Letters to the Editor - May 2002
Krell Showcase
May 31, 2002
Editor,
Do you know much about Krell's newest product line,
Showcase? I know that it's more economical then their other lines. Thanks.
Jay Fichman
Krell's Showcase line is a scaled-down version of their
current HTS/TAS lineup. The power ratings are lower on the amplifier and the upgradeable
architecture is missing on the processor. The cosmetics appear to be identical. I can't
comment on the sound quality as I have not heard any Showcase products....Jeff Fritz
Rear speakers
May 23, 2002
Editor,
I am really impressed by the guidance you have been giving
to people, and this has encouraged me to send you an e-mail about some questions I have on
the home-theater setup that I am considering. I was considering the following setup for my
Klipsch Reference (already own RP-3s) Series front speakers:
Yamaha HTR-5460 or Onkyo TX-SR600 receiver (these are new
6.1-channel receivers)
Axiom M3Ti for surrounds.
The reason I am thinking of buying the Axioms is because
Klipsch does not offer direct-radiating speakers for surrounds, and I have heard that
direct-radiating speakers will be better for listening to music. Also, I am impressed with
the reviews of Axiom speakers on your site. The concern I have is timbre matching between
the Axiom and Klipsch speakers. Will the horn drivers of Klipsch speakers create any
problems in the above setup?
Jay Adeep
I'd look at a pair of bookshelf Klipsch speakers to use
as surrounds. I agree with your choice of direct-radiating surrounds, as this is my
preference also. Although the Axioms are quite good, I think the likelihood of getting
cohesive sound with the horns would be best accomplished using more horns. Don't worry
that the surrounds you'll likely choose are typically used as mains -- the speakers don't
know whether they're being used as a surround or not. Just because a speaker is not
marketed as a rear speaker, it doesn't mean you should not use it there. Go for another
pair of Klipsch speakers in the back and I think you'll be quite happy....Jeff Fritz
Klipsch or not?
May 22, 2002
Editor,
I read your review
of the B&K AVR307, and you did a great job. I actually purchased this unit with a
pair of Klipsch RF-7 speakers to also complement my new Mitsubishi 65" 169 HTDV. I
probably cheaped out a bit and opted for the center-channel to be the Klipsch RC-3II
instead of the RC-7, but I had to budget something! I still have to get five more speakers
to complete the THX Ultra setup -- the sub, the dipole left and right rears and the back
left and right rears. Any suggestions? Should I stay with Klipsch? Thanks again.
Patrick Stepp
As long as you like the sound of your Klipsch speakers,
it is best to stay within the brand so that your speaker array is closely matched in
timbre. This approach ensures a better chance of seamless sound throughout your room. If,
though, there is something you dislike about the Klipsch sound, now would be the time to
change! A full 7.1 setup requires quite an investment. Be sure you like what you hear now,
because you will hear even more of that sound when surrounded by seven speakers....Jeff
Fritz
Placing rear speakers
May 21, 2002
To Roger Kanno,
I have a fairly straightforward question for you regarding
rear speaker placement on a 7.1 home-theater system. I'm finishing my basement. The room
is a fairly long rectangle (approximately 36' x 22'). The TV will be built into the short
wall (22') at one end. The couch (main listening area) is approximately 13' from the front
speakers and TV. Now, in your "Cinema Cynergy" article dated January 2001, you mention the importance of having all speakers
placed equidistant from the listening area; however, you show the rear speakers slightly
closer to the seating position than the front speakers. In my basement, I have room to
place the rear speakers 13' back from the seating position; however, the rear speakers
will not be against a back wall. Should I place the rear speakers that far back, and if I
do, does it matter that the back wall is still another 10' behind the rear speakers?
Mike Cannady
The diagram might have been off a little, but yes, all
of the speakers should ideally be placed the same distance from the listening position. If
the listening position is actually a single point, and you measure out exactly the same
distance to multiple speaker positions, that distance will be the radius of a circle and
each of the speaker positions should fall on the circumference of that circle. Therefore,
the center-channel speaker should actually be set back slightly from the left and right
mains, and the left and right surrounds should be forward of the center surrounds.
So to answer your question, each of the surround speakers
(and the fronts) should be 13' from the listening position. Placing them back another 10'
would probably be too far, and it is not critical that they be against a wall. However,
you may find that 13' may be too far for some dipole surround speakers, which can sound
overly diffuse if they are too far away from the listener and you may want to experiment
with how far to the sides you place your left and right surrounds. You can adjust for the
differences in distances with the delay settings on your receiver or processor.
The placement of surround speakers is highly dependent
on the room, the type of speaker, and the preferences of the listener, and are often not
placed in what would be considered the "ideal" position....Roger Kanno
Pass through vs. preamp output
May 17, 2002
Editor,
I own a Bel Canto 200.2 and love the amp. I have a First
Sound tube preamp and Toshiba DV-9200, which plays DVD/CD/DVD-A. I run all this into a
Talon monitor/sub combo that is wonderfully detailed and engaging. I've been thinking of
building up my stereo system into a home-theater system, but if I want to go with a full
Bel Canto amp system, I'll have to work at it a step at a time (due to the cost). I'm
thinking of getting an A/V receiver to act as a preamp. I want to use my Bel Canto amp
rather than the receiver's amp all the time, but all I read about is "analog pass
through." If I use a receiver as an A/V preamp, do I have to run everything through
it or can I still run my two main-channel speakers directly through the Bel Canto from the
Toshiba player?
Kevin Teixeira
The analog pass through is simply a set of six-channel
analog inputs no different than any other line-level input. What you are looking for is
the preamp outputs. This allows you to use the preamp/processing aspects of the A/V
receiver with external amplification such as your Bel Canto amp. Simply connect the left
and right preamp outputs of the receiver to your amplifier's inputs and you're in
business....Jeff Fritz
New preamp/processor
May 16, 2002
Editor,
I am in the hunt for a new preamp/processor for my
home-theater system. Just recently, I bought a new Sherbourn 5/1500A multichannel amp to
replace my old Adcom GFA-6000. Now, I would like to complement the Sherbourn's performance
with an upgrade to replace my current Adcom GTP-750. I am looking for something in the
$2000-$3000 range. I had once considered the Anthem but recent format upgrades have since
increased its cost. Can you recommend to me some pre/pros that not only fall within my
price scope, but that will give me better performance than I am currently getting?
Tony Lu
On the lower end of the price scale, you can check out
the Outlaw Audio Model 950. It is priced at under $1000 and appears to have an excellent
feature set, although we have not heard one yet. I would not count out the Anthem though.
It is only priced a bit out of your $3000 upper limit, and with a reasonable discount, you
may want to make the stretch as it is a top-notch unit in every respect. Unfortunately,
there's scant little out there that I can otherwise suggest....Jeff Fritz
Biggest bang for the buck
May 15, 2002
Editor,
I read your review of the Aperion (formerly Edge Audio) home-theater speaker
package with interest. Having read other positive reviews from Home Theater & Sound,
I am starting to get a bit confused with all that is out there in the $2000-and-under
price range. The Axiom M22Ti package is another one, as well as slightly more, the Axiom
Epic 80, along with an Energy Encore package, and a KEF system, among others.
I am always looking for the biggest bang for my buck.
Appreciate all feedback. Thank you.
Kurt Richards
Your point is a good one. There are a number of really
good speaker systems available right now. The key is that, although they each have their
strengths and weaknesses, they are different and will appeal to various customers. Knowing
what your sonic (and aesthetic) priorities are, you can narrow down the list to the best
systems for your purposes. A review can be a great start, but in the end you have to
decide what will make you happy based on your criteria....Jeff Fritz
Processor obsolescence
May 8, 2002
Editor,
What do you think of the current crop of A/V processors? I
ask because I want to buy one, but I am nervous that some new processing mode will come
out and render what I buy obsolete. Sorry for my confusion, but it is a big purchase for
me.
Daryl Dockery
Your concerns are well founded given the recent history
of the processor market. I think things are somewhat stable for right now, though who
knows? My take is that, although there is some designed-in obsolescence, we should not
worry too much about it. Get a unit that can support what you want now, and don't get too
hung up on what might be on the horizon. Whatever it is, it may not be anything you can
use anyway. Processors are like personal computers: You might have the latest and greatest
today, but that surely won't last for long....Jeff Fritz
Thanks for the interview
May 4, 2002
Editor,
Thanks for the interview with Dan D'Agostino of Krell.
Although I can't afford the components he makes, it is fun to read about his company's
history. You guys do a good job at giving us plenty of variety, and this proves it. I'd
love to see interviews with some of the other really high-end designers. Keep up the good
work.
Michael Talbrook |
