Dan F

Dan F likes this

A thousand or so. Wonder what they were?

Just checking how many posts I lost.

Well, since you do have a 5 channel card, you would likely benefit from the ProMedia 5.1. The main difference would be the additional power, and the existence of the center channel. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Once again, the Klipsch power rating is expressed in RMS terms.

Send me an e-mail, and I'll send you the plug diagram. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

The input jacks to four channel cards are all two channel inputs. Some cards have matrix surround modes from which you will get "something" coming out of the rears. It's not particualarly accurate, but is probably better than two channel. The only way to get better than that is by hooking through a digital input, which would be available on some 5 channel cards. As for 4.1 vs. 5.1, I would stay with the 4.1 for a four channel card, and 5.1 if you plan on upgrading to a 5 channel card in the near future. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Well, the BASH does do some original things. I'd tell you about them, but it's a big old secret. Not that I'd take any credit away from the inestimable Mr. Carver. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

BASH or non-BASH, Klipsch works to get the best performance value for its customers. I know, I know, it sounds like a commercial, but that's essentially what happens in the development phase. Until BASH came along, there was literally no way to do a 4 channel system with the kind of output it had to have to make smaller speakers rock like a Klipsch system. So, that turned out to be a very nice fit. BASH is more expensive than class AB, but solved the heat related problems that kept multichannel stuff from happening. Turns out BASH is probably the best way to do multichannel, because the output sections (being linear AB) don't need the filters that drive the costs of normal class-D combinations through the roof. So it was a good choice for the 4.1 and 5.1 systems. The choice was not as clear on the 2.1 system. 200 Watts could be accommodated a little easier for heat related issues, as long as a class-D sub section was provided. This was the choice made. I think it's possible to design good and bad amplifiers in any class. At one time, transistor matching was such a crap-shoot that class AB didn't have a chance. Now that the Power MOSFET game is a decade or two along, class AB can work very well; whether using a linear power supply (as in the 2.1,) or a switching power supply (as in the 4.1 and 5.1). For the 4.1 to be used in a 2.1 configuration, I think you would find the benefits to be in the 2+ dB headroom at the high frequency, and more punch at the low frequency end. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Ear, the Y-cable trick usually doesn't work, because the sound card outputs then try to drive the output impedence of the other sound card. In most cases, it's too low to sustain normal soundcard output; drags down the driving card, and could cause thermal failure in one or both sound cards. Needless to say, this is not recommended... I believe the only recourse is to rig up a pair of stereo switches (A/V switches would work, but you need two of them, and that usually requires RCA to miniplug adaptors, i.e., way too messy). At some point, a second set of speakers makes more sense. A poor-man's solution would be to run the output of one sound card to the aux in on the other card (or on the speakers if using the ProMedia 4.1). This, of course, only works for the front speakers. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

You are right, Ear. The smoking of that resistor is indication of problems with the output devices as well. It's not an easy fix. I think the solution in this case was replacement of the amplifier. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

quote: Originally posted by charfles: hey, my sub sounds like 3 times better and more powerfull when i am only using the two speakers. if i turn it to four speakers with win2k's audio properties then the subs power goes way down. i think it might be a software issue. i am using a sound blaster pci128 with windows 2000. if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. thanks It sounds like there may be a phase problem in the W2K drivers for your sound card. This is a known problem with some four channel sound cards. Check with your card maker for a driver update. ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

Max, see if the problem goes away at higher volume levels. If it does you have a slight volume control mismatch at low levels. To get around it, move the software volume lower, and keep the speaker volume higher. That should clear it up. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

FYI, It is not recommended to use ProMedia sats with any other amplifier, because the amplifiers in the ProMedia systems have filters that prevent the speakers from getting damaging input levels, notably at low frequencies. The satellite designs take advantage of this extra protection by stretching the low frequency cutoff. If used with a different amplifier, especially at anything higher than moderate levels, it will likely overload the midbass unit, and could lead to an early failure. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665

You'll need an RCA to stereo minijack adaptor, plus a minijack splitter (AKA headphone splitter). Both can be had with a trip to Radio Shack. Should work fine. -djf ------------------ Klipsch ProMedia Customer Service # is 1-888-554-5665