MrMcGoo

Vista has compatability issues with anti-virus software originally developed for XP, even with Vista patches. Vista no longer allows anti-virus software to have access to the operating system kernel for security reasons. I have tried Micrsoft Live One Care, Norton Internet Security and Kaspersky Internet Security. Norton is the best on the Internet, but gave error messages with Office 2003. The error message did not crash Office applications, but was an annoyance. The error messages stopped yesterday, perhaps due to an update. Microsoft's One Care needed to be told that I was on line with every change in URL. Kaspersky was flakey for lack of a more precise term, but did work. Office 2003 will need updates for Vista, but works normally except for the Norton error messages that stopped. Be very careful with new software and hardware purchases. Vista lacks drivers for my HP Laserjets and many other devices. I have to use a generic PCL 5 driver for my HP P2015. My job-related software needed updates as well. Giant publishers had the updates, but smaller companies may not be up to date for Vista. My graphics chipset manufacturer is being sued for compatibility issues with Vista. The plaintiffs will lose, but they were so angry that they were willing to go after nVidia any way. The BFG GeForce 7950 GT OC that I have seems to run flawlessly and runs an nVidia chipset and nVidia driver. Bill

Vista may be ok in six months, but it is trash now. HP does not have Vista printer drivers for many HP products. You have to use generic drivers to get by. The HP foul up is even bigger than M$'s foul ups. Norton products that are supposedly compatible are also experiencing problems. So far, there are some aspects of Vista that I like, but the problems are too big in comparison to the benefits IMO. Bill

The RC-7 that I have is a tapered array that crosses over from two woofers to one woofer at 550 Hz on up to 1950 Hz. The crossover on the RC-64 from four woofers to two woofers is about twice as high. There may very well be some comb filtering. I still recommend listening off axis and moving during the audition. It is better to be safe than sorry. Bill

The Bryston has enough power, if set up correctly. Crossover settings, speaker placement and other setup issues are probably at the root of the problem. Another amp is not the solution to this puzzle. Is the Deono set to small on the RF-7s? What is the crossover set to, 80Hz or 200Hz? Are you sitting is a null, i.e., is the bass good in other positions in the room other than the seating positions? Bill

The B&K reference amp and processor are the type of gear that you need to get the most out of the Klipsch Reference speakers. My only concern with the RC-64 is comb filtering due to the use of four woofers. If you get a chance to listen to the RC-64, be sure to move off of the center axis part of the time. If there is too much change in sound, it is likely due to comb filtering. Bill

I owned CF-2s in a home theater for several years. I now own RF-7s and the matching speakers for 7.2. The CF-2s were easier to drive than the RF-7s. The 7s have an impedance dip to 2.8 ohms which the Rf-83s also have. The impedance dip is due to running the woofers in parallel. With potent amplification, the RF-7s are more detailed and dynamic than the CF-2s. The new series Rf-83s have a better horn tweeter allegedly and a better mid-range. IMO, the RF-83 need an amp that can drive 2 ohm loads to sound good. Most amps cannot go there and do a good job. Per Ohm's law, when impedance drops in half, twice as much current is required. If the current is not produced, voltage drops and frequency response suffers. If you get the RF-83s, get a separate amp of at least 200 watts per channel. Bill

If you need help with your taxes, always hire a CPA with a good reputation for honesty, knowledge, timelyness and reasonable rates. The best preparers are frequently less expensive when all variables are considered. The corporate preparers use people with limited experience and education. Some of the corporate preparers are failures from accounting programs. Others are part-timers that lack the wide range of skills needed. The corporates lay awake at night trying to think of new ways to exploit their customers' ignorance. For example, they charge very high rates of interest on loans that are not really needed for tax refunds. They charge $75 for electronic filing to speed a refund up by two weeks. That has the effect of an APR of 97% "interest" (rent) to get the refund a couple of weeks sooner. Beware of the"investments" that they recommend for IRAs etc. Bill

The auto on feature on the RSW-12 and 15 are not sufficiently sensitive to keep the sub on unless you boost the sub output to +7 db or more on my Pioneer 59TXi. Per Klipsch techs, very little electricity is saved with auto on, so it is better to leave the sub set to on and not auto during movies etc. Bill

The audio codecs used in HD DVD are capable of reproducing 7.1 channels, but current HD DVD hardware does not support 7.1 playback. Perhaps by the third generation HD DVD players, there will be support or the new HDMI 1.3 receivers will support it this summer. The Dolby Digital Pro Logic IIx processing does not send identical information to the surround back speakers. There are subtile differences which create a better surround envelopment. Bill

All movies with 5.1 sound can be turned into 7.1 with Dolby Pro Logic IIx, if you have the speakers. Any room that is big enough should have an array of 7.2 speakers. The movies that are professionally mixed for 6.1 are a bit better sound wise, but PL IIx is still very good as is THX Ultra2 post processing. THX Ultra2 is also a 7.1 format. Klipsch provides the speakers, Hollywood mixes the sound tracks and the consumer electronics companies give us the processing and amplification. The total effect is greater immersion in the movie and a lot less tickets sold in commercial theaters. Bill

I have the first season on DVD, I'll record the second season on my PVR. HBO is by far the best of the subscription movie chennels. They play fast and loose with history I suspect, but the content is still excellent. Bill

The first LG dual players will NOT play any HDi material on HD DVD such as IME on Warner disks and U-control on Universal disks. Early word is that LG will not be allowed to use the HD DVD logo. Waiting till the second generation of LG dual format players come out is probably a better strategy. The first dual players from LG will cost $1,199. At that price, you could buy a PS3 and a Toshiba HD-A2 separately. Bill

It's NOT about how big it is; it's about how you use it. Bill

The Denon implementation that I read about does not sound good. It works better in some rooms than others. Any EQ adds a strain onto the amp and can induce clipping. For example, the EQ may try to boost a null in the bass frequencies which is impossible. The bass boost may induce clipping. Any EQ needs the ability to manually tune it to avoid excessive boost in any frequency. I have a Pioneer Elite with MCACC auto EQ and love it. It does not EQ the bass frequencies, but does EQ other frequencies in the time domain. I use a Velodyne SMS-1 to EQ the bass.The auto mode on the SMS-1 is just so so. Manual setting is needed for the best bass EQ. Bill

For current technology, take a look at the Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi. It does SACD and DVD-A in addition to DVD-V and CDs. It weighs close to 20 lbs and does not have chroma upsample error. I suspect it is due to be replaced soon due to on-line (no warranty) prices falling so low. There are many used Denon's avaialble due to the Toshibas doing better upscaling. Folks buy the HD DVD player and give up the Denon. Just don't pay too much. Bill

The technology is in a state of rapid change. The alternatives are to get something inexpensive to last till things settle down or to go cutting edge. Cutting edge would be Toshiba HD A2 or XA2 and Sony PS3 for the Blu-ray player. The PS3 is not only least expensive, but also the best Blu-ray at this time. In a month LG will have a dual format player out that does both HD DVD and Blu-ray, but MSRP is supposed to be $1,199. In a couple of years, the dual players are likely to be better and be as low as $300. Bill

Your best bet for a quick fix is to buy an open box Sub-12 at Best Buy or use the 12% off coupons that BB issues regularly. Althernatively, buy the RSW-12 on sale at OneCall.com. bill

Some HT multi-channel amps have an independent power supply for each channel. Sherbourne is such an amp. However, since all 7 channels do not usually peak at the same time, independent power supplies are not required. For example, an honest 100 wpc amp x 7 channels, when only running 4 channels (700/4) may have more power available than a 100 wpc amp with independent power supplies. Unfortunately, not all HT amps are created equally. Some can be maxed out running 3 channels. As always caveat emptor. I use a 2 channel amp for my mains and a 5 channel amp for the center and surrounds. I never run out of power and have no problem with channel separation. Bill

I own both the SW-12II and the RSW-12. The RSW will be a major step up. It lacks the infinitely variable phase adjustment that the SW-12II has, but has much more power and a much better woofer. I suspect that the RSW-12B is actually "B" stock, i.e., factory refurbished. I bought one. It has worked flawlessly. Bill

Michael, Congrats on the first week!! All the new faces and names are tough at first, but it will only get better with such a good employer. Bill

A budget would help members make recommendations. Klipsch has very competitive subs from the Sub 12 on up. You may want to consider dual subs. Room modes make any one subwoofer very uneven in performance due to peaks and nulls. Two subs go a long wat toward evening out the response. As far as SVS is concerned, they allow you to tune the sub for very low frequencies which makes some folks feel macho. The problem with low frequenct output is that it cannot be heard (although it may be felt) and output in the audible area is reduced due to the low frequency configuration. The laws of physics cannot be beat. Bill

Wow!!! Tech support on a weekend. Once again Klipsch goes the extra mile. I've never had a malfuntion on anything from Klipsch including my PC speakers, but it's good to know that help is there when needed. Bill

I see three possibilities. First, a surge protector may help. Non-current limiting models should be used such as the Furman series type. Second, your receiver may be clipping the sub out signal. Third, static electricity may have damaged the amp. I have both the RSW-12 and 15 hooked up to a receiver that can put out up to 11 volts on the sub out. Try setting the sub out on your receiver/processor to a lower setting and compensate with the gain control on the sub. Any subwoofer can be over driven, so be careful. Dischage static before touching the back of the sub. Bill

Many folks use multiple subwoofers. The rational reason to use more than one is to even out the response. All rooms create peaks and nulls in bass response. Multiple subs help even the response and increase output without the subs having to strain themselves. Bill

Dean's response is excellent, but Klipsch usually says that their speakers are 8 ohms compatible. The high sensitivity allows the 8 ohm compatibility claim. It is always best to try different taps to get the best results. Bass frequencies require more power than higher frequencies. Hence the impedance in the lower frequencies usually determines the best setting. Bill PS: I have RF-7s with parallel woofers. The dual woofers are power hogs. B