Definitive Owners Thread - Page 364

Sub $400 makes it awfully tough to get much power, which the DefTechs really like. I think your best bet would be to check for a used one, or perhaps one of "last year's models" on clearance from a dealer. Considering how much you've put into your speakers, both in terms of money and obvious good taste , you should really try not to skimp on the "engine" that drives them. Even if it means waiting to save up, I'd recommend at least double that budget if at all possible.

Correct the receiver is not listed but we have an active yamaha accomidation where I can buy basically anything yamaha has including the Z11 for manufactures cost. Based on the MSRP of the BPX I don't think they are going to be much money at all. Would running BPX as sides and rears for my 7.1 still be advised? If I can get a hold of the C/L/R 2500 would that be "better suited" for the BP7002 then the C/L/R 2002?

Hi all,

I have been lurking for a bit was wondering if i could get a bit of advice. I am finishing my doctoral dissertation and have a job lined up so I want a real stereo for once (still have a budget but can afford new toys). I recently got a steal on a Pioneer VSX-03TXH ($570 shipped) and was looking for speakers (which has been making my head explode). I live in a small town and can't really go listening to speakers and have little time for it. I am working on a 5.1 and the room is 18x12x7 and have a budget of about $1200 =/- 10%. Def tech's reputation and killer warranty make me more comfortable with my choice. My use will be 40% games (Xbox 360)/ 40% HT/ 20% music. I am upgrading from a POS Panasonic 5.1 HiTB with 5 DVD/receiver combo (it lasted 6.5 years though). MY TV is a 34" Panny CRT HDTV, will upgrade that after the next tax-season.

I have decided on:
2 BP6B as L/R ($240 each, shipping extra)
2 BPX1.2 as rears ($120 each, shipping extra)

I have 2 questions for you gurus:
1) Will the ProCenter 2000 be good enough or do I really need to go up to the C/L/R 2002?
2) Is the ProSub 800 good enough or should I go with the Outlaw LFM-1 Plus or an Bic H-100/ PA-120?

Thanks in advance!

Congrats on finishing up your degree and welcome to the thread! I will leave the sub question for others, since I'm not familiar with the ProSub line.

But as for the center, it is so key to good HT performance that I really would recommend getting the best one you can afford. It's not the speaker where you want to cut corners. And I do think the CLR series are generally a better match for your other choices.

you're not going to find any receiver with 7.1 HD format decoding for that kind of money but here are some under 400 that do everything else

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXS5...ck.html?tp=179

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RXV4...63.html?tp=179

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AV16...09.html?tp=179

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RXV5...63.html?tp=179

personally for $350 i'd go with the denon 1609

Details:

* 75 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
* Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS Neo:6 decoding
* Audyssey Laboratories' MultEQ® six-point auto setup and room calibration system (microphone included)
* SIRIUS satellite radio capable (requires SIRIUS subscription and optional SiriusConnect home tuner kit)
* iPod® integration (requires optional Denon ASD-11R, ASD-3N, or ASD-3W)
* Compressed Audio Restorer for better sound with compressed music sources like MP3 files
* Audyssey Dynamic Volume mode to keep listening levels steady
* dual-room/dual-source audio (powered stereo audio output for 2nd room; using powered 2nd-room output allows 5.1 home theater in main room)
* high-current, low-impedance amp design
* 192kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels
* multibrand remote
* 17-1/8"W x 5-13/16"H x 16-1/4"D
* warranty: 2 years
* Want more peace of mind? Extended Service Plans Available

Connections:

* 1080p-compatible HDMI digital video switching (2 in, 1 out) pass-through only (a separate cable connection is required for audio)
* HDMI version 1.3a with support for 1080p and Deep Color
* component video switching (2 in, 1 out)
* digital audio inputs: 2 optical, 2 coaxial
* 4 audio/video inputs, including:
o 1 front-panel input with composite video
o 3 rear-panel inputs with composite and S-video
* 3 audio-only inputs
* 7.1-channel analog audio preamp input
* 2 sets of main speaker outputs

progprog,
thanks and thanks.
i may have to buy the surrounds and stands for them another time to get a better center up front. i do want to go at least 3.1 to start. i hope my parents want to contribute to the system as a grad present (we never get too old for presents).

i am looking for a quick advice on which speaker wires (and where for good deals) to buy for my ssa-50 sound bar and proSub800. thanks guys!!

You don't need to spend on anything fancy. Any decent 12AWG speaker wire from someplace like Monoprice is more than adequate.

The BPXs at the side surround position are the way to go in a 5.25" mid/bass driver setup. They are lights-out performers. Since the side surrounds do most of the surround work in a 7.1 setup, you could just get the BP2Xs for the rear surrounds, or maybe the SM350. Some people (if not most) prefer direct radiating on the rear channel. As far as the center channel goes, I wouldn't say that the CLR2500 can out-perform the CLR2002. The 2500 may have a little more output in the upper bass region, but if you're setting the center to small and crossing it at 60Hz, then they really perform almost equally. One note about the receiver selection. Try to get a receiver that will allow you to set the crossover frequencies on each channel independently rather than one that uses an universal crossover. The Denons on your link allow for this and most of the Yamahas don't.

thanks for the quick advice. i think i will go with 12awg @ monoprice......should i buy 50ft or 100ft since I need it for 5.1 sound bar+subwoofer? how about banana plugs- would you recommend them? thanks again.

I have BPX's as my surrounds and I swear they could be fronts, they rock.

You need to measure to see how many feet you need, but it sounds like the 100' for 5 speaker setup (again measure to be sure).

I love banana plugs, they make a world of difference to me (not sound quality but convenience).

sorry i am asking too many questions here...but i see that there are two choices: 1. oxygen-free, 2. CL2-rated 2-conductor. I probably need to hide the wires in the wall, should I go w/ CL2? on the other hand, somebody mentioned i should get oxygen-free wires for home insurance purpose. any comments on these!

The "CL" designation means they're in-wall rated, right? If you're putting them in the wall, that does make sense. It won't make any sonic difference.

As for banana plugs, they're really just a convenience, like spades. But especially for wall-mounted surrounds, I find them a lot easier than trying to hold the speaker in one hand and attach bare wire with the other.

Hallo,

Sorry I still don't know what I am doing? I have been without speakers and it is taking too long to decide what to get.
Anyways, I was able to land a CLR2000. Some of you gave me some advice before, saying that this was a great Center. But now I"m not sure about the front and rears.
Originally I was wanting to get the BP7002 with the SM350 for rears. However I saw that 6ave had a great deal on the SM450's. So I was thinking to get a couple of pairs of SM450 for front and rear. Use them for awhile till I can get the BP7002 or Bp7001 and then move the 450's to the back.

hehe, wow, i just now found this thread! can't beleive I didn't search for it sooner.

In any case, my setup consists of:

Mythos ST's (ST, not STS)
CLR3000
BPVX/P (2)
SC1

however, I am considering changing out the BPVX/P's due to the fact they are in a position where they are not direct firing at the main seating location in my theater room. I am considering changing them to UIW RLS II's (yes RLS II's for surrounds) for side surrounds, and adding 2x UIW RSS III's for surround back.

anyone have any first hand experience with both the BPVX/P's and UIW RLS II's? which of the two has a better low frequency response with no distortion (I had my avr set to have the BPVX/P'S down to 40hz, but had to boost them up to 60-80hz due to high lvl's of distortion on select films).

I'm looking to clean up any stray sound from the surrounds, so thats my main motivation to changing to the UIW RLS II's. The RLS II's are reference front speakers, so I'm just guessing they will be kickass surround speakers as well

I am also a BBY employee, though I am a GSI installer.

We can get any model of def tech speakers, save a couple older/obscure like a previous poster said.

In RSS you just gotta do an advanced search under mag home theater/magnolia speakers/ SO speakers for more speakers. you'd need to custom order them in. there are also more def tech speakers in other sections of advanced search...so just search around in there and you'll find em all eventually.

I went top of the line with my discount, see above post

Assuming you ordered this all through work? How long did it take to get them in? How are the Mythos? I listened to the Mythos that Mag stocks and wasn't impressed (granted your stuff is in a way different league)... I guess I am just impartial to the aggressiveness of the BP's. Can you PM the cost of the Mythos ST...As far as custom ordering them in... are you talking about ORCA order or Customer Fulfillment?

Has anyone heard the aw 5500 or 6500? Summer will be here eventually

sounds like a good plan

and you never know, maybe a nice pair of bp30s will pop up on ebay

There are some bp30's on audiogon.

that's a steal

I got them through accomidations. I ordered them last year when we had the def tech accomidations deal. it took them about a week to come in if i remember correctly, not very long at all.

As far as the mythos go, i wasn't too impressed with anything but the mythos 1 (didn't even demo the ST's before purchase), and even those sounded weak and pitchy to me. But if your primary use of them will be movie/ht then they are the better choice then the BP fronts. Pair the mythos with any SC and it will more than compensate for the lackluster low end on the mythos, just gotta set your avr properly. Get the ST's, and you won't even need a sub, other than for the .1 output (though same argument can be made for any of the 7004+ line). Though if you like the aggressiveness of the BP's, they do have a much fuller sound then any of the mythos line (ST's included) since they have dual drivers to fill the room.

I ended up with the ST's because the BP7000 were just WAAAY too big for my room. In the end I couldn't be happier with them. Paired with the CLR3000 my HT is an amazing experience.

In the end, you will be satisfied with any of the def tech reference line speakers, especially with our discount. It's a tough choice picking it all out, but just gotta pick em then never look back. Go broke or go home, gofor the top of the line.

Quick question for you guys,

I'm thinking of adding an older 12" JBL (PB12) to my 5.0 system (7004, 2500, Klipsch SS-1). I'll be using an Onkyo 605 with the fronts set to full range and the sub crossed at 80.

If I run my 7004s as full range will they still see all the bass they would if I hadn't added the sub? Or will the LFE channel only be sent to the sub and not to the 7004s as well.

What I would prefer to do is use the crossover on the sub to cross it over around 40 and just use it to reinforce the low end durring movies.

thanks,

sub crossed at 80 will limit front speakers to 80 hz, crossed at 40 will cut them off at 40hz. if you have no sub, the fronts will go down as low as they can go, as long as the avr is setup as "no subwoofer".

So three promonitor 1000's accross the front would be better than two 1000's and a procenter 2000? Assuming I could get the 2000 for a reasonable price that is.

that's a situation where you would have a better speaker as the center. given that option, i'd go with the better center and not have my mains perfectly matched

what i'd rather have is 3 pro center 2000s running vertical across the front on wall mounts with my flat screen mounted above them

3 pro 1000s running vertical across the front would be very good also. sounds panning across the front sound-stage would be seamless

I've got a Polk CSM center laying around, how do you think that would fare between the pm1000's?

hey guys, quick question. i currently have bp7002/2500/bpx's and am driving them through my pioneer Elite VSX-74TXVi which is rated "Surround Power 140 W x 7 20HZ - 20kHZ @ 8 ohm" i know these def techs sound better if i get an external amplifier. what would you recommend?
i was looking into a qsc RMX 1850HD for the mains. but what about center? do i need one?

what are your thoughts and recommendations?

thanks
heres a pic of the setup.

try it and see how it sounds

as a "rule of thumb" you want to keep your tweeters and mid drivers identical across the front sound stage from the same speaker company and the same line of speakers within that speaker company so when sound pans from channel to channel there is a consistency in tone (this is called timbre matching). you don't want your speakers to get in the way of the action. the less they call attention to themselves, the better the overall movie experience will be

can you mix different brands? sure, the house wont burn down, the police wont come take you away

it all depends on how serious you are about your surround sound