surround sound system reviews

juker · Post by **juker** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 11:28 pm

Please list some good websites for audio equipment.

I am looking to upgrade my old Dennon/Boston Acoustic system for a home theatre system. Problem is I don't want to spend > $600 or a DIY'er. I looked at a few home theatre systems-in-a-box at BB (Yamaha, Cerwin Vega, Sony) but would like to do some homework before I buy.

Any help would be appreciated. I used to be an audiophile junkie but haven't kept up with current technology (THX, 5.1, surround sound, ect.) at all.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 2:36 pm

You don't have to spend that much, though I know of an incredible 5 speaker DIY kit with prefinished cabinets for only $900

otherwise, the $250 for 5 speaker Dayton HT setup is an incredible bargain. There's not a single doubt in my mind it destroys anything for the money. Subs of course can be as cheap or as expensive as you want them to be...but a 12inch Dayton DVC, 150watt plate amp and a cabinet would cost around $225 and that again would be untouchable sound for under ~$400........

rogue · Post by **rogue** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 7:34 pm

Go here
It has tons of user reviews of various speaker systems.
I dont recommend DIY speakers, simply because I believe that cabinet design is crucial (as well as speakers, because timbre and crossover is hard to match on DIY). DIY subs are a good idea though, because the cabinetry doesn't make a huge difference, and subs are fairly forgiving in placement.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 7:42 pm

hmm, I've always thought the opposite. For bass, depending on the construction of the cabinent would depend on how low you could go

And how hard it'd hit and all that. Where as with sats, it really didn't matter..... But I'm new to the game so who knows.

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 7:52 pm

For bass, all the cabinet has to be is sturdy (IE: doens't flex).
And of course of big enough size

For regular speakers, all you really have to make sure is the cabinet width matches up to the width that the crossover was designed for. The reason behind it is a bit complicated, but width is the only thing that really matters. I mean, you coild build a cabinet 6inches wide and 4 feet tall and it won't sound any different than a cabinet 6inches wide and only 12inches tall.

as well as speakers, because timbre and crossover is hard to match on DIY

Following plans, like the Dayton HT setup I linked to, that were designed by an expensive compuiter program (Calsod I believe....it's like $400), practically guarantee's that the speakers will have the same timbre. That, and the fact that the setup uses identical cabinets and drivers for all 5 speakers, matches the timbre even better.

Also, DIY allows you to use crossover components with MUCH greater tolerance and overall quality than ANYTHING you'd ever get from the store from the same money.
Have you opened up a $50 speaker recently? Chances are you'd only see a 3 component crossover (cap, coil and a resistor)......very pathetic as it probably only protects the tweeter, not really aims for sound quality.....like DIY stuff does.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 8:18 pm

interesting...