Chris Robinson

Jay, thanks ... one of the bennies with demolishing a room and starting over ... You can create what you need. We watched "Ricky Bobby" tonight ... even though it's a fairly tame movie, it was funny, but the soundtrack was pretty impressive. The front horn array and the Danley just really rip. This weekend I'm going to rerun the EQ process since a lot has changed. I also want to diddle with the polarity settings. I have Doc's "sub by ear" manual so I'll see what I can do to tweak the last few ounces of goodness out of this setup. I've got some new CD's and DVD's in house as well ... This ice/water scenes from "Ice Age 2" were really impressive. The LF passages were really palpable, esp. when the ice shifting is just starting. There is a lot going on in the 15-25 Hz range (I'm guessing) that really gets you going. Life is a lot different now with world-class woofage and Klipschorns/Belle across the front. It switches between awesome and scary. Not sure which way to call it yet. Chris

Over the Xmas holiday, I had some time to spend experimenting with different settings. The SMS1 has been a really good addition to this line up. I still don't know all its features well, but it sure delivers the mail. First, getting some carpet and furniture in this room has really made a difference. The bare slab and walls were a nightmare; lots of slap echo. The newly added fodder has softened the sound considerably. The LF is really dialed in too and the percussiveness of the Danley is very impressive. We've probably watched "Dead Man's Chest" about 20 times (kids ...) and I'm still impressed with the cannon fire (triple guns, especially) and how it is "just right". Not boomy at all; just a hammer in the sternum. I like the way the room has turned out. Despite a "small" 50" Panny plasma, the room works very well sonically. The sweet spot is very wide for movies, and music floats into the kitchen in a very tactile way. For music, I turned the SMS1 volume down to about "25", but run it at "40" for movies. My wife was really miserable when I brought the unboxed Danley into the house, but she loves how it's now hidden from view. She said she was "glad that I didn't get one of those large, free-standing beasts" I was considering. I still think a 12d would have been great and pleasing in all respects. I just had to see how this big old Danley went with the alacrity of the Klipschorns and I can honestly say I couldn't be more pleased! Happy Holidays to you all! Chris

Sorry to be late in replying This is just the busiest time of the year in the house cleaning biz and Ive been in bed for a few days with the flu. Plus, were on the last week or two of the house remodel, so add it all together and what do you get? FUBAR. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Yes, the KILLER SUB FROM HELL is in place. It wasnt until I added the SMS1 though that I was really able to hear it go through its paces. The voltage output of the Sunfire is on the light side. Even with the output set to +10db, the sub was 10 db short of where it should have been. I did a quick test tone at reference volume and the house was rattling in the farthest corners. This sub is NOT for the faint-hearted. The SMS1 starts its sweeps at 15Hz. The grill cloth was flapping like Old Glory on the 15Hz end of the sweep. The amp wasnt breaking a sweat. Amazingly, the room was pretty lumpy on the EQ curve, even though it was unpopulated with furniture and it measures a neat 30 x 19 x 9 with an open end into the kitchen. I would have thought it would have been much smoother than that. I ran through the usual list of movies. I noticed that the settings for jazz music are around half of what is needed for movies. I also need to spend a little more time doing some real dialing in for phase. It was just set at 0 so Im sure some tweaking is in order. But even untouched, untweaked, this sub is very, very serious about LF. Amazingly, it fits in a millwork cabinet, is invisible, and just shakes the neighborhood when the LF soundtrack starts to crank. Our dog, an Aussie, has a pretty resilient nature. When we get into the LFs though, his fur goes up and he starts barking his fool head off. Im going to invite Tom from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Savannah on up for a day of tweaking. There is still a lot to do to squeeze the best from this beast, but the raw and uncut version is pretty stunning. The first sweeps at higher volumes made me want to puke. Enough said. Chris OH HELL YEAH!!!! I'm just about in my car and on the way now!!!! LOL......... Seriously Chris. I haven't got a flippin' thing to do this weekend (well - next weekend either for that matter). Geez - did I just invite myself or what?? Tom, next weekend might work. Let me check with the Spousal Unit and see what the shopping regimen looks like! Chris

Sorry to be late in replying This is just the busiest time of the year in the house cleaning biz and Ive been in bed for a few days with the flu. Plus, were on the last week or two of the house remodel, so add it all together and what do you get? FUBAR. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Yes, the KILLER SUB FROM HELL is in place. It wasnt until I added the SMS1 though that I was really able to hear it go through its paces. The voltage output of the Sunfire is on the light side. Even with the output set to +10db, the sub was 10 db short of where it should have been. I did a quick test tone at reference volume and the house was rattling in the farthest corners. This sub is NOT for the faint-hearted. The SMS1 starts its sweeps at 15Hz. The grill cloth was flapping like Old Glory on the 15Hz end of the sweep. The amp wasnt breaking a sweat. Amazingly, the room was pretty lumpy on the EQ curve, even though it was unpopulated with furniture and it measures a neat 30 x 19 x 9 with an open end into the kitchen. I would have thought it would have been much smoother than that. I ran through the usual list of movies. I noticed that the settings for jazz music are around half of what is needed for movies. I also need to spend a little more time doing some real dialing in for phase. It was just set at 0 so Im sure some tweaking is in order. But even untouched, untweaked, this sub is very, very serious about LF. Amazingly, it fits in a millwork cabinet, is invisible, and just shakes the neighborhood when the LF soundtrack starts to crank. Our dog, an Aussie, has a pretty resilient nature. When we get into the LFs though, his fur goes up and he starts barking his fool head off. Im going to invite Tom from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Savannah on up for a day of tweaking. There is still a lot to do to squeeze the best from this beast, but the raw and uncut version is pretty stunning. The first sweeps at higher volumes made me want to puke. Enough said. Chris

Welcome to the forum! And many thanks for your service to our great country [] I would agree with ColterPhoto here. The RS will help a lot. You might want to look at a Synergy Sub-12 for a sub. I hear it's a wonderful value and really kicks. They are on sale at Best Buy here as well. Maybe when you're stateside you can pick one up or have someone grab one for you. Chris

Thanks, all ... really good reference points here. I feel a little less lonely as I hit the phones in the morning. You all are great friends. Really. Chris

Thanks, guys. It was approved beforehand by BCBS They even authorized me for an overnight stay but I was feeling well enough after the morning surgery to go home that afternoon. I think the glitch was when they realized I had chiropractic care before the surgery. I think they want the records to prove that my back was "waiting to happen" for the last three years. Never once did any of my doctors tell me that my back was herniated to any degree. When it went, though, it did a good job. I'm a self-employed small business owner so my wife is my HR person [] She's concerned too. If insurance doesn't cover something like this,what do they cover? I was playing golf comfortably and well just a week before it blew out. Chris

I need a few opinions on this. During the last week of August, my back started to hurt so I went to the chiropractor for an adjustment. I got some relief. Two days later, he had wanted to see me again but this time my back was spasming before I went it. My feet were tingling and numb since I picked up my 6 year old son earlier in the day. The doc took a look at me and ordered an MRI the next morning. The MRI revealed an 80% herniated disc between L3 and L4. I was referred to a surgeon who fixed me up on 9/1. Now BCBS is saying that they're not going to pay for the surgery (although they initially approved it) by saying it was a pre-existing condition. They've asked for all the doctors names (including chiropractors) I've seen in the last ten years. I have seen a chiropractor regularly (every few months) for an adjustment over the last five years. This year I only went a few times. Then the herniation in late August. Any advice on how to handle this with BCBS? I really don't want to fork out the $20K it cost for this surgery. Chris

Came across this thread. Seems to be where I am going with the Danley. I'm still short of db's though so maybe the boost from the SMS-1 will be enough to put it over the top. Chris

By accident, I pushed the "up" position on the center thumb wheel. It sent the Sunfire into setup mode. I was able to adjust the speakers from there. I'm now having an issue with not getting enough output from the Danley. I have the sub out set at its max position of +10db but I'm still 10db short of where it should be. The amp on the Danley is in its max position too. Indy, didn't you report a problem with the Sunfire and THX subs as there not be enough output? I'm going to install the SMS-1 today and that may take care of the issue. Chris

I downloaded a copy of the TG III manual which goes into some detail on the remote. I'm now wondering whether I need to press the button for "CEN-" and then use the joystick to adjust it? I'll try but any help from TGIII owners would be appreciated! Happy day-after-Thanksgiving! Chris

Didn't quite know where to post this question but I just set up my new family room and can't seem to adjust the speaker output levels with this remote control. It's a Sunfire Remote III that the previous owner sent along after the original Theater Grand remote failed. I understand it's a rebranded Theater Master MX-500. The second "page" on the remote's "receiver" screen has the following buttons: CEN- CEN+ REAR- REAR+ SUB- SUB+ I figured these are used to adjust these speakers' volumes to match the R/L mains. Pushing the buttons does nothing though. I'm not sure if I'm operating the remote correctly, i.e., is there a special sequence of buttons to push? There doesn't seem to be a way to adjust the speaker levels on the processor's front panel. I may have to find an original Theater Grand remote, which is already about 5 years old. Chris

Arthur, I don't know how to put this delicately, but you're in need of some psychotherapy [] Seriously, I think your passion for the lower-end registers is admirable. I always say to folks, if you're going to do something, you might as well do it right. Even though you can't spell worth a hill of beans, you know sub-woofing. My only suggestion would be to let that floor finally give way by putting a Danley DTS-20 in there. You might just be inclined to remove half that pile. If you lived by Pareto principles, you could keep your inventory to a manageable level and improve cash flow [] Chris

Nailed me as North Jersey. Bingo. Grew up there. Funny, most folks I meet can't place my accent. They say, "You don't have an accent", and I reply, "My mother beat it out of me ..." If I ever came home and said, "Mom, let me "ax" you a question ..." ... she would have taken me into another room and had a serious talk about how folks associate accents with intelligence. Of course, there is NO correlation, but people's biases would kick in and discount your IQ by 50%. Don't hammer me on that guess-timate ... It's just hyperbole. I can place a Michigan accent very quickly. My mom came from Battle Creek. I have a harder time with southern accents since there are so many variants. I've been here a year and a half and I don't hear it anymore; everybody has it so you go with what you decode and not the inflection so much. I find southern accents comforting until the women strap on the boots before going into a bar, just in case they get into a fight. Don't see that much in Boston anymore []

Happy anniversary! Carrie and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on 11/11 as well [] I thought the numbers were pretty cool too. You both have a lot of spirit and contribute greatly here. Hope to meet you someday .. Chris

OK, long while since posting. Danley is in situ and awaiting connection. The Middle Atlantic ASR-48 is in place as well. All we need are counters and appliances, and we're good to go. Our target had been Thanksgiving but I think that's shot to heck, so we're moving it to Christmas. The ASR went in cleanly. Looks like a nice rack and will give us easier access to cables and changes when they arise. REALLY looking forward to getting the Khorns in place and the contractors out of here. Seems like we've done nothing but write checks for four months. Arghh. Next life, I'm going to be a GC and rip off poor unsuspecting folk like me [:S] Just kidding. I'm sure they blow all their profit on the last 20 hours of the job. It's pareto at its worst. The last 10% of the job takes 80% of the time. Chris

Jim, wanted to get back to you on this one ... Yes, we've thought about that and it is a great suggestion. Problem is we're up to our eyeballs with a new first-year business and a seven year old ... I would LOVE to have some time to do something for both Max and Jack but this year has been self-dictating. We have time to play "cops and robbers" in the yard and "find the alligator" but it will be a year or so before we can take on a doggie-extracurrilura activity. I feel badly about it so we try to get him to the beach when we can wiggle it into the schedule. Better than nothing but still feeling badly about all the short-changed folks in the family [] Chris

That is so funny ...

That's really interesting. Never would have thought of that ... When we were "interviewing" Max at the pound, Jack, our 7 year old, would run around and Max would nip at his heels and pant legs. We didn't understand why he was doing that. The shelter said he was a Golden mix and we took their word for it. Our last dog was a Golden/Border mix and we had liked her disposition greatly. After Max took a small bit from the calf of a visiting contractor, we took him to "Polite Paws", a local dog trainer. We asked her about this particular behavior and she said we had an Aussie, not a Golden (in retrospect, "duh ..."), and this was how they behaved around cattle and livestock. We also learned that he need a LOT of exercise or would become bored and show frustration in his behavior. We got a Dogtra training collar and worked on his behavior. It's much better and we can keep him off the leash and take him to the beach, yet still have voice control over him, up to a 1/4 mile. What a liberating experience. Two hours at the beach and he'll sleep for a day. He knows when it's Saturday because we sleep in. He also knows that it's a potential beach day. He go outside, and sit below the tailgate of the truck and just look at us. If we open the truck, he'll jump and just sit there until we load up the beach toys and towels. Too funny. Ditto on the pound thing. Last two dogs were pound puppies and they were wonderful. Our shelter is a no-kill shelter and there are some dogs who've been there for 10 years. After a year or so, it's really hard to socialize them back into a home environment although it's been done. Chris

I know there are many dog lovers lurking here. My dog, Max, is an Aussie Shepherd mix that we got from the shelter about a year ago. He was about a year old then, the vet guessed, and since we've adopted him, he's really muscled out. Aussies were originally raised as working dogs, herding cattle by nipping at their heels. When he wants somebody off "his" property, he'll bark and nip at their heels until they flee for the property line. He loves women and children, is distrustful of men in general (esp. ones wearing hats), HATES UPS drivers but is OK with FedEx guys. He makes me laugh everyday with his crazy habits. For instance, when I feed him his dry food, he'll carefully pick out about 5 kibbles and walk off to a different part of the room and lay down and dine on them. Only after that ritual will he return to his bowl to eat the rest. After he finishes, he always finds me in the house and will sit next to me waiting for a good, loving head-pet and an "atta boy!". Then he's off to chase squirrels or hunt moles in the yard. He can carry a quart of water in his jowls. After he finishes a good drink, he'll walk off and leave a healthy trail of water for 20 feet. We thought about naming him Dribbles. There is always a beach towel not far from his water for us to mop the floor with when he's done. He loves the beach and will just run to the shallow water and plop his butt down and watch the shrimp boats. Like most of us, we'd love to know what goes on in the minds of our dogs on most days. Chris

I have a Sunfire Theater Grand I (5.1) and the Sunfire 7x200 amp. I am refinishing a house remodel and have yet to listen to the Klipschorns with this amp configuration. Prior to the remodel though, I had KG4's and Heresies connected and they sounded great. Sunfire, IMHO, is a good match with Heritage.

It's kind of getting to me that I have the Danley all installed in the cabinet and I have yet to even power the beast on! I would love to hear what you all are talking about but it will have to wait for at least a few more weeks before the old carpet is ripped up and the dust is removed from the room. Chri

Ouch. Don't they have medication to help with moving those on through? []

Jeff, We wish you the very best with the move and getting acclimated there. Of course, you'll go from 0C in mid-February to the middle of their summer. That should be nice! We're envious. I'm sure you'll still be on the board here ... Chris

Congrats ... All I can add is that I'm pleased I don't live beneath you or next door [] Chris