Saturday, February 27, 2010

Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Cherry) Right now


I have been a music freak my whole life and have had all types of stereo and home theater systems over the years. I can tell you right now these speakers are incredible. I am currently using the TSi100's as my Fronts with a Sony AV Receiver, Mirage Subwoofer, Bose 161 Rears, and a Sony Blu-Ray Player. Concerts ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Amy Winehouse are stunning - these speakers are so crystal clear they will generate goose bumps. The imaging on these TSi100's has to be heard to be believed! The build quality on the TSi100's is OUTSTANDING. Nice work Mr. Polk.Get more detail about Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Cherry).

Lowest Price Yamaha NS-IW760 6.5" 2-Way In-Wall Speaker System (White)


These speaker cabinets are not small for in wall applications, so pay attention to the product dimensions. The sound is very good for the price. Installation requires that you pay attention to directions, it is easy enough to break off the plastic clamps that hook into the drywall behind the speaker if you use a power screw driver so exercise some care with this detail! These are used for side and rear speakers on a 7.1 surround sound Pioneer Elite sound system at 110 watts per channel with good results. Finding a reasonably priced speaker with decent sound for use at these power levels is not always easy and these Yamaha's fit the bill nicely. Get more detail about Yamaha NS-IW760 6.5" 2-Way In-Wall Speaker System (White).

Friday, February 26, 2010

Low Price Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Speaker (Single, Silver)


I wanted a wall mountable sound bar for my bedroom to replace some fairly cheapo speakers that I got to go with my old Onkyo 605. This speaker sounds fantastic and I would definitely buy it if sound is what you are about.

However... the wall mount bracket is one of the worst pieces of engineering I have seen in my life. Not only that, but there is no piece for the sound bar to sit on if you choose to set it on a desk. Instead you have to use the wall mount bracket with some included screws to raise the back and tilt it appropriately, clever.. if the bracket wasn't so awful. What is wrong with the bracket.. where to start?
1. There is really no avoiding using the bracket, whether wall mounting or desk mounting.
2. The area to run your speaker cables is more narrow than the 5 sets of banana plug posts blocking running thick wires very easily and meaning you need to remove the bracket to mess with your cabling.
3. The bracket fits so snug to the back of the speaker you cannot use banana plugs in the posts while using the bracket, who makes a required part for an expensive speaker that blocks the use of banana plugs!!
4. The bracket when screwed to the wall fits so snugly that you are required to cut a hole in your wall to run wires or you need to space it from the wall manually. You cannot run the wires without running them through the bracket.
5. The bracket does not come with screws to mount it to your wall, nor any way to space it from a wall to run wire through the wiring harness.
6. The bracket opening to slide your screws in is extremely snug and the speaker weighs 30 pounds. Try lining that up by yourself.. it ain't easy.

Basically it seems Definitive spent 100% of their time designing the acoustics of the speaker, then handed it to an intern to design the required bracket and threw it in a box without review.

If you plan to wall mount this product, do yourself a favor and buy a 1/4in piece of wood the same size as the bracket, cut a U shape into it for running wire and run your screws through the wood into your wall studs.Get more detail about Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Speaker (Single, Silver).

Save Philips HSB2351/F7 Home SoundBar with 1080p HDMI


1st thing I noticed is that the box was superlight. Felt like nothing was in it.

Opened the box, took out both speakers and noticed a problem with one of them. It had 2 things rattling inside. One sounded like a driver, and the other sounded like a screw. Not a good sign.

There is no way for the consumer to open the speaker to fix since the plastic is permanently closed.

No need to set up the entire system, with a bad speaker. Decided to send everything back. Tiger Direct has a great return policy and sent me a return authorization immediately by email. Hopefully everything else goes well with the return. I will send out tomorrow.

A few observations:
1. This is basically a jam box with detachable speakers. And it is SMALL! Much smaller than one would think.
2. It is superlight and feels really plastic and cheap.
3. It does not come with separate subwoofer and claims to have the subwoofer "integrated" into the cheap plastic casing somewhere or another (I assume in the middle unit that houses everything else? But with something this light, I can't imagine where the driver would be or how pathetically small it would be.

After getting a look and feel for this unit, I'm just returning it instead of exchanging.

I have no idea about the sound quality, but it really can't be that great in regard to bass and stereo spread. This seems more suited for a dorm room, kitchen, kids room, etc... The sound quality may be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I doubt it. There is a reason why a subwoofer is typically a bit heavy, and it's the driver.......you just can't get around that issue.

I bought this originally for my grandparents. I wanted something that would have everything in one unit and would be easy to operate, have HDMI out, etc... This fits the bill except for the cheap, plasticky feel/weight, mysterious "integrated" subwoofer, and of course the "broken on arrival" aspect. I would have researched this more, but at the time I purchased this (I must have been about the first one), there were ZERO reviews (net or Amazon) and hardly any information at the Philips site. I now see there is one review. Don't know if it's a sockpuppet review or not. I'll check it out for curiousity.

Unfortunately there are only about 2-3 other all-in-1 integrated soundbars out there (with external subwoofers) under $500 at the moment. All of them have major problem areas in the reviews I've read. One would think that a manufacturer would be all over something as in-demand as this. Get more detail about Philips HSB2351/F7 Home SoundBar with 1080p HDMI.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Discount Edifier MP300 Multimedia Speaker


Amazing sound quality from such a small unit. It's a small speaker, so you cannot expect strong bass. But that's my taste. I like it so much!Get more detail about Edifier MP300 Multimedia Speaker.

Cheapest Yamaha NS-AW350W 2-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers (Pair, White)


I've had these speakers outside for use on my deck for about 9 months now. I am completely pleased with my purchase. The sound quality is great, especially for the $85 I paid. Just be aware of the size when ordering. These are not the tiny little satellite speakers that you sometimes see used for outdoor speakers underneath the eaves of a house. They are full size speakers which contributes to the very respectable amount of bass response that they are capable of. I have very wide eaves on my house so this was not an issue. 4 stars because there are better sounding speakers out there if you are willing to pay a lot more for them. On the "Bang for Your Buck" scale these definitely rate 5 stars.Get more detail about Yamaha NS-AW350W 2-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers (Pair, White).

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Cheap Boston Acoustics CS225CB Classic Series Center Channel Speaker (Black)


I have this center with 4 CS-26B bookshelf speakers for my 5.1 system. It is a very well matched group and provides excellent sound, especially for the $. I power these with 130 W/CH, which they handle well. Highs have excellent clarity, with a full, rich midrange. These speakers are only good for mid bass, and really need a sub to perform their best (I have a super Velodyne 15", overkill!), just as any 5 1/4 or 6 1/2 speaker does. I compared to Klipsch, Definitive, Polk, B&W, and others. IMO nothing will touch these for the price. I also love the classic, subdued styling. Get more detail about Boston Acoustics CS225CB Classic Series Center Channel Speaker (Black).

Buying Klipsch F-1 Synergy FloorStanding Loudspeaker (Single, Black)


These speakers are absolutely wonderful. I have them hooked up to a Yamaha HTR-5940 receiver. I am using them as the front channel speakers, along with an S-2 as a center (got a good deal from a friend), and B-2s as surrounds, along with a Sub-12.

Sound Quality:
The F-1s shine no matter what I am using them for. They are superb for stereo listening, and they handle the front effects channels for 5.1 very well too. They handle all types of music very well.

Appearance/Size
These speakers are slim. They are of the perfect height that the drivers are at ear level when sitting on a couch. The grills look nice, but I prefer to keep them off because I think the speakers look much cooler without them. I went to a retailer and was looking at the synergy speakers and the F-2s and F-3s are so big and heavy that they'd be kind of a pain for me, but the F-1s are easy enough to move around if you're just trying to clean behind them.

Connections:
The F-1 is ready for bi-wiring, but I tried it and didn't notice any difference so I went back to single wiring for simplicity's sake. The binding post type connectors are great because they accept thick speaker wire without any issues, or you can use banana plugs.

Note: The finish is not exactly "easily" damaged, but it can't take too much of a beating either, so be delicate with these speakers (of course, you would be delicate with any audio equipment anyway, right?).

Overall, these are great speakers. Well worth the price.Get more detail about Klipsch F-1 Synergy FloorStanding Loudspeaker (Single, Black).

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Buy Pyle Home PCB3BK 3-Inch 100-Watt Mini Cube Bookshelf Speaker (Black)


I bought these as a temporary solution for my new flat panel plasma monitor. The monitor provides stereo output at 9W@6ohms per channel. My final intent is to eventually get a complete surround sound setup. Until then, these speakers sound better than any built-in speakers on any tv that I've ever owned.

I don't know if they can be beat for the price.Get more detail about Pyle Home PCB3BK 3-Inch 100-Watt Mini Cube Bookshelf Speaker (Black).

Purchase Coby DVD988 DVD Home Theater Soundbar System (Black)


I don't write many reviews but the sound quality, or lack thereof on this unit made me want to let others know about it. Because, if space is an issue and you don't feel like running a bunch of wires, the price tag on this unit seems appealing. Let me just say that you get what you pay for.

I would say the sound quality is about that of a decent set of computer speakers. And the "Sub" that is integrated is pretty sorry as well. The DVD player does not upscale and the inputs are a joke. All it has is one set of analog rca jacks for input. So, basically you have to run everything through your TV and out to this unit. Some of the newer TVs don't even have rca audio outs on them.

I can't speak to the DVD playback because the sound was so disappointing that I unhooked the unit after less than 5 minutes. The audio on my Panasonic Plasma TH-50PX600U literally blows this thing away. Now, I do understand that the audio and "Sub" built into my panny are far superior to the speaker systems in many flat panels so I am not suggesting that any flat panel will sound a lot better than this unit. But, what I am saying is that you are most likely better off IMO looking for a higher quality unit. Your new flat panel will likely last 10-15 years, I highly doubt this thing would last 5.

I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone, however someone on a really tight budget that has a flat panel with really bad speakers could use this product and get some functionality out of it provided that don't have great hearing and they aren't picky at all.

Look for a better soundbar, this is not the "Deal" it appears to be.Get more detail about Coby DVD988 DVD Home Theater Soundbar System (Black).

Monday, February 22, 2010

Order 5 1/4" White 3-WAY 100 Watt Indoor/outdoor Loudspeakers


These speakers are a wonderful value for the asking price. No, you are not going to be fooled into thinking you are listening to Martin Logans, Magneplanars, Thiels, etc. However, speakers like the Duals will normally be connected to inexpensive amplification such as low priced intergrated amplifiers or receivers. I purchased two pairs. One is connected to a Sherwood receiver, while the other pair is hooked up to a KLH receiver. Both of these receivers were under $100, yet the music reporduction on my patio and master bedroom balcony is quite impressive. These speakers weigh 5 pounds each, so there is some heft to them. I do not engage in "critical" listening with these speakers for obvious reasons, but to comment on their actual sound characteristics; the bass response is honest to about the 75HZ and then it falls off rapidly. Midrange reproduction is fine. The treble can be a bit "tinny," but when one considers the price per pair the music that emanates from these speakers is more than acceptable. Recommended. Get more detail about 5 1/4" White 3-WAY 100 Watt Indoor/outdoor Loudspeakers.

Where To Buy Polk Audio RM6751 Satellite Speaker (Single, White)


these are solid speakers. I use them as surround speakers so I cannot say whether or not they have great sound but they certainly do the trick for surround speakers. They look nice and were very easy to install on my wall.Get more detail about Polk Audio RM6751 Satellite Speaker (Single, White).