Professional monitors
June 30, 2003
I'm a video editor (relatively new) in the process of
adding self-powered, nearfield monitors to my Apple G4 Final Cut Pro edit system. I need
help in selecting the monitors. For now, my editing is with DV/DVCam video involving
voice, natural location sound, music beds, and efx. No audio workstation requirements just
yet. With a budget of under $800, where should I start listening? By the way, I work in
Europe (230v).
Kent Splawn
The usual suspects would include brands such as ATC,
Genelec, Mackie, and JBL. Your requirement that the speaker be self-powered does cut into
your choices somewhat, but the brands above include a number of fine loudspeakers that
should meets your needs.
Hookin' up a sub in his truck
June 26, 2003
I really enjoy your website. Excellent job on it. It gives
a lot of information about a lot of stuff.
I, on the other hand, have a question for you. I have a
12" subwoofer that I'd like to hook up to my CD player in my truck. I'm going to buy
a 400W amp to power the sub. I was wondering how I wire the 12" sub to the amp so
that I get both left and right sound out of it. I'm not sure how to go about doing this,
and that's why I'm turning to you.
Dale Collins
How you wire your subwoofer depends on the amplifier
you buy. Most subwoofer amplifiers will have stereo inputs and a mono output, which is
what you need. If you get a three-channel amplifier with a built-in crossover, you can
send a high-pass stereo signal to your truck's existing speakers and a low-pass mono
signal to the sub. This would be the way to go for best sound because you could use the
level control on the amp to make sure everything is in proper balance.
Separates versus receiver
June 23, 2003
If forced to choose between the two, which is preferable,
higher wattage or discrete components? I want to buy a Rotel stereo setup. Rotel seems to
offer high-quality, expensive-looking components that sound good too. For about the same
money, I can buy the 100Wpc Rotel 1050 stereo receiver ($799) with the RCD-1070 CD player
($699) for a total of $1500, or the RA-02 40W integrated amp ($499) with the RT-02 tuner
($299), and the RCD-02 CD player ($499) for a total of $1300. I live in a condo, so I
don't plan on blasting the thing anytime soon. I am more concerned with having it sound
good and clean at low volumes.
This is my first decent stereo purchase, so I would
appreciate your advice.
Greg Dee
A lot depends on the speaker system you intend to use.
While 40W may be adequate with high-sensitivity speakers (say, above 86dB), it may not be
sufficient with average to low-sensitivity speakers. As for sound quality, there are no
hard-and-fast rules with a brand like Rotel -- they make solid gear throughout their
range, so I'd expect both setups to sound excellent.
What you gain with separates is the ability to upgrade
certain components within your system For example, if you ever wanted to replace the
integrated amplifier, you could do so while keeping the tuner; with the receiver, you'd
effectively have to replace the tuner when replacing the amplifier.
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