hwatkins

Here is the web link in case you are interested: http://www.adireaudio.com/home_audio/Loudspeakers/exact_series/dharman.htm FYI ------------------ Hwatkins

I have been back and forth on VTF-2, Pw2200 and SVS. SVS is the apparent winner, but a cube is so much more asthetically preferred. Then someone gave a 'to die for' wonderful review of the Adire Dharman for the price range. You folks usually steer me best. Any experience out there? ------------------ Hwatkins

Oops - sorry about the huge Icon insert. I guess 'newbie' is an appropriate tag for me. See how easy it is for me to believe things are my fault - history says it usually is. I imagine the sub issue above is my fault as well. Sorry.... ------------------ Hwatkins

Same thing happened to me. After 4 years all of a sudden a radio station began coming through the sub. This happened even when sub was in standby. With all cables removed it was still there (very much muted) and with a very good shielded cable at 3 feet, not attached to anything - I got fairly clear reception. I considered using it as a radio, but it only got one station. Manufacturer, forums and meditation were all useless in trying to fix. Manufacturer kept wanting to blame operator error (cabling and so forth), forums wanted me to purchase $40,000 worth of testing gear to validate it was a ground issue and I kept falling asleep when I tried to meditate.... I then went low tech - used a car radio that ranked stations by signal strength and found this radio station to be way off the spectrum on signal strength. I then used that same radio to find that this station was bleeding over on several frequencies on the dial. I called the station and recieved the manufacturers response - must be my fault. Called the FCC to report a possible power violation. Within 24 hours it stopped happening. FCC called back (imagine that) to thank me for the report and said the station found a failure in their equipment. Up until your post I thought I was the only one this happened to. It was a very beneficial mental gymnastic routine. I hope you find a solution that was as permanent as mine. Shame on you for stealing the airwaves with your sub....(just to remind you that it is your fault). ------------------ Hwatkins

I was convinced (by this forum's resident 'all speakers the same' evangelist - HornEd) to experiment. I am still having some Center trials and am holding back on that review until complete. I do not view the rear centers as valuable until full range signals become the norm. So....When I fnally got Heresy mains and surrounds fired up (after some extensive carpentry work and feeding my wife bourbon until she agreed) I was completed taken in. What has occurred is not the in your face, here is what these speakers do, but a very natural fill that is the most pleasing I have experienced. It shines in 4-6 channel stereo and is amazingly non stressed in 5.1 and higher stuff. I get the feeling now that this is what the sound folks were thinking when they edited. It is so natural the you have to turn off the surround to remind you of what you would be missing (and it is lots). It really does meet all the cliches - enveloping, natural, tonal matching, etc. My opinion - if your room (and significant other) can handle it I would go with very near exact match mains and surround. I'll report later on what has happened with center. ------------------ Hwatkins

Couldn't help but chime in here (why should I not have some fun as well). Klipsch clearly states their business policy and is well within their legal responsibilities. If you think that it is vital that they change, I suggest sincere conversations with a business case for the change - that will probably have the best influence. I am here because I prefer the sound of Klipsch Heritage line - I understand Klipsch policies and I understand my risks in alternative purchasing selections. I choose Klipsch because of the sound and will take all reasonable steps in building my systems while understanding their clearly stated policies. I am not required to agree with the policies. I strongly disagree with EBay's heavily seller focused policies, but that does not keep me away from Ebay. I choose to focus on knowing the rules and understanding any risks I am taking. I think the same may well apply to Klipsch. After all, we mostly care about the sound..... ------------------ Hwatkins

Gosh - this is a question that can get some lengthy responces on this board. My suggestion is to read through Dolby Labs FAQs to get the idea. Here is the site: http://dolby.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/dolby.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php ------------------ Hwatkins

With my Denon 3802 and regular broadcast cable and digital cable the majority of stuff I get is Pro Logic. In this case the DPL II is a significant improvement - really makes a difference in the overall feel and imaging experience. I do not like DPL II (at least with the Denon) for music. Too much emphasis on the center and that seems to change the music in a way I find disagreeable (sorry that is as scientific as I can get). However, I do like the 7 channel stereo - in this case I can set the center level very low and get a very good stereo (more Quad like) image that really enhances the music by filling the room without changing the original sound. As always, this is my opinion and my ear.... ------------------ Hwatkins

I have the 3802 with Heresy II front and Heresy side (facing forward due to room). I play most CD music in 7 channel stereo (the rears are set to small) and I have the center channel level reduced to near nothing. Even when I had another Heresy set in the middle, the effect was a lack of definition from the front when center was fired up. The stereo imaging without that center is amazing to me - better than anything I had auditioned. The majority of CDs seem to benefit and the room filling clarity is surprising - seems more pros than cons. The 3802 remembers channel levels by effect so you will not mess with DTS/Dolby (or other) settings by changing this. As always - this is my opinion and the setup may not be as pleasing to your ears. Enjoy ------------------ Hwatkins

I have the 3802 and if you watch a significant amount of broadcast (including digital cable) you would notice a significant improvement. I do and am glad I have it. At three times the price I too would be stuck on what to do, but you won't see me trading in the ProLogic II now that I have it. ------------------ Hwatkins

You probably made the same mistake as I did - you read the manual first. Denon is almost backwards - common sense tends to drive the installation better than their written directions. Congrats - hope you find the unit as pleasing as I have. ------------------ Hwatkins

dougdrake is correct for on screen stuff - You have to have the connection from reciever to TV and doesn't have to be switched (my bad). For instance - since I don't have the regular broadcast TV through the Denon I have to switch to my DVD input on the TV to get On screen displays, but I do not have to turn the DVD on. Denon folks swear there is full bandwidth switching on the reciever - it was confirmed by some folks voicing on the web, although I don't have component in on the TV so I am not able to testify. I use the unit for video switching (specifically S-video coming with next digital cable box and vcr - 2 weeks or so) because of only one S-video input on TV. Some helpful places: http://www.del.denon.com/support/faqs_ht.asp (you probably have already been here) http://www.ovationsw.com/AVIA_home_theatre_links.html (the fine folks at AVIA give some good hooks) In google go for "Denon Forums" and some helpful places pop up. I suggest you relax and rely on instinct in setting up. Common sense and keeping it simple works. Also On screen is used rarely after you have worked through the nuances and have set the system to your liking. BTW - I auditioned and listened to a couple of recievers at home (got about 4 heresy hanging around) and this Denon is truely fine - you will not be disappointed. HW ------------------ Hwatkins

Having recently fired up my Denon 3802 I can offer a couple of suggestions. Before doing so I must caveat that it looks like your setup has plenty of options that will all result in good quality. I do not know the connection capabilities of your DVD which would be important in some of the decision. The 3802 requires an output connection to the TV to get your on screen display for setup, etc. You should have one of your units switched through the reciever to get to these functions, otherwise you will be stuck with cumbersome front panel controls or blind remote controls in setting up your system. With the 3802 remember that this is a 'like to like' video switch - this means that you can only switch analog to analog, component to component, S-video to S-video. As to my set up - regular cable is direct to TV, Digital cable is direct to VCR with VCR analog switched to TV and DVD is S-video switched to TV. Audio is digital for DVD (optical) and CD (coax) and analog from all others - TV, VCR. If you have special audio requirements (such as I did for wireless speakers out by the pool) you will need to also cable the analog audio on your digital stuff. In the Denon there is no D to A conversion on the analog line out (I believe it is called rec out) - it only switches the analog. This wiring does not degrade your digital audio and gives you full audio switching for all sources. Write if you get in a jam - The Denon operations manual was written by folks that use English as a fifth language. They spend a great deal of time explaining the obvious and then bury vital information in the most obscure places. Hwatkins ------------------ Hwatkins

Thanks all - that is the start I was looking for. Dave is right in what I will be initially testing - individual speakers together for Center. My pre-test, using my existing HK AVR-40 with one heresy for center on the floor, existing heresy for mains was clearly an improvement in tonal matching. HOWEVER, the experience moving around the room was very mixed - where it was good and clear I couldn't imagine it getting much better. But from various spots there seemed to be severe dialogue intelligablity (new word?) problems (and got worse with speaker on its side). I really did not spend enough time with the pre-test to tune and tweak - I was impassioned by how good it sounded in various sweet spots. This will take some time - I have the Denon avr3802 arriving today (according to our UPS friends), The next set of Heresy in about 10 days. I am going to run lamp cord in the ceiling to the rear center surrounds (to use my existing surround speakers for rear center) today and cable all existing components and manage output from Denon until speakers are all in place. A pair of heresy will go on the wall at ceiling where existing surrounds are. Now - mounting the Heresy is in the cool idea stage. I will be connecting four stranded wires to each Heresy (undetermined method at the momemt) and through small holes in the ceiling raise the speakers and then secure them to either roof rafters or ceiling joists - invisible suspension! I can't say that my wife finds this the most attractive part of me, but seems to overlook it for some other obscure good quality. She thinks she will eventually get an addition to the house out of this stuff and then I can have my own area that doesn't compromise the rest of the house. Henry's playroom. ------------------ Hwatkins

One of my center trials is scheduled to be two heresy on their side with horns in the middle. Being neophyte, but willing to learn - I will be able to preamp the center, so what do I need after that to drive one signal to two 8 ohm speakers? ------------------ Hwatkins

Look for new thread starting - I need to figure out how to drive two 8ohm ..... ------------------ Hwatkins

Done - 3802 shipped to me on Friday.... ------------------ Hwatkins

WOW - I really didn't realize the depth of nuances in my inquiry and subsequent retraction of the request. It must have all started when my 70's damaged brain dyslexically used 'EdHorn' instead of the correct 'HornEd' Regardless of my advice to my teenage daughter concerning the dangers, I wouldn't change the way I handled the Seventies (at least the parts I remember). This has been a very educatonal thread. The anticlimatic answer to Ed's request for solution is very simple - I have now (if last deal closes) got an extra set of Heresy (this leaves me with one 1980 pair and one 1984 pair and a set of 1999 build IIs). I have purchased a Denon AVR-3802 as my new starter reciever (watch for stuff showing up at auctions in March). This is not what I had optimally set out to do but opens up many options. I will be working these speakers in various combinations to see what I like best. I have also reached a deal to audition many center offerrings and will be doing so over the next several months - I want to see if audio dispersion is a problem I have to address when thinking of Heresy center. These will require tuning and evaluation that will surely produce many headaches as I start dealing with minute differences. I had toyed with destroying part of my wall and using two Heresy as center, on their side with horns in the middle - now that is an awsome display of over the top mentality. I don't know the answer yet. I will be a cognizant specs person, but will probably not reach the level of expertise of those on this board - thanks to all. However, don't be surprised that I come up with a solution that is solely matched to my tastes that may not be a Klipsch center. I do know that I will have strong music from either a 4, 5 or 6 Heresy arrangement - Music is still a very important part of my entertainment requiements. As you all know, this is the snowball that started the avalanche - While my DVD player is well matched, I imagine the subwoofer goes soon, then the CD player, then the VCR. I'll probably need to handle progressive scan and/or 1080i (darned old Hitachi is only 1000), so TV/Monitor is next (NE1 want a very good 50" rear projection?) which forces a progressive scan solution on DVD. I will be keeping my B&O turntable (thank God says my wife). During these changes I will have gotten discrete amps for my speakers. When completed, the purchases I am making today will become outmoded technology and the whole thing starts again. Is it just me or does the movie 'Ground Hog Day' seem to be more real than originally thought? ------------------ Hwatkins

Cancel request - solved late last night. Thanks ------------------ Hwatkins

Thought I would try the EdHorn way of getting stuff. I mostly need one heresy, but willing to look at a pair for the right price. Thanks ------------------ Henry Watkins

Cool - that is what I understood, but thanks for taking the time to clarify. Cheers - I am on my way to having a room where the wals are nothing but Heresy's ------------------ Henry Watkins

Check your inbox. I have sent you a candid review of the dealers I have visited in the area. Since they are candid reviews of my impressions and only valuable as my view, I did not want them in a public forum. ------------------ Henry Watkins

Thanks for the well thought out response and use of your experience. Leaning your recommended way for same reasons, but could not validate in real world - local listing did not have any heritage speakers to listen to. ------------------ Henry Watkins

I have narrowed my choices to these two Denon's. Who has had experience with both (hopefully on heresy's) and can offer an opinion on reproduction qualities for HT and Music? I believe the 3802 has a different chip for HT processing. ------------------ Henry Watkins

Try this website (and this page specifically) fo a good price on II's http://www.audioweb.com/Ad/AdSearch.asp?searchtext=klipsch ------------------ Henry Watkins