Magnepan or Ascend
Acoustics?
July 28, 2004
I am debating between the Magnepan MMG loudspeakers at $550
a pair, the MMG C loudspeakers at $299, or the Ascend Acoustics CMB-170. Is one speaker
better than the other and which would you recommend? I am putting them in my living
room/TV room. It will be for music and watching DVDs. The room has 12' ceilings and opens
to the kitchen -- basically a great room. Thank you for your time.
Lebrac
The MMG C is a center-channel speaker, and therefore not
suitable for stereo listening. The MMG, on the other hand, is designed to be used as a
stereo pair. As to whether the Magnepan or the Ascend Acoustics speakers are better,
that's a tough call. They each have their strengths, and are excellent values, but they do
employ differing technologies. Each speaker produces sound that is unique, and each
speaker type has its proponents.
Here's what I'd do: Both products are sold factory
direct with a money-back guarantee. You could order a set of each, try them at home side
by side, and keep the set you like best. Then you'd know for sure what fits your room and
tastes the best.
One-subwoofer stereo?
July 26, 2004
I have one subwoofer but want to run RCA inputs into it (it
has one set of RCAs). How does the sub handle a stereo signal? Does it reproduce only one
channel or sum the two channels? Thanks for your help.
Chad R.
Subwoofers with left and right RCA inputs will sum the
two channels, therefore reproducing both channels' bass. Although there has always been a
certain amount of debate regarding the benefit (or lack of benefit) of stereo subwoofers,
the general consensus is that a single subwoofer will reproduce all the bass that is
required for a stereo system. (How one subwoofer versus multiple subwoofers interact with
room acoustics is another subject altogether.) Bass below a certain frequency is
omnidirectional, which in real-world language means that you can not determine whether it
is being reproduced from the left or right side. So you will get all the bass on your
recordings from a single subwoofer with dual inputs.
Multichannel the same as surround sound?
July 22, 2004
I see references to multichannel music more and more, but
is that somehow different than the Dolby surround sound that we have been listening to for
years now? Is "multichannel" just the latest buzzword?
Doug
"Surround sound" and "multichannel"
are typically used as interchangeable terms. Technically speaking, however, adding a
center-channel speaker and/or a subwoofer would create a multichannel system but not a
surround-sound system. "Surround sound" implies surround speakers. Splitting
even more hairs, "multi" as defined as "more than one," would apply to
stereo as well! But as it applies in most cases, these two terms are used when describing
any system with more channels than a stereo system.
New electronics
July 19, 2004
I have recently moved to Australia (from Canada) and need
to buy a new system. I have brought with me my Wharfedale Evo Pacific 30 speakers. I have
been looking at a variety of high-end shops and am slightly overwhelmed with the audio
specs.
I have been looking at integrated amplifiers in the $3000
(Aus) range, which include Electrocompaniet EC3, Thule Audio IA 150B, and Rotel (amp and
preamp) 1072. Also have been exposed to the new Krell integrated amp (200W) for $4.4k --
which is too much money for my blood.
I also have been checking out CD players -- Rotel 1070,
Marantz 7300, and NAD 542 -- all roughly in the same price range.
I realize from your publications that it is essential to
match speakers with the amp. I have no desire to pack a series of amps and CD players home
to try them out -- as I live a considerable distance out of town. Do you have any advice
for my selection with respect to the speakers?
Douglas
If you have a chance to buy separates with the Rotel
components, that might be the way to go. The advantage is that it offers an upgrade path
that the integrateds don't. You can always change out the amplifier section, or even buy a
second amp for biamping your speakers. There's also the possibility that the Rotel CD
player will have good synergy with the Rotel preamp and power amp. At the very least
you'll be able to use one remote for the whole setup. So even though it's a guess, based
on your choices, I'd be inclined to go with the Rotel stack.
|
