[johnehubertz]

I had a good day at the pawnshop. But first, a warning from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, I am proud to be a member of their storied and exalted ranks and 200 year heritage of cantankerous yet patriotic Kentucky men and women saving Yankees from their own folly. Here is the required warning from the Surgeon General of the Order:


*********WARNING*********** " THIS IS A LONG, RAMBLING AND SOMEWHAT WANDERING MONSTER OF A POST.***************** as in; "Colonel John tells a good yarn but that b*stard could talk the ears of a mule."


Beginning of actual post:

Someone pawned an 8 piece brand new out-of-box LG 500 watt stereo receiver/dvd/multi-format system... but they hadn't gotten much, since they were missing one of the smaller speakers. Receiver, subwoofer (bi-amplified but not self powered) am/fm, remote digital and standard analog inputs for aux, turntable, even has built-in ipod remote capability. no more then 4 months old per the shipping tag on the box.


Ahhhh but sadly, they LOST a speaker. Ooops. Pawn guy said no - but then gave them probably $20.


90 days elapse - comes out for sale - price with tax for 7 pieces? (retail discount is $299.99 new) $53 SNAG

Wow.


Now - this is the newest version, with the ultra-contemporary (think Bang-Olufsen) (if not spelled right hell i'm OLD) chassis, NO external cooling fins OR VENTS on the TOP (how??? - the next one in the series pushes 1000 watts!) but this is the slim one - about 1" thick, modern art/gloss black... and is a total power output champ by my old-school standards at a 500 watt (rated) for all 6 in a 5.1 dual-amplifier setup powering one subwoofer and 5 satellites (center + 4). How do they do this WITHOUT GENERATING ANY APPRECIABLE HEAT? Magic I guess - or ceramics. Anybody know? That's question number ONE


It is really, really cool both to the touch as in no heat, and to look at. It is art. and - it weighs like 2 lbs. Cool. Glad I bothered to live to be 50 suddenly.


Here's the only closeup of a similar LG - mine has a round volume knob (all smooooth and shiny) at the right end. Cool, huh?

I'm an old-school pot-smoking unrepentant hippie-type with a 31 year old PEACE SIGN and REAL HIPS (hair said goodbye about 20 years ago) So here I am, a reclusive, eccentric, successful old cranky dude, *think Lebowski type* who has one hobby, which is relaxation.


Ah, relaxing. I like it so much I went pro a few years back. All I do is hang out, cause trouble, protest war and... listen to tunes. Nice. Proves something - as I bet you a penny I'm happier taking a **** then George W. would be if he won the lottery - and we're like, nearly the same age, man.


Piss cups and preemptive wars my ass you hypocrite. (puff) Anyway - back to THE TOPIC.


SO - I have a HOUSE full of systems, as the only SCIENCE class I took on my way to a M.S. in economics and media studies was the physics of STEREO systems.


On to the question -


If I am correct, my 4 yes 4 small but top-end JVC gold series 8 ohm surround REAR channel mini speakers will be incredible - as wired in parallel they magically become 4 ohm twin-speaker modules (think bose acoustimass). Incredible and hardly ever played at any real volume, these were the REAR pairs of a 1st gen high-end JVC system, in genuine walnut cabinets. I'm hoping they will work WONDERFULLY as my front Left and Front right in parallel-wired pairs, I'll put a mount on to attach them that rotates - then aim them like Dr. Bose' acoustimass blocks.


Here's the Bose setup:

Here they are - but mine are the "gold" series so the JVC is in Gold instead of silver on the grills. They look awesome and sound great - I currently power all four of them with a super cheapie chinese mini cd system in our guest room.

If they weren't cool enough already - I learned when I searched for the image that the finish is created by SOAKING THEM IN REAL JAPANESE SAKE! OMG! Could it be possible? Perfect for my lifestyle in every POSSIBLE way.


Are there any pitfalls here? I'll simply have these gorgeous real-wood (but smallish - about 10"X6.5"X4" so about 13.5X10X4mounted together allowing for .5 of a well insulated adjustable mount connecting each pair...., and I can aim them as you do the bose units - to match the room.


(for those unaware of the physics - wiring in parallel cuts ohm ratings by the number of speakers you wire, thus with two 8 ohms they magically become 4ohm - per paired set. Each channel feeds two speakers - just like Bose does on their minis.


Any thoughts? I am furiously hoping this will turn a magic LG new-tech amplifier system into an incredible home-theatre barn burner.... as why not just parallel my four medium sized but ugly Kenwood high-end 8 ohms in the back, spread them around the room... and combine both centers (JVC/Kenwood) as well - making it a directionally adjustable 10 speaker array, so it will be 10.1 - counting the subwoofer!~


Hey - Something must be wrong about this - but the math works, and by massively underdriving these midrange/treble satellites and center speakers my sound quality should be sparkling, yes?

PLEASE give me honest opinions - charm is for cereal boxes. If this is an idiots plan TELL ME.


Col. John Redbear Edward Charles Hubertz

(Kentucky Colonel, y'all)

Fort Wayne Indiana


"Yes Madam, you are correct, I am intoxicated; but I should point out that YOU are ugly, and I will be SOBER IN THE MORNING"

(Winston Churchill)

 

[johnehubertz]

Room dimensions 13 X 12 feet, 8 foot ceiling, brick fireplace with built in shelves lined with books - one wall is a two casement type big windows that cover over half, with a heavy set of double-thick privacy/light cancelling drapes and sheers, one couch on the opposite wall from the fireplace (for the Mrs) and as it is a theater for one, my big-ass chair (due to my large ass), family heirloom ratty as hell brocade ottoman for my smellies, and new projecter mounted above that - the new home portable mini that screens 100 inch displays at only four feet at not quite full hd quality but hey, I'm old and kinda BLIND.


It's above and 2.5' in front of the viewing seat - (projector is bolted to a ceiling mount on a hollow ceiling beam directly above the sacred chairfront ottoman) - I of course then nailed my ottoman to the floor so a thick yankee skull doesn't damage my new toy when he MOVES MY FURNITURE (a yankee tradition - I'm beginning to believe).


one large pocket entry door (wood) heavy beamed ceiling (retro) and knotty-pine panelling. Second door opens to wet bar.


Ahhhhhhhh. My dad built it. Carl Hubertz, 1918 - 2001.


JEH

 

[smokinghot]



Quote:
Originally Posted by johnehubertz /forum/post/16873167


Hey - Something must be wrong about this - but the math works, and by massively underdriving these speakers my sound quality should be sparkling, yes?

This really isn't the right forum for this question, (there is one specifically for speakers and their set-up) but I'll shoot you my 2cents anyway....


Your math may work out as far as loading your ampilfier, however IMO that's the only thing right about what you're purposing. The LG HTB system is designed around the speakers they come with. Meaning.... not only the does the impedence need to match, but also the size and senistivity of the speakers you wish to use. However, will it make noise...?.... most certainly. "Sparkling"...?....I doubt it. FWIW, speakers can be damaged by under powering them just as badly as over powering them.


Not to mention...mish mashing varying types of speakers from varying manufacturers is never a good idea, if SQ is what you're hoping for anyways.

 

[johnehubertz]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smokinghot /forum/post/16873440


This really isn't the right forum for this question, (there is one specifically for speakers and their set-up) but I'll shoot you my 2cents anyway....


Your math may work out as far as loading your ampilfier, however IMO that's the only thing right about what you're purposing. The LG HTB system is designed around the speakers they come with. Meaning.... not only the does the impedence need to match, but also the size and senistivity of the speakers you wish to use. However, will it make noise...?.... most certainly. "Sparkling"...?....I doubt it. FWIW, speakers can be damaged by under powering them just as badly as over powering them.


Not to mention...mish mashing varying types of speakers from varying manufacturers is never a good idea, if SQ is what you're hoping for anyways.

Thanks - as I suspected, you cannot get anything in audio for free. To concur, my research has now yielded the fact that these LG speakers on this new line use rare-earth magnets - thus they are likely wildly different then old-school speakers in response characteristics at all volumes. I'm not going to take the risk.


This system is perfect for now - and probably forever, but I will take your advice and simply obtain correct speakers and put them in one of my many small similar cabinets.


I thought it was too good to be true, but then again, so is the internet itself. I'm still smiling big because I'm mature but lucky enough to be alive during this time period in history.


Liberty 2.0 - democracy with truth = freedom and peace for our kids. War sucks, it only serves the rich, and we know it now.

PS: For the money at typical discount retail, is this a decent system? The no-heat technology and modernist design of the receiver are spectacular for a guy who used to drool on golden-age b&o equipment priced in the thousands in the late 1970s. That plus the universal remote and ability to use analog input from my turntable (I'm a vinyl guy) make this a dream setup for my somewhat limited A/V budget.

 

[jdholmes]

For what it's worth...you paid $56 bucks for a HTIB that retails for 6 times that, right? Sounds like a deal to me - I'd be proud of myself.

 

[johnehubertz]

It's a good system and yes, a world-beater of a deal. I found the correct 4 ohm speaker on a refurb LG site for $2!!!! it sounds AWESOME - but I'm getting a time delay between the TV speaker and the LG system which makes a hassle as if I'm just wanting the weather I like using the mini remote and just the TV speaker. It sounds- like it is out of sync somehow - is it because I'm using an analog output (TV to the surround receiver/amp) because all I had was RCA cables?


I'll get the proper cables and post the result - any suggestions?


To answer my own question about quality and value - for the price it is great (the regular retail - not my "luckiest guy in the world" deal)....


....the interface however is complex - and nearly impossible without the 85 button remote. I'm a purist in only two ways - I like technology to be efficient and easy to look at, what we called "elegant" in engineering at Purdue.


I also like the INTERFACE to be simple and intuitive, and that's the only failing grade on this unit so far.


I'd give it 9 out of 10 stars for value at retail - but only 6 out of 10 for useability on a "just watching tv" basis.


I'm pleased - best I would have gotten even if I'd not had the deal would be in this price range. Overall, I give it a 7.5, which for under $1000 is a steal.

 

[Johnsteph10]



Quote:
Originally Posted by johnehubertz /forum/post/16873167



I'm an old-school pot-smoking


I am intoxicated

Now I understand why you post in such a manner.

 

[DMF]



Quote:
Originally Posted by johnehubertz /forum/post/16896541


I'm getting a time delay between the TV speaker and the LG system which makes a hassle as if I'm just wanting the weather I like using the mini remote and just the TV speaker. It sounds- like it is out of sync somehow - is it because I'm using an analog output (TV to the surround receiver/amp) because all I had was RCA cables?

No, it's because the decoders are working at two different delays. There's no way to fix it with the equipment you have. (FYI, using analog out *should* produce a synchronized signal. No idea why it doesn't.)


I recommend you just turn off the TV speakers and never use them again.


How are you feeding the TV? Antenna?