Destroyed by fire

[fired up]

I would wait a bit until the new Panasonic 800 and 850 series comes out. Some people that saw it at CES are saying that the black levels are so much better than last year's model and in Kuro league for less price.

I am going to Google the Panasonic 800 and 850 CES and see what I can find out.

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[Warpdrv]

Yeah... Im not sure what is going to happen, but Pioneer won't take more of a hit by discounting their products more to dump product...

I have a hookup for a major discount from my installer buddy on Pioneers but that doesn't extend beyond me... so sorry to say, don't ask...




Also think about what that might do for Panasonic... that would put them as one less dog in the way, which potentially could raise prices on Panasonic Plasma's with less competition..

 

[fired up]

Hello,

I visited a Best Buy that was supposed to have a Magnolia Home Theater Center - but there was none. However, I did check out the Panasonic Plasmas compared to the Pioneer Plasmas and the Panasonics looker really great given the viewing conditions. I have been reading About BUZZING problems with Pioneer Kuro Plasma TV's on this forum and other forums.

My wife liked them both equally well.

No speakers to audition as this was not a Magnolia equipped Best Buy. I wanted to check out the Vienna Acoustic brand. Oh well, they lied on the phone to get me in there. Great business ethics - ha ha! At least I got to see the Pannies playing Transformers Movie.

Eddie

 

[fired up]

Greetings,

Today is a good day. My wife is driving. I took my pain meds and we are on are way to see the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in an All Dvorak Program:
Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, From the New World

I'm a happy man.

See some of my more recent posts please and let me know if you can shed any light on my Plasma Buzzing vs LCD Viewing Angle concerns.

Your Friend,

Eddie

 

[fired up]

After attending the concert today I was able to better listen and think about what was happening sonic-wise that I liked and want in a speaker.

I want a speaker that does not have a narrowly defined sweet spot for listening. I want a speaker that can project/image a huge soundstage - like I was actually attending a Symphonic concert.

We moved our seats twice to hear how the Orchestra sounded from different locations. Every seat sounded fantastic. Hope this makes sense. To have to sit in one sweet spot would not be for me. I want the music to stay the same as I move around the room --if that is possible. Sitting, standing, walking around room I want it to sound like a concert hall where it does not matter physically where your body is in terms of actual physical space.

What speakers do that?

That is what I want to audition and own.

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[fired up]

Hello,

Other than the fire:

I have been disabled physically since 1994 with spinal problems. Two unsuccessful surgeries and countless hours of Physical Therapy have not corrected the situation. The fire episode only made things worse.

It physically hurts for me to actually sit down for an extended period of time. I usually listen to music laying down on the sofa, sitting in the loveseat, standing, leaning against various walls, or just plain walking around.

Okay, let's start from scratch regarding speakers since that is a key piece of information that should have been shared with the forum. Pride gets in the way and I don't like to tell anyone about my back. Stoic on the issue.

The co-op we live in does not allow for in wall speakers or ceiling speakers. It is against the house rules.

I understand there is no perfect speaker to meet all my requirements. However, you guys know more about this topic than me and I would like for you to put yourself in my place - so to speak. What speaker would work best given my limitations and expectations? I KNOW this is a tough nut to crack.

Music is very important - and I mean critically important to me on a daily basis to help me keep on keepin' on.

Surely there are brands that are noted for a wide sweet spot - sorry for overusing that term. I just wanted everyone to have all the facts.

AS A RE-CAP: Here is what I have planned so far:

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-110FD 50" Plasma TV - Not to sure about this one now. I have read so many posts about Plasma TV being plagued with buzzing noises. I would flip out if I heard buzzing all the time when I turned on TV. Now I'm looking at LCD with a wide viewing angle.

SVS PB Ultra 13 Subwoofer or B&W PV1

Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro

Panasonic DMP-BD300 Blu-Ray Player or wait for spec 2 to come out in summer by Sony.
More than likely I am going to wait until Summer when better BluRay machines hit the market.

Cables by BlueJeanCables or Monoprice

APC or Belkin Power Conditioners

Speakers? After attending a concert today and moving my seating location a few times between pieces and intermission I was better able to hear what is imporatant to me soundwise. I am not a sweet spot guy. I want speakers that will produce a huge soundstage similar to the concert hall where every seat was a great seat - left, right , center. Because of my disability (lumbar spine is shot to hell) I really am physically unable to sit for a long time. When I listen to music I lay down, sit, walk around, lean against walls, etc. What speakers will mimic the huge soundstage of an actual concert hall? Please don't say BOSE. Just kidding! This forum has to think outside the traditional "sweet spot" toed-in equidistant triangle given my special circumstances. I have been disabled since 1994 and MUSIC keeps me going - when many others would have tossed in the towel by now. This THREAD really has to focus on creative speakers for my situation. The co-op does not allow owners to install in-wall or ceiling speakers.

Amps? Need something that will do surround sound as well as 2 channel audio. The Emotiva Audio XPA-5 was recommended by a few people through emails and PM's. Someone also recommended Bryston Amps - but I forgot the model number.

Furniture for TV and Components? My wife likes a piece by a company called BDI that is cherry, has doors with a mesh covering for air circulation and a huge spot for a center channel speaker. I think it is the BDI MERIDEN 8127 model. I also know about Sanus and Salamander from other posts. One person suggested having a carpenter design a built in wall unit to house the complete system - BUDGET KILLER!!!

Remote Control for everything? Pronto? Harmony? Universal? Probably go with an easy to use Harmony model so wife and kids can figure everything out easily when I'm not around.

Forget HT seating. We hired a company to clean carpets and furniture of smoke smell from fire. Everything worked out amazingly well. No smell. However, I do want to go to Stressless seating and check out their HT seating. They are supposed to be made for people with bad backs like myself.

I want the option of being able to switch to just 2 channel stereo with sub for enjoying music only on red book CD or CD/R compilations. I want the option to have surround sound audio from SACD.

Finally, I would like a Multichannel SACD/CD/CDR player for my discs that I started buying again. MUSIC IS KEY!!!

Speakers seem to be the sticking point holding the completion back. I'm open for ideas.

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[Davemcc]

After attending the concert today I was able to better listen and think about what was happening sonic-wise that I liked and want in a speaker.

I want a speaker that does not have a narrowly defined sweet spot for listening. I want a speaker that can project/image a huge soundstage - like I was actually attending a Symphonic concert.

We moved our seats twice to hear how the Orchestra sounded from different locations. Every seat sounded fantastic. Hope this makes sense. To have to sit in one sweet spot would not be for me. I want the music to stay the same as I move around the room --if that is possible. Sitting, standing, walking around room I want it to sound like a concert hall where it does not matter physically where your body is in terms of actual physical space.

What speakers do that?

That is what I want to audition and own.

Thanks,

Eddie

What you describe above is the reason I own Dynaudio. I didn't need new speakers when I bought the Dynaudio, but I did specifically because of the soundstage, detail and imaging. I've listened to a lot of speakers lately, some very expensive ones, and none of them have compelled me to own them for their own inherent qualities, as the Dynaudio have done to me.

But no need to take my word for it.
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/dynaudio-focus-speakers-1-2007-part-2.html
http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1205dynaudio/
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/506dynaudio/

 

[fired up]

Davemcc,

I just spoke with two Dynaudio reps at their Company Office and was given a list of 6 dealers in my area that carry Dynaudio speakers.

Only one dealer - the one that is the farthest distance from my home - carries the full line of Dynaudio speakers. The rep told me to listen to the Confidence C1 speakers after talking to me about my musical interests, etc. It will be a while before I can make a drive like that distance. In the meantime I will check out a smaller dealer that only has bookshelf speakers to get an idea of the Dynaudio sound. Thanks for the links - they all worked and I printed everything out. This is exciting!

Thank You,

eddie

 

[jostenmeat]

I have been...
...I understand there is no perfect speaker to meet all my requirements. However, you guys know more about this topic than me and I would like for you to put yourself in my place - so to speak. What speaker would work best given my limitations and expectations? I KNOW this is a tough nut to crack.

Music is very important - and I mean critically important to me on a daily basis to help me keep on keepin' on.

I have a good friend who is disabled. His disease is not unlike polio, though I cannot remember the name of it. He is a very good vocalist, and perhaps no other friend who has listened to my 2-ch was quite as meticulously critical. What I am implying is that you yourself are probably also quite critical, take your music very seriously, and that we may or may not be able to help find you your holy grail. Collectively, we give you a very large picture, and with luck can help you find it. OTOH, that "picture" might not be incredibly focused enough for you... after all, no one knows everything.

Surely there are brands that are noted for a wide sweet spot - sorry for overusing that term. I just wanted everyone to have all the facts.

You ARE an audiophile, at least when combining previous demands with this one. I will PM you a contact of such a person who prioritizes off-axis response very highly...

AS A RE-CAP: Here is what I have planned so far:

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-110FD 50" Plasma TV - Not to sure about this one now. I have read so many posts about Plasma TV being plagued with buzzing noises. I would flip out if I heard buzzing all the time when I turned on TV. Now I'm looking at LCD with a wide viewing angle.

Seems to be an unfounded fear. Im sure its happened, perhaps like the rainbow effect with DLP, but it also might be incredibly exaggerated in a similar fashion. Ive never owned a flat-panel; RP to a FP, but I'd surely get plasma outside of the chance of a room with too much ambient light

Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro

HT-first unit that is raved about.

Panasonic DMP-BD300 Blu-Ray Player or wait for spec 2 to come out in summer by Sony.
More than likely I am going to wait until Summer when better BluRay machines hit the market.

I believe the Pana BD-50 is slated to release next month. That would be my vote.

Cables by BlueJeanCables or Monoprice

The latter is cheaper, and I'm a fan, but I've never tried BJC, which is not always inexpensive.

APC or Belkin Power Conditioners

APC for the sine wavefrom output it appears.

Speakers? After attending a concert today...

Well... perhaps you might consider a serious multi-ch music audio system? I never went there, and it does get pricey... do you have space for a center-channel tower?

Amps? Need something that will do surround sound as well as 2 channel audio. The Emotiva Audio XPA-5 was recommended by a few people through emails and PM's. Someone also recommended Bryston Amps - but I forgot the model number.

Amp choice depends on volumes obtained, listener distance, speaker efficiency, speaker loads, room volume... I've almost only heard excellent things about Emotiva and Bryston.

Furniture for TV and Components? My wife likes a piece by a company called BDI that is cherry, has doors with a mesh covering for air circulation and a huge spot for a center channel speaker. I think it is the BDI MERIDEN 8127 model. I also know about Sanus and Salamander from other posts. One person suggested having a carpenter design a built in wall unit to house the complete system - BUDGET KILLER!!!

I love my Studio Tech Modular audio racks. Take some off one to add to other, can choose between 7 or 9" shelving, can have it about a foot tall, or taller than me... $200 for basic set, which can be added to.

Remote Control for everything? Pronto? Harmony? Universal? Probably go with an easy to use Harmony model so wife and kids can figure everything out easily when I'm not around.

Harmony will save you a lot. But it must be nice to have a fancy remote... wouldn't really know though.

I want the option of being able to switch to just 2 channel stereo with sub for enjoying music only on red book CD or CD/R compilations. I want the option to have surround sound audio from SACD.

Should be easy enough. As long as you are sure that you are still using sub in the stereo set-up. I ended up leaving my sub out for such purpose, but my older NAD pre/pro did not make it an easy switch (won't explain)... so I had to manually turn on/off the sub depending on usage. With the caliber of stuff you are looking at, I am going to simply assume you'll have multi-ch inputs for your SACD.

Finally, I would like a Multichannel SACD/CD/CDR player for my discs that I started buying again. MUSIC IS KEY!!!

Audioholics typically would have you spend as little as possible here. In which case, they will probably say Oppo. It does appear they are taking pre-orders on a new model.

Speakers seem to be the sticking point holding the completion back. I'm open for ideas.

Its the toughest choice, and often affects your other purchases. Re Confidences, you might remember our PMs, and that I thought you could swing some for mains as used, if you were willing to mismatch lines for the rears. I must admit it appeared to me that the Contours were a sweet-spot in the DA line-up, but I have seen varying opinions before.

Thanks,

Eddie

Welcome.

 

[Davemcc]

Davemcc,

I just spoke with two Dynaudio reps at their Company Office and was given a list of 6 dealers in my area that carry Dynaudio speakers.

Only one dealer - the one that is the farthest distance from my home - carries the full line of Dynaudio speakers. The rep told me to listen to the Confidence C1 speakers after talking to me about my musical interests, etc. It will be a while before I can make a drive like that distance. In the meantime I will check out a smaller dealer that only has bookshelf speakers to get an idea of the Dynaudio sound. Thanks for the links - they all worked and I printed everything out. This is exciting!

Thank You,

eddie

I'm sure the Confidence Series will be spectacular, but seems like a budget breaker. The C1 list at $6500/pr.

 

[fired up]

And now for something completely different and totally unexpected:

Acoustic Zen Adagio?

They do make a center channel speaker and surrounds as well. Someone was kind enough to offer me an extraordinary deal on the Adagios that he no longer needed. The rest of the speakers I would have to purchase through a dealer. They are a transmission line type speaker - whatever that means. They look BEAUTIFUL and are supposed to sound wonderful.

The Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers have my interest and I have printed out every review I could find to read tonight. I have to make a decision quickly or I may lose out on the offer. Wish I could demo them first but that is impossible because half a continent separates us distance-wise. Source is a highly respected member of Audio Community who read my story and allowed me to verify his name, existence, Audio credentials, etc.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[Davemcc]

They are a transmission line type speaker - whatever that means.

Transmission line speakers are a unique type of cabinet construction with a very long, folded bass port built in. Another example of this is the Salk Songtower, a highly regarded speaker. You could PM TLSGuy for more info (Transmission Line Speaker Guy, get it?).

I understand Acoustic Zen to be a highly regarded brand. I know my dealer has a set of Acoustic Zen in stock, but I don't know which model he has. If I can, I'll try to stop in and listen to them back to back with his set of Dynaudio 220's.

 

[fired up]

Dave,

Thanks for the education! If it is humanly possible for you to audition the Dynaudio and Acoustic Zen speakers at your dealer and get back to me I would be thrilled. You know what I listen to and am looking for - I trust your ears.

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[Davemcc]

Dave,

Thanks for the education! If it is humanly possible for you to audition the Dynaudio and Acoustic Zen speakers at your dealer and get back to me I would be thrilled. You know what I listen to and am looking for - I trust your ears.

Thanks,

Eddie

On that note, I spent some time yesterday listening to Dvořák's 9th at reference level. What a phenomenal experience! In the first movement, the flute was dead center, with the oboe slightly behind and left and the French horn singing out from behind the oboe. Trombones were belting out from just right of center. Violins covered the whole left front half of the soundstage, with other strings to the right. The beginning of third movement was quite an experience, when all the various instruments play their own short piece of the passage. I was able to spatially locate each instrument on the stage as it moved from violin to oboe, clarinet, flute, etc. I usually just play this piece quietly in the bedroom as falling to sleep music. This was the first time I played it on the main system since I got the Dyne's. I am truly impressed with their classical music performance.

On a funny note, I'm currently listening to Bach's "Air on a 'G' String"...I'm probably not thinking of what Bach intended when he titled that piece.

My dealer opens at 10:30. I'll be there when he opens and see if I can get him to drag out the Zen's for me. The model he has stand about 4ft tall and are quite heavy.

 

[Davemcc]

I just got back from a back to back audition of the Acoustic Zen Adagio and the Focus 220. I will say unequivocally that the Adagio is a much better speaker than the 220. Also factor in that my price on the Adagio $2200 more than the 220's, so if you are getting a good deal on them to bring them into budget, go for it. But check out the cost of the center and surrounds with a dealer first because even the stand mount version of the Adagio is $4200 here. I brought along my hybrid SACD of Dvořák's 9th to listen to.

The soundstage on the Adagio is incredibly detailed and the instruments are each clearer and more distinct than the 220's. They throw a nice 3d aural image, placing instruments behind or in front of each other. Stringed bass instruments and percussion are clearly reproduced. I didn't find any of the pronounced (over-boosted) midrange that I've come to expect from tower speakers (subjective, of course). Tonally, they are rich and smooth, not artificially so but very natural.

When we switched over to the 220's, they sounded thin by comparison. What I've described as "openness" on the Dynaudio really loses it's meaning when compared against the Adagio, because they provide the detail and soundstage while still maintaining a natural warmth that the 220's lack, perhaps due to cabinet size, driver size or simply the transmission line design.

Other things to consider:
The Adagio are more efficient than the Focus and will be easier to drive.

The Adagio are in a different product and price class than the Focus series. A more relevant contest might be the Dynaudio Contour or Confidence lines, but since the Adagio are a used equipment deal, it's likely a moot point.

Building a complete 5 channel set of Acoustic Zen with new additional speakers from a dealer could really hurt the budget. You could be approaching 10K just on these speakers, even getting the mains used.

I've really been working to a budget in suggesting the Focus series over the other Dynaudio models. I don't know your situation and maybe the budget is flexible enough to include the Acoustic Zen. If it is, then the Adagio are an excellent choice.

Also, my audition was limited to classical music so I could not venture to say how they would fare in other genres, but if I were to hazard a guess I would guess they would excel in other genres as well. I was impressed by the Acoustic Zen, can you tell?

 

[fired up]

Davemcc,

Thanks for taking the time to audition the Adagios. Now I'm really stoked. Need to make a decision sooner than I had planned.

Thanks Again Dave!!!

Greetings All,

This is what I am trying to say I want in a loudspeaker: DISPERSION!!!

The following excerpt is from Home Electronic Ideas Winter 2008 magazine article:

"SOUNDSTAGE and IMAGING are important concepts in Hi-Fi. DISPERSION refers to how well a loudspeaker can maintain a consistent sound throughout the room. Since we don't always sit in the "sweet spot" of a room, speakers with wide dispersion and a quality soundstage are ideal. Soundstage refers to how clearly and convincingly it reproduces a sense of space encoded on the recording.

SOUNDSTAGE and IMAGING are often used interchangeably, IMAGING actually relates how precisely sounds occur or emanate within a sounstage.

Picture a concert hall: This is your soundstage. Now imagine players standing on stage playing their instruments. These are your images."

I did not write the explanations above myself. They were paraphrased from the magazine mentioned earlier.

I, Eddie, am looking for loudspeakers known for their DISPERSION ability as a top priority.

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[fired up]

Greetings,

I have 48 hours left to make a decision to purchase a slightly used pair of Acoustic Zen Adagios Floorstanders for $2700 before the deal falls through and they get listed on Audiogon for $3800 I believe.

Should I buy them and then slowly build up a surround sound speaker system by buying the center channel and rear surrounds from dealers as additional cash becomes available. I have to buy the Adagio Jr.'s and they are very expensive speakers for the center and rears.

Start off with all the electronics for a HT - just use mains for a while - and then come Christmas fill out the rest of the system for true HT.

Sound like a plan?

Please visit the Acoustic Zen site and read the reviews on the Adagios. At one point several years ago they were Stereophile Class A listed but have not been re-tested in a long time.

Thanks.

Eddie

 

[Davemcc]

Start off with all the electronics for a HT - just use mains for a while - and then come Christmas fill out the rest of the system for true HT.

Sound like a plan?

That sounds like a very good plan.

 

[fired up]

Greetings All!

It gives me great pleasure to announce the purchase of the Speaker portion of my Home Theater setup and in the process obliterating any semblance of a budget. My wife just told me to "Go for it!" and I did.

I purchased the following:

(2) Acoustic Zen Adagio Floor Standing Loudspeakers
(1) Acoustic Zen Adagio Jr. Center Channel Speaker
(2) Acoustic Zen Adagio Jr. Surround Speakers
(2) 8' Lengths of Acoustic Zen Hologram Speaker Wire for Mains
(1) 4' Length of Acoustic Zen Satori Speaker Wire for Center Channel
(2) Custom made stands for Rear Surrounds
(2) 45' Lengths of Acoustic Zen Shiloh III Speaker Wire for Rear Surrounds

The Adagios & Adagio Jrs. are rated at 89 dB / 6 Ohms.

How much power / amplification do I need to run these optimally?

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[Warpdrv]

Congrats on the purchase of the Adiagos... They don't look like they are terribly ineffecient at 89db but at 6 ohms, they will take more then a standard receiver will produce effectively over a period of time, say a long movie... Said receiver would probably start to get warm, and you could benefit from a decent amp for all speakers.

I would think that a good 200wpc amp would provide you with ample power for the long haul, and they would sound great, and give you plent of head room if you like to listen at higher SPL's...

Many amps out there... lots of reading for you..

Now don't take this the wrong way, but I hope you didn't pay too much for that speaker wire... unless you were in it for the pretty factor, wire is wire and it isn't magical, you could get wire from home depot that would be alot cheaper and do the same thing...