Real specs?
November 30, 2005
My neighbor was asking my advice on an inexpensive surround
mini-system and showed me an ad in the paper for a local sale. I was surprised that some
of them advertised over 1000W in five channels and they looked like you could hold them in
one hand. I've got a B&K receiver with that power, but it weighs as much as a car. Are
they giving specs into 2 ohms or was there an advance in amplifiers that I missed?
Dennis
I have seen "750W" and such on plastic
boomboxes in Best Buy. Simply put, the specs aren't real. Your B&K will very likely
meet its specifications -- it's a whole different animal from the product in the ad in the
newspaper. You can be confident that what you have is a quality product and honestly rated
(I've reviewed a B&K receiver and absolutely loved it), and unfortunately, you can
also count on the fact that most of what is advertised with wild claims of power and
performance is simply misleading. I doubt very seriously that the product you're referring
to would even play into 2 ohms. Like they say, if I were a betting man...
New home-theater speaker system
November 28, 2005
I am looking for advice on floorstanding surround systems
in the $1500-$2000 range I should look into. I currently own a Klipsch system with KG 4.5s
in front, and I'm looking to modernize. I have seen Polk (RTi), Paradigm (System 5) and
Klipsch systems that have my interest, but where do I begin? Has anyone ever done a
shootout of systems in this price range?
John
I think you've actually begun your search quite
successfully. By narrowing down your list of speakers to three systems to listen to,
you've created a manageable shortlist to audition. Each brand you've picked enjoys fairly
wide distribution, so finding the brands should not be a huge problem. You may or may not
find the exact system you're considering set up in a store and playing, but I would
imagine you can find models within the particular series from each manufacturer so that
you can get the flavor of what you're considering buying. You'll also get an idea of which
dealer will service your needs best, which includes such items as warranty, in-home
delivery and set up, and maybe even an upgrade policy. I like all the brands you mention,
so I have no flags to raise on that front. Take a Saturday and go listen to them and let
us know what you conclude.
New or vintage?
November 22, 2005
I am in the market for a new stereo-only system and am
toying with the idea of going vintage. Specifically, I am looking at some older Marantz
equipment and maybe a pair of Bozak speakers. I can get what I want on eBay for not much
more than some budget-priced new gear. What do you think?
Ralph
There are pros and cons to both new and vintage. The
pros to some of the older gear like what you mention is that much of it is built really
well, so if it has lasted this long it's likely to keep right on playing. It will also
give you a certain sound and feel that you might not be able to replicate with new gear
(this may or may not be a good thing depending on your perspective!). Lastly, what you pay
for classic equipment on eBay should be recoverable if you decide to sell it down the
line. With new gear, you'll lose 50% of the new price as soon as you unbox it. New
equipment, of course, will have a warranty and modern engineering backing it up, and
you'll have the peace of mind knowing that the gear hasn't been abused in any way since it
is brand new. In the end it comes down to preference. I'd not hesitate to buy vintage
speakers and an amplifier but would certainly look to modern digital equipment for a
source player. Mixing old and new is an option.
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