Letters to the Editor - January 2006
Outlaw Audio with Rotel and
Paradigm?
January 27, 2006
To Doug Schneider,
I have Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.3, CC-470 v.3
(center), Studio 20 v.3 (rear) speakers. My A/V receiver is a Yamaha HTR 5660. I go preamp
out to a five-channel amplifier, the Rotel RMB-1095.
I want to upgrade my processor. Do you think the Outlaw Audio
990 is a good match for my amplifier and speakers? I listen to music and movies 50/50.
Toung Chau
Your speaker system is outstanding, and your current
electronics seem very good, too. As for the Outlaw 990, I think it’s probably better
than just "good" for your system. Reviewer Jeff Van Dyne thought that the 990
was so good, it received a Reviewers’ Choice nod and was one of two products selected
as Home Theater & Sound’s Product of the Year for 2005. I suspect
it’s great, and will likely be a tremendous addition to your system....Doug Schneider
Discontinued Klipsch?
January 20, 2006
To Wes Marshall,
I'm having a hard time finding the Klipsch Reference Series
you featured in your review of the speakers. Do you know of some online dealers that can
help me in that area? I'm not having much luck.
Matt
The Klipsch speaker system you speak of has been
upgraded. It is now the Klipsch RF-35 home-theater speaker system. Prices seem to be
running around $2000. I don’t believe the company supports online sales any
longer….Wes Marshall
Which speakers?
January 18, 2006
To Doug Schneider,
I am currently using a Velodyne subwoofer along with a
Denon AVR-3805 7.1-channel home-theater receiver. I am planning to upgrade to a 7.1
system, and I would appreciate your assistance in helping me find the best speakers to
match my Denon receiver and Velodyne subwoofer. My budget is $3000. My room is shaped like
a rectangle (approximately 10' wide and 18' long). My listening position is approx. 16'
from the HDTV. My HDTV is located at one wall and my couch is positioned against the
opposite wall, so I would either have to mount the rear back speakers (dipole, bipole?) on
the wall above my head or simply place them on stands and position them on either side of
the couch. I was hoping to use the existing subwoofer, but I would be willing to purchase
another model, if necessary.
Mike Millspaugh
Based on Denon's specs, your receiver seems powerful
enough to drive most home-theater speaker systems (Denon rates it at 110Wpc).
As for what to buy, your options are nearly endless
because your budget is relatively high and your room is of average size. Frankly, I can
think of a good number of companies that produce a wide range of speakers that will suit
your needs quite well. Off the top of my head: Paradigm, Energy, PSB, Axiom, Mirage,
Athena Technologies, Aperion, and on and on. Every one of those companies has speaker
systems that fit within your budget, and every one has options for stand- or wall-mounting
of certain speakers. The rest, really, is up to you. Happy shopping....Doug Schneider
Best of 2005?
January 13, 2006
To Doug Schneider,
King Kong:
best movie of 2005? Come on!
Stephane Levesque
Honestly, if I were in your position, I might say the
same thing. Normally, movies like King Kong don’t appeal to me, but for
whatever reason -- Peter Jackson’s filmmaking expertise, perhaps? -- I thought that Kong
was fabulous! Hey, I’m surprised, too....Doug Schneider |
