jhawk92

$550???? That is way out there, rare or not. Obviously he isn't in much of a mood to sell. Oh well, it would be nice to have, but I can get a bunch of other things for even the $300 disk. That is getting better into the price range, but still outta sight.

Myram- Glad we have fun here on the boards! Hmm, well, I had been thinking about Quartet's as the rears with the Forte's... But for now, there isn't enough room for Q's, let alone Forte's as the rears. Besides, with money short now, I'd have a hard time explaining any upgrade. It would be a tough choice...Fortes or an SVS sub! Somewhat seriously, does the non-skid stuff help damp out knick-knack vibrations? I sometimes notice that a pot/box/other thing sets up its own vibrations with the Fortes running loud and it diminishes the overall enjoyment. Maybe if that non-skid stuff helps, I'd let my wife put stuff back on the speakers.

Boa- Hope the Lawrence haunts are still doing ok. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but such is life at a basketball school. You really should get a different girlfriend, one who likes KU. Myram- Glad the warranty came into service for you. Guess I have been lucky with mine, so I'll hope it continues. Don't tempt me with the SVS upgrade!! I bought Phantom Menace this week and will crank up my system this weekend with that and see. I know the PW2200 will do great, but I have to wonder what a big SVS would do. Well, I'll live vicariously through you for a bit, and maybe the bug will bite me hard enough.

avman- I have been looking at a widescreen projection set for a while and am torn between Hitachi and the Pioneer Elite. I have seen both (very impressive), but not side-by-side for even comparison. I figure for my room, probably a 53-57" set would work. I am still a bit wary about RP with off-axis viewing as my HT has some side seating. Any thoughts for those two sets vs your love of the Sony RP? Now I am hearing ads for the 40" WEGA tube, which sounds pretty cool too. I would like any purchase to be relatively "future proof" since it seems the whole industry is trying to figure itself out. How would the 40" do against a RP? Can it support 16:9? Thanks for your thoughts!

Myram- I have the exact same set-up; Denon 4800/5200 with PW2200 sub. That combo has worked perfectly for nearly 18 months, with no popping from the sub. If it is this muting circuit, that's a new one. I assume you checked out the cable to the sub? BTW, how is that SVS?!?! I'd love to get one, but funds are tight right now. I'd really like one, ok two, of the CS-Ultras, but to justify that, I'd need a bigger TV. So...anyone want to donate to the TV/SVS fund??

GeorgeC- You probably shouldn't take those Forte IIs to Myram...he's already got Quartets so you might spoil him with the Fortes. What you should do is bring them to me; I already have a set of OO Forte IIs that would love to have company. And I'm on the way to Maine, so you could have great steaks here and then lobsters with Myram. Does that sound like a plan? All kidding aside, Myram, great pics, but with that new subwoofer, don't you have problems with the knick-knacks falling off the walls? With my Fortes, if the wife puts things on top, they seem to move around and then she gets mad when they fall off. Solution: don't put things there! jhawk This message has been edited by jhawk92 on 10-25-2001 at 03:43 PM

As far as I know, you got the correct disk, and the same ones I had seen for over $100 a while ago. If he has any extra, I'd buy one for about $20, but not the inflated high prices. That disk is also "the real thing" as it comes directly from THX to dealers, and not available to the public. Yes, it does have the robot trailer, and the disk is pretty cool. You mention another THX Demo disk. I seem to remember a while back on eBay that someone had two disks that had bunches of trailers on them, all different, and he was asking upwards of $150 each, but those were different than the one you mention on eBay right now. Yes, $150 is a bunch, and that isn't even his reserve price! Enjoy

Penguin- I have a PW2200 and have been running it for about 16 months and have never heard any of the noises you mention. If it is something coming from the big heat sink, I would follow TV's advice and check if there are any attachment points loose. I can't remember if there are any screws on the sink or not, but the sub should not rattle like it is in your case. Call/email Paradigm if you can't solve it yourself. jhawk

Wild Blue- There is such a disk, but it was only sent to A/V stores for demos. About 8-10 months ago, there were a bunch that showed up on eBay. I haven't looked there in a while, but there may be some there now or in near future. Be prepared to pay for it though; last year, they were going for $60-120! I can't see paying that much for it, even though it is a cool disk. Good luck, maybe price pressure has come down. jhawk

As an owner of a pair of Forte IIs, and matched them up first with a KV-3 and now a KV-4, I must respectfully step in and defend those two excellent speakers. I had the KV-3 for about 8 years and it did very well, keeping up with the Fortes in most instances. My KV-4 is slightly better than the -3, so I am happy I made the upgrade. I have not had any situations where the -4 hasn't kept up with the mains. While I haven't heard the Academy, I don't know how much better it could be than the KV-4. The KV-3 has a sensitivity of 95 dB, the KV-4 has 99 dB, and the Academy is at 96 dB. KV-4 is 200W and the Academy is 100W. Forte II is 96 dB and 100W. I don't mean to bad mouth the Academy, I'd love to hear one in person and compare, but don't discount the KV series. If you can grab an Academy at a good price, go for it, but don't feel that the KV would disappoint you.

BobG- Ok, so when in Jan/Feb would be a good time for the next pilgrimage? Or are there better times later in the year. If you can give us some ideas of convenient times for the Hope folks, we could start some planning. Rob

JDM- I agree, probably can't do anything in the next couple of months, but that I remember, the last Hope trip was late Jan/early Feb, so we have about 4-5 months to plan. Would any of the folks who went on Pilgrimage #1 be willing to go again?

I agree with the KG 1.2/1.5 series for small yet powerful bookshelf speakers. I have two pair of 1.2s as part of my 7.1-ch HT system and they do great. I do have a pair of 1.5s that are sitting in their box, unused, in great shape. Shoot me an email if you are interested or if the eBay ones get sold.

JDM- Amen to that! HOPEfully there will be another visit planned to the Arkansas facility early next year. I'd really like to see where I lost my heart and ears to. Er, well, at least my ears, my heart belongs to my wife. Will there be enough interest in making a second pilgrimage?

I'd lean towards the Denon. All my HT electonics are Denon except for my VCR, (two different AVR's, CD, DVD) and I love the way Denon builds equipment. I have been very pleased with my DVD-2500 (no longer made) so I haven't been in the market for nearly two years and not sure how Denon/Sony prices match up. I did look at both Sony and Denon when I was purchasing (around Xmas of '99) and like the quality/picture of Denon over the Sony. I would love to get a progressive scan DVD, but until I jump to a different TV, that can wait. BTW, if you go with the PW-2200, you will love that sub...I have it and it does very well with my Forte IIs. Enjoy.

It would sure make a trip to Hope less exciting...

I'll throw my hat in with all the other folks who prefer the "Heritage" line. I certainly love my Forte IIs and would have loved to have the Chorus IIs but couldn't afford them. New stuff is good, but I certainly lean to the old models. On fini's note, I am way interested in booking that next trip to Hope. I just missed out on the first visit and already told the wife I am headed to Hope when the next trip becomes reality. I know there are at least two people up here in the NE (myram) that will be heading down!

Matt- With all due respect to Keith, you may have a room similar to mine, where you don't really have both side walls for hanging speakers. I have two pair of 1.2s for surround/rear center and have them on 24-28" speaker stands. The rears are not toed-in and about 2ft behind 2.5ft out from the main listening position. The surrounds are about 2ft behind and 5.5ft out and are toed-in about 30-40 degrees. While this may not be the "ideal" location for them, they do quite well for both HT and 7-ch stereo. I was impressed with the system (Forte IIs/KV-4 in front) when watching X-Men and The Frog did his tongue thing, from left rear to left front/center. My wife was on the side and nearly jumped out of her seat! "That's why I like my Klipsch HT dear!" Speaker stands are pretty inexpensive so play around with them and see. Next house will hopefully have 4 walls available for speaker use! jhawk

Steve- Wow, you are quite a lucky guy as of late. That's the receiver that I have and love it. Now all you have to do is find the companion POA-5200 and a couple more speakers and you'll be rocking with 7-ch sound! (You know where you can get a set... ) I think we are all interested in your thoughts on the Academy. Let us know!

Steve- Ah, well you will definitely have to tell us all about your new arrival. I noticed a small difference with my upgrade to KV-4 from KV-3, but it might have been bigger if I didn't turn down the output on the Denon 4800 first. Sure enough, just as the specs say, KV-3 sensitivity is 95dB and KV-4 is 96dB and to get the same 75dB on the Rat Shack SPL, I stepped it down about 4dB. I don't know that I could justify upgrading again so soon, but maybe I'll catch your Academy bug and my path will be laid out for me. If anyone is interested in a mint black satin KV-3 (boxes, etc), or a light oak pair of KG 1.5s (also with boxes), LMK. T-man- I am kinda with you on the rear speakers. I love my two pair of KG 1.2s, and while I would love another set of Forte IIs, my current situation doesn't have that kind of room. I certainly can't complain with what I have now...

Myram- Still tweaking huh? Good for you. I still have that pair of KG 1.5s if you are interested. Haven't heard how those compare to the .5s, but I sure like my 2pr of KG 1.2s with Forte IIs front. BTW, how do you like the Academy/Quartet combo? I upgraded from my KV-3 to a KV-4 several months ago and like the switch (thanks chickey). Never having heard/seen an Academy, I am always wondering... jhawk

Steve- You are already giving up on your KV-3? I'll admit, I'd love to see/hear an Academy, but I have been pleased with my update to KV-4. Interested in your thoughts. jhawk

FTIW, I have been using Audioquest Coral audio interconnects between components in my system and running the AQ Sidewinder cable to my sub. I have been very pleased with all cables, and while it was somewhat expensive, it was not as bad as it could have been (also bought new speaker cables.) I wanted to do a before/after test with interconnects as well as the speaker cables, but with my current HT cabinet, it's nearly impossible to make easy switches, and if you get too frustrated swapping cables, you forget what you are listening for. So, when I get a new rack for the components, I'll play around as I kept all the old speaker wire. I did notice better output from my entire system, but I can't attribute it to interconnects/wires exclusively, since I upgraded from a ProLogic receiver to a DD/DTS receiver. But I am a happy guy...the wife just thinks I'm a bit nuts, but we each have our "vices," and we get along fine that way

I'll agree with everyone who says the PW2200 is a great sub. I added that unit to my 7-ch system and it keeps up great with both movies and music and does quite well matching with my Forte IIs. Granted, I need to review these reviews and check the new(?) dB numbers, but I sure can't complain with the system. I bought the PW2200 abour 18 months ago and have loved it from day one. However, more and more that I hear/read about SVS, makes me wonder what (i am sure it's not "if") I'm missing. Right now, I can't justify dropping that money into the system. Someday, maybe...but then maybe I'll also get a pair of Khorns. However, you'll never pry my Forte IIs from my hands!! jhawk

I'll throw my $0.02 in with RWMIN. I avoid DSP modes like the plague, ever since I started with a Pro Logic receiver. All my my music is in 2-ch, direct, or, and this is what I like about the newer Denon receivers, 5-ch stereo. While I don't have room/money/etc for matching speakers all around, having 7 speakers (Forte II, KV-4, 2-pr KG 1.2) going at once is quite an impressive sound stage. The 5/7-ch stereo option off a receiver like my AVR4800 pipes the music to all 7 speakers (sometimes sub) with little or no additional processing. What I'd love to see is a high quality receiver that puts most of the oomph into amps, circuitry, a better than average FM/AM receiver, and minimal surround modes. Maybe that way they could trim the price a bit since I rarely use all the extra modes, but I'd love to have great power and clarity for the modes I do use. Ok, so my $0.02 may have actually been $0.25. jhawk