Fezmid Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 I've got it even worse than you because my living room/dining room/entry way/kitchen/breakfast nook are all within the same mostly wall-less space. It's a terrific aesthetic design but it's hell on the home theater. I have them in the 5.1. I don't think 7.1 buys you much and I'm not sure I have many DVDs that are optimized for it anyway. I think the QS8s are the best designed surround speakers I've ever heard and the price point makes them even better. All in all I like pretty much everything I've gotten so far, even the low end Sony DVD player - which looks spectacular compared to regular DirectTV signals (almost the difference between it and the HD). 625957[/snapback] Yeah, DTV in SD sucks, especially on a great display (to be fair, so does cable SD). Any plans on starting the basement? Or is it on hold indefinitely? Let me tell you, there's nothing like going into a dark room to watch a movie on a big screen with awesome sound. CW
ajzepp Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 I've got it even worse than you because my living room/dining room/entry way/kitchen/breakfast nook are all within the same mostly wall-less space. It's a terrific aesthetic design but it's hell on the home theater. I have them in the 5.1. I don't think 7.1 buys you much and I'm not sure I have many DVDs that are optimized for it anyway. I think the QS8s are the best designed surround speakers I've ever heard and the price point makes them even better. All in all I like pretty much everything I've gotten so far, even the low end Sony DVD player - which looks spectacular compared to regular DirectTV signals (almost the difference between it and the HD). 625957[/snapback] That's awesome....last I knew they were somewhere around five bills per pair, right? That's about as much as I like to spend on surrounds....I love the surround effect, but there's no way in hell I'm going to drop 2k on speakers to match my mains.....I think those Axioms may be perfect for what I need to do. Do you have pics hosted anywhere?
Alaska Darin Posted March 12, 2006 Author Posted March 12, 2006 Yeah, DTV in SD sucks, especially on a great display (to be fair, so does cable SD). Any plans on starting the basement? Or is it on hold indefinitely? Let me tell you, there's nothing like going into a dark room to watch a movie on a big screen with awesome sound. CW 625963[/snapback] I'm waiting a bit for the stars to line up. I'm not the type to piece meal stuff together so I'd rather have all the cash required to finish than have to walk past it partially finished for a year. I know it's going to be worth it (I helped a friend design/build his and it turned out spectacular even on the tight budget he had) but I gotta work towards the goal.
Alaska Darin Posted March 12, 2006 Author Posted March 12, 2006 That's awesome....last I knew they were somewhere around five bills per pair, right? That's about as much as I like to spend on surrounds....I love the surround effect, but there's no way in hell I'm going to drop 2k on speakers to match my mains.....I think those Axioms may be perfect for what I need to do. Do you have pics hosted anywhere? 625967[/snapback] They're $530 a pair now (Axiom just raised their prices across the board) but that does include shipping. Mine got here in 4 days, which is pretty impressive. I wouldn't spend that much on surrounds either. Personally I think that's a waste of money as those channels rarely have much going on.
ajzepp Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 They're $530 a pair now (Axiom just raised their prices across the board) but that does include shipping. Mine got here in 4 days, which is pretty impressive. I wouldn't spend that much on surrounds either. Personally I think that's a waste of money as those channels rarely have much going on. 625974[/snapback] It's absolutley a waste of money....the only exception is if someone is just WAY into multichannel music, then I can understand it.....but when it comes to music I'm a 2-channel guy. I want my 2-channel path to be nice and clean, but as much as I love movies - and I LOVE movies - I just don't care as much about the sound quality in back. If my front stage is tight, I'm good.....I want the quality up front and the effects in back.
Dan Gross Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 I wouldn't call it kick ass. When my basement is finished (probably misleading, as I have yet to even start) that one will be better because it will have a projector vice plasma. Currently: Yamaha HTR-5990 receiver Axiom M60Ti fronts Axiom EP500 Sub Axiom VP150 Center Axiom QS8 Surrounds Pioneer 5051HD Plasma DirectTV 10-250 HD Tivo Sony DVPNS70H HD DVD (pretty low end but is getting me through until someone really sets a standard). Monster Power Home Theater Power Bar 1100 Monster Power HTFS 1000 Got really good deals on everything except the speakers (Axiom's prices are really good for what they are anyway). 625929[/snapback] Sure, start the thread like you're still over on PPP and then change the topic so that it becomes Consumer-Forum fodder. What next, are you going to talk about how much weight you lost hauling all that equipment around? Or perhaps how good the upcoming baseball season would look on that screen? Of course, I'm thinking playoff hockey. My wife finished her degree late, and we had a grad party for her at our house. Buncha friends and family were over, and the Sabres were still in the playoffs. Ended up getting help moving my TV at the time (31"...yawn, I know ) to the table next to the back picture window so everyone could watch the game from the back yard...this would have been better...if I got it for free.
SDS Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 AJ, if you are looking for nice diffuse sound - I really like my Mirage OmniSat's. I have a 6.1 system setup with all omnisat's and an Aperion sub. They sound great and they are aesthetically beautiful. Solid as a rock too.
ajzepp Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 AJ, if you are looking for nice diffuse sound - I really like my Mirage OmniSat's. I have a 6.1 system setup with all omnisat's and an Aperion sub. They sound great and they are aesthetically beautiful. Solid as a rock too. 626306[/snapback] Are they pretty reasonable price wise? I heard my first Mirage speakers back in the early 90s....again, another Canadian manufacturer that I just fell in love with. Are they just called 'omnisats' or is there a model number that you recommend for surrounds? I prefer not to go much over $500 per pair back there...I'd rather save my cash for the killer hybrid tube amp I'm planning to purchase for my new mains
Rico Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 the only exception is if someone is just WAY into multichannel music, then I can understand it.....but when it comes to music I'm a 2-channel guy. 625981[/snapback] I love hi-rez multi-channel... just played the Jeff Beck "Blow By Blow" SACD right before the Sopranos.
IDBillzFan Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Actually, something we see more and more during the warmer months here is outdoor neighborhood movies. Usually someone sets up a projector and big screen in a cul de sac and hooks up a DVD player, and families from all around the neighborhood get lawn chairs and sleeping bags and gather around to watch a family-oriented movie. Bring a cooler of snacks. Maybe a cocktail or two. The last one we went to showed "Miracles," and aside from what is a rather ridiculous movie, it was a lot of fun. I plan to do this on my new cul-de-sac once the weather warms up. Seven grand is a stupid price to pay to do this, but outdoor neighborhood movies are happening more and more these days.
SDS Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Are they pretty reasonable price wise? I heard my first Mirage speakers back in the early 90s....again, another Canadian manufacturer that I just fell in love with. Are they just called 'omnisats' or is there a model number that you recommend for surrounds? I prefer not to go much over $500 per pair back there...I'd rather save my cash for the killer hybrid tube amp I'm planning to purchase for my new mains 626327[/snapback] They are exactly $500/pair retail. You can get them as low as $420 if you wheel and deal. They are omnipolar speakers with a really cool/novel design in which the speaker radiates into an inverted spoon in front of the speaker which causes the sound to kick out in all directions. The omnipolar line has a full range of speakers. I have the omnisat's - so they are satellite speakers. They make some even smaller, but I specifically have the omnisats.
The Dean Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 They are exactly $500/pair retail. You can get them as low as $420 if you wheel and deal. They are omnipolar speakers with a really cool/novel design in which the speaker radiates into an inverted spoon in front of the speaker which causes the sound to kick out in all directions. The omnipolar line has a full range of speakers. I have the omnisat's - so they are satellite speakers. They make some even smaller, but I specifically have the omnisats. 626364[/snapback] Sweet
ajzepp Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 They are exactly $500/pair retail. You can get them as low as $420 if you wheel and deal. They are omnipolar speakers with a really cool/novel design in which the speaker radiates into an inverted spoon in front of the speaker which causes the sound to kick out in all directions. The omnipolar line has a full range of speakers. I have the omnisat's - so they are satellite speakers. They make some even smaller, but I specifically have the omnisats. 626364[/snapback] Dang, those are cool looking....thanks, I'm going to add those to my audition list. Do you know of any online retailers, or are they still mostly at the brick and mortar audio shops?
SDS Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Dang, those are cool looking....thanks, I'm going to add those to my audition list. Do you know of any online retailers, or are they still mostly at the brick and mortar audio shops? 626381[/snapback] miragespeakers.com. Tweeter has them locally here as well as a few others. Mirage doesn't sell online... another neat thing about them is that if you wall mount them - they mount upside down once you go a certain height.
ajzepp Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 I love hi-rez multi-channel... just played the Jeff Beck "Blow By Blow" SACD right before the Sopranos. 626329[/snapback] Oh yeah, I dig it too....Blue Man Group in 5.1 DVD-A one of my favorite ways to demo my system.....It would sound AMAZING if I went ahead with surrounds that matched my new mains, but I just can't justify it. I just hope that I can find surrounds that will blend, cause I'm expecting my mains to be pretty friggin good.
ajzepp Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 miragespeakers.com. Tweeter has them locally here as well as a few others. Mirage doesn't sell online... another neat thing about them is that if you wall mount them - they mount upside down once you go a certain height. 626384[/snapback] Wow, I'm really interested in these things now...I just read a few reviews and the guy was gushing over them. Can you tell me if they're able to be adjusted if you mount them on the wall? Like can you aim them or rotate them, or are they in a fixed position? I may even consider picking up a couple pairs and going to 7.1. My pre/pro has that ability, but I have yet to use it. Those things are small enough and inexpensive enough that I'd definitely consider two pair if they blend well with my mains.
SDS Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Wow, I'm really interested in these things now...I just read a few reviews and the guy was gushing over them. Can you tell me if they're able to be adjusted if you mount them on the wall? Like can you aim them or rotate them, or are they in a fixed position? I may even consider picking up a couple pairs and going to 7.1. My pre/pro has that ability, but I have yet to use it. Those things are small enough and inexpensive enough that I'd definitely consider two pair if they blend well with my mains. 626425[/snapback] No, they just have a key slot that hangs on a screw in the back. They can also be stand mounted. Here are some quick photos I snapped this morning. Please ignore the mess and the bad quality of the shots.
ajzepp Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 No, they just have a key slot that hangs on a screw in the back. They can also be stand mounted. Here are some quick photos I snapped this morning. Please ignore the mess and the bad quality of the shots. 626581[/snapback] What an awesome room! I get excited about rooms like that cause I love when people integrate their HT with their living/family room. That's the same thing I am doing on my end, so it's always fun to see how others have their gear set up. I read this one review where the guy was talking about how a *good* theater allows the sound to just seem much bigger than the theater and really envelops you in the movie. He said the Mirage omni v.2s give him that in his home. That's exactly what I want to do in back.....and I think the key will be speakers that have a ridiculous dispersion patter, like these things apparently have. I don't want to be able to localize them from my seating position, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that they can pull this off. Looks like the Magnolia shop at my local Best Buy carries them, which is good cause then I can just buy two pair, bring them home, hook 'em up, and give them 30 days to impress me. I've already got the amps, I just need to get my new mains in here ( hopefully they'll be in here in less than two weeks) and then I can see how well everything blends together. Thanks again for the recommendation!
GoodBye Posted March 14, 2006 Posted March 14, 2006 No, they just have a key slot that hangs on a screw in the back. They can also be stand mounted. Here are some quick photos I snapped this morning. Please ignore the mess and the bad quality of the shots. 626581[/snapback] Can I have your TV?
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