[mhrischuk]

Circa 2009.... the beginning

Put an addition on the house with a deck.. arrow points to the new room.

The room is 25 x 25 and I used one side for the HT. Not the best but it ended up pretty darn awesome. I used all Paradigm ceilings.
Paradigm SA-15R for front surrounds and SA-15R-30's for the rear surrounds. The SA-15R is down firing and the -30's are angle fired at 30 degrees.

During this phase I added a Paradigm C5 Center and an SVS PB-13 Ultra sub.

For L/R's I started out with a pair of Definitive BP-8's. Sold the Def Techs and as an interim, used a pair of B&W Maxtris 805's that I had laying around.

Pre 2010
L/R: Definitive Technology BP-8's.... changed to B&W 805's
Center: Paradigm C5
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings
Sub: SVS PB13-Ultra.
AVR: Pioneer SC-25
BluRay: Panasonic BMP-BDT210
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65")
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy

The Definitive BP-8's

Sept 2011
Changed L/R's to Legacy Focus SE
Added Bryston 14Bsst 2 channel amp

L/R: Legacy Focus SE (non-Air Motion)
Center: Paradigm C5 
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings 
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings 
Sub: SVS PB13-Ultra. 
AVR: Pioneer SC-25
Amplification: Bryston 14B SST 900 WPC @ 4 ohm (L/R)
BluRay: Panasonic BMP-BDT210 
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65") 
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy

 
June 2013 
Sold the Legacy's Focus SE's and the Paradigm C5 Center
Sold the Pioneer SC-25
Picked up the Seaton LCR's and the Denon 4520CI (junk)

L/R: Seaton Sound Catalyst 12C Powered
Center: Seaton Sound Catalyst 8C Powered 
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings 
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings 
Sub: SVS PB13-Ultra. 
AVR: Denon 4520CI
Amplification: Bryston 14B SST 900 WPC @ 4 ohm (L/R)
BluRay: Panasonic BMP-BDT210 
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65") 
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy

 
Jan 2014
Sold the Seatons
Replaced with Legacy Focus SE with the new Air Motion tweeter array
Added Legacy Silverscreen Center

L/R: Legacy Focus SE Air Motion
Center: Legacy SilverscreenHD 
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings 
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings 
Sub: SVS PB13-Ultra. 
AVR: Denon 4520CI
Amplification: Bryston 14B SST 900 WPC @ 4 ohm (L/R)
BluRay: Panasonic BMP-BDT210 
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65") 
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy 

 At this point cat is really getting pissed off.

Feb 2014
Sold Legacy Silverscreen Center
Replaced with Legacy Marquis Center
Sold the Denon 4520CI

L/R: Legacy Focus SE Air Motion
Center: Legacy Marquis 
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings 
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings 
Sub: SVS PB13-Ultra. 
AVR: Integra DTR 7.9
Amplification: Bryston 14B SST 900 WPC @ 4 ohm (L/R)
BluRay: Panasonic BMP-BDT210 
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65") 
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy

 
March 2014
This was an interesting time. I picked up a truckload of stuff from a fellow HT man.
Full set of Triad Platinums and a Seaton Sound Submersive HP+ with Slave subs
Played around with the Triads and decided to sell the SVS PB-13 Ultra sub and keep the Submersives.
Ended up selling the Triads.

L/R: Legacy Focus SE Air Motion
Center: Legacy Marquis 
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings 
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings 
Sub: Seaton Submersive HP+ with slave 
AVR: Integra DTR 7.9
Amplification: Bryston 14B SST 900 WPC @ 4 ohm (L/R)
BluRay: Panasonic BMP-BDT210 
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65") 
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy

Having some fun here for sure.

August 2014
And finally we get to where I am today
Picked up a pair of Emotiva XPR-1's for the Legacy L/R's
Replaced the bluray with an OPPO 105D

L/R: Legacy Focus SE Air Motion
Center: Legacy Marquis 
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings 
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings 
Sub: Seaton Submersive HP+ with slave 
AVR: Integra DTR 7.9
Amplification: Emotiva XPR-1 (2)
BluRay: OPPO 105D 
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65") 
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy

Big Changes in processor and Amplification today...
L/R: Legacy Focus SE Air Motion
Center: Legacy Marquis
Surround sides: SA-15R Ceilings
Surround backs: SA-15R-30 Ceilings
Sub: Seaton Submersive HP+ with slave (4000w)
Processor: Emotiva XMC-1
R/C/L Amps... (3) Emotiva XPR-1's (1750w x 3 = 5250w)
Surround Amps: Emotiva XPA-5 G2 (200 x 4 = 800w) not using 5th
BluRay: Oppo 105D
Plasma: Panasonic TH-65PZ850U (65")
HTPC: Lenovo Q190 JRiver
Cabinet: Salamander Synergy
10050 watts total power.



 

 

[Kain]

Awesome audio journey!

How did you find the Catalyst speakers?

 

[Woobieizer]

You should be proud that you've gotten more satisfaction from your journey. Those Seatons looked really nice, and being a cat whisperer I had to check http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/
So far so good, maybe the cat was just not wanting to get off the woobie blanket.

 

[mhrischuk]

Awesome audio journey!

How did you find the Catalyst speakers?

From Seaton

 

[larry7995]

Did you have to run 20amp circuits for the XPR1s?

 

[mhrischuk]

Yes. Already there from when I had the Seatons. I hear people complaining about that. .. it's no big deal and a good thing to have anyway.

You can see them here..

 

[darthray]

Circa 2009.... the beginning



At this point cat is really getting pissed off.

LOL, these little beast don't like change!
I know I got 3 and my wife change all the room often (my theater is off limit).

Nice place and very nice equipment!

Ray

 

[Kain]

From Seaton

I meant what were your impressions of the Catalyst speakers.

 

[Skrill]

I meant what were your impressions of the Catalyst speakers.

I am interested as well. Also interested in impressions of the Legacy and Triad units -- and most interested in how you are able to get all this to fly with the wife.

 

[mhrischuk]

I have a very understanding wife.

I am more of a 2 channel listener. The Seatons were a mistake on my part as they did not work with my room acoustics and were more geared towards HT. I also found that I am not particularly fond of compression tweeters. I must add the Cat's sounded great at a local GTG in a well treated HT. Compression tweeters sound better in the correct environment, I think.

The Triad Platinums were very refined. They have real composure even under higher volumes but the tweeter will submit at exceeding levels. You would expect that with a small dome. They aren't a full range speaker so they rely on subwoofers. No problem there. They simply sound great with 2 channel and HT.

For my particular preferences and with an untreated room, the Legacy Focus SE keeps me satisfied. The new Air Motion tweeter is incredible... airy and I have yet to get them to succumb to my love for loud and precise, even now with 1750 wpc XPR-1's. I had the previous Focus SE's with the older tweeters. They sounded great but the sweet spot was a bit small. The new tweeters make a huge difference. I love the fact that they are full range.... 2- 12" woofers each. I run them full range along with the Seaton Submersives. Got lots of down low and I think the Legacy's blend well with the subs, crossover wise. I like the sound.

I will be building some sound absorption panels to hang on the walls and possibly the ceiling which should take the sound quality up another level at high volumes. At moderate levels they sound incredible. Higher volumes you get some reflection from the room that takes away from the overall experience.

 

[BrolicBeast]

Awesome room, and awesome evolution!

 

[mhrischuk]

Awesome room, and awesome evolution!

Thanks Matt!

 

[rob black]

Looks great!

 

[fxe2]

I have a very understanding wife.

I am more of a 2 channel listener. The Seatons were a mistake on my part as they did not work with my room acoustics and were more geared towards HT. I also found that I am not particularly fond of compression tweeters. I must add the Cat's sounded great at a local GTG in a well treated HT. Compression tweeters sound better in the correct environment, I think.

The Triad Platinums were very refined. They have real composure even under higher volumes but the tweeter will submit at exceeding levels. You would expect that with a small dome. They aren't a full range speaker so they rely on subwoofers. No problem there. They simply sound great with 2 channel and HT.

For my particular preferences and with an untreated room, the Legacy Focus SE keeps me satisfied. The new Air Motion tweeter is incredible... airy and I have yet to get them to succumb to my love for loud and precise, even now with 1750 wpc XPR-1's. I had the previous Focus SE's with the older tweeters. They sounded great but the sweet spot was a bit small. The new tweeters make a huge difference. I love the fact that they are full range.... 2- 12" woofers each. I run them full range along with the Seaton Submersives. Got lots of down low and I think the Legacy's blend well with the subs, crossover wise. I like the sound.

I will be building some sound absorption panels to hang on the walls and possibly the ceiling which should take the sound quality up another level at high volumes. At moderate levels they sound incredible. Higher volumes you get some reflection from the room that takes away from the overall experience.

looking to upgrade my martin logan esl's.my dealoer is pushing b&w's 803.i like the clarity ,upper end detail,and it sounded like a veil how does the focus se sounded?any thoughts?

 

[mhrischuk]

looking to upgrade my martin logan esl's.my dealoer is pushing b&w's 803.i like the clarity ,upper end detail,and it sounded like a veil how does the focus se sounded?any thoughts?

Depends on your preferences. You would need to hear both. I personally would put the Legacy's above the 803 for their ability to play full range loud with a tweeter array that is unmatched at this price level.

 

[fxe2]

Depends on your preferences. You would need to hear both. I personally would put the Legacy's above the 803 for their ability to play full range loud with a tweeter array that is unmatched at this price level.

thanks.will take a 4 hour ride and listen.

 

[nav747]

Looks awesome and great progression pics!

 

[madhuski]

How do you like the Integra compared to the Denon?

 

[mhrischuk]

Integra definitely sounds better. Not sure why. Seems to be cleaner and stronger even though it's older with less power.

Update... just had a failure with the Integra. Zone 2 died. My wife turned the system on the other day and all we got was some relay clicking back and forth. I ended up powering down to stop it. Now there is no Zone 2.

Second receiver in a row that has lost Zone 2.

 

[weekendtoy]

The one constant, the TV.


Is that wood or laminate flooring?