dougdrake

Scooter - Re local HD programming... You may have checked into this and found it to not be available in your area, but up above was a subtle comment in a post that you may be able to receive "network" (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, CW2) HD programming with just a basic cable connection. I am doing that using a QAM-capable HD card in my PC (mine is the DVICO Fusion 5, but I believe the MyHD card has a QAM tuner as well). I pay about $14/month for the cable, and do so because I can't receive HD OTA in my hilly neighborhood. Depends if your local cable franchise is simulcasting the SD and HD feeds from the TV stations.

Hi - Also consider using a KV-3 (first choice) or a KV-2 (second choice) as your center speaker. I used a KV-3 with my KG-4s and liked it a lot. I used a pair of SS-1 surrounds (only avail used now, I believe).

"I seriously don't know how a retail store manages to talk a customer into a $10K projector nowadays unless they never show them projectors like the Pany or the Sony" Bingo, Tom. They don't even stock them. I never could find the low-price units to demo when I was shopping except for a few at Fry's in a miserable set-up.

Not sure what you're using for a tuner, but I also live in a tough reception area. Using a QAM tuner (in my case, a card in my PC), and connecting to the most basic Comcast analog cable connection, I can receive all the broadcast networks; HD shows which Comcast retransmits using unencrypted QAM. Cost me $14/month, and I don't have to mess with an antenna inside or outside.

Some thoughts from Consumer Reports on this subject: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/high-definition-dvd-8-06/overview/0608_hi-def-dvd_ov.htm

Check out the Harman Kardon AVR435 or 635, especially the refurbished units on HK's Ebay store. They come with full 2-year factory warranty, and offer some great values. There are threads about them over in the AMP forum at www.avsforum.com.

If it DOES work fine with power in the ON position, you're fine to leave it there. It won't cause any long-term damage to have the amp on 24x7.

Another hot receiver right now is the Harman Kardon AVR435. Don't be misled by its power rating (watts per channel). It will give anything in its price range a major run for the money. You can find it at a great price now, especially if you're willing to buy it refurbished from HK with original 2-year warranty. Check HK's web site or their Ebay store (just search on the model number). There's lots of discussion on both these receivers (the Pioneer mentioned above and this one) in this forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=90

Why not keep them? They are awesome speakers, even if they look a bit old school. (I understand you may have personal reasons for selling them, but just wanted to be sure you had fully evaluated the option of keeping and using them.)

Gang - You missed the post above about his receiver - it's vintage '70's gear. Doubt it has an optical input on it, nor 6 pre-amp inputs for SACD/DVD-A. Depending on how far you need to go, you might find a couple of AudioQuest cables that will fit the bill at www.audioadvisor.com

IMO, bi-wiring won't buy you anything unless you also bi-amp. With just bi-wiring, you're still feeding the entire speaker with a single channel of an amp, so you're down to any differences you may be able to hear from running the same output over two wires (which, I believe, will be none) - that'd only be a possible consideration if you were using an external crossover to separate the signals before they head down the speaker wire to the speaker, and then you'd be into the arguments of perceptable differences between solid versus stranded wire, etc... Wire bi-amping, and external crossovers, you may be able to detect a difference. So, in short, I guess I'd say just wire them with a single pair of wires.

Hey, if DIY floats your boat, great. Personally, I couldn't handle the cabinetry and finishing to end up with anything I'd want visible Also, if you haven't heard fully horn-loaded speakers such as the 'Horn, La Scala, and Belle, you're in for a major treat.

Yes, bought a 200x3 from Ubid when Klipsch was clearing them out. Think I paid about $580 for it brand new - yes, a major steal IMO. MSRP at the time was close to $1500, I believe. I'm on the lookout for a great deal on another one, or a A200, for the rear channels. Keith, thanks for the comments.

"I personally think the best route for me is DIY though, you can build a much better speaker for a lower cost then with major brand names, seeing as you aren't paying for all the overhead that comes with mainstream speakers. " Maybe. But if I were you, I'd look at buying 6 used LaScala speakers. I bet you could pick up 3 pair for under $3000, and have $1000 for a sub or two. I know you could find one to two used subs for $1000. That would give you 6 fully-horn loaded speakers for 6.1 surround. I think it would kick arse.

You may have seen these, but here are a few reviews of the subject amplifiers. I did not post these, but linked to them from a posting in the AVS Forum... http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1663840 Enjoy!

I generally agree with you. In the unusual case of a tie bid, though, I believe the bidder with the earlier bid wins, so maybe they are just covering their bet.

IMO, you'll want a door. I can't even stand rustling candy wrappers when I watch a movie, much less mechanical equipment running in another room. You'll want a solid core door with a threshold to block the sound. I'm sure you've been over to www.avsforum.com and seen all the info the members they can offer about this in the Dedicated Home Theater forum.

Welcome to the Forum! I bought my Dad a set of Quintet I's and they work great in his viewing room. They aren't built to fill a concert hall, but with proper setup they do a nice job. Take a peek at the owner's manual which I believe will answer your mounting question (page 15): http://klipsch.com/media/Products/1.Quintet%20III%20Manual%20(small).pdf

DW - Not sure why you're seeking FII's specifically, but if you already have a set you'll notice how the rear PR extends almost to the cabinet edge. On the FI, there is probably about 2" of space, since it is only 12" versus the FII's 15" PR. That may be an easy way to tell which version they are.

My vote for the Panny is not based on a comparison, but rather the fact I have a AE700 which I like, and the fact that I believe there must be a reason it is seems to be more popular than the Sanyo. I'm sure you could find a trusted friend here to buy it for you and handle the rebates and such and send it to you, but not sure how that would work for warranty purposes. For one, on these, I'd hate to be without a warranty. In this product set, new models come out each year - announced in late summer, available in late fall. You can bet there's a replacement in the works. In my case, I also bought about this time with the logic that I'd get that many more months of enjoyment out of it (versus waiting), and if I kept waiting for the next model I'd never buy one. I don't believe you're going to see prices fall that much on the 900 until they are shipping its replacement. IIRC, that's what happened with the 700 - the price was already a great deal with the rebate.

Shawn - Is this the 81-EF filter you are talking about? http://shopping.msn.com/Prices/shp/?itemId=24099598 (didn't know if there were different versions from different manufacturers, or if only one manufacturer made it...) Also, I find the tweak threads at AVS Forum daunting, so I'll ask here: I have an AE700. Would that filter be beneficial on it? (I believe you are using it on an AE900). Thanks!

Why not buy them used, from Ebay, www.audiogon.com, etc...

I believe the $1200 figure included speakers (from Calblacksmith's post)... I'm not familiar with what used Reference series are selling for, but if you're willing to go back a little further in time, let me suggest this: Mains: Used KG4 (lots of bass for this size speaker - might be able to avoid a sub purchase for a little while). Seen for $200-300 on Ebay. Or jump to a pair of Quartet or even Forte if you can find a good deal on them. Forte digs very deep, again possibly delaying need for sub. Center: Used KV-3 shielded center speaker. About $200 on Ebay (sometimes less, I think). Rears: Used SS-1 surround speakers. Probably around $150-200 on Ebay. You might also use KG1.x or KG2.x in the rears. These are not designed with the current sleek, high-tech look - they are definitely old school. But I have many of them and like them a lot for what they are. Check www.audiogon.com for a HT receiver. Folks there tend to be fanatics about their gear. You might pay a little more than on Ebay, but the odds are in your favor of getting a decent used piece.

With 4 powered subs, I've never had any problems. Various makes - JBL, Mirage, SVS, Velodyne.

If you've got all bare concrete walls, that's going to be a lively room for sure. Are you asking these questions from the perspective of how to best finish the basement, or do you intend to leave it unfinished and are asking how to make that unfinished space usable for HT? Great source for answers to these questions is the Dedicated Home Theater forum over at www.avsforum.com.