Letters to the Editor - September
2005
More projector advice
September 30, 2005
Do you use a projector? Is there one you recommend? I want
a projector, but I don't know where to start.
Rob Burke
You want a projector? I WANT A PROJECTOR! The problem
is, I don't have enough money for the one I really want, Sony's Qualia 004, which is
$30,000. I don't even have enough for Sony's VPL-VW100, which costs just $10,000 and seems
to offer about 90% of the 004's performance. Frankly, while there are others on the
market, even for just a few thousand dollars, these are the ones that blow my socks off
and I think I could live with -- if I could just afford them. Still, it's good news that
the price of super-high-performance projectors is coming down, and someday one may even
find its way into my room. Keep looking, as I am. Time is on our side....Doug Schneider
Lexicon too high end?
September 26, 2005
Editor,
I have pair of old JBL L96 speakers that still sound good.
I want to get a receiver, a center-channel speaker, and a pair of surround speakers. My
current choice is a Lexicon RV-8 or Denon AVR-4806 for the receiver. As for speakers, I am
looking at the Infinity Beta series. I want to know if the Lexicon RV-8 is too high end
for the speakers that I plan to buy, or should I get a cheaper receiver to match my
speakers. I did talk to one Rotel dealer, and he suggested that I get a good separate
preamp/amp. Of course he suggested that I buy Rotel, then later buy more expensive
speakers to match the system. He explained that it would be a waste of money if my
speakers did not make use of the full potential of the Lexicon or any high-end receiver.
Paul
I don't think a receiver can be too "high end"
for a given set of speakers. I do think, however, that you may be happier in the long run
if you change your strategy a bit. I would look at possibly replacing the older JBLs with
a fully matched surround system. The Infinity Betas are a good choice. Having a more
matched setup would yield better performance with multichannel soundtracks. The JBLs you
have might not match well with the Infinity system. I suppose you could buy the Infinity
center and surrounds and try them out with the JBLs to see how you like the sound, but
just don't spend your entire budget on that Lexicon yet, as you might want to purchase the
main speakers in the Beta line once you hear how the center and surrounds perform....Jeff
Fritz
Projector advice
September 19, 2005
I'm looking at purchasing my first projector in the coming
months. I have seen the InFocus 7205 and liked it, and was wondering if you have seen the
new Runco CL410 -- their $3500 machine? It does not do high definition -- it scales it.
Resolution is 1289x540. If you have seen the two, any thoughts?
Dan Plotnick
I am a fan of Runco for both their products and customer
service. That being said, unless you intend to keep your projected picture under about
50", no 1024 x 576 projector will give you the picture that a 1280 x720 will. The
pixel density is too important. On top of that, the 7205 is a stellar performer at a great
price. I would take the 7205 in a heartbeat, unless I could afford to move up to the
Optoma H79 DLP....Wes Marshall
Axiom, PSB, or Paradigm?
September 2, 2005
To Eric Hetherington,
I am currently in the market for a new home-theater system.
I have done a fair amount of research and have narrowed it down to three: Paradigm
Reference Studio series, PSB Image series, and Axiom Epic 60 (or maybe Epic 80).
Unfortunately, the only speakers that I have access to locally are the Paradigms. I would
have to drive an hour and half to listen to the PSBs and do not have any access to the
Axioms. Therefore I will be unable to compare these speakers side by side. I was wondering
if you could provide me some assistance based on your experience and professional opinion.
I have read all of the reviews on the SoundStage! Network websites.
Below is a list of the components I was planning on putting together for each brand, along
with my initial thoughts.
Paradigm Reference Studio: 60 v.3, CC-570 v.3, ADP-470 v.3,
Seismic 12. These were my initial first choice, considering I have access to them and can
listen to them. All the reviews I have read are outstanding. But these are the most
expensive.
PSB Image: T65, C60, S50, SubSonic 6i. These are cheaper
than the Paradigms and have good looks. But I have to drive some distance to listen to
them, and there are not many finish choices.
Axiom Epic 60: M60ti, VP100, QS8, EP350. The reviews are
good, and I like the appearance. They require the smallest amount of money, but I have no
access to listen to them.
I am asking you these questions because I notice in your
review of the PSBs you compared them to your system, the Epic Grand Master. If you were
buying a new system would you stay with the Axioms? If so, would you stay with the same
Epic Grand Master? Why or why not? Would it be worth it to upgrade the Epic 60's 350 to
the 500?
John
You've certainly done your homework and I don't think
you can go wrong with any of the three systems you've settled on. I've been very happy
with the Axiom system I have: it sounds good and is compact. I liked the PSB system better
in objective terms, but the size of the PSB speakers was overwhelming in my room (it isn't
a big room, though; it is roughly 15' x 22'). I haven't had the Paradigm speakers in my
house, but every time I hear them I like them and would love to spend some time with them.
Taking everything into account, I'm happy to stick with the Axioms. If I moved to a bigger
room, I might want to move up to the PSB or Paradigm sets.
Here are some things to consider that you don't mention:
1. What kind of room do you have? Is it a dedicated theater
or a multi-use living room? What size is it? Do you have other constraints, like spousal
acceptance?
2. How much of a home-theater fanatic are you? This
question is related to a question about your budget -- if you use your home theater all
the time, then spending more money on it might be justified; if you use it once a month,
you may want to save some money.
By the way, you mention that you can't listen to the
Axioms, but they do offer a trial period. True, you'd have to pay for return shipping if
you decide you don't want them, but it may be worth it if you think you'll be living with
your choice for years to come. The same goes for driving to hear the PSB speakers. It
might be a drag to go all that way, but it would eliminate any doubt from your mind about
your decision.
I think that many people who write in with questions
like yours may just be looking for reassurance that their initial choice, in your case
Paradigm, is a good one. If that is the case, I think you can rest assured....Eric
Hetherington |
