[OT- selling houses]

Risking getting flamed for the following but:

Some meandering thoughts on investment/speculation

Im a registered broker and use to run a very small broker dealer locally. We sold that company and now my partner and myself are tending the flock of accounts we had and are putting on periodic investment seminars. (yes the following is paraphrased from our seminar)

·Market crash of 1929, although investors may have recovered their losses earlier due to dividends, the DJIA did not make it back to its 1929 highs until 1954, some 22 YEARS after its low point

·Bear market 1973-1974, this devastating bear market began with new high in January 1973 in the S&P 500 of 121.74. From that high, the index fell for 21 months to a low of 60.96, a drop of 50%. From the low, the S&P 500 began a slow recovery. It didnt break its January 1973 high until July 1980, almost 7 ½ years later.

·Market crash of 1987, stocks plunge 508 points amid panicky selling, percentage decline GREATER than in 1929.

·Bear market of 2000-2002, DJIA reached its high on Jan 14, 2000 of 11,722, reached its low on Oct 7 2002 of 7,422.

·S&P 500 high on March 24, 2000 of 1528, low on Oct 9, 2002 of 776

·NASDAQ reached high on March 10, 2000, low on Oct 9, 2002 of 1114

If we have another terrorist attack, corporate scandal, hiccup in Iraq, do you think the market will go up or down? Do you think we WILL have any more of the above?

Were people investing above, or speculating?

If someone is investing in the market, they are counting on a positive return on their investment and a return OF their investment. Furthermore, they are NOT expecting any unforeseen circumstances obliterating their account and forcing them to take multiple years just to break even.

Although this might sound like a sales pitch, for those of you who have long term savings, you can look at an Equity Index Annuity. The upshot is, its a fixed annuity and therefore has ZERO downside risk. Because its an annuity, it grows tax deferred, can avoid probate issues, can offer protection from a lawsuit (just ask OJ Simpson how he protected HIS money from the second lawsuit).

Anyway, I digress along with the above, the EIA will ONLY go up when the market goes up. On contract years when the market goes DOWN, you will earn zero, you will NOT have a negative return on your contract.

Think about that. Go back 1, 5, 15 years..whatever you want and make a listing of your year ending portfolio value. Some years were up and some were down. What if on the DOWN years, you could keep the value the same as prior year endingin effect, removing all the negative years. Although you give up some of the gains by doing this, you give up 100% of the downside risk. I know of some accounts where they started at X value in 1995 and today, are STILL not back to their original value, even though in between, they had FOUR TIMES the net worth in the account. Had that account been this kind of investment that ONLY went up and never down, their high water mark would have probably only been 2.5 times the original investment, as opposed to 4 times. HOWEVER, today (and this is a real example) theyd STILL have that 2 ½ times original investment instead of being at 92% OF it.

*the above is not a solicitation to buy nor sell any securities but meant for information and thought provoking only. If you do something based on the above, I take no responsibility for your actions... unless, you call me first

[Another sub question]

I've read about the 3 subs stacked thread...

Couple weeks ago, I stumbled onto a website that touted infinate baffle subs as I recall. Upshot, putting the subs say, in the garage or otherwise, adjacent room, and use a plenum or manifold to route the energy into the HT (2 ch) room.

I gotta admit that prior to finding that site and reading about it, I'd actually stumbled onto the thought myself as "why doesn't someone do it that way if infinate baffle is so good"....

Soooooooooo, IS infinate baffle that good, and is it worth looking into? (I could do it in my situation because garage is next to what will be HT room)

I found the site again, it's

https://home.comcast.net/~infinitelybaffled/page2IB-Gallery.html

Any merits to this idea, any pitfalls?

Inquiring minds wanna know, oh and if one DOES do this kind of setup, where do you get the drivers??

[Design of K-horns]

I've been noticing K-horns on EBAY. One thing I've noticed is some seem to be built as one "box", and others seem to have a top section that would APPEAR to be removable. It also has a 1/2 inch type gap around it.

Frankly, I think the two box design is a bit more asthetic. Be that as it may, what I've found confusing is some OLDER Khorns seem to be the two box variety, and then some newer ones seem to be that also.

I'd previously thought that the origional Khorn was the "single" box design and the later years, had the seperate box on top with the 1/2 inch gap between the two.

Is that accurate?

Did they go back/forth?

Or perhaps, did the people in the ad put out a wrong year for their speaker and that is what confused me?

What years have "two" box design verses one?

I'm confused and will let you "in the know" clear me up

[Timber Matching]

got me

[Timber Matching]

I've seen that it's better to use (for example) Academy's for a center channel because it's better matched to the K horns for example.

Ok... leads me to my question

I've got a pair of LAscalas with the AA network.

If perchance I buy a pair of Khorns that have the "ab/ak/wz/22" network, will it be "timber matched" by virtue of it being a heritiage speaker? Will there be any sonic differences/concerns since it might have a different crossover??? Do I really need to care?

Sorry if dumb question, but that's how ya learn (I'm just not afraid to admit it) lol

[OT: Mom]

Fini, you are welcome to pm me (as is anyone else that might have some general questions).

I'm NOT an attorney, I'm a stockbroker (I use to run a small local broker/dealer in addition to "being a broker"). I've dealt with all the above issues and seen how a loved one's torment is multiplied at the demise of their parent with poor planning.

Preperation has to be done, before it's needed, not after. The light bulb I was trying to turn on, was the light bulb inside anyone reading this.

I am not sure I know how the pm thing works, but you are certainly welcome to do it and I'll keep an eye open. Once I get back to work tomorrow, I'll pm you my 800 number.

I might not be able to help, as I've already given all my wisdom above, but I'm certainly willing to try.

Again, regards

[OT: Mom]

My last line above, is intended to say, I'm sorry, I hope I'm not out of line with my posts (I did not mean to infer the thread was out of line)

apologies if it came across wrong

[OT: Mom]

Soapbox #2

An idea to consider:

If you have a parent that is probably going to end up in a nursing home (many times, there are early signs) AND if that parent has an annuity, start making plans, to have that annuity annuitized. With the cost of a nursing home, it can put many people into the poorhouse before they can get any financial assistance. If the money in an annuity is annuitized with say, lifetime income with 20 years certain, then the annuity 'as an asset" is taken off the balance sheet. It's now been converted into an income stream. Now it might be more possible to protect some of YOUR, or your loved ones asset and perhaps, allow some of the savings they had, pass on to the beneificaries, instead of all being sucked up by a nursing home.

Again, I hope I've not crossed the boundaries of a out of line post.

Back to the shadows for me

[OT: Mom]

Fini, I'm new here, so I'm but a shadow in the background. You and your mother are in my thoughts & prayers. Though both my parents are in good health (73/75) Mom has had some heart issues and bypasses, so I'm not numb to some of your circumstances.

I hope this goes well for you. I've got a soapbox I'm stiffling right now mainly because it might not be the right time. Suffice it to say that it's good that your mother gave you power of attorney for medical issues (as mine has). I also hope she's given you (or someone) poa of her in a more general sense.

Crap, I think this is important, so I'll start my soap box. I REALLY hope it doesn't come across as crass. It is meant to ONLY try to be helpful to all, and to make everyone think about their own situation. Though much of it may seem obvious... you'd be surprised as to what I run across.

1. Everyone here should have his/her affiars in order

2. Don't keep a will in safety deposit box, unless, someone ELSE also has access to said box in case of your demise, and I dont mean spouse.

3. Don't have your estate as beneficiary on IRA's or insurance policies

4. Don't keep all your finances a secret from those you love, don't HIDE anything. If something happens to you, you are only making it more difficult for those you love to untangle your web.

5. Don't hold any stock/bond certificates in PAPER form, keep them in an account (this alone, is a big sermon for me)

6. Don't necessarily make your son/daughter JOINT owner on an asset you own. (they might lose out on a stepped up cost basis, or worse, if they get divorced/sued... YOUR asset might be at risk from THEIR issue)

7. (based on true story) If you DO have stock certificates in YOUR name, along with, say, your deceased mother, fix it NOW, don't wait until your son inherits it and has two estates to deal with to clean it up.

8. Check your IRA/Insurance policies and make sure beneficary info is up to date. If you have a grown child (who has children) and YOUR child has passed, make sure the beneficiary information is updated to INCLUDE your grandchildren (I think this is called "with stirpes" (Stir-pees)). Upshot, if you have your 3 kids as beneificaies, and one passes away, then the other two "get the pie" and not necessarily, the kids of the deceased.

soap box mode off.

I'm sorry for all of that, I just see so many people get into prediciments that they COULD have easily avoided with some planning. I just cant resist the urge to try to turn the light bulb on for others when the chance is there.

I hope this is taken in the helpful spirit it's intended (for all)

I'll go back to the shadows now.

Best wishes to all

["Nearfield, monitor"...]

Showing my ignornace again.

let's say I'm sitting here at home, in front of my LS speakers. I then, read about a "nearfield" speaker and/or, monitor.

What is the functional difference between those and my Lascalas? What is the SOUND difference?

Seems to me (having NEVER been in a studio) that you would want the studio speakers to be VERY accurate... makes me wonder, why not use THOSE for home. That said, if my Lascalas are so accurate, why not use them for monitors?

I've wondered this for years, and finally thought to ask. I've implicitely deduced that a monitor is not what I'd want to have at home and vice versa. I'm just wondering the difference and why.

tks

[Yamaha RX-Z9]

Want an idea of my ignornace?

I've never heard of Jolida. If someone told me today, I have a "Jolida ABC" (presume their ultimate top of the line) and I'll sell it to you for $100 cause I'm a no good dirtbag....

I'd probably pass on it thinking it was a disease at worst, or at best, some off brand chinese made pos.... I'd probably say (sit down) "I'd rather have a Bose system" (and mean it)

My point is, I'm clueless of the tube world.

Did I say I was clueless yet?

Tks for your thoughts. i've always liked the sound the yammies put out, but then again, it's been my only experience (as has been my Lascalas)

perhaps ignorance can be good?

[Yamaha RX-Z9]

ah HA... I had the Yammie 3090! (if that helps), I just remembered

[Yamaha RX-Z9]

I know most here are tube fans. I for one, am not pro NOR con on tubes... I'm significantly ignorant of them.

That said, my historical experience has been with Yamaha power. (always matched to Lascalas)

I've read some 'decent' stuff here on Yammies, and I've read some less than decent stuff.

So, they have this new brute out, the RX-Z9, that supposedly is a do all, be all. I just found about it myself couple days ago, perhaps it's been around for 3 years for all I know and is old hat.

Anyway, one thing I read on description of it is "Pure Direct mode for high quality 2-channel sound reproduction "

That caught my eye because my current (in storage) HT yammie (I forget it's number) never really seemed to EXCEL in 2 channel with my Lascalas like the old Yammie CR-2040 (120/channel) did.

(again, excel is not comparing it to tubes, since I'm tube ignorant)

So, if one was to want the flexiblity of HT, AND straight up 2 channel... how does the Yammie RX stack up.

Anyone have any PRO thoughts (since I expect most to be pro tube and less loving on this)

Anyone have idea how one could emulate the 9.1 setup in tubes?

I'm not against tubes, it's just that they are such an entirely different world for me, there's a bit of shame admitting the level of ignornace I have, hence, staying away.

(how's that for honesty)

[What's Your Favorite Song-Lyrics Please]

Tie a yellow ribbon around that old oak treeeeeeeeeeee

oops, wrong thread I'm sure

[All Klipsch for HT?]

Let me ask a dumb question then regarding the Khorn as center and how odd it might be... could you build your room (we're considering building again since we didn't divorce the last time) lol

anyway, what if you built your room (or added a "fake wall" to existing (long) room) such that your wall looked like

X---------V---------X (other khorn)

Khorn Center notch in wall with Khorn

where the "V" is a 45 degree notch in the wall allowing the Khorn to face you , yet still have it's depth buried into the wall (does that make sense) Is that brilliant, or stupid?

I know you MIGHT not have the full extension, but c'mon now, really... if you had 3 khorns across the front, are you REALLY gonna be able to tell that the center channel had 3' walls and not 5' walls lol (perhaps so for some)

Anyway, would that promote the preference of 5 khorns? 2 fronts, 2 rears and 1 center???

perhpas I can hang my lascalas on the ceiling as my effects , oh yeah.

Seriously though, I'm open to discussion because I'll have a clean slate if we build, or if we remodel current basement, (which is long) I could build a "fake wall" and put a "V" in the center of it where another Khorn could reside.

Oh, and I DO see using a sub

My wife & I made it through building this house from near scratch ourselves... we'lll make it through hurricanes, we'll make it through bad finances, blah blah blah...

my HT will be our downfall lol

[All Klipsch for HT?]

I've already got a pair of LaScalas

I've got a hankering to buy a pair of K-horns on ebay some day.

forget my current room as I already know it'll be an oddball room for the Khorns.

What I'm leading to, is using a clean piece of paper and forgetting cost, how would you setup a HT?

I currently have a yammy HT, though I forget it's number, but it's 7.1 with the front effects.

Front mains, Khorns

Rear Lascalas

Front effects, Adademy

front center, Adademy

I already have ALL but the Khorns.

I'd like that compared to adding REAR Khorns and perhaps using the Lascalas as front center (and rear center?)

Would you use Heresays as front effects OVER the Adademy's???

I'm not afraid to buy what's needed, I just want my brain to think outside the box and not see what might be "obvious" to you that are more experienced.

tia

[What's difference in T-35 and...]

Bob.. Tks for that. You helped sort it out in my mind. However, the ebay listings you show suggest that the 350 and the 350A though "named" similarly, are totally different.

I guess that's in part what's messed with my mind. Seeing a T350 (or was it the 350A) and seeing the cheeks, then later seeing a T350A (or was it the 350) and seeing what was more of the T35 style... and then...

sigh lol

[What's difference in T-35 and...]

I've seen on EBAY references to T-35, T-35 (A & B I think) and also T350...

I'm sure I've probably butchered those descriptions so don't shoot me for that.

I'm just curious as to what's the basic difference between them and the finer differences (if any)

Which one is "more desirable" and why?

What is it about these drivers that make them seem to pop up? or is it just ME that's noticing them and me NOT noticing other drivers of different manufacturers?

TIA for any thoughts

[Is this EV amp worth looking at?]

Thanks Picky...

That's the kind of real world answer I was looking for since I'm clueless as to the tecnical side.

[Is this EV amp worth looking at?]

on Ebay

http://search.ebay.com/electrovoice-amp_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQsotrZ2QQsosortpropertyZ3Q26sosortorderQ3D2

If that doestn work, it's item number 3749540111

I am familiar with EV as far as speakers go, but not amps.

If this is the esoteric monster as suggested, I'd have an interest...especially, if indeed, he has 2 of them.

Anyone know this item?

Anything to watchout for?

Thanks

[DVD concert video recommendations?]

I third the Blue Man Group!! Just wait until you hear "I feel love"

Though it's not a dvd, hopefully it will change sometime in my lifetime, but you ABSOLUTELY MUST get and listen to Pink Floyd Pulse. Unless you get a bootleg, it's only available on VHS.

Do it anyway, if just for the experience. When they get to "One of these days", crank it up and sit back & prepare to be totally awed.

Ditto with some other tracks on it. I know it's VHS, but trust me, you will ABSOLUTELY LOVE it, even if it is on tape.

[Build a scaled down version...?]

Mark, that IS too cool !

[Build a scaled down version...?]

Now that I'm more awake & re-read this..I'm still a bit letdown with the sophormic responses... I've come to expect more from you people here.

Now with that said, maybe I'll clarify my comment (IE, repeat what I said in beginning) and see if you can better comprehend the question.

First... let's see a raise of hands... how many of you use your Khorns for your PC speakers? Hmm.. let's see those hands now... how about use LaScallas for your pc??? If you read the initial question it DOES point out that FOR USING WITH YOUR PC, which seems to me, will INHERENTLY have "less" bass than a full sized Khorn/other? Perhaps, even less bass than an Academy (of which I have 3)

Sigh again.

Ok.. so let's clarify this

Setup: Right now as you are reading this, you are possibly listening to something/anything over some little tinny sounding PC speakers.

Don't you think it would be at least semi-cool/nice/interesting if instead of looking at what ever little tin box you are looking at, you could be looking at a "downsized clone" of a LaScalla, or Khorn or Bell or another?

I've read some sympathies for something about people being laid off in Hope because production slowed down... well.. what if these very same people could make these? this would make them "real" and not "clones" anymore, AND help keep the core of people gainfully employed so they'd be there when orders of the BIG stuff came in.

Frankly, FOR A PC speaker, I'd be tickled pink to be able to purchase a baby brother to my Lascallas... Oh.. and "no bass"??? Well, don't many pc speakers (look under your desk maybe) use a "sub"??? well, gee... would it not be possible to use SAME thing to help out?

NO ONE said/asked/inferred that these scaled down versions would have to have same output as the "real deal". As cool as it may be... who would WANT to be sitting at their pc with some full sized LaScallas blistering their ears 3' away?

Geez people read what's said, open your mind a bit & comprehend.

Now, go ahead & shoot holes in my comments, but at least, make it towards my idea & not out in left field.

Let's reiterate so you dont forget... I'm NOT talking about a 12" tall Khorn for use in your HOME sound system, ok? did you get it this time? Again, it's for PC use.

sigh again. I woke up an hour ago and it still got under my skin (your inability to read)

[Build a scaled down version...?]

Ok dudes...I already have some LaScallas that I bought back in about 1980/81, so I UNDERSTAND the realities about size...

sigh

Do we have/listen to Promedias?

Coldn't you clone them to "look" like a K horn? out of fun for ntohing else?

I'll look at website, was only a question to make something crafty & sound nice, not to compete with the real deal (which I know well, tyvm)

[Build a scaled down version...?]

Just sitting here reading stuff before going to bed listneing to music over my Promedias.

Got to thinking... wouldn't it be interesting (?) if you could build some K-horns that are like 12" tall (inches, not feet) and use them for pc (I have walls and could use "corner speakers" that are about 15" tall or less.

Anyway, got to thinking that might be an interesting endeavour for the sake of it...

if I were to pursue that, where might one get drawings and more importantly, drivers... what kind/size driver might one use.

I realize with size you'd have some tradeoffs probably, so it's not endeavour to reproduce smaller sonic version of khorns (though interesting if it could)

just letting my mind think some prior to bed and thought it might be a fun project just for the sake of it.

ok guys... shoot my idea full of holes.