Home Audio...
12-06-2005, 11:55 PM
#1
Well, since my car seems to be continually broken in to I'm considering getting a 'decent' home system.
Right now I have nothing. I'd like to use the PG Cyclone that I've had in storage for about 1.5 years for the low-end, but other than that I really have no idea what to look for.
Can you guys offer some input in terms of what I should be looking for in terms of pieces?
I assume I'll need some sort of a source unit and an amplifier.
Can I get an amp to push the Cyclone and a set of speakers? If so, what should I look for? Do I need a separate x-over? Do I need a separate EQ?
I have no plans to hook this up to a TV or anything so surround sound isn't a big deal. It's just going to be used as a home stereo.
In case it's not completely obvious by now, I'm a complete "home hi-fi" noob. Please be kind and speak slowly.
Right now I have nothing. I'd like to use the PG Cyclone that I've had in storage for about 1.5 years for the low-end, but other than that I really have no idea what to look for.
Can you guys offer some input in terms of what I should be looking for in terms of pieces?
I assume I'll need some sort of a source unit and an amplifier.
Can I get an amp to push the Cyclone and a set of speakers? If so, what should I look for? Do I need a separate x-over? Do I need a separate EQ?
I have no plans to hook this up to a TV or anything so surround sound isn't a big deal. It's just going to be used as a home stereo.
In case it's not completely obvious by now, I'm a complete "home hi-fi" noob. Please be kind and speak slowly.
12-07-2005, 12:31 AM
#2
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,145
Man its too bad that your in Ottawa Jordy. There is a guy here in Calgary that does home audio, he's been doing it for 35 years and is one of the best in Canada. He competes directly with Linkwitz himself (seriously its incredible to put it in Laymans terms)
He designs speakers much along the lines of what you'd find here.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/index.html
His name is Tom Gates. Basically I ran into him by accident a number of years ago when I was thinking of pioneering my own brand of home audio. He literally laughed at my designs when I showed them to him.. (that hurt.. but I was humbled quickly after that) after he took me over to his sound lab and showed me the most INCREDIBLE set of speakers I've ever (to this date) heard.... ever... and that includes $41k/pair B&W speakers.
Basically he has a set of towers.. that use Vifa mid/woofers and an (utterly amazing) crossover network that is in-genius in its way to slow the soundwaves of the tweet so they co-inside with the soundwaves of the woofer(s) so they have perfect time delay. Therefore eliminating the need for these idiotic slanted baffles (such as this) http://www.wilsonaudio.com/products/sophia/index.html
(basically he uses an inductor at a specialized place with-in the dual-two way X-over network)
Its just incredible how it all works together.
For $750 I brought a pair of speakers that sould perfectly on-par with a pair of $4k Totem's.
I can connect you with him. But he makes Pro-audio too.
That Linkwitz lab link that I provided offers excellent tutorials on the intricacies of audio engineering.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/thor-design.htm
I think ^ that is pretty damn cool to say the least.
I love home audio.. but its an entirely different ball game from car audio. In the home audio world: (asides from Bose) you dont have joke companies like Pyramid or Legacy. things really are (for once) what they seem. Its an incredible world.
For once Group-delay and step-response (as well as ring-down time for tweets) actually mean something. Needless to say I sure love it.
I personally think home audio is THAT much more rewarding then car audio since you wont have to worry about theives as much.. or fuses. (THANK GOD)
Besides.. Sci-fi Movies take on a whole new realm when you have a wicked home audio set-up.
check out http://www.krellonline.com/index.php
^ these guys make some of the mose preposterious (incredible) amps ever built. The Dynamic sound stage is surreal to say the least. QUITE THE company.
Hope that helps (a little)
He designs speakers much along the lines of what you'd find here.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/index.html
His name is Tom Gates. Basically I ran into him by accident a number of years ago when I was thinking of pioneering my own brand of home audio. He literally laughed at my designs when I showed them to him.. (that hurt.. but I was humbled quickly after that) after he took me over to his sound lab and showed me the most INCREDIBLE set of speakers I've ever (to this date) heard.... ever... and that includes $41k/pair B&W speakers.
Basically he has a set of towers.. that use Vifa mid/woofers and an (utterly amazing) crossover network that is in-genius in its way to slow the soundwaves of the tweet so they co-inside with the soundwaves of the woofer(s) so they have perfect time delay. Therefore eliminating the need for these idiotic slanted baffles (such as this) http://www.wilsonaudio.com/products/sophia/index.html
(basically he uses an inductor at a specialized place with-in the dual-two way X-over network)
Its just incredible how it all works together.
For $750 I brought a pair of speakers that sould perfectly on-par with a pair of $4k Totem's.
I can connect you with him. But he makes Pro-audio too.
That Linkwitz lab link that I provided offers excellent tutorials on the intricacies of audio engineering.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/thor-design.htm
I think ^ that is pretty damn cool to say the least.
I love home audio.. but its an entirely different ball game from car audio. In the home audio world: (asides from Bose) you dont have joke companies like Pyramid or Legacy. things really are (for once) what they seem. Its an incredible world.
For once Group-delay and step-response (as well as ring-down time for tweets) actually mean something. Needless to say I sure love it.
I personally think home audio is THAT much more rewarding then car audio since you wont have to worry about theives as much.. or fuses. (THANK GOD)
Besides.. Sci-fi Movies take on a whole new realm when you have a wicked home audio set-up.
check out http://www.krellonline.com/index.php
^ these guys make some of the mose preposterious (incredible) amps ever built. The Dynamic sound stage is surreal to say the least. QUITE THE company.
Hope that helps (a little)
12-07-2005, 12:35 AM
#3
Look into a plate amp with a built in crossover for the cyclone.
You don't need an EQ, or a crossover.
For source, if you have a DVD player you can use it as a source. If not, buy one, or a CD player, or whatever it is you want to use as a source.
For a preamp/amp, you'll probably want to go integrated. As in, tuner, preamp, and amp all in one.
In terms of speakers, there are a million options out there.
What are your price/space constraints?
-----------------------------------------------
Gotta disagree with the above. Calling Wilson Audio idiotic? Ever heard some of their products?
Also, there are TONS of BS companies in home audio either selling crap, or snakeoil. If you're really looking at spending some serious coin do your own research and listening.
[ December 07, 2005, 01:43 AM: Message edited by: Newb ]
You don't need an EQ, or a crossover.
For source, if you have a DVD player you can use it as a source. If not, buy one, or a CD player, or whatever it is you want to use as a source.
For a preamp/amp, you'll probably want to go integrated. As in, tuner, preamp, and amp all in one.
In terms of speakers, there are a million options out there.
What are your price/space constraints?
-----------------------------------------------
Gotta disagree with the above. Calling Wilson Audio idiotic? Ever heard some of their products?
Also, there are TONS of BS companies in home audio either selling crap, or snakeoil. If you're really looking at spending some serious coin do your own research and listening.
[ December 07, 2005, 01:43 AM: Message edited by: Newb ]
12-07-2005, 05:33 PM
#5
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,145
Originally posted by Newb:
Gotta disagree with the above. Calling Wilson Audio idiotic? Ever heard some of their products?
Gotta disagree with the above. Calling Wilson Audio idiotic? Ever heard some of their products?
check this out though.. these guys are even better.
http://www.german-physiks.com/
12-07-2005, 06:57 PM
#6
Originally posted by the Limo driver:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Newb:
Gotta disagree with the above. Calling Wilson Audio idiotic? Ever heard some of their products?
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Newb:
Gotta disagree with the above. Calling Wilson Audio idiotic? Ever heard some of their products?
check this out though.. these guys are even better.
http://www.german-physiks.com/ </font>[/QUOTE]Why add more components if the slanted baffle works? I think it adds some character to their prosucts anyways, the Grand SLAMM's are beautiful.
12-07-2005, 08:08 PM
#7
Originally posted by JRace:
What is your budget,
room size
music tastes
After we know that we can stear you in the right direction.
What is your budget,
room size
music tastes
After we know that we can stear you in the right direction.
Room size? ... It will be in a spare bedroom in my townhouse, so the room isn't very big at all. Maybe 10'x12' (?)
Music Taste? ... a bit of everything. Some days I'll listen to punk music, other days it's hip hop. I think I'd mostly like to have a well rounded system with a bit of extra 'oomph' in the low end.
12-07-2005, 10:11 PM
#8
Plate amp for the Cyclone.
Room is pretty small, so I'd be thinking bookshelves.
Reasonable integrated amp for the other duties.
If it were my money:
Amp.
CD Player
SUB-250R w/remote from Solen for the Cyclone.
Speakers, personal preferance. Maybe a bookshelf kit from Solen.
[ December 07, 2005, 11:22 PM: Message edited by: Newb ]
Room is pretty small, so I'd be thinking bookshelves.
Reasonable integrated amp for the other duties.
If it were my money:
Amp.
CD Player
SUB-250R w/remote from Solen for the Cyclone.
Speakers, personal preferance. Maybe a bookshelf kit from Solen.
[ December 07, 2005, 11:22 PM: Message edited by: Newb ]
12-08-2005, 05:07 AM
#10
Sorry to hear about your car getting busted into... that sucks !
Anyway... that cyclone should be great for getting wicked low... find some cabinates that play flat down to 50hz at 120db and you'll be set....
The reciever might be a pickle since everything is surround sound these days so finding a good 2ch at a reasonable price might be hard.... maybe just go for a 5.1 anyway and get a 3piece surround later if you decided you want it ??
(having more then 100w x 2 for regular use would be nice though)
Entery level reciever - $300
150W plate amp - $300 (?)
EQ (yes Id recommend)- $250
that leaves around $600 for cabinates which can be done.... Id look around for some used JBL or Cerwin vegas... Limo, just remember there are trade offs in any design... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Anyway... that cyclone should be great for getting wicked low... find some cabinates that play flat down to 50hz at 120db and you'll be set....
The reciever might be a pickle since everything is surround sound these days so finding a good 2ch at a reasonable price might be hard.... maybe just go for a 5.1 anyway and get a 3piece surround later if you decided you want it ??
(having more then 100w x 2 for regular use would be nice though)
Entery level reciever - $300
150W plate amp - $300 (?)
EQ (yes Id recommend)- $250
that leaves around $600 for cabinates which can be done.... Id look around for some used JBL or Cerwin vegas... Limo, just remember there are trade offs in any design... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
