HSU versus SVS

October 27, 2003

Editor,

I just read your review of the SVS 25-31PC-Plus subwoofer -- a fun, informative read. Thank you very much.

I'm curious to know if you've ever listened to a HSU subwoofer? HSU and SVS seem to be the reigning kings of bang-for-your-buck subwoofers, but it's truly rare to ever read an actual comparison. I'm wondering how they stack up against each other. They seem to lay all their other competition to waste.

If you've heard both, I'd love to get your thoughts. If not, a side-by-side review of two similar models from each company would be HUGELY appreciated by the audio/Internet community. I read messages from people DAILY asking about these two companies. As popular as they are, no one has ever heard the two together. (I'm guessing it's because both are so good, if you buy one, you never think about wanting another sub!)

Craig

I wonder the same thing -- and that means we'll have to try and set it up. We do have a review of an HSU Research subwoofer coming soon on our sister site, www.goodsound.com. But, alas, there's no comparison with SVS because another writer, not myself, has the product. Your request is noted, however, and well see what we can do to make it happen. We're on it!...Jeff Fritz

Advice on Klipsch

October 22, 2003

To Wes Marshall,

I just read your July 2001 review of the Klipsch Reference Series speakers. I have been looking at purchasing a system for my home for quite some time now, and have basically settled upon the Klipsch Reference Series speakers -- the 7, or upper models, and the 15" subwoofer. I can get this system from my local dealer for a bit above $4000 plus wire and tax.

Have you reviewed this system, or can you point me to a good, solid review of these speakers? I really enjoy listening to most types of music on these speakers and especially for rock and home theater. Vocals sound better on the Definitive Technology system, but that system just cannot compete with Klipsch in the rock or home-theater areas.

The article I mentioned above was very helpful to me, so any input that you have would be helpful, either directly from you or another good source. Thank you in advance for your help.

David Polk

The speakers I reviewed have been superceded by the RF35s. I haven't used the RF7, but I would expect they take the strengths of the RF3s and build. Klipsch speakers are sturdy and sound good, and they are extremely efficient. Since much of the final sound will come from your amplification, processing, and wiring, I would strongly recommend that you borrow a few systems and install them at your house. That way, you'll know which sound is right for you.

Besides the Klipsch and Definitive Technology speakers, try to audition the Mirage OM-9, the Canton Ergo System and the Polk RTi150 system. They all have quite different sounds from each other and the Klipsches.

Finally, I have a left-field suggestion for you. JBL's professional division makes an active loudspeaker called the LSR28. Go into most film studios and you'll find some of these speakers being used for final edits. For just a little more than you've budgeted, you could get five identical speakers and add in a Sunfire True Sub for a killer sound. Since all of the speakers are active, you won't need a power amp and can focus on a great processor like the Outlaw Audio Model 950, probably ending up spending less overall. I use the LSR28s in a home-music-production studio and they sound great. Let me know what you end up with....Wes Marshall

Mega speaker comparison

October 21, 2003

To Wes Marshall,

Could you compare the Axiom Epic Micro, Acoustic Research HC6, Energy Take 5.2, and Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 60 packages, and any other that qualifies?

Andy Castillo

Unfortunately, I have no experience with the speaker systems you are interested in. They are all good brands and each will have certain strengths over the others. What I would recommend is that you take three or four of your favorite CDs and a couple of your favorite DVDs and listen to each on your own time. Trust your ears -- they work better with your brain than my ears.

If I were cornered and had to make the decisions, I would follow the advice above. Let me know what you choose....Wes Marshall

Decor over performance?

October 20, 2003

Editor,

I perceive a change in many of the products on the market now, mainly speakers, which favor looks over performance. Have you noticed this in the reviews that you and your magazine have done? My wife and I see it in the stores.

Tracey Wheeler

There has been a trend towards decor-friendly products being available to the consumer -- this is what a large segment of the population wants. In some instances there is a compromise in performance to reach a certain size or form factor. However, some companies, Thiel Audio comes to mind as a perfect example, have combined groundbreaking technology with aesthetic prowess to produce products you'd have a hard time pigeonholing exclusively into either the performance or decor-friendly categories -- their Power series fits both. And there are, and will always be, products that are large, ugly, and hard to hide but that place all the emphasis on performance. There's something for everyone, no matter what priorities are important....Jeff Fritz

New Paradigm versus old

October 8, 2003

To Doug Schneider,

I read some of your reviews. Do you think Paradigm's new Studio CC-470 center-channel speaker sounds better than the Studio CC of old? I'm getting ready to upgrade and considering this new model. However, the CC I have sounds great. Any expert advice would be helpful!

Will

I believe the center-channel speaker is one of the most misunderstood in multichannel applications. Is the new Studio CC-470 better than the Studio CC? The answer to that really depends on your other speakers. To my mind, the role of a center-channel speaker is to match the sound of left and right front speakers above all else. Many do not, for a variety of reasons, and if they don't match you'll have sonic discrepancies from one speaker to the other. I shake my head, actually, when I see manufacturers offering multichannel speaker systems where the left, right, middle, and surround speakers are not the same tonally. It's also why a center-channel speaker can never be reviewed in isolation -- it's always part of a set. In terms of the Studio CC-470, I suspect it's a better center-channel speaker for the rest of the new Studio line, since I know the Paradigm company well and their goal is also to tonally and timbrally match all the speakers in a set. Is the Studio CC-470 better for you, then, than the older model? That depends on what your other speakers are....Doug Schneider

Speaker options

October 6, 2003

Editor,

My wife Rindy and I wrote you a few weeks ago about SVS subwoofers -- we really appreciated your timely response. We will be ordering either the SVS 25-31 or the 20-39 PC Plus sub later this week (maybe you should get a commission out of the deal!). Again, thanks for your professional opinion!

We do have a second concern -- we have narrowed the surround speakers (which, aesthetically, need to be small or mini and wall mountable) down to the Paradigm Cinema Series 90s (with the Cinema CC and, maybe, ADP rears) and the Mirage OMNISAT or OMNISAT Micros. What is your opinion of these speakers? How do you feel about the omnidirectional speakers and how they'll handle both music and home theater in a 5.1 or 6.1 configuration? Which of these two systems would you prefer? Maybe you'd suggest something totally different.

Mark and Rindy Senn

No problem at all, and congratulations on that subwoofer! As you can probably guess by reading our archives, we're quite high on both Paradigm and Mirage speakers. As far as brands go, you're looking at some great stuff. As for configuration, the systems you're considering at are quite different and the results you'll get will vary. Briefly, direct-radiating speakers like the Cinema 90s will provide a more focused sound, whereas the OMNISATs will be more diffuse and enveloping. They're both excellent options that you really have to hear to be able to decide on which sound you'll like best in the long term. For a detailed discussion on the subject see "Surround Speakers Dipoles and Direct Radiators." This is a good starting point for your research. Let me know how it goes and what your next step will be and we'll keep everyone apprised of your system's progress....Jeff Fritz

InFocus ScreenPlay 7200

October 3, 2003

Editor,

I just noticed on your coming-soon list that the InFocus ScreenPlay 7200 projector is slated for a review. This is a model I'm looking at myself and was wondering if you knew when the review would be published. I have just started the audition process, so I have some time to wait. Thanks.

Blaine Wilson

Look for the InFocus review from Wes Marshall in the next six weeks....Jeff Fritz

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