February 28, 2002
I'm creating my system around a Harmon/Kardon AVR70
receiver, a Samsung DVD-N501 DVD player, and Axiom M22Ti speakers. I am very confident
about these selections, but I just don't know where to begin with speaker wires and
interconnects. I read your BetterCables review, and they sound nice, but are they too much
for my system? You've mentioned TARA Labs cables in your columns; how do those compare to
the BetterCables? Are there any other cables I should consider? Thanks.
Eric Singer
Our March "How To" is titled "What You
Need to Know About Loudspeaker Cables" and will give you a good foundation of
knowledge on which to base your decisions. As well, our March 1 review is a cabling system
from Analysis Plus. These, along with the BetterCables we reviewed back in December, would
be excellent products to try in your system. Although I can't tell you exactly how all the
brands we have tried or mentioned will sound in your setup, I can tell you they come from
reputable manufacturers and would likely be a great upgrade from the free cables that
typically come with components. Only you can decide if the price is right for you and your
system, but the products do have a lot to offer.
February 27, 2002
This site is amazing and just what I have been looking for.
I currently have a Harmon/Kardon AVR70 using B&W 320s
for my fronts and some Paradigm Atoms for the rears. I would really like to increase the
headroom and would like some suggestions for a good matched power amp/preamp. I am not
overly interested in watching movies over wanting a clear soundstage, but is it possible
to add a DTS decoder as a separate unit? I would like to be able to add another channel
for high output to run some Axiom AX-5 monitors. They are a little hungry to be run
properly from the H/K internal amp, I imagine. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Andrew
You will need to keep some kind of processor in the
system if you wish to have a multichannel system that can be used for movies. This could
be in the DVD player or more likely in the receiver, as you are doing now. The most
obvious solution to your power-dilemma would be to add a separate power amplifier to the
Harmon/Kardon receiver, using the receiver's preamp-output capability. This would enable
you to use the H/K as both preamp and processor while bypassing the internal amplification
for higher power and better sound. Without scrapping the whole lot, this is the best way
to go. You would then have the additional option of adding a multichannel amp to drive the
rears too, or to simply add a stereo amp for the front speakers. If you did have
processing in the DVD player, the other alternative would be something like the Sony
TA-P9000ES multichannel preamp with a multichannel power amplifier. The H/K would then be
useless to you, however.
February 26, 2002
Do you know where I can purchase a Dolby Digital test CD or
DVD? You know, one with sound effects that will show your friends how cool 5.1 is. I found
a few Pro Logic test discs, but I don't think they will demonstrate 5.1 capabilities.
Please help! Thank you.
J. Reyes
The best home-theater demo material around can be found
in current movies. GoodSound!'s sister site, Home Theater & Sound, details
staff's picks in the "Reference-Grade DVD" article. There's enough there to
impress your friends and their friends too!
February 23, 2002
Is there such a thing as speaker cables that are "too
fast" for a system? I currently run Nordost Blue Heaven speaker cables, a
hand-me-down from an audiophile friend, with Polk RT-8 speakers, an NAD 312 amp, Marantz
CD46 CD player and Nordost Black Knight interconnects. I am planning to upgrade some
components, and I would like to keep the cables. What would you suggest upgrading first?
The speakers or the CD player? Do certain speakers work better with certain brands of
cables?
Thanks, and I love this site. A wealth of information!
Donald
I don't think cables can be "too fast" for a
given system. More revealing components, including cables, can make apparent the flaws in
associated equipment though. In that sense, you do have to match cables with the system
they will be used with. Having said that, Nordost cables are fantastic in my experience;
hang on to them! Regarding an upgrade, better speakers will provide the biggest
performance improvement, as long as you have appropriate amplification to drive them. Polk
Audio makes very good loudspeakers, so perhaps moving up within their line makes sense for
you, especially if the RT-8s have qualities you like. I'd go that route first, then
perhaps look at the CD player down the line a bit.
February 21, 2002
I am purchasing a pair of the Axiom M22Ti SE speakers and
would like to know if one of their own subwoofers, the EP-125 for example, or another
subwoofer in their line will match up better than one from another vendor, such as HSU
(VTF-2) , Rel, Titan, etc. Or, are differences actually minor and proper positioning and
adjustment the important matters at hand. This will comprise a two-channel system only
and, coherence and naturalness are more important to me than depth and dynamics.
Thanks in advance,
Neal Hood
Positioning and adjustment are key issues anytime you
are integrating a subwoofer into a system. This is especially true if two-channel
listening is your priority. Having said that, there are advantages in using a subwoofer
from the same manufacturer as your main speakers. When developing a subwoofer, it is only
natural to assume that the maker paired the sub with their own speakers in the design
phase. As well, certain elements such as driver types, cabinet materials, even internal
wiring, is likely similar from speaker to speaker. All this combines to give the you the
best chance of good integration.
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