Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

An open letter to AV snobs...

by techfiend Feb 8, 2006 4:19PM PST

I have noticed since joing this forum that there are as many people helping each other, as their are tactless people "brand name dropping, insulting peoples wages(ability to buy what they have), etc. So here is a letter to hopefully bring those who need it of their ego trip (linnfreak)
let me first note that we did not address a bar to measure a high quality AV system. I will assume that at the bare bones a HDTV and hook-up are standard. well right their we got rid of 3/4 of america, as only 1/4 has an HDTV and HD supply. From that quarter we could see who has a complete surround system, then a quality DVD player. At this point we are at around 5% of people in america. And people in these forums are going to fight about this...it seems ridiculous.
I appreciate you humoring my setup with "im sure its nice"(sirroundsounds comments after I gave him the ins and outs of my system). Truth be told Im in my last few semesters of med school, and I care more about my "high-end" Littman(classic II SE) stethoscope, which will be saving lives rather than a hobby, but thanks for the nearsighted jab at peoples ability to afford high end equipment. I hope you might put some of that money for your next matsuhita, or harmon towards something that benefits more people than yourself

Discussion is locked

31 - 60 of 46 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Type#3
by jcrobso Feb 15, 2006 11:44PM PST

People who were shopping, wanted to listen to different speakers and amps. Knew they specs and wanted the salsmen to leave them alone,,,Oh, thats me. John

- Collapse -
very true
by techfiend Feb 16, 2006 3:36PM PST

If your going to be critiqued let it be by someone who knows(and by knows I mean has owned different lines and has a well rounded AV education)

for all the AV pros...teach me!

- Collapse -
sirroundsound... saw your site
by grimgraphix Feb 16, 2006 4:19PM PST

very nice work Happy

grim

- Collapse -
Great Post
by techfiend Feb 16, 2006 3:33PM PST

That post hit the nail on the head.
I have a 52" mitsu HD microdisplay. I have 2 JBL speakers spaced 7 feet apart (with the TV in the middle) The surrounds are basically a strict mid/high speaker pointed towards the couch on either side. my center speaker is not going to fit on the TV, so it will be mounted above the TV (making it higher than the tweets on my JBL's). I know enough to know that my center probablly shouldnt be that high. so what should i do (not just with the center). The setup sounds great by the way, but im all about maximizing.

A motto I live by "you should only look down on someone if your helping them up"

- Collapse -
If you use a wall mount...
by grimgraphix Feb 16, 2006 4:16PM PST

for your center, then make sure the mount allows you to point the speaker towards the listener. Too high or too low is the norm in most HT speaker setups unless you have a dedicated a/v room. I used to take a yard stick and attach it to the speaker (wrap around elastic cords to hold the stick... avoid metal hook ends in favor of plastic hooks or better yet, ball ends, to avoid marring finishes). Use the yard stick to "aim" the speaker towards the viewers position. If you use a shelf to hold the speaker you can prop up the back of the speaker to accomplish the same effect (non-skid rubber pads should be used to avoid the speaker shifting while it vibrates from being played).

Keep in mind the speaker's front edge should be flush with the edge of the shelf to avoid the shelf edge deflecting the sound from the speaker. If the top of the TV interferes with the line of sight to the viewers position then raise the position of the speaker mount/shelf to gain a clear path to the seating area. Just keep in mind that high frequency sound performs best with a direct line of sight... anything in the way will deflect the mids and highs and detract from the listeners experience. Questions?

Good luck!
grim

- Collapse -
laser level
by sirroundsound Feb 17, 2006 12:18AM PST

Now that laser levels are resonably priced, you could use them to "aim" your speakers. Choose your sweet spot (where you are going to sit) blow up a balloon, tie it to a stick and affix it in a way that the balloon represents your head when seated.
Take the laser level, place it on top of the speaker and get the laser light to hit the balloon, you will need to make minor adjustments to actually get the "speaker" to hit the same spot, but this is an inexpensive, simple way for the DIY'er to maximise the speaker set up. (not perfect, but much better than just plopping your speakers down and thinking it's right)

- Collapse -
Laser Levels...
by grimgraphix Feb 17, 2006 3:26AM PST

Not just for messing with the cat! Devil

Great idea. I just got a cheap laser level stocking stuffer for christmas and that would be ideal. Unfortunately, I don't do troubleshooting and installation anymore. Herniated a disc in my lower back 3 years ago on a 46" TV and had to give it up. Sad

grim

- Collapse -
Great Fix
by techfiend Feb 17, 2006 2:07PM PST

The laser will be a good way to aim/angle my speaker to find the "sweet spot"

Thanks for the help

- Collapse -
Ditto On The Laser Pointer......However...
by RoadRunner6 Feb 17, 2006 2:44PM PST

I have a very inexpensive laser pointer that I use for this exact purpose and also to align the surround speakers. I don't use a baloon however, instead, I sit my wife on a box (she is 14'' shorter than me), blindfold her, and point the laser at her head. It works very good to set up the sweet spot.

She always gets excited when I blindfold her and put her in the sweet spot!

RR6

- Collapse -
On to a slightly different forum
by sirroundsound Feb 18, 2006 2:17AM PST

Now we will have to find a different forum to continue with this part of the thread.... "is your wife a sport? nudge nudge wink wink, say no more, say no more" (for all you Monty Python fans)

- Collapse -
If you can cut down the largest tree in the forest...
by grimgraphix Feb 18, 2006 10:10AM PST

... with...... A HERRING !

I will answer your question... if it's not too perilous. Wink

grim

- Collapse -
hear, hear
by buster7 Feb 18, 2006 1:28AM PST

I agree. I have a Runco 42" hd plasma-replaced once because of burn in. Fantastic unit but not worth the premium price. The newer units from Panasonic, Pioneer, etc. perform better (black level, shadow detail) at a fraction of the price and are as reliable. New technology will make all these units semi obsolete almost from the time you plug them in. From my and several friends experiences we have learned valuable lessons. If one finds a reasonably priced unit that performs great in your opinion (the most important criteria) get it. Read personal use reviews - good, bad, objective, and unless there are glaring problems from more than one review, you should be able to make a good decision. buster7

- Collapse -
yes
by buster7 Feb 18, 2006 1:58AM PST

I agree. I have a Runco 42" HD plasma. Fantastic unit,yes, problens with unit yes. Replaced because of burn in.Friends with this brand and other plasma brands have had this and other problems as well. We all still enjoy our plasmas. Keep in mind that what ever type of tv you get today,it will be semi obsolete in very short order. The new units from Pioneer , Panasonic, etc have a better black level and shadow detail then almost anything from just one year ago. If one finds a reasonably priced unit that performs well to your eye (only criteria that really matters)get it. Read personal use reviews like in this forum and if you don't see alot of red flags, go for it. One doesn't need to pay a premium for a premium brand to be satisfied with great performance. buster7

- Collapse -
HIGH END OR LOW END, AS LONG AS YOU LOVE IT, WHO CARES?!
by hcjthree Feb 18, 2006 9:35AM PST

I just wanted to say that you can get alot of help from some of the members of this site, but you can also get alot of SNOBS as you say that just like to talk about how much better their equipment is than yours. But hey thats with everything, some people are going to respect everyones likes and dislikes and some others are just going to be idiots. I try to help anyone that has a question because I remember when I didn't know anything about this and there were people to help me. Like the title says, who cares if your AV system cost $10,000 or $500, as long as you love it that's all that matters. If someone has something to say about it, remember who paid for the equipment in your setup, you not them. Next time they down your system, let them know to "buy" you what they think you should have, that should shut them up quick.

- Collapse -
DONT GO TO A LUSH BUGET VIDIO STORE YOU WILL CRY
by stewart norrie Feb 18, 2006 10:05AM PST

6 years ago I had a nice little home theater system that I was so proud of , until I went into a demo room that was a mistake, my system looked and sounded like s-it, So now after spending over 11 grand on upgrades I will never shop again of course when blue ray comes out Iall have the first one on the block. and yes for $1000 you can have a system that will knock your socks off how cool stewart

- Collapse -
Your All Right
by techfiend Feb 18, 2006 2:06PM PST

Some major brand products can compare with some of the high end line merchandise. But their are times when the high end will do what its supposed to do, which is beat other systems. Its best to be in the middle and enjoy the best of both worlds, in my opinion. Most importantly HAVE FUN building your systems.

Back to TVs & Home Theaters forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info