Letters to the Editor - January 2004
Silverline versus
Aperion
January 27, 2004
Editor,
If possible, I would like your input on the Silverline
home-theater setup from your archived reviews versus the Aperion "bookshelf"
setup. I'm not sure you've had the opportunity to evaluate both, but I really liked your
Silverline review and I'm sure you have probably talked about Aperion with your coworkers.
I'm in that strange place of finding something I like and worrying that I've overlooked
something important (such as missing out on revolutionary new technology, or paying too
much for comparable performance.) Thanks for your help with my big decision.
Aaron Cockson
Actually I did compare the two systems, only back then
Aperion Audio was EdgeAudio. Here's an excerpt from my review:
"At $7200, the Silverline array constitutes a
serious outlay of cash, and would obviously be a major investment next to the EdgeAudio
system.
"What does the difference in price buy you? First, a
much better midrange in either two-channel mode from just the Corona II or in theater mode
from the Center Stage. The vocal presentation is just more full, rich and lifelike. It is
also capable of projecting further into the room, denoting more output capability. The
midbass has more weight and heft as well, with a slightly more refined treble. The upper
reaches are equally revealing, but also have finesse and subtlety not found in the
lesser-priced system. One area where the EdgeAudio system can compete, though, is in the
extreme low bass. The subwoofer-enhanced Edge array plays slightly lower and with more
output than the Coronas. But add a sub to the Silverlines and the score would be settled
on all accounts, as it should be for the price."
Hope this helps....Jeff Fritz
Torn over speaker systems
January 20, 2004
To Vince Hanada,
I'm torn regarding a few speaker systems you've recommended
highly: the Mirage OM-9/OM-C2/OM-R2, Axiom
Epic 60, and Axiom Epic 80.
I listened to the OM-9 system today, and I did like it, but
wish I could hear the Axioms to have something to compare to. Can you offer any further
insight into my situation? What does the Axiom 60/80 offer that the OMs don't, and vice
versa? If you were me, what would you do?
Dave
The Mirage OM-9 and Axiom Epic 60/80 are completely
different types of speaker systems. The Mirage OM-9 throws up a deep and wide soundstage
due to its Omnipolar configuration -- with drivers on the front and rear of the speakers.
The Axiom systems are more conventional monopolar speakers, with drivers on the fronts of
the speakers only. In a nutshell, the Mirage OM-9 system provides depth at the expense of
imaging precision, whereas the Axiom systems will not provide the same sense of depth but
will image more precisely. Tonally, the OM-9 is warmer-sounding than the Axiom Epic
systems. In terms of bass response, the Epic 80 goes much deeper in the bass than either
the Epic 60 or the OM-9. My advice to you is, after listening to the OM-9, to decide
whether you really like that type of sound, because it is fairly unique in the speaker
world. If you prefer a more precisely imaging speaker, then consider the Axiom Epic 60 or
80 -- they both are incredible values and Axiom offers a money-back guarantee, so you can
always send them back should you decide they are not to your liking....Vince Hanada
Pioneer Elite DV-45A and small speakers
January 16, 2004
To Roger Kanno,
I read your
review of the Pioneer Elite DV-45A universal player. I loved the article and thought
it was a favorable review for the unit save for one sentence that concerned me. You wrote
that this unit "seems to continue to send a full-range signal to channels designated
as Small, in addition to sending the low-frequency information to the subwoofer." I
have a Yamaha receiver rated at 100Wpc, and I am leaning toward a Definitive Technology
ProCinema 100 setup for speakers. These would be considered small, and I am concerned that
either the speakers will be damaged or too much bass to these monitors will create an
awful sound. Are you suggesting that this Pioneer universal player is more suited to
full-range speakers? I am hesitant enough to jump on the multichannel/DSD bandwagon and
would like some reassurance about purchasing this unit.
Kurt Niemiec
Sending a full-range signal to a good-quality pair of
satellite speakers such as the Definitives that you are considering should not damage them
as long as you do not overdrive them. However, if the system were configured without a
subwoofer and additional bass from the LFE channel were being sent to the satellites, then
they could be overdriven much more easily, but I would not recommend that small speakers
such as those be used in this manner without a subwoofer.
One problem that you may run into is if the speakers are
set to Small and they extend below the frequency cutoff of the signal being sent to the
subwoofer. For example, if the speakers are set to Small and bass from all channels below
100Hz is sent to the subwoofer and full-range signals continue to be sent to all of the
other channels then any response below 100Hz from the satellite speakers will be redundant
and result in excessive bass. Most components that do not have adjustable crossover points
for bass management probably have the cutoff set at 80 to 100Hz. Thus it is actually
better to have smaller speakers that don’t extend much below that to avoid excessive
bass if the full-range signals continue to be sent to channels designated as
Small....Roger Kanno
Mirage and SVS
January 14, 2004
Editor,
I recently read your review of the Mirage OM-series speakers and wanted to know your
thoughts on swapping the subwoofer with an SVS
25-31PC-Plus. My budget is $3000 to $3500.
You reviewed the sub, and really made it sound like
something I would enjoy. I don't think I will have the opportunity to listen to it before
I buy it, as it's an online order only, so I wanted to hear the expert's advice
beforehand. Also, if you have a better system in mind for a 12' x 16' room that meets my
budget, let me know.
David Artz
The SVS should easily be all the sub you'll ever need
given the size of your room. I'd have no hesitation in buying it if I were you. The same
goes for the Mirage speakers as long as you can place them symmetrically in your room, as
Vince Hanada found that aspect of placement critical. The spacious soundstage these
speakers provide should actually work in your favor. It looks like you're on the right
track to me with this pairing. Mirage and SVS are certainly both well-reviewed brands
within our pages....Jeff Fritz
Nice to hear
January 5, 2004
Editor,
It's nice to hear someone sounding optimistic these days.
In your recent editorial you seem upbeat about the future of both the home-theater
industry and the world at large. I agree with your outlook and just wanted to let you know
that it's a refreshing message, and if more people felt the same, it may be a
self-fulfilling prophecy.
Julia Boxman
I've been accused of being an optimist before -- and
it's a badge I'll gladly wear. In this case I'd say I'm a realist. Things really are
looking up!...Jeff Fritz |
