$1000 price range

December 29, 2006

To Randall Smith,

I saw your review of the SVS SBS-01 speaker system and I have a couple of questions. Where can I hear this setup? Is there anything in the $1000 price range I should also listen to?

Rick Simmonds

Unfortunately, hearing the SBS-01 speaker system without buying it will not be easy to accomplish. Based in Ohio, SV Sound does have a showroom at their factory, so if you live close, that may be your best option. You can also check various forums where SV Sound owners converse with one another and possibly make a contact near you that will help you achieve a listening audition.

As far as product contenders in the $1000 price range goes, in my opinion, the PB10-ISD subwoofer has none. It's that good. The SBS-01s and the SCS-01 speakers are really good, but the competition does grow. Axiom, Paradigm, and Energy all offer speakers in multiple finishes with comparable performance for around the same price. Any product from any of these companies will provide a great performance: price ratio….Randall Smith

Now or later?

December 22, 2006

To Doug Schneider,

I want to buy Studio v.3-series speakers from Paradigm, but I don’t have enough money for all the channels. Do you think I should wait to buy all at once, or can I buy part now? I am thinking about the Studio 20 v.3s for the mains.

Raymond Chang

I would say to start now instead of waiting to buy the whole system at once. Why? Because you don’t need all five channels right away to enjoy good home theater. For example, I often watch movies in stereo. In fact, right now I’m doing some changes in my room and I’ve completely removed the surrounds and just listen to the left and right main speakers, the center-channel, and the sub.

Therefore, at minimum, get your left and right speakers -- you at least need those. Then, depending on your finances, I’d either get the center or a sub if you can’t buy both at once. Get the sub first if you feel bass is important; get the center first if you want more specificity across the front stage. In my opinion, the last thing to get is the pair of surrounds. They’re kind of like the icing on the cake. The sound will be better with them, but you can do without them.

A strategy like this will allow you to enjoy your movies more now, and grow your system over time….Doug Schneider

Sub upgrade

December 8, 2006

To Randall Smith,

I was intrigued by your review of the JL Audio Fathom f113. I am looking to upgrade my current subwoofer, the original Paradigm Servo-15. The Servo-15 is rated at 400W while the Fathom is 2500W (manufacturer rated). Will the difference in power provide me with a significant improvement relative to incurring the costs?

Kevin

First of all, the Paradigm Servo-15 is a great sub. When compared to the JL Audio f113, there are a number of differences other than price. Both subs are close in size; however, the f113 is slightly heavier. The Servo-15 also has a larger woofer, but the Fathom makes up for that with much more peak-to-peak driver excursion. This, combined with the more powerful amplifier section provides for substantial output capability. The Fathom also features a built-in notch filter to help you achieve smoother low-frequency response.

Everything considered, the Fathom is quite an advanced subwoofer. But does this mean you should upgrade? Not necessarily! I do believe the new JL Audio subs deserve an audition, however. That way you can make up your own mind….Randall Smith

"Oppo should have stuck with the original design…"

December 4, 2006

To Roger Kanno,

You failed to mention where the money savings come from with the new Oppo DV-970HD DVD player. Its lack of the Faroudja chipset makes its video quality a big step down from its predecessor. It is not the same player and it does not provide the same level of performance. Oppo should have stuck with the original design and added HDMI and 480i support.

The new player is not equal to the performance of its first version and is a step backwards. Not a good thing, and not a player I would have designed after the success of the first player.

Brad

As you pointed out, the '970 lacks the Genesis/Faroudja chipset that is used for scaling and deinterlacing in the '971, which I mentioned in the review. As I also mentioned in the review, I did not have a '971 on hand for comparison purposes, but I found the '970's video performance to be outstanding for a $150 DVD player.

According to Oppo, the Genesis/Faroudja chipset does not support an output resolution of 480i. This makes sense as their DCDi deinterlacing is so good that you probably would not want to defeat it, and this would also explain why there aren't any other DVD players with the Genesis/Faroudja chipset that support 480i output.

Oppo's latest player, the newly available DV-981HD, is very similar to the '971, but adds HDMI, 1080p upscaling and SACD capability. However, because it also utilizes the Genesis/Faroudja chipset, it does not support 480i through HDMI (and it doesn't even have component video outputs).

As I see it, Oppo now has three distinct DVD players at very attractive prices. At $150, the '971 offers 480i through its HDMI output for use with high-quality deinterlacing outside of the DVD player. At $199, the '981 offers upgraded onboard deinterlacing and upscaling with its Genesis/Faroudja chipset. However, it does not support SACD, and has only a DVI output that cannot output 480i. Finally, the '981 is priced at $229 and seems to have combined the best of the '970 and '971 and added 1080p output, but cannot output 480i.

All three players remain in their product line and buyers can choose which model best suits their needs….Roger Kanno

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