Receiver is cutting out
December 29, 2005
I'm running a Klipsch RF-7 system driven by a Harman Kardon
7200 receiver. All speakers are set to small with an SVS sub. When listening to music,
occasionally everything just freezes for a couple seconds then releases. This happens when
the gain is around -20. Is the receiver out of headroom and thus clipping? The sound does
not distort that I can detect. In fact, when it freezes there is no sound at all.
J.T.
You are likely experiencing the protection circuitry in
your receiver being activated. Clipping would produce what you would perceive as
distortion, whereas the protection circuitry is simply muting the outputs long enough for
the condition (over-driving the outputs, excessive heat, etc.) to be corrected. The most
obvious solutions are to either buy a more load-tolerant receiver or listen at lower
volumes.
If your receiver has preamp outputs you could also
consider an external multichannel amplifier to really give your setup a boost. Most
standalone amps are much beefier than the amplifiers in your average receiver, and
therefore rarely experience the problems you describe.
"...a rule of thumb" for speaker size?
December 26, 2005
I have a room that is 14' x 16'. Is there a rule of thumb
for the size and type of speaker that would work well in a room like that? I like the
thought of going with a floorstander, but worry I will have problems with the bass
response. Would a bookshelf speaker and a subwoofer work better?
Brad R.
In all of my years involved is setting up review
samples in various rooms I have yet to encounter a rule of thumb for the speaker/room size
ratio. I'd sure like to have one, but honestly I've been confounded on many occasions.
Speakers of small or moderate size that should have worked in a given room have sounded
boomy in the bass, while large speakers that should have overloaded a room worked
beautifully. Go figure. Having said that, a subwoofer/satellite system would certainly be
more flexible and would offer you a way to fine-tune the sound to your heart's content. If
you go with a floorstander it would be in your best interest to "try before you
buy'" if at all possible. Or at least have the right to return the speakers for an
alternative if they don't work out. A properly integrated floorstanding loudspeaker is my
preferred setup.
Sub-$300 sub?
December 19, 2005
Can you recommend a do-it-yourself subwoofer for under
$300? I'd like something better than the $300 store-bought subs I've seen and don't mind
doing some work myself to save some money. You have a very helpful website, but not much
in the way of below-$300 subwoofers.
Randall
I'm not aware of any subwoofer kits below $300, but if
you can stretch your budget another $50 you can afford the Dayton Titanic 10" from
Parts Express. The details are available on the company's website. The kit includes the driver, amplifier, an
enclosure made from .75" MDF, a grille, and even the foam to line the cabinet
interior and spikes. It's a heck of a deal and only takes about an hour to assemble.
"Party speaker"
December 16, 2005
I am looking for a party speaker that I can take to college
with me. I also want it to sound good at low levels, but I do want to be able to crank it
without fear of damage. Do you suggest something from KLH, Yamaha, or another brand? Thank
you for a helpful website.
Reggie Morgan
For Internet-only brands, look at Axiom Audio. This
company makes speakers that will play loud while also getting the details right. In other
words, they can rock, but they can also play at lower levels and still be an engaging
speaker. You might also find, at some of the local stores, JBL, which has a long history
making studio monitors. The ability to play loud but also do the finer things right is,
just as with Axiom speakers, an intrinsic quality of JBL speakers. Both of the companies
are solid and will support what you buy in case of a problem. Both companies also give you
a lot for your dollar, important if they are to pass the GoodSound! test.
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