hwatkins

I use both and my ear notices no difference between the two. Physics of the digital transmission would indicate that if the 1s and 0s are getting there unimpeded there will be no difference in the two. Traditional electron excitation of coax can be more easily influenced by outside forces, but most cables are very well protected from that. In the future - the use of lightwaves can have a dramatic effect on real bandwidth available. In today's electronic environment that has limited (if any) real value. The differences - you can make electrons bend around a corner much better than light waves and there is a longer history of making those connections. Light is also more difficult to run longer distances (although that rarely applies to our homes). Light is the future for bandwidth growth and will be the most secure long term. I'd continue to use both without any real near term concern. If you follow the addictive path of most here you won't have to worry about the future passing you by with antiquated connections - you will probably be there before most...

I find it interesting that all the folks that built my speakers look exactly as I thought they would. Those thin eye slits remind me well of times past.... Great post - What did the folks at the local drug store say when they handed back the 'moonshine' print?

Um..Malcolm or anyone else - the Stephens is a 16 ohm unit - what issues do I face there?

Thanks Malcolm - that is very helpful, and I will be looking at your suggestions for speakers. My research to this point is centering on an Eminence woofer - efficiency around 93db, which I figure I can attentuate the tweeter and squawker if need be with the existing taps on crossover - it may not be necessary. When I run the specs on the Eminence Alpha 8 (using two speakers) I get a recommendation for a vented box. However, if I chose the closed box route and provide about 2.7 cubic feet, the spl at 70hz starts getting very close to the vented design (@100W vented SPL is 109.4 and closed SPL is 109)- below that the vented design is much better. At around 95hz the SPL becomes the same for either box. That said, the simplicity of a closed box (this being my first speaker) is appealing. I can make enough box modifications to make room for space needed. My biggest concern is that this is about 3db off from where the speaker flattens out - 300hz. Since I am looking at running this as 'small' and let the SVS handle all info below 80hz, it seems to make some sense. What am I missing?

I have found schematics and wiring diagrams - so that is not needed.

Well folks, I am finally embarking on the great center channel experiment (after getting headaches thinking about the pitfalls) of creating a match for two pair of heresy in my HT/Music venue. Some of you may remember participating in answering my earlier 'testing the waters' message. I am repeating much of what I posted on audio asylum HE forum, so please excuse me if you also see it there. I have done extensive search of the forum and gotten some very good info. I am decidedly a novice in DIY, but a voracious reader with an irritating focus when my mind is made up. I am intent on building a new box to work as a center and to house the following - Klipsch 'E' crossover, K77 tweeter, K55-v w/700 horn and a woofer solution (my biggest issue). I have acquired the squawker and crossover and see little to stand in the way of finding a Tweeter that matches, my problem is what woofer(s) to use with the crossover (any any subsequent adjustments needed). The woofers will also be dependent on the box size (I am doing this backwards - I have decided to start within a size range for the enclosure let's ballpark this as outside dimensions of 31" - 36" long, 10" high and 13" - 18" deep) and of course need to probably be in that 93 - 98 db efficiency range. The 'shade tree' design is to mount the tweeter and squawker in traditional Heresy over and under with an 8 inch woofer on either side (I am very flexible here - maybe smaller woofer will do). My sub should fill very nicely from 100hz down (reciever crossover for bass will be set at 80hz). I am becoming more familiar (and confused at times) with pitfalls - enclosure size, venting, compression and on and on, but nothing has made me believe that any issue is insurmountable. I do understand that any solution will be a compromise in some way - my primary objectives are(things I want to compromise the least) getting a mid and high freq tonal match for my other two pair of heresy, a smoothness in the lower freq from about 80hz to the cross over to the midrange, a crisp (non delayed) lower freq that is compatable with the horns and an attractive enclosure. Way too much info and a little too few tech specs, but I thank you in advance for any input. Ideas on connecting the woofers (series/ parallel - although it looks like parallel is right for two), Impedence (I believe the E is for 16 ohms - and does it matter) expected by the crossover and a really silly need for crossover connections to each speaker (which tap to which speaker). I would normally open the back of my 1980 Hs to get connections, but they are in the ceiling and difficult to get to.

I, like many others, find that Denon is a good SS amp for the Heresy. They are slightly warmer than the comparable Yamaha models and provide a very smooth mid and high freqs. That said though, I found the Yamaha a very good match as well. I have heard and can condone Rotel and Marantz. All four have reliable units in your price range, but it you think about used equipment you can probably step up in their lines and walk away very satisfied. I am a Denon user (the analogy of user for addictions seems appropriate) that is very satisfied....

Windows rolled down, dog in the front seat, John Deere baseball cap, chew of tobacky, pastic spit cup and Merle Haggard coming at me in wonderful AM through a 3.25" quality Delco speaker....

Don't overlook Mannheim Steamroller Christmas records in looking for good two channel stuff...

Manuel I don't have a scientific answer for my positioning. It has happened this way in three rooms. If I had a dedicated listening room (which in my opinion would be fairly small and room enough for only two in/near the sweet spot) I might have a much different position. It may be that at near ear level I had to be much more particular about seating arrangements. For my general purpose rooms it seems that the high corners give a more pleasing effect at most all positions. After this thread got me questioning myself (again), I used a slack period yesterday to close my eyes and 'see' what I heard. Here goes - the sound (probably due to angling) appears to come from aproximately 4 feet up the wall and 3-4 feet in from the corners, creating an outstanding fill. As I become immersed I begin to feel different sounds from different areas (for instance the cymbals seem to come from farther back and the trumpets more forward). Last Friday I went to see Sonia Dada and Luce (great new San Francisco band) in concert and I decided to use their CDs in my listening test. Once again folks, these speakers were so good at replication of the concert experience that I was thrown right back into that very enjoyable feeling I had at the concert. My positioning may be based on the fact that many amplified concerts have the speakers higher and in the corners of the stage area. This is also true of many unamplified orchestra stages where the bowl shape of the stage back naturally expels the sound out of the corners.

Too much fun to not participate - I have two pair of heresy, Is and IIs in the same theater/music room. Quite honestly the ringing is not happening in the older ones (hasn't for twenty years), so I don't have a metal vs. plastic horn problem issue. My ear says that the II is slightly more 'refined' (this means to me that the mids are fuller at lower volumes) in the stuff that goes through the Sqwauker and has a better bass fill/sound. Quite truthfully, I had to listen long and hard to come up with that, with the woofer being the most noticable. In todays world, that lack of low frequencies sends us in search of a good sub. A good sub negates the woofer differences. Manuel - Over the years I continue to arrive at the top of the Heresy positioned around 8 feet above the floor with a slight angle to the listening area. Not sure why, but it is always the best sound for me (and I have moved them at least as often as my wife , bless her heart, has moved the furniture). Nowadays with a good sub fill it mitigates any real loss of bass from this mounting position. What do I think? Well, spend around $600 bucks for a good sub (that's winking at SVS) and put them with your Heresy (either I or II)8' up angled down, SPL meter and set your listening position and put on your favorite album/CD (preferably DSOM for the rockers and recordings of the St. Louis or Philadelphia Philharmonics - these guys seem to have the best recording techniques- for the classics). If you like the sound of horns, I promise you will have a sound that 'cannot' be beat by any combination of commercial speakers ( I always exclude DIY - real bargains can be made there) within $300. If you exclude Cornwalls, the range gets closer to $750 - $1000. To me that is a truely remarkable thing. Halleluhah and Amen

As far as I know it never ends. Until the good doctors validate this as an addiction/disease, insurance starts coverage for recovery and a twelve step program is developed we can expect that this will remain a 'hidden' addiction that requires us to send our kids to trade school instead of college. We will be gaunt ghosts of ourselves as we fall behind in our utility payments to make room for another SET and put the old one in the garage (which no longer has room for cars - fortunately we can no longer afford cars). We see a scraggley beard (stringy unwashed hair for the ladies), a cigarette hanging out of the corner of our mouth as we are sitting in our favorite listening spot with an SPL meter. This is the movie shot - as the rest of the family is packing to leave and looking woefully in our direction wondering what happened to this wonderful person. It began as listening in 'social' situations only. Now we find ourselves listening even when we are alone. Even though we know better, we say we can stop anytime. We listen to NPR (or Rush Limbaugh - your choice) when others are around to keep up the premise that we are normal. Over time we care less and less what others think and become bombastic when accused of having a problem. The only support groups available actually encourage this disease. The clergy are clueless on how to help (excorscism has come closest to working). Oh well, I do not think it ever stops.....

I am with Ed on this - I really do like my Denon 3802, but early on when I needed the pyscological support of human intervention I came up with little more than acknowledgement that I existed (I am quite use to obstinance and rudeness in my daily work, but this was beyond the ordinary lack of respect for a customer). There were a large number of Denon users out there that came to the rescue. The sad part --- When I was on another bulletin board that was often attended by Denon I suggested that 'non authorized' dealers may not be a bad road to go since I surely did not get a great return from their support on my premium price (and was joined by a chorus). That comment resulted in three (yes 3) phone calls and over 10 Emails that were 'educating' me on warranty and support coverage. Man, if they just put the same effort into fixing my problems as they did to retort, I would have been a very happy customer. I auditioned long and the Denon is still my choice for performance and price - just not a big fan of the company as a whole...

So, you are the culprit that got the speaker. I missed it by the skin of my teeth. I am looking for a single speaker as well to modify for a center. Pieced out I would need the horns and crossover. The piece parts are often more than the single speaker price....

Partymon - I am with you. I have kept heritage stuff in storage over the years searching through other speakers and when I made my final return I questioned why I EVER took them out of service for any time. You'll not be faced regretting a sale of heritage speakers (as I did a couple of decades ago - to finance some planars - stupid, stupid, stupid) this way. As to marraige - I have a different opinion. We have been together 30 years, 28 married and I have so few regrets that they are not worth mentioning. Finding such a good friend that looks past some of the more obvious flaws and is always there when needed is such an extraordinary life experience that even a failed attempt is a valuable exercise. Please understand that I am an interesting person to live with - This week's passion is audio, next week video, the next is my roadster, the next is work and with winter approaching I'll throw in a few weeks of skiing passion. I (and others that know me) admire her tolerance...

Went to the theatre Sunday night and was reminded of why I like my Klipsch. I have always said that the most dynamic, complex and challenging music is an orchestra (while I love Rock and Roll - it does not come close on dynamic requirements). Simply put - I can get the Klipsch to remind me of the outstanding feel from a live performance. When Live you can hear the individual nuances that seem to fade away on most loudspeakers that are not high efficiency horn based. Every once and awhile I like being reminded of why I am very pleased with my loudspeakers - and can comfortably handle the 'ear bleeding' comments. Cheers

7.1 widescreen mode is a simulated sound field. It does not compare to THX. As I understand it, you let the DD, DD-EX and DTS decoders do their work and you get the sound that was intended in THX. I could not be very much happier with my 3802 and the 6.1 capablilities. I tend to stay away from simulated fields - just too much tweaking required for individual sources. However I do like Denon's multichannel stereo and I am a fan DPLII. I agree with the recommendations and can give an experienced thumbs up to Denon. That said, Denon has had a rash of reported quality problems lately that means you should look closely when making your call.

Very difficult to pinpoint with your ear the differences in Is and IIs. I actually mix the two in my setup. The best I can say is the IIs 'seem' to have a smoother mid sound and I can localize the bass better. But trust me - that is me being as anal as possible. I am very happy with the mix. My answer - either should work well for what you want to do.

Yeah - I am overboard. Still have DirectTV for Sports, Dish for movies and the primary broadcast stuff comes with cable for easy distribution to the rest of the house (6 more TVs). Since cable came with a box I used for kiddie control on main set, I run through reciever for recording purposes only. TV is only through reciever for some tricked up stuff I tried with a laptop. Not smart in all setups, but my last post was more with a wink about me being way out of line - and I had you to thank for the count by your mentioning the 15 video connections. By the way, while there is some 15 video connections many are just composite versions of the same stuff. Look - I am not itching for a fight here. I really like what I got and my original post said all I meant to (the second was more of a pitiful example of my goofiness). My setup is four Heresy (front and sides), AR2C Center, Infinity rear, Heresy Porch and SVS 20-39pci. A hand made K-77, K-55, Type E crossover, plus some couple of woofers (unknown at present) is the center in the making (my first DIY).

Ok - Proj made me countem: Video: TV DVD VCR Satellite #1 Satellite #2 Cable Speakers: Front 2 Center 1 Sides 2 Rear 2 Remote 2 Audio only: Turntable CD Tape (soon gone) Tuner (does that count if it is part of reciever?) Remote out to Reciver downstairs I really should stay at home so no one catches what I have....

Dear James - Where did I misrepresent my view? Of course my review was flawed. If you want to go farther, I did not get to use the exact speaker configuration for each system nor for my final setup. On top of that I have the audacity to publically note a preference. Give me a break... If you have the resources for a double blind testing environment more power to you. Most of us give it our best shot with the resources we have then we honestly relay our experience. I actually go quite the distance in looking at my options and audition as much as possible. Finally - Some folks (even some that don't own a subwoofer) do claim the VFT 2 sounds better on all levels than a 2039pci - I got such comments when I reviewed my initial implementation. Quite honestly, My ears tell me that is not true - so I do make the comment on the comparison, even though there is (legitimately) a reason to class these subs differently. Come to think of it your comment is right on - a flawed review from a flawed personality Gotta go - time to go listen to my flawed system (geez - my choice of a Denon reciever is now getting bashed) and deepen the depression. Audio used to be an escape - now it feels like a prison....

I prefered Denon from my auditions. I spent quite some time before reaching the decision and listened to quite a few units. Unfortunately B&K was not one of them. The simple answer for me is that the Denon (3802) was the best bang for my buck, matched better than others (excluding Rotel - more on that later)with my Heresys and had decent to excellent reviews as a pre for when I might move to separates. My ears said the closest comparison was Yamaha and the worst two (deadheat) were Outlaw and Sony (please - no bashing, this is my humble opinion). I really liked the Rotel sound, but got confusing implementation solutions and decided that a Rotel product may well be part of my choices after I educate my ears and move to a separates route. The sales folks I met had a tendency to be self righteous and more interested in pontification than in education. So my education quest continues and this addictive hobby will probably get more dollars from me to move to separates down the road. To date, the Denon has been an outstanding choice.

I listened to both the VTF 2 and 2039pci before purchasing the 2039. The lower end was much more satisfying on the SVS and it seemed much quicker and more dynamic. At first sitting I thought the VTF was much smoother on music, but after using SPL meter and calibrating friend's SVS, found a very good, musical sub. Both have great price/performance ratios. IMHO the SVS was a hands down winner and would most likely be a better comparison with the HSU tubes. I have not auditioned the 2531. Caveat - for music I found the ability to set the volume level by effect (hot for HT and softer for stereo) on the reciever extremely valuable in making a seamless transition from HT to music with the SVS. I imagine that without that automatic change I would get somewhat irritated at having to work to get a good sound when I change source. However, this may be true for both subs.

Too close to home for me. I have a near relative of this person living next door. Very funny site - I have sent it to my wife - we will pick out the similarities to our next door friends, but first count is about 8 very (scarily) similar stories. The primary difference with us is the neighbor starts but NEVER finishes a project (example: a hot tub gazebo that is designed to be attached to a deck that comes off the master bedroom exterior door has a plywood bridge that is three years old, mildewed and slanting). Bear in mind we all have three plus acres out here, and our neighbor had to build as close as can be to our house. Above ground pool has developed leaks and busted three times, rolling down hill to my garage. There is the mandatory unfinished front yard fish pond, three (unfinished) sheds, two dead vehicles in the driveway, rarely used ski boat in the side yard and permanent, in need of repair, chain link fence. I went so far as to buy the fencing separating our yards so I could put up a privacy fence in lieu of his handy work. It has been 15 years and this has become one of my favorite subjects. There are a dozen more stories that can provide all round good conversations at a bar. While I still get very POed at times, it has become a consistent form of entertainment. We have set our expectations hilariously low and they are still able to get under the bar. I am sure one day I will miss their particular brand of entertainment...

I agree with HBR on Heresy purchase. As to an economical, small sub - the HSU VTF 2 is a great bargain in a nice package. While I do not prefer it to even the smallest SVS - it is a great cube with decent extension and probably much easier to transport. Other than DIY stuff, you probably can't match the performance for anything less than 50% more cost.