The only way to listen to music around here is to go set in the car. I'd like to remedy that. We have a 55" Samsung. I'd like to put something fairly compact with that to get 5.1 dolby surround but maintain better audio than you can get with these "Home Theater in a Box" set ups.
Oh, I can't hear worth a damn any more so that's why the 5.1 center channel deal. Better dialog intelligibility, or so they say.
What are y'all doing.
Dan
Home Theatre
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
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skyboltone
- Posts: 2287
- Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 7:02 pm
- Location: Sparks, NV, where nowhere looks like home.
Home Theatre
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Re: Home Theatre
I have an all tube system. Conrad Johnson, and Highly modified Lenco Turntable, Merlin VSM speakers.
I can run the TV into it but seldom do unless I have company over for the superbowl. I find the 5.1 systems to be very hard to listen to. they do strange aural things and totally disconnect the sound from the music. Oh, I get the Aural magic, but it does not sound real.
I also have another system that is almost just as satisfying. An old Sansui 5000 receiver and a pair of old AR speakers. Cheap and very good, much better than the crap they are selling today at the video theater places.
I do know what you mean about the intelligibility of speech. I find it is the way the Processors try to create the surround sound, I find it better to turn that off in your tv's audio control program. also the Eq section, turn the mids up the, bass down, treble to taste. Most of them set the mids way down and that is where the human voice is.
Z
I can run the TV into it but seldom do unless I have company over for the superbowl. I find the 5.1 systems to be very hard to listen to. they do strange aural things and totally disconnect the sound from the music. Oh, I get the Aural magic, but it does not sound real.
I also have another system that is almost just as satisfying. An old Sansui 5000 receiver and a pair of old AR speakers. Cheap and very good, much better than the crap they are selling today at the video theater places.
I do know what you mean about the intelligibility of speech. I find it is the way the Processors try to create the surround sound, I find it better to turn that off in your tv's audio control program. also the Eq section, turn the mids up the, bass down, treble to taste. Most of them set the mids way down and that is where the human voice is.
Z
Re: Home Theatre
Projector throwing 120" on painted wall.
[img:600:335]http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1217684461.jpg[/img]
Dynaco Mk III's running the big Magnepans, and a Velodyne DD-18 sub. Tube pre, and PS3 as video source.
Technically its 2.1, but it images so well most guests tell me how nice the center channel speaker is when there isn't one.
John
[img:600:335]http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1217684461.jpg[/img]
Dynaco Mk III's running the big Magnepans, and a Velodyne DD-18 sub. Tube pre, and PS3 as video source.
Technically its 2.1, but it images so well most guests tell me how nice the center channel speaker is when there isn't one.
John
Re: Home Theatre
I like Magnapans. I used to have a pair and ran them with a Harmon Kardon Citation power amp.Cantplay wrote:Projector throwing 120" on painted wall.
Dynaco Mk III's running the big Magnepans, and a Velodyne DD-18 sub. Tube pre, and PS3 as video source.
Technically its 2.1, but it images so well most guests tell me how nice the center channel speaker is when there isn't one.
John
They make a very large and satisfying sound wave. I have experimented with subs but have come the conclusion they are not necessary in a well balanced system. Unless, I was using little satellite speakers.
Z
Re: Home Theatre
Interesting stuff guys.
Like Dan, I have hearing problems & struggle with my vizio 55" with 5.1 "enhanced" sound system.
I'll try turning off the surround sound settings. & tweeking the eq.
Like Dan, I have hearing problems & struggle with my vizio 55" with 5.1 "enhanced" sound system.
I'll try turning off the surround sound settings. & tweeking the eq.
Why Aye Man
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skyboltone
- Posts: 2287
- Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 7:02 pm
- Location: Sparks, NV, where nowhere looks like home.
Re: Home Theatre
I'm not alone......Bob S wrote:Interesting stuff guys.
Like Dan, I have hearing problems & struggle with my vizio 55" with 5.1 "enhanced" sound system.
I'll try turning off the surround sound settings. & tweeking the eq.
I have all the components for an Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater system out there in the garage. I need to build the cabinets. I intend to cross them at 1200 instead of 500 or 800. More like the model 19 that way. I've wanted a setup like that all my life and have twice acquired the stuff to do it but never finished the job. With that midrange perhaps it will work. I suppose I can pick up a Dynaco SCA-35 to make it work until I can build something audiophile. I should have known with this bunch that there would be no easy solutions.
As it is I'll have to make holes in the wall into the office on the other side of the living room wall to make the Altecs fit in this little bitty house.
Dan
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Re: Home Theatre
A Dynaco sca 35 will be plenty for those Altecs. You could drive them with a 3 watt amp, or less.
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skyboltone
- Posts: 2287
- Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 7:02 pm
- Location: Sparks, NV, where nowhere looks like home.
Re: Home Theatre
No doubt. Eventually a SET amp I think. It's just so hard to get enthusiastic about Hi-Fi at this stage of life because I'm down 70db at 2000 in my right ear and 60db at 3000 in the left. And then of course I get deaf above that. It all has to pass through that dang digital hearing aid at normal volumes. Of course if you turn it up so you can hear it then you're up against what got you into trouble in the first place.billyz wrote:A Dynaco sca 35 will be plenty for those Altecs. You could drive them with a 3 watt amp, or less.
The Last of the World's Great Human Beings
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly go either deaf or blind.
If you put the Federal Government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years time there would be a shortage of sand.
Re: Home Theatre
John,Cantplay wrote:Projector throwing 120" on painted wall.
[img:600:335]http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1217684461.jpg[/img]
Dynaco Mk III's running the big Magnepans, and a Velodyne DD-18 sub. Tube pre, and PS3 as video source.
Technically its 2.1, but it images so well most guests tell me how nice the center channel speaker is when there isn't one.
John
Your setup is bitchin' and I just have to laugh at the photo! Two guys getting blown off a building Jerry Bruckheimer style. Classic.
Re: Home Theatre
Dan I think that the best solution for you is to get a powered soundbar type speaker.
You place this above or below the screen.
Then it is used instead of the tiny, badly placed speakers on the flatscreen.
This is just an example, you can spend less or much more.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_109SB200/J ... erview-tab
I agree that even though I have a pretty nice Onkyo 7.1 THX surround sound
System, the dialog is sometimes hard to understand because of all the sound effects going on in other channels.
I probably need a better center speaker but for the most part it sounds good.
You place this above or below the screen.
Then it is used instead of the tiny, badly placed speakers on the flatscreen.
This is just an example, you can spend less or much more.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_109SB200/J ... erview-tab
I agree that even though I have a pretty nice Onkyo 7.1 THX surround sound
System, the dialog is sometimes hard to understand because of all the sound effects going on in other channels.
I probably need a better center speaker but for the most part it sounds good.
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Home Theatre
I run a Dynaco st70 through some Cerwin Vega speakers. I got real lucky as the last tv I bought had stereo output jacks. My last one did not. It is not surround sound but I like it fine.
I've got blisters on my fingers!
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LeftyStrat
- Posts: 3117
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:58 pm
- Location: Marietta, SC, but my heart and two of my kids are in Seattle, WA
Re: Home Theatre
Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Seems like part of the music is coming from the other room or something.billyz wrote: I find the 5.1 systems to be very hard to listen to. they do strange aural things and totally disconnect the sound from the music. Oh, I get the Aural magic, but it does not sound real.
I go straight stereo for listening to music, and leaving 5.1 for movie sound fx.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
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Gibsonman63
- Posts: 1033
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 1:59 pm
- Location: Texas
Re: Home Theatre
I am still old-schooling it. Everything I own is stereo only except for my mixing monitors that have a matching sub.
I can't handle watching television with a sub-woofer, much less the commercials. Basically, I am using an older Yamaha reciever and a pair of Dano speakers. Sounds good to me.
I can't handle watching television with a sub-woofer, much less the commercials. Basically, I am using an older Yamaha reciever and a pair of Dano speakers. Sounds good to me.
Re: Home Theatre
The problem with most subwoofer setups is they are crossed over too high, and gain too high.
It should be low passed a 50-60Hz, and the mains high passed at same spot.
If you can find the sub by ear in the room, its too high.
John
It should be low passed a 50-60Hz, and the mains high passed at same spot.
If you can find the sub by ear in the room, its too high.
John
Re: Home Theatre
I used to love to listen to movies with 5.1 but some where in my life it just gets too loud, horns blowing, loud foot steps, door slamming on top of grandkids yelling, wife and family yapping it drives me nuts so my equipment sits in storage 
The only time it's quiet around my home is when everyone is sleeping.
I'm still going to get started on tube preamp, tube amp and quality speakers in case things get better.
Keep the posts coming I'm reading with interest. Would like to read more on choosing preamp and why the PA is single ended.
Mark
The only time it's quiet around my home is when everyone is sleeping.
I'm still going to get started on tube preamp, tube amp and quality speakers in case things get better.
Keep the posts coming I'm reading with interest. Would like to read more on choosing preamp and why the PA is single ended.
Mark