[XxATOLxX]

Yeah my sub (JBL PB-10) has the speaker level inputs but isnt it going to drain power from the amplifier? Also, yeah it is the Sherwood RD-6108, I am thinking this T-Amp might be better since a lot of reviews said that they beat receivers that are 300 dollars.

 

[soundboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxATOLxX Yeah my sub (JBL PB-10) has the speaker level inputs but isnt it going to drain power from the amplifier? Also, yeah it is the Sherwood RD-6108, I am thinking this T-Amp might be better since a lot of reviews said that they beat receivers that are 300 dollars.

If connected by speaker-level inputs, any drain would be minimal since it's the internal amp on the PB10 that will be powering the subwoofer. While most people connect their powered sub via a dedicated sub output, you can also use the speaker-level signals. In fact, British subwoofer specialist REL recommends this way for connecting subs (go to question #2)....however, I suspect that the Sherwood will be better in this case, given its dedicated sub output.

Did you pick up the Sherwood at a very low price? If you did, don't let the low price fool you....look in from the top and you will see the exact same Crystal Semiconductor DSP chip that powers Rotel pre/pro's.

 

[MikoLayer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigD Better yet I just found Athena AS-F2 for $149. Try this site: http://www.electronicexpress.com/product?prod_id=3594 I'm NOT sure if this site is reputable. Anyone??? That's a killer deal. I guess that's for each.

I thought I was going to pull the trigger on the bookshelfs, but that does look sweeter! Plus it would be easier to set them up since they are floorstanding. Would they be an overkill for my computer setup?

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundboy I remember that. Out here in California, Energy's C-series was getting cleared by the local chain dealer, the Good Guys. I picked up a brand-new pair of C-3 monitors for $300.00 (regular $500.00/pair). Of course, the Veritas are better deal if one can swing the extra $$$. Anyway, the Athena speakers are a great deal.

That only will give you an idea of the markup in audio....I doubt they will sell under dealer cost....

 

[Ferbose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sovkiller That only will give you an idea of the markup in audio....I doubt they will sell under dealer cost....

I though 40% profit margin is normal for hi-fi components. Therefore manufacturer-direct, internet-only prices would be 70% of in-store prices.

 

[MikoLayer]

Ferbose,
Any opinion on the floorstanding version? I am wondering if I should just go for the $99 bookshelfs or save up just a tad more

Whichever one it is, I will place it in my room (a rather small basement) to use with my computer.

 

[m0nkeybl1tz]

Also, how do these compare to, say the Polk R15's? Or, are these far better than anythingin its price area?

 

[Ferbose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikoLayer Ferbose, Any opinion on the floorstanding version? I am wondering if I should just go for the $99 bookshelfs or save up just a tad more Whichever one it is, I will place it in my room (a rather small basement) to use with my computer.

I think floor standing speakers are a better value if you have the space. A lot of times a subwoofer really isn't necessary. Sub is for movies, and for music it is hard to get it right. Monitor/Sub integration is extremely tricky and only two subs will produce a more even bass response. Few can afford two decent subs.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferbose I think floor standing speakers are a better value if you have the space. A lot of times a subwoofer really isn't necessary. Sub is for movies, and for music it is hard to get it right. Monitor/Sub integration is extremely tricky and only two subs will produce a more even bass response. Few can afford two decent subs.

There is nothing tricky on setting a subwoofer, set the crossover freq on the point your monitors begin the roll off, and set the volume at your discretion, of course you have to play with the position but this apply to all speakers....OTOH, there is no floorstander, unless a huge one that will give you full response from 20KHz to 20Hz, that was the main reason I went monitos-sub...

OTOH is a lot easier to achieve a decent response in good monitors, if you limit the low extension and indeed most monitors perform extremelly well between 20K and let's say 80Hz or so....But to get a floorstander (3 ways speaker) to perform well it is really hard, and not all manufacturers achieve that purpose, the crossover design is really tricky, in other words is easier to get a pair of monitors/sub to peform right, that to get for a decent price a good floorstanders with a balanced sound and flat curve.....

 

[Ferbose]

Yes, on a sub there are buttons you can adjust: phase, volume and crossover frequency. It is not so hard, because there are only a few things you can do. What I mean is because there are only so few things you can control, you might never get a good integration between monitor/sub. It is a matter of luck when they happen to integrate well, and therefore really tricky. On the other hand, the designer of a floor-stander can build the crossover from scratch to achieve good integration between different drivers. Most bookshelves also have crossover circuit in them, and there is no reason to believe that crossover designs in bookshelves are better than in floor-standers. Most speaker designers build both kinds. If one can implement dedicated active crossovers after pre-amp stage, monitor/sub integration would be much eaiser. However, most home users won't go that far due to complexity and the technical requirement.

 

[pne]

not to dampen anyones spirits but i had a listen to these (bs1's) yesterday at bestbuy, honestly i dont think they live up to the hype. midrange is recessed and muddy, bass lacks punch and depth, imaging is mediocre. the polks costing about $100 more were lightyears better sounding.

 

[ssportclay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pne not to dampen anyones spirits but i had a listen to these (bs1's) yesterday at bestbuy, honestly i dont think they live up to the hype. midrange is recessed and muddy, bass lacks punch and depth, imaging is mediocre. the polks costing about $100 more were lightyears better sounding.

If you drive these very nice speakers with best buy equipment,you will achieve a very best buy sound.The new version of these are suppose to image better but I have not heard them.

 

[Ferbose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssportclay If you drive these very nice speakers with best buy equipment,you will achieve a very best buy sound.

LOL...
I love that phrase.

Maybe I should put this into my signature:

In search of very best buy sound...

 

[XxATOLxX]

Yeah Best Buy sources are pretty bad. I think its because it has to go through their splitters or something of that nature.

 

[pne]

not quite the case, this bestbuy actually had a pretty acceptable room treatment, the speakers were driven via a mid-end harmon kardon reciever, while not hi-fi they dont sound bad by any means. source was some dvd-a player and it was playing a dvd-a as well. the source and amp were perfectly capable of making the polk bookshelves and towers sound good.