Home Theatre Equipment 5.1

[stgrhe]

Went by Hi-Fi center yesterday.

I was there about six months ago and when I am ready for audition and purchase I will probably spend at least a week in Bangkok. Mr Balance can also expect me calling on him. I live in Hua Hin and for the moment I am simply too busy with our house construction to spare enough time in Bangkok.

Saw a pair of Paradigm 100's which would make a killer set of fronts.

Paradigm speakers will definitely be considered but since I want a five-speaker set-up (I already have the sub) I need to consider how well they perform together.

[chrgrims]

I just wanted to add Klipsch speakers, because i have seen so many write so much nice about them. havent heard them myself though. but piyanas has them.

[stgrhe]

I just wanted to add Klipsch speakers, because i have seen so many write so much nice about them. havent heard them myself though. but piyanas has them.

If I am not mistaken they use horn tweeters and I have never appreciated the sounds from horns. That said, I too have never audited any Klipsch.

JackA, what is your opinion on the matter?

[JackA]

Klipsch do have a following, but mostly their old K-Horns, the newer RF-series are "overwhelming" and "bombastic" a real "party speaker" - with their "voicing" on the cool side due to the their horn laden nature, and produce a LOT OF BASS. They are very efficient and don't require a lot of amplification to make them "sing" >96dB W/M, and changing source equipment won't really change their character once you reach a certain level.

I categorize those as "teenage speakers", because they are great for Rock/Electronics/Dance, and don't require expensive source equipment to sound "impressive", but don't expect refinement.

But as Piyanas have them - if you want to expose them - try Diana Krall, or any voice that you're familiar with, and you'll know exactly what I mean.

[Buckeye911]

I love my Klipsch for surround sound but when I listen to music I use my 30+ year old Advents. I also have a pretty awesome Klipsch 2.1 system for my computer.

Edited July 6, 2010 by Buckeye911

[powderpuff]

Based on your budget you should get the Yamaha RX-V3900 as suggested above.

Infinity used to be an audiophile brand - but like many (Klipsch) (Bose) they are mass market today.

I am 100% behind Dynaudio (own a pair of Contour 2.8's) but they are hideously expensive.

PSB or Paradigm would be on my short list.

O yeah & that Oppo BDP 83-SE blue ray universal player.

Edited July 6, 2010 by powderpuff

[stgrhe]

Based on your budget you should get the Yamaha RX-V3900 as suggested above.

I will wait to decide on the receiver / amplifier until I have chosen the speakers, but thanks anyway for your advice. However, my first choice, provided I can afford it, would be to buy separates and I will be looking for used power amplifier(s) to start with.

O yeah & that Oppo BDP 83-SE blue ray universal player.

I have heard of this unit but I do already have an able Denon multi-player, although not for blue ray, but since I am not a movie freak a blue ray player would be the last on my list.

[JackA]

Strangely enough, the Oppo BDP83-SE bluray player is actually mostly recognized for it's audio properties, with the new 32bit shark D/A on the analog outputs. It's a nice all in one package, with some of the best technologies available today on both the video side (ABT 2010) and with the SE it have the Shark D/A on both analog multi and stereo.

For me it was a "no brainer" - I could remove 3 "boxes" - and replace them with this single unit, and it does everything better than the 3 separate boxes (but that don't say much, as those 3 boxes would be considered "budget units"). The speed of the player is unsurpassed, in detecting media.

That aside, I actually had an audition of a "mixed" Dynaudio 5+1 setup (Focus 110 + Excite x12 + Excite X22) - initially it sounded "wrong" - probably due to the levels, but after running Audyssey - it was stunning, tuneful without any strain and goose bump warnings everywhere.

The bass was very real, albeit not much lower than 50Hz, but their "heritage" showed, and the mid + high were goose bump inducing.

[stgrhe]

Interesting, what type of music did you play with the Dynadio set-up?

With regards to the OPPO how much does it cost here in Thailand? I see that it is available on line in the US for $899.

[JackA]

I listened to some select songs from the following albums.

Diana Krall (Live In Paris),

Alan Taylor Behind The Mix,

The Nordic Sound 2L,

Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks,

Nat King Cole Unforgettable with Love (JazzPlanet)

Fleetwood Mac Tusk (Remastered)

Eagles hel_l Freezes Over

Sarah McLachlan The Freedom Sessions

Enya Watermark (Reissue)

Get all your Oppo info here:

http://piyanas.com/productdetail.php?cat=121.451&id=1903〈=en〈=en *Standard version

http://piyanas.com/productdetail.php?cat=121.451&id=2260〈=en〈=en *Special Edition

Not much difference from US prices.

[stgrhe]

I listened to some select songs from the following albums.

Diana Krall (Live In Paris),

Alan Taylor Behind The Mix,

The Nordic Sound 2L,

Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks,

Nat King Cole Unforgettable with Love (JazzPlanet)

Fleetwood Mac Tusk (Remastered)

Eagles hel_l Freezes Over

Sarah McLachlan The Freedom Sessions

Enya Watermark (Reissue)

Get all your Oppo info here:

http://piyanas.com/p...lang=en〈=en *Standard version

http://piyanas.com/p...lang=en〈=en *Special Edition

Not much difference from US prices.

During your audition of the Dynaudio set-up I suppose you used an OPPO multi-player and, as you previously have mentioned, this unit comes with an impressive built-in DAC. My question is whether you used analog to your amplifier/receiver or digital (HDMI)? It would be interesting to hear your comments if you auditioned both variants.

Edited July 8, 2010 by stgrhe

[JackA]

Actually I auditioned the speakers at the dealer, the source for them were Marantz, AV8003+MM8003 with a Denon Multiplayer.

As I have the unit myself (Oppo), with everything audio, I use only analog interconnects MultiCh and Stereo, but use HDMI for picture (scaling only) and both coax and toslink is left untouched.

But with the clever input assignment, of current AVR's anything is possible.

By the way, the Yamaha might not drive the Dyns very well, they are all 4-6 Ohms. (Rotel, Arcam and NAD will).

I just have a beef with those impedance ratings, as even "8 ohms" speakers have serious dips in the lower regions, many even dipping the 3 Ohm range. The impedance rating is not a static resistive load, but changes dramatically along the frequency range. Most 8 ohm speakers are really 4-6, so be warned about the stated impedance and check some reviews, as some do contain measurements - which are quite interesting.

Edited July 9, 2010 by JackA

[stgrhe]

Thanks JackA!

As I previously have mentioned, I am a fan of separates and the reason you mention with non-linear impedance loads is one. Most separate power amplifiers have a superior ability to cope with that and low impedance in addition to provide the current when needed.

The amplifier I have my eyes on for the moment is the five-channel NAD T-955. It appears to have what I will require at a price around $1,500.

http://nadelectronic...Power-Amplifier

It could be matched with a receiver or e.g. the T-175 pre-amplifier from NAD:

http://nadelectronic...Preamplifier-HD

The T-175 is a bit expensive at around $3,000, hence why I will also consider a cheaper receiver and use it as a pre-amplifier.

[KunMatt]

I love B&Ws and have the older 600 series for a 5.1 cinema setup, but in Bangkok B&W are at least double the price they are in UK.

If I were you I'd find out the real prices of the speakers in Europe compared to the Thailand price so you can compare what is the best deal and how you can get the most speaker for your money. I wouldn't pay double the real price for the B&Ws.

For example, the MS Aviano 6 fronts are about £500 so if you can get them for 16k Baht (approx £350) in Thailand this is actually cheaper than available in UK.

[stgrhe]

I love B&Ws and have the older 600 series for a 5.1 cinema setup, but in Bangkok B&W are at least double the price they are in UK.

If I were you I'd find out the real prices of the speakers in Europe compared to the Thailand price so you can compare what is the best deal and how you can get the most speaker for your money. I wouldn't pay double the real price for the B&Ws.

For example, the MS Aviano 6 fronts are about £500 so if you can get them for 16k Baht (approx £350) in Thailand this is actually cheaper than available in UK.

Thanks for your advice. What you are suggesting is actually what I am doing, hence the main reason for starting this thread well ahead of when I need the system. I usually try to source prices from the UK, USA and my home country Sweden. If possible, but not always easy, I try to get Singaporean prices too. Some products are up to three times more expensive in Europe than in Singapore and Rotel is such a brand. One can usually get some good deals at the Adelphi in Singapore when paying cash.

However, in the end of the day I do not primarily select audio equipment because they are cheaper here then elsewhere but to get the best sound possible within my budget.

I will probably go up to Bangkok in the end of August and spend a few days there for auditions.

[powderpuff]

Piyanas have moved to here: Second floor of a strip mall (has parking).

Map

Edited August 4, 2010 by powderpuff

[stgrhe]

Piyanas have moved to here: Second floor of a strip mall (has parking).

Map

That is where I understood their main show room is located, at least as it shows on their web site; nevertheless, thanks.

[chrgrims]

i visited that piyanas a few weeks ago and bought a paradigm sub. nice shop. they didnt have any dynaudio there though. so if you want to audition those, i guess you must call in front so they can get them to the shop. they do have the oppo disk player in stock though.

BTW: does anyone know where i can get rockwool insulation material (or similar) in thailand? i need it for making basstraps. 

[stgrhe]

i visited that piyanas a few weeks ago and bought a paradigm sub. nice shop. they didnt have any dynaudio there though. so if you want to audition those, i guess you must call in front so they can get them to the shop. they do have the oppo disk player in stock though.

Yes, that is what I intend to do. Thanks anyway.

BTW: does anyone know where i can get rockwool insulation material (or similar) in thailand? i need it for making basstraps.

I suggest you ask this question in the "Do it yourself housing forum".

[Oberkommando]

Went to the Piyanas at Petchkasem yesterday. Very small selection of speakers. They have moved to Soi 43 out of Future Park Bang Kae. No auditioning room as far as I could tell but none of the brands I wanted to audition were available anyway...

Ended up at the Power Mall at The Mall Bang Kae and apart from the PSBs there was a very limited selection of speakers, and all cost prohibitive apart from the MS Mezzo and Avianos.

I am off to Power Buy (yuk!) today to see if they can order me some Wharfedale 10's in black for a surround system. They've got them on the site. It's either those or the Mordaunt-Short Mezzos I will probably end up with, such is the limited choice I am presented with and the budget I have set myself. Don't really like paying 3-4 times the price for something in Thailand that I would elsewhere.

I will be running them with a Denon 3311 I just brought back from HK. I paid 35,000thb for it so the savings compared to what I would have forked out for it in Thailand paid for the flights and the five star hotel.

[JackA]

Wonder if Q-Acoustics might be something to consider - they won some awards and are very "wallet friendly", can be had at Piyanas,

http://www.piyanas.com/product.php?cat=487.490〈=en

Authorized dealer is found here:

http://www.intennia.com/product_qacoustics.html

Here their main website:

http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/2000/2010.htm

Here is a "head to head" between Q-Acoustics and Wharfedale.

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Reviews/Home_Cinema/V8C2H8Q7

[stgrhe]

Wonder if Q-Acoustics might be something to consider - they won some awards and are very "wallet friendly", can be had at Piyanas,

http://www.piyanas.c...487.490〈=en

Authorized dealer is found here:

http://www.intennia....qacoustics.html

Here their main website:

http://www.qacoustic...k/2000/2010.htm

Here is a "head to head" between Q-Acoustics and Wharfedale.

http://www.smarthous...Cinema/V8C2H8Q7

Thanks for the advice Jack! I shall add the Q-Acoustics to my audition list when that day comes. These speakers are indeed very attractive given their moderate prices although the Smarthouse's head to head comparison didn't add much as the reviews are too thin and, which is much too common, too balanced.

[Oberkommando]

Wonder if Q-Acoustics might be something to consider - they won some awards and are very "wallet friendly", can be had at Piyanas,

http://www.piyanas.c...487.490〈=en

Authorized dealer is found here:

http://www.intennia....qacoustics.html

Here their main website:

http://www.qacoustic...k/2000/2010.htm

Here is a "head to head" between Q-Acoustics and Wharfedale.

http://www.smarthous...Cinema/V8C2H8Q7

Q Acoustics in gloss black finish were actually my first choice, however Piyanas said they were out of stock and were very unsure about when they would be back in. Not much help at all really.

[stgrhe]

Q Acoustics in gloss black finish were actually my first choice, however Piyanas said they were out of stock and were very unsure about when they would be back in. Not much help at all really.

That would be my choice of colour too but for an audition any colour would do. If I then settle for the Q-Acoustics I would simply wait for the black glossy speakers until they are available.

[Oberkommando]

Just called Piyanas again and they are only out of stock of the center speaker in black until the end of the month.

I am leaning towards some 2050i fronts and 2020i surrounds and ordering the center. Sub I am gonna go with either Velodyne or Paradigm I reckon.

[stgrhe]

Just called Piyanas again and they are only out of stock of the center speaker in black until the end of the month.

I am leaning towards some 2050i fronts and 2020i surrounds and ordering the center. Sub I am gonna go with either Velodyne or Paradigm I reckon.

Since my last post I have done some reading up on the reviews by What HiFi. They have tested first the 2010, then the 2020 and in July also the 2050. What they actually say, if you read between the lines that is, is that the 2010 is a very good speaker while there is no real justification to go for the 2020. Also the 2050 has more to wish for. I regrettably didn't save the links but it was easy to google the sites.

As for subs, I have a Velodyne DD 10, i.e. the smallest of the DD-series, and it is a fabulous sub, small in size, very powerful and it blends in well sonically with other speakers. Many subs are simply too bumpy for my taste. I used it before together with Magnaplanars in a special set-up using the sub with the front speakers only; from the processor output to the sub using its cross-over filter at 60Hz and then feeding the higher frequencies back to the power amps front channel inputs. That way I could by-pass all filters in the processor when listening to pure two-channel HiFi.

The DD-series comes with a microphone so the level can be adjusted to the listening room.

[JackA]

Did you try to call the dealer???

They probably would have the Black in stock.

Intennia :

Phone : 02-934-6997 Fax : 02-934-6449

E-mail : [email protected]

Website: www.intennia.com

SHOP :

@ Central World

02-613-1737

02-613-1738

E-mail: [email protected]

[chrgrims]

when i went to that shop i thought i was in some really far off small department of a much bigger chain. not true? oh well, sad if so. they did get my sub from another sister shop close buy though, so there should at least be one more close there that is bigger. 

hey, oberkommando, why dont you visit mr balance in panthip? or have you done so already?

[Oberkommando]

hey, oberkommando, why dont you visit mr balance in panthip? or have you done so already?

Went there yesterday and I got as far as the second floor where I was sidetracked and I bought another HDi Dune Prime 3.0

Spent out, I returned home earlier than anticipated... :jap:

[Oberkommando]

I went with Q Acoustics 2050s for the fronts, 2020s for the rears and a 2000 for the centre. Subwoofer still to be decided, I am leaning towards a Paradigm. Also need new speaker wire and to let the speakers run in for a while. So far so good.