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Posted By: brwsaw Ian's - 03/11/17 04:33 AM
Please feel free to delete this...

I was hoping to start a thread where we can ask Ian questions directly and with anyluck he would check in from time to time to share a laugh.

Not sure what he'd think about it but here it goes...
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 03/11/17 04:54 AM
I like it.


Heres a question, what effects does stuffing a speaker box have and how important is it.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 03/11/17 11:01 AM
Lol.
I was thinking more like what color zigzags he likes or if we can borrow the boat...
Jj.
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 03/11/17 07:38 PM
Thats easy, he likes the plain whites and no on the boat.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 03/12/17 02:12 AM
Lol.
Thanks for confirming.
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 03/12/17 09:26 AM
I see Socketman answered the hard questions already, lol.

You want the stuffing directly behind the driver if you can get it there.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 03/12/17 06:10 PM
What subs are you using at the moment?
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 03/12/17 07:42 PM
Very shortly it will be four EP600s. The EP600 plays as low as the EP800 and by using four of them gives me loads of output and even bass around the room.
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 03/12/17 10:41 PM
Originally Posted By Ian
I see Socketman answered the hard questions already, lol.

You want the stuffing directly behind the driver if you can get it there.


What i was really wondering is what sort of effect does the poly have on the cabinet itself. I see in my M80's not a whole lot of poly is present so i assume the cabinet size is well matched to the drivers thiel small parameters. I suppose i may have to take my speakers and laptop out to the yard and do some testing, soon as the -30 moves on.:0
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 03/14/17 07:42 AM
The main purpose of the damping is to tame the standing waves in the cabinet. The best placement of the damping to achieve this is in the middle of the cabinet directly behind the woofer. The theory says that a lot of damping in a cabinet will make the cabinet volume behave as though it is larger than it is but the amplitude response measurements do not support this actually happening.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 04/14/17 07:51 PM
Could a v3 tweeter and a v4 tweeter be used in the same tower without causing any problems?
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 04/15/17 11:42 AM
Other than looking a bit oddball, it would work fine. The greater power handling of the v4 tweeter would be negated in the system as a whole though too.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 04/15/17 06:06 PM
Interesting.
Thanks for confirming.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 04/20/17 06:36 PM
Knowing there are always compromises to contend with I can't help wonder if there are unique benifits between each type of install.
More specifically does an inwall L/C/R have an acoustic benifit over either the onwall or stand alone speakers?
Its not about use of space (to me, at the moment) but I realize it maybe the number one reason others go that route...is there an acoustic sound quality benefit?
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 04/21/17 08:38 AM
I will assume there is a subwoofer in the mix. Between an on-wall and an in-wall it matters greatly if the in-wall does not have the drivers mounted slightly proud of the wall. Between an on-wall and a stand-alone there is a benefit to the stand-alone if you have the flexibility to play with its position in the room.
Posted By: cb919 Re: Ian's - 04/24/17 07:42 PM
Balanced XLR vs RCA connections for both sub-woofer and separate amplification connections - a few questions to show my ignorance on the topic:
1 - What does the term 'balanced' mean in this context? (I don't get it since it'll be carrying one channel of information)
2 - Is there an audible difference between the connections?
3 - For HT purposes, is there a reason to use one over the other?

It's visually obvious XLR is a more robust connection which makes sense for on stage, portable equipment and the like, but for stationary equipment in an HT, what's the advantage if any of XLR vs RCA?

Thanks!
Posted By: dakkon Re: Ian's - 04/25/17 03:34 AM
http://www.aviom.com/blog/balanced-vs-unbalanced/


The benefit of balanced cables in HT is only if your house has ground issues. Like a ground loop or something like that. If your not getting any audible noise from RCA's.. Then there wont be a benefit...

I use XLR's... But, only because 2 houses ago my system was picking up or transmitting an audible noise.. XLR's fixed that. However, i have multiple outboard amps that are getting a signal from the processor... If your using a receiver there likely wont be any benefit today in the time of HDMI cables..

Today i only use the xlr's because they're already bought and paid for..

Also, from an electrical theory perspective... There is no benefit to spending top dollar on an xlr cable... As long as the connections are good; your good to go...


I'm not Ian, but hope this helps.
Posted By: cb919 Re: Ian's - 04/25/17 01:52 PM
Thanks Dakkon, that link helped explain things. I had just assumed XLR was better without ever actually understanding why. I'm now all edumacated.

Cheers,
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 04/25/17 09:16 PM
Dakkon is bang on for home use. In a stage environment however, with cables running all over the place then balanced is the only way to go. The three connectors inside the balanced cable are carrying the ground, the signal in-phase, and the signal out-of-phase. Any noise picked up along the way has the same phase on both cables so it is cancelled when the out-of-phase signal wire is put back in phase at the receiving end.
Posted By: CV Re: Ian's - 04/26/17 06:30 AM
I'll say the main reason I prefer to use balanced cables isn't for the balanced aspect (haven't had a unit with a balanced output for a few generations); it's for the connections. I've ruined several RCA jacks on different equipment because the connectors on the cables were too tight. No grief with XLR, with their click-in mechanism.
Posted By: cb919 Re: Ian's - 04/26/17 02:32 PM
Cool, thanks for the extra thoughts and info Ian and CV.
I am researching the world of separate amps with the impending arrival of M5's which is what spawned my question.
Posted By: Dundas Re: Ian's - 06/08/17 01:51 AM
Ian,
Do you have a non-reflective black finish (paint or vinyl) for the VP180 suitable for placing under a projection screen? I am planning on replacing my current 110" screen with a 120" borderless one where the bottom of the image will be right at the top of the VP180 and I think the the semi-gloss cherry on my current VP180 will be a problem. I have looked at samples of the ebony (too reflective) and the charcoal smoke (too grey) and don't think they would do the job.

Also any update of the LFR180? I have an unused channel on my ADA1500 that would be perfect for it if my installation can accommodate the depth. I have 20.5" from the front of the speaker to the wall.

I am asking these questions on the forum because I think there may be others interested in the answers.
Thanks
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 06/08/17 02:09 AM
Go to an auto parts store and get some vinyl spray paint like they use for spraying the black area's of a bumper and take the drivers out and wipe it down with something like TSP or Vinegar and water and spray it flat/low gloss black.
Posted By: Adrian Re: Ian's - 06/08/17 12:32 PM
Rather than risk ruining the finish on the speaker, I think if it were me, I'd just make a (painted) cover of some sort to block the reflections.
Posted By: Dundas Re: Ian's - 06/08/17 01:40 PM
No way am I going to mess with beautiful real wood cherry finish of my current VP180. I was think of getting a new VP180.
Posted By: Adrian Re: Ian's - 06/08/17 04:54 PM
Oh. It sounded like you were going to alter/refinish your existing center.
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 06/08/17 08:13 PM
Hi Dundas,

I am going to be checking out the new LFR180 at my place next week. I will let you know how it goes. We could make you one that has a flat black painted finish.
Posted By: Dundas Re: Ian's - 06/09/17 12:11 AM
Thanks Ian.
I am looking forward to hearing more about the LFR180. I presume that if you go forward with it that 1st production is still a ways off. I'll keep an eye on the What's New forum.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 06/20/17 02:25 AM
Do you use a power conditioner on any of your own equipment?
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 06/20/17 02:54 PM
I am not using any power conditioner as I don't have any special electrical problems that need to be solved.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 06/20/17 10:33 PM
Just curious...
Posted By: MMM Re: Ian's - 06/21/17 12:04 PM
What does a power conditioner do? Add more bounce to your sound. Help stop split ends on your speaker cables?
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 06/21/17 06:11 PM
The one we have is supposed to protect against power line extremes and keep the voltage constant. Drop too low (lights dim) it shuts down, to high it shuts down.
We see spikes/surges a few times a year, especially when power lines are repaired/power is turned back on after an extended outage.
You can hear the conditioner snap off when it happens. Its loud.
My warranty is long past so I expect to be removing it, I'll keep it until it no longer does the job.
Wish I had a whole house system I wouldn't need to worry about my subs.
We see lots of lightning this time of year and lots of power outages in the winter.
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 06/22/17 02:37 AM
Any good electronics gear has all that designed into it. We get more power outages than i can keep count of all i have ever used is a surge suppressor ( which is more power bar than suppressor) and have never lost a piece of equipment in 20 yrs i have been in the north. Unless you have an older house with really crap wiring i wouldnt give it a second thought. but hey thatz me.

BTW a whole house suppressor is cheap these days. Thats where i would put my money.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 06/22/17 03:27 AM
Its all good. It was gifted to me years ago.
I'd like a whole home system but only really need it for the gear currently protected.
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 06/22/17 03:29 AM
Blair its not something complicated , i was quite surprised and my electrician quoted 300 i think to put one in including the part. Thanks for bringing this up since it has slipped my mind. I formerly lived in a rental but now i own so i really need to get this done. Also, i may have glossed over your post , i though you were interested in getting a conditioner.Not harmfull to have one, just an expenditure i wouldnt make unless i made considerably more money than what i make now,just too many other things that i would rather spend my hard earned on. I am just not one of those guys that things speaker wire and cables and such sound different and i dont have little stands for my speaker wire to keep it off the floor .
Posted By: MMM Re: Ian's - 06/23/17 11:40 AM
I have most of my electronics sitting on UPS. Just a couple of nights ago, I was downstairs watching a movie on Netflix and there was a small bounce in the power. enough that it upset the lights, the clocks on the stove, microwave etc went out. But the TV and AV were not effected and I just got the small annoying beep to tell me that something happened.
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 06/24/17 02:40 AM
We get those from time to time up here though mostly because of critters getting fried in the transformers. A UPS is a great addition, to any system , possibly the best thing you can do for your equipment . I think originally marketed to computers they are great for modern AVR's and Pre/Pro's which are essentially computers now, mine runs linux. Anything you do really to protect your valuable equipment is a good idea really, none of these things do any harm thats for sure. I take issue with statements that imply they make things sound better.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 06/24/17 07:20 AM
Yep, I never wanted it nor expected it to change the sound quality. Just act as an insurance policy of sorts.
Wish I could put my subs on one.
I have room for an identical unit.
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 06/24/17 05:30 PM
Never hurts to be protected. I say a few expletives when the power blinks, surges or goes out. I use high quality power supplies when i build my computers. I have too much stuff to buy UPS's to protect it all so i rely on surge protectors on everything, some even have 2 together just in case. My old rental house that was built probably in the 50's had power issues and it took a lot of work to keep noise out. i looked at conditioners but couldnt really decide if they would do any good but that would have been a good house to try them in. No such issue's in this house .
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 07/23/17 01:07 AM
Ian. I am not sure if i asked this before but here goes. Why can we not add extra capacitance external of an amplifier for reserve power like we do in a car for a subwoofer amp. Is it just not necessary or is it just not safe or realistic. Also what type of power supply is used in your amps.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 08/26/17 03:17 AM
Ian,

How are your new EP500's treating you?
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 08/29/17 08:10 PM
I would assume 4 EP500's would literally rock...maybe even shake out some fillings, lol.
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 09/04/17 01:14 PM
Regarding adding capacitance. In an automotive system you have a closed DC system that can benefit from capacitance being a buffer to short bursts that would cause sag in the whole system. For an amplifier plugged into a wall socket the sag is something that would generally occur after the power supply inside the amplifier. And you want lots of capacitance as part of this power supply in order to play the dynamics properly. I am not suggesting you dismantle your receiver and add capacitance to the power supply as the power supply needs to be designed as a system to deal with this extra available energy.

I still don't have those 4 EP600s all up and running. Now that summer holidays are out of the way I think it is time.smile
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Ian's - 09/04/17 11:53 PM
Thanks ian that totally makes sense , but i am always up for hacks LOL. I really feel like i asked this here before but i searched all my posts and i didnt find it.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 09/06/17 02:55 AM
600's
Winter is coming lol
Posted By: Nachosgrande Re: Ian's - 09/08/17 02:15 PM
Ian, with regard to an IW or OW m22 vs bookshelf, what are the major differences in listening to stereo music (no sub). Bass extension?
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 09/10/17 09:17 AM
Without a sub I would lean to either the M3 or M5HP. Between the OW or IW versus the Bookshelf, the differences are bass extension and possibly more placement flexibility with the Bookshelf.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 01/28/18 03:06 AM
Do you have your own personal home theater?
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 02/23/18 01:18 AM
You must but I don't recall reading that you did.
Posted By: Mojo Re: Ian's - 02/23/18 01:50 AM
If you had an anechoic chamber, and CNC machines, and a magnetizer machine, and oscilloscopes, meters and knobs, and your very own Andrew Welker, would you spend time in a home theater? Hell no! You'd be building speakers and amplifiers.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 02/23/18 04:44 AM
And building rooms, lol.
Posted By: BBIBH Re: Ian's - 02/23/18 02:06 PM
...and if you attended the Axiom 30th Anniversary bash at Ian's house, you would know that he has soooo much more to enjoy!
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 02/24/18 02:38 AM
I'd love to go. It's on my bucket list.
Posted By: bridgman Re: Ian's - 02/24/18 05:45 AM
Originally Posted By BBIBH
...and if you attended the Axiom 30th Anniversary bash at Ian's house, you would know that he has soooo much more to enjoy!


Yep.. I stole all kinds of ideas from Ian & Amie's HT, including the projector mount and the knotty pine theme... if they are ever down by Lake Ontario and need a place to stop for dinner they'll feel right at home smile
Posted By: BBIBH Re: Ian's - 02/25/18 09:11 PM
Originally Posted By bridgman


Yep.. I stole all kinds of ideas from Ian & Amie's HT, including the projector mount and the knotty pine theme... if they are ever down by Lake Ontario and need a place to stop for dinner they'll feel right at home smile


I was referring to the lake, boathouse, dock and the "across the lake neighbours"...but I guess we know where your priorities are!! smile
Posted By: Mojo Re: Ian's - 12/01/18 12:54 AM
What do you use for a pre/pro?
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 01/09/19 06:44 AM
I was on Facebook and a fellow home theater enthusiast asked if a speaker existed that cold replace a recessed light in a ceiling. He wants to use them for Atmos channels without running speaker wires.
I haven't heard of any before. It would be an interesting design challenge.
Even if you had to hire an electrician to remove the existing fixture and install the speaker it might be very tempting.
I know the trend is to go larger but knowing how good my first axiom speakers sounded (QS4 v2's) I think you'd knock it out of the park.
Posted By: Mojo Re: Ian's - 01/09/19 02:35 PM
That's very doable using Wi-Fi and AC to power the speaker. How many have potlights where they want to locate the speakers?. How good can a speaker that small sound?

Incidentally, in the third Resident Evil movie, the zombirds were above our heads in an Atmos-kind of way with side QS10s located 11 feet away. This was not a small effect - it was very immersive. You could hear them rising up, flying around all over the entire ceiling and dipping down towards ground level. I could not get anything like that going with QS8s.

If I ever go Atmos, I'll be ceiling-mounting wired M5s.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 01/09/19 05:02 PM
Eye on the ball. Lol.
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 01/16/19 06:47 AM
This is interesting. Even putting the in-ceiling speaker right beside a pot light means you have A/C power available and that is all that is required to make them work. The audio signal can be sent from the receiver wirelessly as long as it has pre-outs. It would be important to be sure the pot lights were running on A/C and not the low voltage style.
Posted By: bridgman Re: Ian's - 01/16/19 10:48 AM
I'm still flip-flopping between "this is a revolutionary idea" and "um... I turn the pot lights off (or at least dim them) when I'm watching a movie"...

I guess a dimmer-compatible power supply would be do-able ?
Posted By: Ian Re: Ian's - 01/16/19 01:13 PM
This is a very interesting point. I would think most people turn them off to watch a movie.
Posted By: TDIPablo Re: Ian's - 01/16/19 04:20 PM
When brsaw came up with the idea, for some reason I was thinking it would be a replacement smart bulb that would have an integrated speaker. That way you could control the bulb part and speaker part in the app getting around the light switch problem when you turn off the light. You would need several size formats. In the kitchen I have the standard GU10 size bulb but it should be doable to get "google home mini" type speaker quality. However, in my basement, I have larger PAR38 bulbs that might make for a decent sized ATMOS speaker...

Of course, for an upgrade build, if you integrated smart lighting into a wireless in-ceiling M3, I could simply expand my potlight hole and use the existing power run... I'll take 4 of these if you build them :-)
Posted By: bridgman Re: Ian's - 01/16/19 10:53 PM
OK, I did not know that light bulbs came with built-in speakers... surprise surprise:

https://www.amazon.ca/Sengled-Dimmable-Speakers-Controlled-Bluetooth/dp/B00PNU8J46

It bugs me that people are working on things like that rather than working on my flying car though.

Anyways, using smart bulbs in permanently-on pot lights seems like a workable solution to providing power for the speakers, and if the speaker could include a lamp socket that would be even better.
Posted By: TDIPablo Re: Ian's - 01/17/19 04:07 PM
Hmm, available in 3Watts up to 13Watts... will that cut it for ATMOS? The M3 is 200Watts. There's got to be room to put an LED ring in the casing and stuff in a radio receiver... right?
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 01/17/19 07:36 PM
Interesting...
Good find.
Posted By: Mojo Re: Ian's - 01/19/19 12:46 AM
I expect these sound like total crap.
Posted By: brwsaw Re: Ian's - 01/19/19 03:58 AM
Yep
Me too
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