold the line on price,
though that is speculation. If you like to watch live sporting events in HD, it would be
hard to make the case for the Piano against the Mitsubishi....Jeff Fritz
A picture of 65" is not big enough to make me
happy. If it is big enough for you, then the Mitsubishi would do better on HDTV
broadcasts. They still haven't figured out how to deal with 4:3 broadcasts, other than to
stretch the picture, without burning in the CRTs. This is a key issue for me. The DLP in
the PLUS isn't prone to the burn problem. If you've got the bucks for the Mitsubishi
65," also consider the Sharp 9000, a DLP available at around $8000. There you get a
projector that will do 720p (HD), smaller pixels, brighter picture and all of the benefits
of DLP. Where I live, HD is virtually non-existent (satellite and Leno only), so I care
more about DVD, which makes the PLUS Piano an ideal stopgap for me....Wes Marshall
January 20, 2002
To Jeff Fritz,
I enjoy reading your reviews, even when I cannot afford
some of the products you review (e.g., Wilson Audio).
In any case, I want to replace my 26" TV and Radio
Shack Optimus speakers and get into a 5.1 surround-sound/big-screen-TV setup. But I just
can't make myself spend more than $10,000 for everything I need. And I need everything
(DVD, receiver, cables, speakers and TV monitor, etc.). Truth be known, I don't even
want to spend that much!
I was focusing on a Mitsubishi 65" Diamond (WS-65908)
for about $5000 and Klipsch Reference speakers. But then I read your review (and many
others) that stated the Aperion Audio speakers ($1390) are really quite good for about
$1400 or maybe an Axiom system (Epic Grand Master for $1510).
Do you have any advice? Thanks.
Bill Collins
The Klipsch, Axiom, and Aperion systems are all quite
different. The Aperion speakers are an excellent value, finished in a high-quality manner,
especially at the price, and have good drive units as a trademark of the design. I still
stand by my original assessment that they are a deal among deals. The Axioms will likely
play louder, also have high-quality drive units, and give you a simply stellar amount of
hardware for the money. I'd say you can't go wrong with either Internet-based company. The
Klipsch system is only available through an authorized dealer, so you would likely have
some assistance with in-home setup. They are horn-loaded speakers, which means they will
play very loud with minimal power. This may be a great alternative if you are going to use
a low-powered receiver or have the system in a very large room. All three systems have
their places and offer the user a lot of sound for the dollar...Jeff Fritz
January 16, 2002
To John Potis,
I just read your review of the Magnepan
home-theater speaker system and decided to send you my comments. I have a Magnepan
system (MG3.6/R, MGCC1) with JMlab Electra SR30 speakers for surrounds and two Vandersteen
subs (V2W and 2Wq). I do agree that a box speaker does play louder than a Maggie, but
lacks the subtle details and airiness of the Maggie. I also find that the MG3.6/R brings
the entire room alive with sound. Before upgrading to the Theta Casanova, I always had a
problem with the center sounding thin. Volume wasn't an issue; it just didn't have any
authority. As stated in your article, the low frequency has to be routed elsewhere. As
great as the Maggie system is, people who are looking for pure boom will not be impressed.
For any music lover, the Maggie is the only way go. Did you notice how the soundtracks in
movies just come alive? As much as I like movies, I do find myself watching more concerts
on DVD than movies.
I originally started with the MMG then upgraded to the
MG1.6. I was quite happy with the MG1.6, then I heard the MG3.6/R. I was completely blown
away: midrange to die for and the smoothest highs I have heard. Needless to say, my buddy
is very happy as he got a steal on my MG1.6es. In summary, I am extremely pleased with my
current system and will never own another box speaker. Thanks for your time.
David Lee
January 13, 2002
Thanks for your helpful review of Krell's new HTS2/TAS
combination. We have enjoyed a great-sounding two-channel setup for a couple of years --
the Krell KAV-500i amplifier plus a pair of Dynaudio T2.5 speakers -- and are now debating
whether to step up to full home-theater mode. The new Krell combination you reviewed was
recommended to us, but we're balking at the $14,000 price tag, which seems particularly
high relative to the cost of buying three additional Dynaudio speakers.
If we sold the 500i, is a piece like the integrated B&K
AVR307 up to the task of anchoring our system? In the alternative, there is also the
option of adding a separate surround-sound processor and three-channel amplifier to the
500i. If we went this route, would we also need a Krell amplifier, or could we use
something simpler? We aren't playing at high decibel levels, and have never had the 500i
beyond the half-way volume mark. Our higher priority is music, and we don't want to
compromise our listening experience for the five-speaker setup.
Regards,
Mike & Suein Hwang
Since you seem to enjoy the fine Krell/Dynaudio
combination, I think it would be best to preserve it. Using Krell's Theater Throughput,
you can connect a surround receiver's front speaker outputs to the appropriate inputs
(check your manual) of the Krell. This would give you home-theater processing and power
for the rear channels while still using the Krell to power your main speakers and
preserving its use for music listening. You could add a less-expensive receiver than the
B&K AVR307 too, since it would only be used for the rear and center channels and you
would have no need for seven additional channels of amplification....Jeff Fritz
January 6, 2002
Editor,
My equipment consists of Reference Series Paradigm Studio
100, CC center-channel, Servo 15 subwoofer and ADP dipole surround speakers; Yamaha RX V-1
receiver; and a Panasonic TAU 36" TV with a Panasonic RP-91 DVD player. I am wanting
proper instructions on how to hook this all up. I get conflicting advice even from the
various people that I purchased the items from. I get confused when I think everything is
fine, but I wonder why when I start pulling connections out from the amp, everything still
operates fine. So why do I need this wire and that wire if the system works fine without
them? I would rather hear from an expert on how to get the most out of what I've got at
present. The system sounds really good, but I would hate to think that I have been
listening to it at less than its full potential for the sake of moving a wire from here to
there. Is there something you can help me with (other than needing a university course on
this stuff) or direct me to a website that clearly explains the confusion I am drowning
in? Thank you.
John Cambell
Roger Kanno's column, "Cinema Cynergy,"
located in our Features
section, is a great place to start. Looking at the archives at the bottom of the
current page, you will find a basic article on home-theater installation (December 2000).
Proceeding from there, you'll also see articles explaining cables, surround formats,
speaker placement, and just about everything you need to get the most from your system.
The articles are not written as a university course, but rather to impart quick, efficient
advice for the enthusiast concerned with excellent sound. Have a look and let us know if
you have any further questions....Jeff Fritz
January 5, 2002
To Doug Blackburn,
I thought you might be able to offer me an opinion. I'm
getting various opinions from the different stereo/home-theater dealers in my area. I want
to know if the component video switches on my new Marantz SR8200 receiver will be capable
of transmitting a DVD's progressive-scan signal through the receiver and into my (future)
HD television. Some people are telling me that it'll work fine (signal in will be the
signal out) whereas others are saying that I will lose the progressive-scan signal if
routing through the receiver.
Michael Anthony Lee
There is always some negative effect on a video signal
when you pass it through the receiver inputs rather than send it directly to the video
display. You have extra sets of connectors, and extra cables in the video signal path you
would not have if you routed the signal directly to the video display with a single set of
cables. The loss is small, but visible. For the absolute best DVD image quality, connect
the DVD player directly to the video display.
Any receiver that has component video inputs and
outputs can pass a progressive-scan DVD signal without any problem whatsoever. Later on,
if you do end up with an HDTV monitor, those do require video switching that has a higher
bandwidth specification than interlaced or progressive NTSC video. Receivers that switch
HDTV video will clearly state that they are HDTV compatible (sometimes only via the
component connections). Receivers which are not HDTV compatible for video switching will
generally make no specific statement other than "component video switching."
Statements like "wide-bandwidth video switching" are meaningless as they don't
specify whether the bandwidth is high enough for HDTV or not.
If you aren't sure whether your receiver will switch
HDTV, just make sure when you buy the HDTV set that you have enough inputs for satellite
or whatever other HD sources you will use so the video display can do the switching for
you. The HD display will probably have PIP capability, so you can access the receiver's
menus in one window separate from the HD or DVD source. Thus, there really isn't a
compelling reason to have to use the receiver to switch HD sources at all, again avoiding
unnecessary (and expensive) video cabling and the losses that are inevitable when more
cable and connectors are added to the signal path....Doug Blackburn
January 4, 2002
To Wes Marshall,
I am building a new house with a theater room. I read your review
of the PLUS HE-3100 Piano DLP projector, and I need your advice. I will move into my
home in June. Do you anticipate that the product will be upgraded in the next few months?
Do you expect other manufacturers to follow PLUS Vision's lead and offer a product with
similar value and quality?
Loved your article! Thanks!
Keith Bibelhausen
I don't know for sure if PLUS will upgrade the Piano
before June, but I sincerely doubt it. It is a front-running product now in the
price/quality sweepstakes, and I don't see any of the home-theater companies stepping up
to compete in that price range. Perhaps some of the presentation companies will bring some
pressure, but otherwise, PLUS would have no reason to upgrade. I do anticipate PLUS coming
out with the 169 that Sharp uses, probably by the summer. But that is conjecture -- no one
at PLUS has told me this, and it would have to cost substantially more than the
Piano....Wes Marshall
January 3, 2002
Editor,
Your Edge/Aperion Audio 502D & SW 12 review was a great article! I am in
the market for a home-theater system in this price range. Do you know what the
"highs" and "lows" are of this system as compared to the Axiom
Audio Epic 80 home-theater system or the M22Ti SE speakers? This would certainly help
me in making an informed decision. They cost about the same but since I can't audition
them, I was wondering if you would have any preference. Thanks for your help.
Rocky
This is honestly a case where you can't go wrong, and
I'd feel completely confident that you would be happy with either system. I know both
sound good, as has been described in our reviews. There is an aesthetic difference -- the
systems look drastically different with their respective finishes. From a sound
standpoint, they both seem to defy their price, possibly due to the Internet-based sales
approach, not to mention good companies producing them. Sorry to sound like I'm avoiding
your question, but you have chosen two excellent systems....Jeff Fritz
January 2, 2002
Editor,
I just read your
excellent review of the B&K AVR307 receiver and was intrigued and a bit confused.
I just bought (not too late to return -- still in the box) a Rotel 1065 A/V receiver. I
use separates (older Acurus 200 x 3 and RL 11) currently for two-channel sound, and I do
not want to step down for multichannel. Can you please help me? I would appreciate any
advice you can give me. Thank you.
David Ring
Having not heard the Rotel, I can't give you a direct
comparison. I do know their products to be excellent, though the 1065 is one I'm not
familiar with. One aspect of the B&K receiver that appeals to many users are the
numerous processing options and setup configurations, such as the adjustable crossover. If
the Rotel has all the features you want, and you don't need the advanced capabilities of
the B&K, spending more for the B&K may not be cost-effective for you. The Rotel
will likely sound excellent, so I would not worry too much about your purchase. Unless the
B&K has something you can't live without, or you think you may need in the future,
just enjoy your new receiver and don't look back....Jeff Fritz |
