You're right, it's no fun being the guru in this case. My guess is that they don't care about sound as much as being able to hear their tunes, given the current equipment they use, so I wouldn't go crazy on the two channel speakers and sources; the only thing I think I'd focus them on is getting a good multichannel surround sound setup for the home theater, with reasonable speakers and a subwoofer (B&W or PSB, perhaps--doesn't need to be expensive, just clean and plenty of impact) and a good AV receiver that can deliver the sonic goods for watching movies. My wife really doesn't care for anything more than her boombox for her music, but she was very much enthused when I had her see and hear a good home theater setup at my dealer's (close enough in NJ, and very good at advising and setting up a good installation, if the people your friends are using aren't). Maybe your friends would react similarly?
It's No Fun Being a Guru Anymore
I would be curious to hear everyone's opinion on this -- somthing that probably happens to all of you as often as it happens to me.
Years ago, when systems seems more oriented towards MUSIC, it was flattering and fun to help friends choose equipment. Choose music, choose equipment, sit down, enjoy.
Today, however, it just seems like a nightmare and fraught with potential problems. Or is it just me?
Last night, I visited a friend of a friends new apartment in mid renovation -- a beautiful pre-war high ceilinged apartment near Park Avenue in New York where he has happily spent a zillion dollars on everything.
And here is the exciting news on the state of his audio/video plans:
He is requesting:
1)bookshelf speakers in a study/library, approx 8x12
2)unobtrusive speakers in living room, possibly near ceiling and possibly with subwoofer, approx 14x20
3)a second pair of bookshelf speakers in a kitchen/den area, approx 18x20
Here's is where it gets interesting: (NOT!)
He thinks he can use a 10ish year old YAMAHA AVR-75 receiver and a similarly low end SONY DVD/CD/Video CD player to drive EVERYTHING.
And the dealer who gave him a $10,000 proposal has encouraged him!
So the proposed solution is:
Keep the existing yamaha components and add:
1)Fujitsu HD plasma screen in kitchen/den area
2)$900 flattish speakers that hang off the plasma screen
3)An $800 Denon A/V receiver to drive these speakers and possibly the second pair of bookshelf speakers in the kitchen/den area
4) Hundreds of $$$ more on stuff I've never heard of, including programming his remote to receive Timewarner cable, and an ARTICULATING arm to swing the TV off the wall and over the kitchen table. Am I just getting too old or is this a JOKE?
I would say $10,000 or more later, this will sound like CRAP, in EVERY ROOM.
Despite the cheesey garden variety home theatre "solution" there has been no mention of surround sound or a subwoofer for the plasma system.
So my first thought would be to listen to TV and DVD through a decent pair of proper speakers in just stereo and junk the flat speakers that mount on the TV.
But I really dont even know where to begin.
He is actually a nice guy with a nice wife and I would like to help, so if anyone has any ideas or advice, please let me know ASAP.
Years ago, when systems seems more oriented towards MUSIC, it was flattering and fun to help friends choose equipment. Choose music, choose equipment, sit down, enjoy.
Today, however, it just seems like a nightmare and fraught with potential problems. Or is it just me?
Last night, I visited a friend of a friends new apartment in mid renovation -- a beautiful pre-war high ceilinged apartment near Park Avenue in New York where he has happily spent a zillion dollars on everything.
And here is the exciting news on the state of his audio/video plans:
He is requesting:
1)bookshelf speakers in a study/library, approx 8x12
2)unobtrusive speakers in living room, possibly near ceiling and possibly with subwoofer, approx 14x20
3)a second pair of bookshelf speakers in a kitchen/den area, approx 18x20
Here's is where it gets interesting: (NOT!)
He thinks he can use a 10ish year old YAMAHA AVR-75 receiver and a similarly low end SONY DVD/CD/Video CD player to drive EVERYTHING.
And the dealer who gave him a $10,000 proposal has encouraged him!
So the proposed solution is:
Keep the existing yamaha components and add:
1)Fujitsu HD plasma screen in kitchen/den area
2)$900 flattish speakers that hang off the plasma screen
3)An $800 Denon A/V receiver to drive these speakers and possibly the second pair of bookshelf speakers in the kitchen/den area
4) Hundreds of $$$ more on stuff I've never heard of, including programming his remote to receive Timewarner cable, and an ARTICULATING arm to swing the TV off the wall and over the kitchen table. Am I just getting too old or is this a JOKE?
I would say $10,000 or more later, this will sound like CRAP, in EVERY ROOM.
Despite the cheesey garden variety home theatre "solution" there has been no mention of surround sound or a subwoofer for the plasma system.
So my first thought would be to listen to TV and DVD through a decent pair of proper speakers in just stereo and junk the flat speakers that mount on the TV.
But I really dont even know where to begin.
He is actually a nice guy with a nice wife and I would like to help, so if anyone has any ideas or advice, please let me know ASAP.
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- 18 posts total
- 18 posts total