AV Adviser

Building a simple surround system

Cleveland - Lifehacker just published a terrific article on how to build a home theater.  It's not like the ones we build at K+ Integration Systems which typically involve an architect, builder and interior designer.  This is a guide for someone who just wants to set up a surround system in an existing room. 

The story, How to Build Your First Home Theater From Nothing, breaks down the components needed and then goes into detail on what you should be looking for in your situation.  That could mean staying in budget or choosing the right size screen and speakers for the space. 

A word of caution though.  Even with the great step-by-step Lifehacker provides, the hook up and calibration is tricky.  There are, sadly, countless DIY home theater set ups out there which perform poorly.  They may have speaker wires crossed causing out of phase sound.  It could be they really don't have a high definition picture on their screen due to improper settings in the equipment. 

A home theater isnt cheap, even if it's done by yourself.  If it's not working properly it becomes a waste of money.  So if you don't think you can handle it let me know. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Explaining audio calibration

Nowadays any descent av receiver is going to have a built in audio calibration device.  That would in clude a microphone you place in the prime seat in the room (we call it the sweet spot) and let the built in calibrator do its magic. 

There's old school ways of adjusting audio as well using a sound pressure level (SPL) meter.  Here's a short article from Tech News Daily that delves into audio calibration worth a read What is Home Theater Audio Calibration?  After all a home theater really isn't worth a lick if it doesn't sound good. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Apple may be bringing surround sound to laptops

Seeing as how there's a young generation who watch most of their video on the computer it's no wonder Apple may be pumping up their MacBook Pro with surround sound speakers.  Though it isn't surround sound in the traditional sense.

Whereas a five speaker set up in a home theater distributes audio to each speaker determined by what's happening on the video screen, the speakers on the new MacBook Pro would be sending specific types of sound to each speaker.  According to reports there would be a pair of treble speakers, a pair of bass speakers and a single midrange speaker.  They would be positioned similarly to a typical home theater set up though.

Here's the inside scoop from Wired, A Surround-Sound MacBook Pro Would Benefit More Than Just Audiophiles.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Affordable home theater receivers

I came across a story from the International Business Times giving recommendation and short reviews on four affordable surround receivers.  Of course the receiver that I recently purchased was among their picks.  Wink.  It is nice to get validation though.

Along with the Yamaha I bought they suggest looking at one by Denon, Onkyo and Pioneer.  Now that's a line up of usual suspects.  4 High Quality Yet Relatively Affordable 7.1 Receivers for a Home Theater Setup

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

A Good Story On The Stereo Vs. Surround Debate

I have a friend in the business who insists that I'm full of bunk when it comes to my enjoyment of 5.1 surround sound.  He's a stereo purist and wouldn't have it any other way.  Of course, he's using McIntosh amplifiers, a beautiful Thorens turntable and a high end pair of Paradigm speakers.  It sounds spectacular. 

I employ a 5.1 surround receiver.  It's a mid-priced Yamaha that's now on its last legs.  It's beginning to shut down after being on and heating up for an hour or so.  It's over ten years old so there's no sense in repairing it when I can buy something new with HDMI ins and outs.  But I digress. 

I love my surround setup.  I can enjoy my collection of SACDs and DVD-As that are, for the most part, multi-channel recordings.  And movies sound fantasitc.  And when I pull out a record to play I can switch to stereo mode.  It's the best of both worlds. 

There is something to be said for the simplicity of stereo though.  Here's one man's true life dilemma of which way to go.  It's written by Joshua Fruhlinger of Engadget for The Wall Street Journal, Is 2 Greater Than 5.1?

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

7.1 Audio Now Streaming To An AV Receiver Near You

A few months back the first discreet 7.1 movie soundtrack was released on Blu-ray.  In the fast paced world of technology 7.1 is now being embedded in streaming movies.

Specifically, Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean:  On Stranger Tides is now available in 7.1 surround sound through Walmart's streaming service Vudu.  Vudu was the first streaming service I'd ever tried.  It has now been upstaged by Roku and Hulu.  I know, what's with the funny four letter names.  Still, it's an excellent service and obviously they aren't about to throw in the towel. 

So for all of you home theater folks with that extra pair of rear/side speakers this is great news.  I'd expect other services to be offering 7.1 in the near future. 

Here's a story with more detail from USA Today, Dolby and Vudu deliver 'Pirates' at home in 7.1-channel surround sound.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

WIreless Speakers Get Better

A couple of years ago Popular Science gave an award to Summit Wireless for best innovation of the year.  It involved using wireless technology in a surround receiver.  The wait for a product is finally over. 

In the past we've seen wireless rear speakers which needed line of site to transmit the signal.  Over the years there has also been numerous outdoor speaker brands using 900 megahertz (cordless phone) to send a wireless audio signal.  Neither of these technologies are what would be considered quality audio. 

That's not the case for this new Summit Wireless technology.  First of all, every speaker is wireless.  Each speaker does need to be plugged into an AC outlet which could be a drawback, especially in older homes. 

The first to market the technology is the Aperion Audio Intimus 4T surround system.  It retails for $2,500 which isn't bad considering all the speakers and the receiver are included.  This is no "home theater in a box" so don't compare it to those prices.  It's to be released at the end of this month. 

The always entertaining David Pogue of the New York Times tested the new system, Wireless, Not Wimpy, Speakers.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Do You Have Surround Speakers?

Steve Guttenberg who writes The Audiophiliac blog for CNET is taking a survey on surround speakers.  With so many one speaker solutions on the market offering trickery that makes it appear you have rear speakers it's a growing trend.

In my opinion this solution should only be used for spaces that just cannot accomodate actul surround speakers or when the system is your secondary one. 

Take the poll here, Poll: Who needs home theater surround speakers?

When Buying A New TV Be Prepared To Spring For A New AV Receiver

TV sales are still hot.  Despite my jaded vision and the fact that the TV manufacturers are not making any money, people are still in the process of buying flat panel TVs. It is down somewhat from when the government turned off the analog band and forced the hand of many into buying a new TV, but sales remain quite robust. 

In an effort to prepare you for the realities of buying a new TV I should point out that if the TV you're going to buy is your main TV you'll be wanting, nay, needing to buy a new AV receiver.  What?  You don't need augmented sound while you watch high def TV, Blu-ray or DVD?  Sorry, yours is a hopeless cause.  The fact is you are totally short changing yourself by experiencing half the magic. 

This bit of advice is for those of you who do know how important the sound is to the equation.  You are the ones who have that AV receiver you purchased back when you got that last TV.  Here's the deal though.  It's out of date. 

If your receiver is over five years old it most likely doesn't have HDMI inputs and outputs.  These cables which have been a headache for me and others in this business since their introduction, have become almost a necessity.  They carry both digital audio and video on a single cable making for a less cluttered hook up.  They also provide the best looking picture and sound possible.  Lastly, by trying to interface your old receiver with a new TV you'll end up with a very messy operation, having to switch inputs on both TV and receiver.

I'm not going to get into the nuances of which receiver might be best suited for you.  That's the service I provide.  Let this just serve as a public service announcement.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

The Home Theater Speaker Debate Continues

A couple of weeks ago I talked about the release of the first true 7.1 audio consumer release, Actual 7.1 Surround Coming To Home Theater.  In it I discussed my opinion on how many speakers one actually needs to make a good surround system.

Here's an interview with Craig Eggers of Dolby Labs from Big Picture Big Sound, How Many Speakers Does a Home Theater Really Need?  He addresses the debate and discusses other issues in the world of home theater. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal