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Am I going insane?

I am not what most of you would call an audiophile, although I do appreciate a nice soundstage. I figured this was a good place to ask my questions. First I want to give you my situation though...

Last year I bought the Sony 40"XBR. I love it. Now it's time to purchase a very modest sound system for HT and 2channel. I don't have ANY equipment yet. I do know that the speakers are the first, most important piece to aquire.

So, I was at a dealer last week. I was listening to the B&W CDM NT1 series in both 5.1 and 2 channel. The sound was clear and I was pretty impressed. This is the B&W series (at least retail) that is in my price range.
Then, the fella helping me switched to the Boston Acoustics VR-M60s, with the matching center and surrounds. I thought that the BAs sounded better...much better...more free, less boxy. Both sets were being played from a Yamaha reciever (not hifi to be sure, but I can't afford good components yet). AM I NUTS? Would seperates make this setup sound better? The room was setup nicely, at least as far as my limited experience can tell.

Since then I have listened to a PSB setup, but wasn't as impressed. I also teased myself with a BEAUFIFUL Sonus Faber setup that I might be albe to afford in about 1000 years. I am looking for other options, but am limited by around a $2000 budget for speakers. If I can get something used that is higher quality (but able to be pushed from a reciever for a while), I certainly will go that way. I read similar posts as this regarding Thiel 1.5s. I am searching for a place to hear these.

I have decided to go with the Velodyne SPL800 or SPL1000 sub, as I really liked how it dissapeared in the B&W and BA setups.

Please help a really green newbie who is trying to get some bang for bucks.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes
zstokes OP
124 posts
 
Inscrutable,

What are impedence drops? And, I am planning on running a sub (actually the dealer suggested Earthquake, but I thought the little Velodyne sounded pretty good, and it would mostly be used for movies anyway).

Please don't tell me this is somthing serious to be concerned with....I really liked these!

8^)
Z
inscrutable
313 posts
 
In simple terms the resistance of the speakers may be a nominal 8 ohms, but the actual impedance and phase angle change over the frequency spectrum. Lower impedances will demand more power/current from the amp. If you listen at sane levels with a reasonably well built receiver/amp, and the extreme is not too low, you'll be fine. You should notice distortion or overheating as symptoms before anything is damaged.
whknopp0713
179 posts
 
Neubilder, don't sell yourself short. Automotive/audio analogies are legion. Isn't a Krell 600 just a Viper without wheels (although the 600 should come with wheels, as it's too heavy to pick up)? No other culture could produce these two products; they are both perfectly American (huge, consumptive, powerful, clumsy at times and lacking finesse). But with audio, we get to be multicultural: Brits too laid back for you? Then add an American amp. French too romantic? Add a Danish speaker. My own system is Brit/French Canadian/American. Diversity gives a hifi (society?) balance and synergy that could not occur if it were mono-cultural. Ahh, the many things I've learned in my music room.
gregm
3,411 posts
 
What about German products... definite correlation b/ween some of their cars & audio equip. Heavy engineering, tight tolerances, look "authoritative" and built like a tank, go fast; Symphonic Line: MBenz or Audi, Burmester: BMW, Acapella: ? (audi TT?), the speaker guys with the gas tweeter:?... etc.
Speaking of heavy, there used to be a big Gryphon that probably weighed well over 200 pounds / a S-Line too (they came in twos). The Gryphon looked better than the S-L. Neither looked very fragile.
gumbydammit
186 posts
 
I just took my home theatre and hooked it to that Suburban on www.502ss.com . It sounds a lot better than when I had it hooked to my Onan diesel.

Nuebilder:Watch out for my big van man, (said like the Arnold S.) "I will crush you like a bug" :>)

What is your Linn setup by the way?
Been having some interesting email conversations that just may have me taking an old SOTA to play with....
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