sound systems

Finally got some more room, and finally (re)bought my favorite speakers.. F3 Sound Trapez Xi's mk.II modified after Ole Klifoths recommendations with better cabling and Xover components... Cheap compared to what's been listed here, but I'm pretty sure you won't find anything as involving...!... - Of course you will - But in this price range - Forget about it... Nothing compares...
 
Nope, I don't have any pictures of the setup yet but I'll try and get some if you guys would like to see it. I may be trading in the Integra receiver for a Rotel RSX-1056 tomorrow.
 
I have the JBL Studio Series in my personal theater system. They're great for the money they cost. I have the S38 8 inch three ways, the S-Center two 5.25 woofer four way center channel speaker and the S26 6 inch two ways. All have the 1" dome titanium tweeter and 150 watt power handling.

For music listening only, I have my homemade Seas/Scan Speak 7" two ways. They cost me around $1,100-$1,200 to make and I wouldn't trade them for a pair of anything! I've sampled quite a few $3,000 to $8,000 dollar speaker systems, and mine still stand out!

So, why buy the JBLs when I can make my own? Easy. They were cheap, great sounding and I can abuse the hell out of them without the fear of losing a lot of money if they fail. I've had them so loud once, the crossovers started to smoke! yet they still operate perfectly! I've always been impressed with JBL. They sound as good as Infinities, and other speaker systems, yet cost one third as less.

Cerwin-Vegas are overpriced crap. So are a lot of others out there. Be careful what you buy.

 
Meh some old Mitshubishi speakers.

All 5 of them are the same, the center channel doesn't work though. All on I think a 40 something screen. And I think also a kinda old Mitsubishi reciever.

For just living room music we got a BOSE system.
Ah, this one.
And yes that sub is friggin heavy.
 
Jordan
Nope, I don't have any pictures of the setup yet but I'll try and get some if you guys would like to see it. I may be trading in the Integra receiver for a Rotel RSX-1056 tomorrow.
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I always liked the Integra line (high-end Onkyo right?). Was there something about the Integra you didn't like? Looking for different features or better quality?

Solid Lifters,
I would agree. You can abuse the living tar out of some of the JBL stuff. What kind of component(s) do you have running your Seas/Scan Speak?
 
Pako
I always liked the Integra line (high-end Onkyo right?). Was there something about the Integra you didn't like? Looking for different features or better quality?

Solid Lifters,
I would agree. You can abuse the living tar out of some of the JBL stuff. What kind of component(s) do you have running your Seas/Scan Speak?
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I run them with my Sony Micro ES system I bought just before, or after, leaving for college. I can't remember the model number off the top of my head, but it's not listed anywhere on the net after searching for it. It's not a CXP, or whatever those cheap micro systems Sony sells today. My system was a full micro sized component system. The amp and preamp are seperate units. So is the audio tape deck, and cd player (optional). It also came with an optional DAT deck, back in 1988-89. Wasn't cheap, about $750. It still sounds amazing, though.

I think Teac or Technics came out with a "high end" micro component system a year ago, or so, that was very similar to my Sony. I would have bought it, by my Sony still sounds great. It's in my bedroom. I listen to music before going to sleep. I also listen to music if I wake up. It helps me go to or back to sleep, because of the ringing in my ears from too many loud gigs. I sometimes listen to music for an hour or so, before getting up. It's a great way to start the day!
 
Can I get some advice please from you guys. I want to get a set of speakers for my Slimline PS2 and PC. Due to limitations in where I am living at the moment, I do not want a sub (annoy people below) so I am looking at getting a set of Creative I-trigue 2200 speakers.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=28&product=10734

I know they will connect to my PC through the normal jack socket but how can I coonect them to the PS2???? Is it possible to connect them to the PS2 and if so how?????

Also what is the optical cable socket on my PS2 used for??

Many thanks for the help.
 
Solid Lifters
I run them with my Sony Micro ES system I bought just before, or after, leaving for college. I can't remember the model number off the top of my head, but it's not listed anywhere on the net after searching for it. It's not a CXP, or whatever those cheap micro systems Sony sells today. My system was a full micro sized component system. The amp and preamp are seperate units. So is the audio tape deck, and cd player (optional). It also came with an optional DAT deck, back in 1988-89. Wasn't cheap, about $750. It still sounds amazing, though.

I think Teac or Technics came out with a "high end" micro component system a year ago, or so, that was very similar to my Sony. I would have bought it, by my Sony still sounds great. It's in my bedroom. I listen to music before going to sleep. I also listen to music if I wake up. It helps me go to or back to sleep, because of the ringing in my ears from too many loud gigs. I sometimes listen to music for an hour or so, before getting up. It's a great way to start the day!
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That cool. My brother has one of their micro systems, he bought his in the early 90's if I recall. All Components, heavy little suckers, kind of a grey matte finish. It had top technology built into it for the day with proprietary inputs and interfaces for more of Sony's Alien technology. Oh yeah, it also sounds great and it cranks! :)

So what are these Seas speakers? They come in kit, or you just buy the drivers and load them into your own boxes or what?
 
Linus27
Can I get some advice please from you guys. I want to get a set of speakers for my Slimline PS2 and PC. Due to limitations in where I am living at the moment, I do not want a sub (annoy people below) so I am looking at getting a set of Creative I-trigue 2200 speakers.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=28&product=10734

I know they will connect to my PC through the normal jack socket but how can I coonect them to the PS2???? Is it possible to connect them to the PS2 and if so how?????

Also what is the optical cable socket on my PS2 used for??

Many thanks for the help.
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The optical output is for connecting the digital audio signal out to a stereo reciever with optical inputs. That's the only way to get Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The link wasn't working, so I can't tell you anything more. Sorry.

Connect a digital opt. cable from your ps2 to your receiver. Connect speaker system to your receiver.



Pako
That cool. My brother has one of their micro systems, he bought his in the early 90's if I recall. All Components, heavy little suckers, kind of a grey matte finish. It had top technology built into it for the day with proprietary inputs and interfaces for more of Sony's Alien technology. Oh yeah, it also sounds great and it cranks! :)

So what are these Seas speakers? They come in kit, or you just buy the drivers and load them into your own boxes or what?
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They're homemade speakers. I buy the components, and assemble them together. I used to sell them for a liiving a while back, but lost interest. Too much selling skills are needed and I started to hate it. Plus, my brother was the only decent one for making the cabinets, and he can be a real asshole at times. I mostly made them for family and friends, anyway. Once they all had them, I quit.

I used Seas 7" Excel drivers, about $160 each, and a Scan Speak Aluminum Ring Radiator Tweeter, about $350 each. They look fantastic, and sound fantasic. I used Solen caps, Mills resistors and various copper foil inductors for the crossovers. The Cabinets were 3/4 mdf with various wood veneers made usually with quilted maple. My brother was the wood working master, so he had no problems making the cabs. It's just too bad he doesn't like to work when you need him to.
 
Solid Lifters
*snip*

They're homemade speakers. I buy the components, and assemble them together. I used to sell them for a liiving a while back, but lost interest. Too much selling skills are needed and I started to hate it. Plus, my brother was the only decent one for making the cabinets, and he can be a real asshole at times. I mostly made them for family and friends, anyway. Once they all had them, I quit.

I used Seas 7" Excel drivers, about $160 each, and a Scan Speak Aluminum Ring Radiator Tweeter, about $350 each. They look fantastic, and sound fantasic. I used Solen caps, Mills resistors and various copper foil inductors for the crossovers. The Cabinets were 3/4 mdf with various wood veneers made usually with quilted maple. My brother was the wood working master, so he had no problems making the cabs. It's just too bad he doesn't like to work when you need him to.
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Wow, made your own X-Overs too? Right on. I have a couple of DIY subs that I have in my HT room. I love hearing the house shake knowing that it's from something I made. They ported, tuned enclosures with the subs firing down and ported out the back. I made them in such a way as to mask what they really are. They look like nice oak end tables with false doors on the front. There's just something about being able to enjoy music through something that you built. Ever consider making any Electrostatic Speakers?
 
Pako
Wow, made your own X-Overs too? Right on. I have a couple of DIY subs that I have in my HT room. I love hearing the house shake knowing that it's from something I made. They ported, tuned enclosures with the subs firing down and ported out the back. I made them in such a way as to mask what they really are. They look like nice oak end tables with false doors on the front. There's just something about being able to enjoy music through something that you built. Ever consider making any Electrostatic Speakers?
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I looked into it, but didn't like what I heard from them. So, I didn't go any farther. Interesting concept and design, though.

I'm not big on subs. I can make a 6.5" inch speaker boom and rattle the whole room. My HDTV set is a XBR, so it has a decent subwoofer that provides enough bass for my tastes. Plus, I have an eight inch 100 watt subwoofer that supplies more than enough earth-shaking, thunderous boom when I want or need more. Remember, I'm a guitar player, not a bass player like you. Heh. Me go little boom. Little boom, good enough.

Oh, I was helping shopping_carts (Matt)with building his own speaker box with two 10" Eminence Legend bass speakers. Here's the link for them http://editweb.iglou.com/eminence/eminence/pages/products02/legend/legbp102.htm He didn't have enough high end, so I had to come up with this tweeter suggestion... http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=272-120 Two 10s and one bullet tweeter should be enough for a 5.3 ohm 200 watt speaker system for his bass guitar. I had to design an L-Pad and bass blocker electronic circuit for his speaker system, too. He'll buy the components soon, and let me know how it goes. If you have any tips, since you're a bass player, let him know.
 
Solid Lifters
I looked into it, but didn't like what I heard from them. So, I didn't go any farther. Interesting concept and design, though.

I'm not big on subs. I can make a 6.5" inch speaker boom and rattle the whole room. My HDTV set is a XBR, so it has a decent subwoofer that provides enough bass for my tastes. Plus, I have an eight inch 100 watt subwoofer that supplies more than enough earth-shaking, thunderous boom when I want or need more. Remember, I'm a guitar player, not a bass player like you. Heh. Me go little boom. Little boom, good enough.

Oh, I was helping shopping_carts (Matt)with building his own speaker box with two 10" Eminence Legend bass speakers. Here's the link for them http://editweb.iglou.com/eminence/eminence/pages/products02/legend/legbp102.htm He didn't have enough high end, so I had to come up with this tweeter suggestion... http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=272-120 Two 10s and one bullet tweeter should be enough for a 5.3 ohm 200 watt speaker system for his bass guitar. I had to design an L-Pad and bass blocker electronic circuit for his speaker system, too. He'll buy the components soon, and let me know how it goes. If you have any tips, since you're a bass player, let him know.
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The only advise I could give is to go all tube as far as pre/pwr amps go. I recently acquired a SVT 300w All Tube classic head loaded with Groove Tubes. There is nothing like it. I was running a SWR 900w head that was tube preamp (12AX7) with solid state output and it doesn't even come close to breathing like this Classic SVT. I'm still on that quest for my tone, but I'm getting close. I was recently turned on to Tone Tubby speakers that are supposed to be the shizzle for my grizzle, but I haven't checked them out yet.
 
I didn't realise what a speaker expert you were, Solid Lifters. That's so cool! 👍 :cool:

Pako
I always liked the Integra line (high-end Onkyo right?). Was there something about the Integra you didn't like? Looking for different features or better quality?
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Yep, Integra is Onkyo's high-end line. There wasn't anything I didn't like about the Integra - it was a FANTASTIC receiver with plenty of power, great sound, and tons of features for the price. Unfortunately, I had to turn it in because of a lip-sync issue caused by the Qualia 006. Because its internal scaler has to upconvert everything to the screen's native 1920x1080p resolution, It intruduces a slight video delay of about 90ms. The audio (which required no processing) goes straight to the receiver via optical cable, and was, therefore, slightly ahead of the on-screen action. As the TV (which delays the audio for its own internal speakers) does not have a digital audio output, the only way to solve this problem was to get a receiver which did have a sufficient internal audio delay feature and set it independently (the Integra 5.5 had none).

The lip sync problem is something that alot of other 1080p set owners have been running in to from all manufacturers and I think it's an issue that we're going to be hearing a lot more about in the future.
 
I've been messing around with audio set ups since i was 9, about 5 years ago :lol:, when i got my first hifi system. Pretty cheapo, but i wasn't old enough to realise. Hitachi something or other. But, i did notice that i was getting awful sound from the speakers one day. We got the guy from the store to come and have a look, and he recconed there was something wrong with the speakers. So, took it back, and got a replacement. The same thing happened again. So, i gave up, and got a new and completely different one for xmas. I got a JVC UX T55 micro system for about £130. And i haven't changed since.

It's been moved about loads of times, and it's still living. I think it must be atleast 4 years old already now, coming up to 5, and it still has awesome sound quality. Since i got it all those years ago, it's has speaker extension cables, and an extra speaker added (from my mum's old aiwa system - it acts as a subwoofer), and it sounds even better. It's currently being used as a speaker system for my laptop.


As for tv and ps2, there's a set of creative 5.1 speakers plugged into that. The reason that the hifi is plugged into the pc, is because they are better qualit than the creatives, and i listen to more music on the laptop than the tv.
 
Alright, I'm not sure if this is a soundcard or speaker pr software problem, but here goes.

When I play video games, my 5.1 works properly. When I calibrate it, it works properly. But when I play music, the center and 2 rear speakers don't let out any sound. It's only the front 2. I've downloaded the latest drivers and patches and can't seem to fix it. Anyone know the problem?
 
PS
Alright, I'm not sure if this is a soundcard or speaker pr software problem, but here goes.

When I play video games, my 5.1 works properly. When I calibrate it, it works properly. But when I play music, the center and 2 rear speakers don't let out any sound. It's only the front 2. I've downloaded the latest drivers and patches and can't seem to fix it. Anyone know the problem?
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That's because it is only stereo audio. (Stereo = two channel audio = two speakers) You'll need to use DVD-A discs to get full, 5.1 music coming from all the speakers. Your computer should have some way to split the stereo sound, though - this is what most A/V receivers do using Dolby Pro Logic II. I can't really help you much more as computer audio has always been a strange sort of mystery too me...
 
After a couple months of deciding over speakers. I have concluded that I prefer a 2 channel system over surround sound so I got a small 2 channel system. I use the subwoofer sometimes but the Epiphony has plenty of bass for my tastes. :)

Pics:


Odyssey Epiphony (Im trying to find cover under a blanket in the back :dopey: )



Sherwood RD-6108. Don't know why I haven't gotten rid of this unit yet but it still kicks ass for $100.



Me <3 Senn HD580 + Pa2v2 headphone Amp
 
Polk Audio 5.1 Surround sound speakers w/10" powered sub
Technics Reciever (forget actual model, sorry)
Pioneer floor speakers with 12" sub, 6 1/2" mid and 1" tweeter
50" Hitachi LCD with monster component cables
Not the best, but works good enough for me.
 
I have an older Pioneer THX certified A/V Receiver (VSXD1011). Had it for a few years now.
Last year I finally got some fairly decent Mordaunt Short 504's. Nice sound. Very happy with them. Particularly good when listening to SACD's like Dark Side of the Moon and Joe Satriani's Strange Beautiful Music. Good with films too!
 
I have a Sony STRDE895 6.1 reciever with 8 year old Sony speakers. I purchased a new center channel and moved the old center to the rear. I'm waiting for prices to drop so I can throw down for a new HDTV. Right now I have a 9 year old 27" Sony Trin. A 5 DVD changer, (2) TiVo's and (2) kids keep me beyond busy enough to worry about any upgrades for a while.

Considering that my wife would be happy with a 13" TV with a built in VCR, I don't think I'm doint too bad. Actually, I have one of those, too. :) I was showing her the TV I wanted (a 42") and her comment was, get this, "Why wouldn't we spend the extra money and get the 50"?"

Sometimes, err, all the time, she is the best wife ever.
 
LOL, awesome! Same thing happened with my wife. I was showing her the 42" Rear Projections, and her response was, "You know, I think that next one over has a better picture....I like that one better" as she pointed over to the 50". When I went to pick it up, I decided to up it another 10" and go all the way and get the 60". It's great having cool wives, eh? :D
 
Indeed it is, Pako. :sly:

She told me when I'm ready to go but the new TV to just get whatever I want. I only have to keep in mind that after I buy it, I then have to paint the walls in the living room and rearrange all the furniture. On the plus side, she doesn't have a problem with me tearing out part of the wall behind where the TV will go (the laundry room side) to run power and video cables. :)👍

I would just place it on a stand, but having a dog and in 2 years a 2 and 4 year old, I just don't trust that scenario. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna wall mount the sucker.
 
;) New paint, and 'simple' remodeling is a given. LOL, you might even be pressured into some new furniture and fixtures as well to help tie the room together with the new TV. Wall mounting is a great idea. Also consider fixed shelving for the components as well. Plexiglas might also help aid in the protection of the TV should the kids want to try and feed the animals on Discovery HD a peanut butter sandwich. I'm unfortunate to not have a utility room behind the entertainment area. Wire management is a definite concern and something I need to address better. I've even considered building a false wall that would give me access to everything behind. If I did that, I would build fixed shelving for the components...etc. Maybe a project for later this year.
 
I was also considering a false wall but I chose not to as then in another 10 years, I would be in the same situation I'm in now - I want to upgrade, but my current entertainment center can hold up to a 32" 4:3. Not exactly the upgrade that make a whole ton of sense.

As for the Discovery Channel, I don't have, nor do I plan on getting cable/satellite (kinda sad when you have 2 TiVo's, huh? :dunce: )

And we already bought new couches. A big freaking sectional with a ginormous ottoman. Very comfy. :P
 
Pako
;) New paint, and 'simple' remodeling is a given. LOL, you might even be pressured into some new furniture and fixtures as well to help tie the room together with the new TV. Wall mounting is a great idea. Also consider fixed shelving for the components as well. Plexiglas might also help aid in the protection of the TV should the kids want to try and feed the animals on Discovery HD a peanut butter sandwich. I'm unfortunate to not have a utility room behind the entertainment area. Wire management is a definite concern and something I need to address better. I've even considered building a false wall that would give me access to everything behind. If I did that, I would build fixed shelving for the components...etc. Maybe a project for later this year.
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That's one of the things that attracts me to the Pioneer sets. They have external "media boxes" which means you only have to run power & signal to the TV. All of your multiple connections are handled by the media box, which sits happily on a standard-issue hi-fi rack.

Plasma is the next thing in our house. We did kitchen and bathroom in 2005, so plasma is coming soon...
 
TB
I was also considering a false wall but I chose not to as then in another 10 years, I would be in the same situation I'm in now - I want to upgrade, but my current entertainment center can hold up to a 32" 4:3. Not exactly the upgrade that make a whole ton of sense.

As for the Discovery Channel, I don't have, nor do I plan on getting cable/satellite (kinda sad when you have 2 TiVo's, huh? :dunce: )

And we already bought new couches. A big freaking sectional with a ginormous ottoman. Very comfy. :P
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LOL, my wife picked out a sectional......had to paint, remodel, relocate the upstairs entertainment system (not as easy as she seems to think it is to just move the entertainment center), but at the end of the project we really like the new arrangement and it's a lot more cozy and functional of a space than it used to be. Kudos to her persistence to have me do the work. I did enter into an agreement with her long ago, and that is she can paint as long as often as she wants, any color she chooses and I will be more than happy to buy her paint and supplies as long as she doesn't expect me to help her paint. It's an arrangement that seems to have worked out well. :)

@Giles,
A media box eh? Interesting. Well as the TV sits today, I have one component going from the receiver to the TV with all A/V switching being done at the receiver level, but I have a very open style component stand that doesn't 'hide' the wires the way it should. Then my wife had the stand moved away from the TV which caused some of the custom cut wires to be too short to lay on the ground, now they drape like a vine from the speaker inputs in the wall (behind the tv) to the component stand. Although I have all the wires housed in corrugated black plastic, it doesn't look very clean. I don't want to see ANY wires. :)
 

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