May 16, 2001
The new GoodSound! site is nice and
all, but, er, where are the equipment reviews? The old site listed dozens of recommended
speakers, amps, CD players, etc. -- along with a mini-description of each. The new site
does have an equipment tab, but there are only three or so reviews there (a Cambridge amp,
Cambridge CD player and Polk speakers).
For the time being, I can still find the old
equipment listings under the original-site
link, but you ARE gonna carry that stuff forward to the new site, aren't you? If not,
please let me know because I'd like to archive some of that stuff before it goes away --
there's some really good reference material in there.
Thanks,
Scott Seeley
Excellent question, and yes. Revamping the
site was the first priority. Now that it's up, we're working hard on not only carrying the
equipment listings forward, but updating them to be current. The original site link will
remain live, so don't worry about archiving it yourself -- just go back there whenever you
need to. We expect to have the initial GoodSound! Guide up and running shortly
and will then build it up over the coming months. This was one of the original site's most
unique and useful features, and we're committed to integrating it into the new site as
soon as possible.
May 15, 2001
I have a budget of $1500, and I'm looking to
buy a nice sound system. The problem I face is that I know little about these things, and
as I read more I get confused more and more. Can you help me in this?
Thanks,
Karmi
Part of the problem is the mind-boggling
variety of available product which is written about in so many publications on a monthly
basis. The more you read, the more you read about. That can get overwhelming. I can
sympathize with your dilemma. To start, I recommend to use the budget sample of our first
"How To" article. In your case, the formula breaks down something like this:
$300 for CD/DVD player, $300-$500 for integrated amplifier/receiver, $500 for speakers,
$100-$200 for cables and speaker stands (if you need stands). Remember, this is only a
rough recipe to get you started but would help you to specifically shop in those
respective categories. Not knowing your room size, listening habits and personal tastes,
being more specific becomes difficult. However, here are some recommendations to consider.
For source, try any of the recent Pioneer DVD players (around $250). For integrated amps,
the Cambridge
Audio A500 reviewed in May ($450). For speakers, the Axiom Millennia M3Ti ($275 per
pair), Polk RT35i
($460) or Triangle Titus XS ($495). For cables, something in the TARA Labs Prism series
(less than $100 for interconnects and speaker cable). For stands, anything good-looking
for under $100. Total expenditure: $1200 - $1400. For a floorstanding speaker instead, I'd
consider the Paradigm Phantom at $329 (review forthcoming).
May 14, 2001
Is there a mailing list that will let us know
when you've updated the site? Thanks for the great work and commitment to the audiophile
of average means.
Carl
We update the site with new content on the
1st and 15th of the month, and we answer "Ask Me" letters just about every day.
On May 15, we'll add the Triangle Titus XS review and the second installment of the
"How To" articles; on June 1 look for a review of the Axiom Millennia M3Ti, the
NY Home Entertainment show report, new music reviews, and the third "How To"
installment.
May 13, 2001
There is so much talk on speaker cables that I
was hoping you could help give me the basic lowdown. I have a Rogue integrated tube amp
and a pair of KEF Reference two speakers. They sound very magical together. For speaker
wiring, I have bought some shielded 16-gauge wire and soldered four banana plugs on the
speaker ends and two on the amp end, basically making my own biwired cables. I have not
tested any high-end biwire cables, so I was wondering if, in your opinion, there was a
brand out there that was worth checking out that would make a noticeable improvement in my
sound.
All my best,
Theo
Remembering that beyond a certain point
the differences in cables become rather subtle and vary from system to system, it seems
that a heavier gauge wire of 12 or 9 AWG improves the bass by virtue of more raw
conductive material. The flip side of this observation are super-skinny silver wires I've
heard that seem to defy this belief. Other real factors of cable differences involve
dielectric/insulator materials. The cheaper cables store and release energy to create a
muddying effect on the signal. Cable geometry (the cross section if you were to slice a
cable open) is yet another sound-modifying factor.
That said, and considering the very
excellent components you already have, I suggest looking at the Analysis Plus Oval 9 or
Oval 12 speaker cable. Depending on your budget, you may want to go single-wire but
replace the standard KEF jumpers with short strips of the same Analysis Plus wire. In
fact, I'm sure they'd build you bare-wire jumpers if you asked. This particular speaker
cable is the best I've come across that also seems like a very fair value and does make a
demonstrable difference. It also received a Reviewers' Choice award of our sister publication, SoundStage!,
and I own it myself.
May 11, 2001
Last year I spent many hours auditioning
speakers in the $1000 range. I lived in New York City at the time and listened to nearly
every speaker I could afford at all of the local high-end retailers. I listened to many
fine speakers from such respected manufacturers as Dynaudio, B&W, JMlab, Paradigm,
Totem, Acoustic Energy, Linn, Sonus Faber, Mission, Monitor Audio and others.
All of these companies made wonderful
speakers, and I probably could have lived happily with any of them. But after many hours
of careful listening, I decided that the speakers I could not live without were Meadowlark
Kestrel HotRods. While the Kestrels may have been outperformed in one area or another by
some of the other speakers, for my tastes, the Kestrels provided the best balance of
virtues. What set them apart from the pack for me was that music just seemed to flow
naturally from them.
Another aspect of the Kestrel's performance
that impressed me was that they responded very well to reasonably priced amplification. I
was amazed when I realized that the Kestrels sounded better with a humble NAD integrated
than they did with a highly respected set of tube monoblocks and tube preamp. (Sorry if I
offend your tube-loving sensibilities.) They sounded simply magical when mated with the
Audio Refinement Complete integrated. This is not to say that the Kestrels won't sound
good with high priced amplification -- just that they don't need it to sound great.
I realize that the Kestrels have already been
reviewed on SoundStage! (and that you may have a potential conflict of interest),
but it may be worth reviewing the Kestrels within the scope of GoodSound!'s
mission as well. I understand that you have a review of the Audio Refinement components in
the works. Try them with the Kestrels -- there is real synergy at work in this combo.
Pete
Having worked for Meadowlark Audio, I
agree with you that the Kestrel HotRod is a phenomenal speaker. My prior association, as
you suspect, does create somewhat of a conflict. Other manufacturers might feel that I
wouldn't be entirely unbiased in a review. Also, at $1500/pair, they are a little more
expensive than we want to concentrate on for right now. However, I do believe that for
speakers, the law of diminishing returns these days kicks in strongly at right about the
Kestrel's price point. This does mean that in order to complete our planned GoodSound!
speaker coverage, we will eventually request speakers at that price. This will be an
attempt to sort through the multitude of possibilities and identify a handful of true
overachievers whose performance warrants the expense. At that time, and if participating
manufacturers are comfortable, I might include the Kestrel.
May 10, 2001
I'm looking for an active subwoofer just for
music. Which one do you think is the best for $500? I also need a good subwoofer cable. If
possible, do a review on DH Lab's BL-1 interconnects, T-14 speaker cables, and the
Paradigm X10/30 subwoofer crossover.
Thank you,
Sunil
At $500, I'd recommend the Hsu Research
VTF-2 without hesitation. The nomenclature stands for "Variable Tuning
Frequency" and refers to two ports. With one plugged, the flat response is -1dB @
25Hz. With both open, there is a 4dB boost in the midbass area for ultimate output and
added home-theater excitement, but extension is reduced to 32Hz. The variable low-pass
frequency can be set as low as 30Hz and as high as 90Hz; 30Hz is very unusual in a sub at
this price, but a super feature to use with relatively full-range main speakers.
Regarding a good interconnect for
subwoofer use, I'd pick the same you already use in your system. As a low-level signal, no
"special" cable is needed as long as you have something of decent quality, say
an entry-level Cardas or TARA Labs design.
May 9, 2001
Your GoodSound! site is really great.
It's nice to read professional reviews on lower-cost equipment. It's hard to find that
kind of information.
My question has two parts. The first involves
online-direct audio companies. I have heard great things about companies like Ascend Acoustics, Home Theater Direct and nOrh, among some others like Outlaw Audio and EdgeAudio. I am thinking of getting a
system for around $1500-$1700 that would include a receiver or integrated amplifier, two
mains, a center, two surrounds, and a subwoofer. Have you heard any of these brands? I've
listened to some NHT Super Ones (if I got five of them, a sub, and an Onkyo 595 receiver,
it would total around $1600), and they sounded pretty good to me, but possibly a little
too weak. I asked a question in a home-theater forum comparing these to online direct
companies, and the only response I received said that nOrh 4.0s are MUCH better than the
NHT Super Ones. But it seems like risky business to me ordering speakers online without
having a chance to compare them head to head.
This leads to my second question. My problem
is that I would actually probably use the system for music much more often than home
theater, so it's really important to me to have good musical sound. If you've heard any
online HT speakers, what would you suggest for music? If not, what would still suggest for
a system that would be good for music and pretty good for home theater and still stay in
my price range?
Your comments are greatly appreciated,
Bryan Donovan
These are some excellent questions.
Truthfully, I don't yet have personal experience with these particular on-line companies.
I agree with you that a listen-before-you-buy approach feels more comfortable than fishing
in the dark. I will thus put these companies on my list, to hopefully have something to
report on them in the near future. EdgeAudio, on the other hand, is something our sister
publication, Home Theater
& Sound, has already reviewed.
The Onkyo receiver is a favorite of SoundStage!
writer Greg Smith, and he assured me yesterday that it sounds fabulous for both music
and movies. This would leave about $1300 for speakers to stay within your budget. From
personal experience, I can recommend the AAD E-40 and matching E-8 subwoofer for your
music fronts. With a sub/sat music system, it's very important that your main front
speakers cover at least 80Hz flat. This eliminates many of the really tiny speakers,
including the AAD E-30, which, however, would make excellent rear speakers in your
application. I believe that two AAD E-40s, one AAD E-44 (center), two AAD E-30s (rear) and
an E-8 (subwoofer) will just fit into this budget. Visit www.aadsound.com and have them confirm this. They're not selling
direct but via dealers.
A stand-alone subwoofer that I already
have here and which might be the one to beat is the Hsu Research VTF-2 at $500. This is
sold direct and thus competes with dealer-sold competitors that are quite a lot more
costly. This is not your typical HT boom-boom box and highly commendable also for a more
music-based system. Look for a sneak peek of the VTF-2 May 15 as part of the Triangle
Titus XS review.
May 9, 2001
Could you recommend a quality pair of
miniature speakers for a portable CD player? We are taking a motorcycle tour of the
country this summer and space is a premium.
Thanks,
Jim
The problem will be how to power them.
Boston Acoustics, for example, makes many amplified computer speakers in different sizes.
They are usually terminated with a miniature phono plug that plugs into the computer's
sound-card jack to get the music signal. This would also fit into the headphone jack of a
portable CD player. Now you'd need an auxiliary power outlet on your motorcycle though (or
with some speakers, a good number of batteries). If you're planning on staying at camp
sites that provide regular AC outlets, such speakers would work. Not being a camper
myself, I 'm not sure whether auxiliary camp site power hook-ups aren't mostly for car
accessories that run off DC.
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