Audio system question

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
I dont know if this has been said already but...

Rule #1: If you upgrade any component of the front stage, you have to upgrade all 3 speakers.

Rule #2: If you do not have a subwoofer, and you are allowed to have one, this will make a great difference to your movie experience, and would be worth blowing your budget on this item.

Do you have any speaker dealers near you? Listening to some B&W 600 series speakers, or equivalent paradigm could open your ears to new audio experiences. Plenty of other speaker manufacturers including internet direct like AV123, AudioC, Axiom etc.

For 1300$, something like the B&W 601s3, LCR600 center, SVS pB-10 nsd would be an excellent upgrade. The addition of the SVS alone would be mouth dropping if you are used to not having a subwoofer. Experiencing 20hz bass for the first time in a home theater is immediately gratifying.

You could sell your fluance for some extra cash, or use them as rear channels if you don't already own rear channel speakers.

Just an idea...

I too, would never EVER say no to B&W's......truely breathtaking stuff.


audiogon

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Tiamat
I dont know if this has been said already but...

Rule #1: If you upgrade any component of the front stage, you have to upgrade all 3 speakers.

Rule #2: If you do not have a subwoofer, and you are allowed to have one, this will make a great difference to your movie experience, and would be worth blowing your budget on this item.

Do you have any speaker dealers near you? Listening to some B&W 600 series speakers, or equivalent paradigm could open your ears to new audio experiences. Plenty of other speaker manufacturers including internet direct like AV123, AudioC, Axiom etc.

For 1300$, something like the B&W 601s3, LCR600 center, SVS pB-10 nsd would be an excellent upgrade. The addition of the SVS alone would be mouth dropping if you are used to not having a subwoofer. Experiencing 20hz bass for the first time in a home theater is immediately gratifying.

You could sell your fluance for some extra cash, or use them as rear channels if you don't already own rear channel speakers.

Just an idea...

I too, would never EVER say no to B&W's......truely breathtaking stuff.


audiogon

Audiogon is nice, but getting to know dealers and them giving you a sweet discount while still maintaining full warantee is sweeter

btw, there have been many nice deals on audiogon --esp on internet direct gear. I have to fight to not click the "purchase" button on some of those deals.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

DO NOT GET THE HK 635!!!!!

That thing has more firmware problems than any consumer product I have ever seen.

Go to avs forums and join if you have not already.

Do a search for that recevier and it will be a repeating theme of people returning it, repairing it and having problems of all sorts.

THE HK 635 SUCKS!!!!

You are warned. There is a reason you see an ungodly number of HK refurbs of the 635 on EBay. I think the 435 also has similar problems.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

 

[KingGheedora]

Yeah the bass makes a huge difference. I'm impressed. Too bad my time window for testing it out has passed for the day (live in apartment).

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

I bought the 635 almost a year ago. I researched it before purchasing, and knew that I was buying after the problem units were no longer shipping. I never had to upgrade firmware or anything.

EDIT
It's a little disconcerting though that if I didn't know any better and were in the market I could have passed up a great receiver based on your misinformed post. Not to knock you or anything, but you're hyping it up like it's a terrible product just because of some early issues.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

I bought the 635 almost a year ago. I researched it before purchasing, and knew that I was buying after the problem units were no longer shipping. I never had to upgrade firmware or anything.

EDIT
It's a little disconcerting though that if I didn't know any better and were in the market I could have passed up a great receiver based on your misinformed post. Not to knock you or anything, but you're hyping it up like it's a terrible product just because of some early issues.

After testing out for speakers for a few days, hook the Fluance back up and try them out again. The quality difference is going to smack you in the face then

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

I bought the 635 almost a year ago. I researched it before purchasing, and knew that I was buying after the problem units were no longer shipping. I never had to upgrade firmware or anything.

EDIT
It's a little disconcerting though that if I didn't know any better and were in the market I could have passed up a great receiver based on your misinformed post. Not to knock you or anything, but you're hyping it up like it's a terrible product just because of some early issues.

After testing out for speakers for a few days, hook the Fluance back up and try them out again. The quality difference is going to smack you in the face then

Agreed, someday I think I will do this just to see where I have come from

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
DO NOT GET THE HK 635!!!!!

That thing has more firmware problems than any consumer product I have ever seen.

Go to avs forums and join if you have not already.

Do a search for that recevier and it will be a repeating theme of people returning it, repairing it and having problems of all sorts.

THE HK 635 SUCKS!!!!

You are warned. There is a reason you see an ungodly number of HK refurbs of the 635 on EBay. I think the 435 also has similar problems.

You should not speak of a product you do not own. The main issue(the one discussed forever on AVS) has been fixed and problems with the unit are usually now due to users not knowing how to work certain features or leaving bare wire shorting out.

I have owned a 435 for almost 2 years now and I like it a lot.

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

I bought the 635 almost a year ago. I researched it before purchasing, and knew that I was buying after the problem units were no longer shipping. I never had to upgrade firmware or anything.

EDIT
It's a little disconcerting though that if I didn't know any better and were in the market I could have passed up a great receiver based on your misinformed post. Not to knock you or anything, but you're hyping it up like it's a terrible product just because of some early issues.

After testing out for speakers for a few days, hook the Fluance back up and try them out again. The quality difference is going to smack you in the face then

I may try this, probably sometime after I listen to every CD I have, and watch my entire DVD collection.

Thanks for your input YoYo, and everyone else! So far it's looking good but there's a lot of "testing" (read: playing) ahead.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

I bought the 635 almost a year ago. I researched it before purchasing, and knew that I was buying after the problem units were no longer shipping. I never had to upgrade firmware or anything.

EDIT
It's a little disconcerting though that if I didn't know any better and were in the market I could have passed up a great receiver based on your misinformed post. Not to knock you or anything, but you're hyping it up like it's a terrible product just because of some early issues.

After testing out for speakers for a few days, hook the Fluance back up and try them out again. The quality difference is going to smack you in the face then

I may try this, probably sometime after I listen to every CD I have, and watch my entire DVD collection.

Thanks for your input YoYo, and everyone else! So far it's looking good but there's a lot of "testing" (read: playing) ahead.

While you're at it, this thread has some info on some DVD demo discs you can try.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1900500&enterthread=y

I'm not sure if those links work, but I posted the original source somewhere in that thread I think, a guy from AVSforum who you can PM for the info on how to get them.

They're nice compilations to show people

EDIT: oh, and I had sold off my Fluance set at the same time I got my new set, but I still had a pair of SX-6s for a while. When I was getting ready to sell those too, I hooked them up to make sure they still worked. It was like the SX-6s sounded like pretty decent speakers and my AV123 RS550s sounded real

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Not as bad as this but still, no contest

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered, and spent a lot more than I planned, but it is in the interest of quality. Too many times in the past I hesitated and bought cheaper stuff that I didn't really want and later regretted the decision. I'll update when I receive and get to test the equipment out.

Fronts: Axiom M22Ti's (with overpriced 16" stands)
Center: Axiom VP150
Surrounds: Axiom QS-8's
Sub: SVS PB10

:thumbsup:

 

[KingGheedora]

It sounds great.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
It sounds great.

That's what I like to hear ( and you too I bet )

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered, and spent a lot more than I planned, but it is in the interest of quality. Too many times in the past I hesitated and bought cheaper stuff that I didn't really want and later regretted the decision. I'll update when I receive and get to test the equipment out.

Fronts: Axiom M22Ti's (with overpriced 16" stands)
Center: Axiom VP150
Surrounds: Axiom QS-8's
Sub: SVS PB10

:thumbsup:

Yes, VERY good choices. You will probably never feel the need to upgrade that. I'm a bit jealous, actually.

Definitely get the SL meter and calibration disc ASAP...go for AVIA.

You got a good TV to match the speakers?

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Hyperlite

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered, and spent a lot more than I planned, but it is in the interest of quality. Too many times in the past I hesitated and bought cheaper stuff that I didn't really want and later regretted the decision. I'll update when I receive and get to test the equipment out.

Fronts: Axiom M22Ti's (with overpriced 16" stands)
Center: Axiom VP150
Surrounds: Axiom QS-8's
Sub: SVS PB10

:thumbsup:

Yes, VERY good choices. You will probably never feel the need to upgrade that. I'm a bit jealous, actually.

Definitely get the SL meter and calibration disc ASAP...go for AVIA.

You got a good TV to match the speakers?

Yes, pretty nice TV, Toshiba 52" DLP (I think it's 1080i/720p, need to check if it can do 1080p, but I think it can not). Excellent TV, only have 10 HD channels with my cable package though.

Next purchase will probably be a console system with either BlueRay or HD-DVD. I want HD-DVD to win, but I am hesitant to buy now because this format war could go either way.

 

[KingGheedora]

Is it really better to calibrate manually? I don't see how a human could do a better job than the DSP in the receiver at calibrating. The manual for the 635 says that the EZSetup calibration is likely to be far more accurate than what you could do manually.

How exactly do you calibrate manually anyways? What are the steps?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Hyperlite

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered, and spent a lot more than I planned, but it is in the interest of quality. Too many times in the past I hesitated and bought cheaper stuff that I didn't really want and later regretted the decision. I'll update when I receive and get to test the equipment out.

Fronts: Axiom M22Ti's (with overpriced 16" stands)
Center: Axiom VP150
Surrounds: Axiom QS-8's
Sub: SVS PB10

:thumbsup:

Yes, VERY good choices. You will probably never feel the need to upgrade that. I'm a bit jealous, actually.

Definitely get the SL meter and calibration disc ASAP...go for AVIA.

You got a good TV to match the speakers?

Yes, pretty nice TV, Toshiba 52" DLP (I think it's 1080i/720p, need to check if it can do 1080p, but I think it can not). Excellent TV, only have 10 HD channels with my cable package though.

Next purchase will probably be a console system with either BlueRay or HD-DVD. I want HD-DVD to win, but I am hesitant to buy now because this format war could go either way.

Excellent TV...it's most likely 720p native, can down/up/sidesample (however you look at it) 1080i to 720p.

My money is on HD-DVD.

Is it really better to calibrate manually? I don't see how a human could do a better job than the DSP in the receiver at calibrating. The manual for the 635 says that the EZSetup calibration is likely to be far more accurate than what you could do manually.

I'm not familiar with exactly how the ezsetup works. I know it involves a mic...I googled, and couldnt get details. They say its likely to be far more accurate because most people don't know how to do it. I imagine you place the mic where you're sitting, and press the button, and voila? That might actually work...I just never heard of it.

How exactly do you calibrate manually anyways? What are the steps?

it easy. You get a sound level meter, which tells you exactly how loud the sound is from where the meter is. You don't need a test disc, any decent receiver should have a test setting, that can put out the white noise you use to calibrate. Then all you do is equalize them.

Basically. Place the SPL meter where your head would be, tilted towards the ceiling but facing forward. Set the meter to 70 or 80. Play the tone for the first speaker, and raise the absolute volume until it falls at 0. Then go to the next speaker, and raise the relative level of each particular speaker until they all equalize at 0.

Also, be sure to set your speakers to "Small", rather than "Large". Small routes the signals for low bass to the sub. Large is only really appropriate for REALLY large speakers, that essentially have their own subs, as it sends the entire signal through, rather than crossing it over to the sub.

 

[KingGheedora]

What's the downside of having the speaker set to large. Would the receiver send the LF signal to both the speaker, and the sub? Or just the speaker?

And as for the EZSetup on the AVR, it tells you to put the mic 3 feet above the listening position, and then it sends out sounds to all the speakers. Then for "near field", it asks you to place the mic 3 feet from the front left, in the path to the listening position, and same with center and front right, where it sends out signals to each of those.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Setting your speakers to large means your speakers will be handling a lot more bass and will put more strain on the receiver. Depending on your settings, bass may be played on both speakers/sub or just speakers. By sending the low stuff to your sub only, this should allow the speakers to concentrate on the mids/highs and do a better job at that. The Axioms aren't designed to be run full range as their output drops considerably right around where one would tend to set a crossover.

HK has some funky options for bass management, but overall you should just be having that nice PB10 handle the low stuff.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Jsut re-read your post. So, the 635 isn't causing yuo problems. You a re a lucky one!

I bought the 635 almost a year ago. I researched it before purchasing, and knew that I was buying after the problem units were no longer shipping. I never had to upgrade firmware or anything.

EDIT
It's a little disconcerting though that if I didn't know any better and were in the market I could have passed up a great receiver based on your misinformed post. Not to knock you or anything, but you're hyping it up like it's a terrible product just because of some early issues.

WHOOOAH!!!!

You are indeed mis-informed then. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MATTER TO DEATH ABOUT A MONTH AGO!!! You need to go to the AVS Forums and read up on the 635. People that own it even recomend against it. That's how bad the thing is in terms of reliability. One person even went through 3 repair jobs and the thing still isn't right!

Anyone reading this should be warned of the 635 for reason!

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Now I am irked:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=689811&highlight=hk+635

HK 635 rear channels crapped out then quit altogether less than 4 months old...fixed it then sold it.

I have a 635. It's my second and I finally just got it back from repairs.....again. I thought I was buying quality and all I've had is headaches and bugs. Hums, buzzes, amp problems, front door problems, binding post losening and memory problems.

I have a 635 it has memory problems but i love h/k amps.

have gone through 2 HK 635- both of them cause a slightly audible hum when the unit is turned on.

I could go on. it seems abut 25% of people have problems from when I was reseaching my next amp.

I'm going to go with a used Pioneer Elite once the premiums drop a bit. I know what I want and it's an older model, but it's got a great amplifiaction stage. I think it's the ELite 56.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Now I am irked:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=689811&highlight=hk+635

HK 635 rear channels crapped out then quit altogether less than 4 months old...fixed it then sold it.

I have a 635. It's my second and I finally just got it back from repairs.....again. I thought I was buying quality and all I've had is headaches and bugs. Hums, buzzes, amp problems, front door problems, binding post losening and memory problems.

I have a 635 it has memory problems but i love h/k amps.

have gone through 2 HK 635- both of them cause a slightly audible hum when the unit is turned on.

I could go on. it seems abut 25% of people have problems from when I was reseaching my next amp.

I'm going to go with a used Pioneer Elite once the premiums drop a bit. I know what I want and it's an older model, but it's got a great amplifiaction stage. I think it's the ELite 56.

You can find people that have had trouble with almost any receiver. I have had no problems as many people have not and I love my receiver. He owns the receiver, he likes it, he doesn't give a crap how much you might have been influenced by some people that had trouble with their units.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
What's the downside of having the speaker set to large. Would the receiver send the LF signal to both the speaker, and the sub? Or just the speaker?

And as for the EZSetup on the AVR, it tells you to put the mic 3 feet above the listening position, and then it sends out sounds to all the speakers. Then for "near field", it asks you to place the mic 3 feet from the front left, in the path to the listening position, and same with center and front right, where it sends out signals to each of those.

Check what firmware version you have in your unit...I can't remember the exact button you need to hold but its behind the back panel while the unit is in standby. You can just try each until one works. Or search AVS and you will find which exact one it is.