LCD or OLED? - The TV Thread

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

What kind of surge protector do y'all use? Right now I have a 60" plasma and sub (came today!) plugged into one that was $10 and the receiver on a separate outlet using the same model. Was looking into getting one that offers better protection.

I suggest a Power Center

http://www.monoprice.com/mobile/Prod...goryId=1091201

Sent from my Rooted GNEX

[authentic]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I suggest a Power Center

http://www.monoprice.com/mobile/Prod...goryId=1091201

Sent from my Rooted GNEX

Not a bad price either. If they have any sort of protection $ value that would be sweet. I already have Panamax powering my whole new house anyways.


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[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Finally got the sub hooked up and was able to play with it. Definitely didn't trust YPAO. It set everything to large and the sub to -7 dB. So I changed the center and rears to small, upped it to -1dB, and turned on extra bass (LFE + main). Wish I had more options for sub placement. Need to play around with how it all sounds with music playing. The bass was pretty underwhelming, but I think it's more of how I am connecting it and what mode I am using.

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Finally got the sub hooked up and was able to play with it. Definitely didn't trust YPAO. It set everything to large and the sub to -7 dB. So I changed the center and rears to small, upped it to -1dB, and turned on extra bass (LFE + main). Wish I had more options for sub placement. Need to play around with how it all sounds with music playing. The bass was pretty underwhelming, but I think it's more of how I am connecting it and what mode I am using.

If you're using a sub, set all speakers to small. Doesn't matter if they're made of the drivers that run the Matterhorn at Disneyland, size isn't relative to what you're using the speakers for but frequency range is... and if you're using a subwoofer, that means you're dedicating that to the low frequencies, so you'll want to.

The other things you need to explore and check out are: the crossover frequency (THX certification sets it to 80 Hz for films, though 120 -200 Hz for music could do the job because of how much studios clip and compress their tracks these days), the cable you're using (might I suggest one of these), and most importantly... the placement and the room type.

Make no mistake, sub placement will determine how much punch you'll hear. Check out the various websites that try and help you out with this.

Then of course there's checking how much your receiver devotes itself to your sub, and you need to let the sub break in for the first couple of weeks as well. If you let things appropriate this way, I think you'll come back pretty pleased after Christmas.

Oh, and which sub did you get again? Because some subs are better for films (like my PL-200) and some are better for music. Just food for thought.

EDIT: I also have a Panamax M5400-PM surge protector.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I thought doing LFE + main made the sub play frequencies from the "large" while also allowing the "large" to play them too. The fronts are capable of 35Hz-23KHz ± 3dB so I figured I'd let them work too. I was already thinking about changing it so I'll go ahead and test that out. I've read a lot over on AVS and audioholics.

I am using this cable. I haven't done the sub crawl or anything like that yet. I'm anxious to move into a place with a better. Should have bought a longer cable. I think the problem for music might be too low of a crossover. I was looking at the sub move on songs that should be hitting pretty hard and it was hardly going anywhere.

I got the PL-200.

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Okay, I gotcha. The PL-200 is more built for movies than for music, so I can see where you might be "underwhelmed." In fact, it's strange... when I listen to music, I absolutely must increase the decibels in the sub. It doesn't punch the same as it does in movies, at least in that regard. If I raise it, all is gravy.

But yes, set all speakers to small and consider upping the crossover frequency to 120 Hz or above when listening to music. Not that it's necessary, but I think you'll be more pleased.

I mean your setup is almost identical to mine. I think you have the Yamaha RX-V673 (I have the 667), the KF-26 towers (I have the 28, unless you stuck with those as well) and the same subwoofer. Take it from me: these things can make it work. I think I could have a better receiver, but with the right placement for the sub and the right settings, you won't be unimpressed. Underwhelmed? That depends on what you're looking for. This isn't a $1000 sub. You'll start to appreciate it more though once you get things straightened out.

And yeah, as I said before, YPAO is terrible.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Thanks for the tips. I stuck with the 28s. I'm more convinced it's the settings over me expecting more than I should be. I think it's not getting a signal it's supposed to, or at least not in the right way. My little Logitech sub on my PC speakers rattles items on the other side the wall with the same song. How high do you set the decibel level on your sub for music, what mode do you use for music, and what method of input do you use?

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Ah, all fair questions.

Before I even attempted to use YPAO, I set my dial on the back of the sub at 10 o'clock. Once I ran it and saw all that it did wrong, I did some adjustments on my own.

Anyway, whatever my sub's decibel level is at on default, I have no problem raising it a whole 15.0 dB higher for music if I wanted to. Yes, it's that much different than for movies. Of course, that's at the 80 Hz crossover frequency. I've since landed on 110 Hz for all sources (movies included), only because these speakers are still on the low end when all is said and done (or at most mid-level, plus my Polk CS10 center and Insignia bookshelf speakers for surrounds).

I run most things through my PS3 or laptop, in which case they're both using an HDMI cable. You might want to run back through your PS3 sound settings and select Automatic so it accepts all possible sound sources if that's what you use. For music, I actually use the Pro Logic Music sound preset. Every so often I'll use Pure Direct (in which case just the KF-28's are turned on, no sub) but that's just for the heck of it. I use Straight for everything else.

Speaking of which, I forget where the option is (I think as a part of the manual setup of your speakers), but change your EQ to Through. My money is on YPAO setting yours to Flat, which does mean that it's manipulating your sound rather than letting it passthrough naturally. You'll appreciate the sound of Through more.

The final thing is the Enhancer, which the Yamaha's actually handle pretty well. I use the Enhancer for all sources but Blu-ray movies... so that means I have the enhancer on for cable, music, and video games.

See, I mention all of these settings changes which would be a hassle for most people, but I just have to press one button on my Harmony universal remote and everything is taken care of for me if I wanted to go, say, from watching TV to listening to music.

And definitely don't underestimate sub placement and breaking it in. Let it run sound patterns or music when you're out of the house. Its tweeters need to be worked for a little while, and that's not a myth.

[authentic]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

In about a month I will be moved into our house and my builder took some extra time to make a custom home theater room. Add a pair of Sonance in ceilings that I received for free and I'm set. I'll probably end up getting two more rears and another sub down the road, which is already wired. I'm excited to hear this system in a room with acoustic panels and material the walls are made of. When you walk into the room it's dead silent.


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[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Part of my rental house search criteria has been an ideal living room. Pretty much trying to rule out an apartment since that would crush all my dreams.

Authentic, will a BB store ever come down on warranty prices? Their pricing is ridiculous compared to what you can get through SquareTrade.

[authentic]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Part of my rental house search criteria has been an ideal living room. Pretty much trying to rule out an apartment since that would crush all my dreams.

Authentic, will a BB store ever come down on warranty prices? Their pricing is ridiculous compared to what you can get through SquareTrade.

The price for a 4 year warranty on my 4k through MDC was $699.99. The price on a $2999.99 tv on squaretrade is $299.99. I paid double what that price is, $2999.99 that is. So theoretically I'd pay $599.99 for squaretrade. I'll pay the extra money for a company I can trust, personal opinion.

I never buy the warranties on speakers/receivers. I have a good enough relationship with Denon and Klipsch reps to make some calls and get my products replaced. I buy my warranties on TVs and phones mainly. I'm sure they are aware of square trade though and if it gets big enough, they'll contemplate changing it. If their phone plans are anything like what ours used to be though, they'll lose a lot of money fast and change it quickly. BBY lost a lot of money on Geek Squad on phones, which caused the recent switch to competitors warranties. All Best Buys are different, I'll take care of someone whose a good customer, and get their warranty fulfilled. Some other stores may not. It is what it is, I just don't like online warranties, not my thing.


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[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Where are you seeing that pricing? Through Amazon the price of a 5 year SquareTrade warranty on a $5000-$6000 TV is around $325. I'd like to just get it from Best Buy too so I can physically go argue with someone if I'm getting screwed over, but I just gave them $278 for a 2 year warranty while a ST 5 year warranty is $248.

I thought about warranties for the speakers, but the manufacturer's warranty on it is so long it didn't seem worth it.

I wish my BB had people who were knowledgeable like you.

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

SB sorry to break this up, but did you try to do those other changes with your sound setup yet? Any improvements?

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Haven't had a long chance to yet. I played a song with the sub at +8 dB and could tell a difference. I switched everything to small and the EQ to use, just need to find time to pop a movie back in.

I'm thinking about getting this surge protector.

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I know nothing about that surge protector. I'm sure it's fine, but most surge protectors are anyway. I got the M5400-PM only because how incredibly cheap I got it for, and it's the one I trust above others because I can read my voltage all of the time. My house gets clean power though, but I don't know what it will be like when I move out.