Update on New Set Up and Velodyne v HSU Compare - 02/15/04 04:22 PM
Initial apologies for the long post, but I wanted to give a pretty good account for those who are interested. Additionally, I wanted to start a different thread from JSkip's since some of our experiences may start to diverge.
So, there was a mix-up (admittedly, caused by me) when I ordered a package of M60’s, QS8’s, a VP 150, AND an EP175. About an hour after my hasty decision, I called Axiom and had them put a hold on the sub (after further research and a different thread on this board, I decided to order a HSU VTF-2). Axiom said that they would try to hold it up but that the sub may already have gone out with the package. To make a long story short, FedEx got confused with the multiple instructions coming at them and held up the package for a day. This is where I sing the praises of Axiom’s support staff in helping get the package through to me as quickly as possible. I already received the FedEx stickers from Axiom for the auto return to Canada. The good people at Axiom are simply the best support staff I have ever run across.
New speakers: The sound is just too cool for words. I couldn’t be more pleased and thank you all for the excellent and accurate reviews on these speakers posted here and at other major message boards. Packaging was seriously impressive (wasn’t expecting the double boxing). Can’t find a physical flaw in any of the five pieces I ordered. Another surprise for me was the shape of the M60 casing. I read the manual and will have to take their word that the shape makes the most acoustical sense. They look great.
Mounting: I went to Home Depot and bought 250 feet of 12 gauge speaker wire for $65. I didn’t experience any of the flexibility issues that some have expressed with the difference between 12 and 14 gauge. Additionally, since I was so amazed that I could buy good speaker wire for cheap, I went a little nuts with the 250 feet thing, but figure I will rewire my fronts and give the rest to my dad and brother. I ran the cord up the wall behind the receiver, across the attic and down each of the two side walls where the QS8’s were to go. Well…I ended up with a small hole in my ceiling and a couple lungs full of asbestos (I know, I know, I should have used a mask…won’t happen again), but I got it all up and running. The Axiom wall brackets for the rears worked very well. My rear ‘surround stage’ is incredible.
Subwoofer Comparison: So I ended up with two subwoofers yesterday (ordered an HSU VTF-2 and have a Velodyne CHT 10 which was still returnable). Tested both out running a series of movies (e.g., SWI-Pod Race) and music (e.g., general classical samplings from London Symphony and others, Audioslave, Liquid Tension Experiment, etc.). The music was certainly the most telling. Bottom line: the HSU wins by a landslide. For example, during the opening track of the Liquid Tension Experiment’s first CD there is a pretty quick drum riff that lasts for about 30 seconds at least. The Velodyne was ‘sloppy’, almost slurring the beats one over the other. By contrast, the HSU was crisp and clean, hitting each beat with precision and clarity. It really was an experience. Another example, I played the theme track to Crimson Tide (used in many movie trailers), and heard deep notes on the HSU that I never knew were there (must be sub 30hz range). The Velodyne is nice, but there really is no comparison. The Velodyne want back to the store and the HSU is now a permanent fixture.
Calibration: It is my understanding that Radioshack no longer carries the analogue version of the SPL meter (at least none of the ones in Southern California), and I had to go with the digital version. I calibrated using the pink noise generated by my receiver and find that the bass (though matching the Dbs of the speakers) really isn’t to my personal tastes. Am I totally in left field here? Do most people turn up the bass a little? Though I’m not exactly a purist, I’m torn between wanting to hearing the music as it was intended versus personal taste. Thoughts? What do you guys do?
Receivers: I have a new Denon 3803. I see that the new 3805 is coming out next month. Was thinking about returning the 3803 while I still can (it, too, is still returnable for a few more days) and grabbing the new 3805. At the very least, the new remote looks a little less daunting (which helps with spousal approval).
Lastly: Many thanks if you actually got this far in my long-winded post. Not to take advantage of the truly intrepid and/or extraordinarily patient, I would nevertheless like to ask the following: for those familiar with the Denon’s, how do you calibrate audio with Avia? I can’t seem to be able to calibrate the speaker level using third party pink noise (i.e., receiver starts generating its own pink noise before I can adjust the channels).
Thanks, again, for everyone’s support and advice during this whole process.
So, there was a mix-up (admittedly, caused by me) when I ordered a package of M60’s, QS8’s, a VP 150, AND an EP175. About an hour after my hasty decision, I called Axiom and had them put a hold on the sub (after further research and a different thread on this board, I decided to order a HSU VTF-2). Axiom said that they would try to hold it up but that the sub may already have gone out with the package. To make a long story short, FedEx got confused with the multiple instructions coming at them and held up the package for a day. This is where I sing the praises of Axiom’s support staff in helping get the package through to me as quickly as possible. I already received the FedEx stickers from Axiom for the auto return to Canada. The good people at Axiom are simply the best support staff I have ever run across.
New speakers: The sound is just too cool for words. I couldn’t be more pleased and thank you all for the excellent and accurate reviews on these speakers posted here and at other major message boards. Packaging was seriously impressive (wasn’t expecting the double boxing). Can’t find a physical flaw in any of the five pieces I ordered. Another surprise for me was the shape of the M60 casing. I read the manual and will have to take their word that the shape makes the most acoustical sense. They look great.
Mounting: I went to Home Depot and bought 250 feet of 12 gauge speaker wire for $65. I didn’t experience any of the flexibility issues that some have expressed with the difference between 12 and 14 gauge. Additionally, since I was so amazed that I could buy good speaker wire for cheap, I went a little nuts with the 250 feet thing, but figure I will rewire my fronts and give the rest to my dad and brother. I ran the cord up the wall behind the receiver, across the attic and down each of the two side walls where the QS8’s were to go. Well…I ended up with a small hole in my ceiling and a couple lungs full of asbestos (I know, I know, I should have used a mask…won’t happen again), but I got it all up and running. The Axiom wall brackets for the rears worked very well. My rear ‘surround stage’ is incredible.
Subwoofer Comparison: So I ended up with two subwoofers yesterday (ordered an HSU VTF-2 and have a Velodyne CHT 10 which was still returnable). Tested both out running a series of movies (e.g., SWI-Pod Race) and music (e.g., general classical samplings from London Symphony and others, Audioslave, Liquid Tension Experiment, etc.). The music was certainly the most telling. Bottom line: the HSU wins by a landslide. For example, during the opening track of the Liquid Tension Experiment’s first CD there is a pretty quick drum riff that lasts for about 30 seconds at least. The Velodyne was ‘sloppy’, almost slurring the beats one over the other. By contrast, the HSU was crisp and clean, hitting each beat with precision and clarity. It really was an experience. Another example, I played the theme track to Crimson Tide (used in many movie trailers), and heard deep notes on the HSU that I never knew were there (must be sub 30hz range). The Velodyne is nice, but there really is no comparison. The Velodyne want back to the store and the HSU is now a permanent fixture.
Calibration: It is my understanding that Radioshack no longer carries the analogue version of the SPL meter (at least none of the ones in Southern California), and I had to go with the digital version. I calibrated using the pink noise generated by my receiver and find that the bass (though matching the Dbs of the speakers) really isn’t to my personal tastes. Am I totally in left field here? Do most people turn up the bass a little? Though I’m not exactly a purist, I’m torn between wanting to hearing the music as it was intended versus personal taste. Thoughts? What do you guys do?
Receivers: I have a new Denon 3803. I see that the new 3805 is coming out next month. Was thinking about returning the 3803 while I still can (it, too, is still returnable for a few more days) and grabbing the new 3805. At the very least, the new remote looks a little less daunting (which helps with spousal approval).
Lastly: Many thanks if you actually got this far in my long-winded post. Not to take advantage of the truly intrepid and/or extraordinarily patient, I would nevertheless like to ask the following: for those familiar with the Denon’s, how do you calibrate audio with Avia? I can’t seem to be able to calibrate the speaker level using third party pink noise (i.e., receiver starts generating its own pink noise before I can adjust the channels).
Thanks, again, for everyone’s support and advice during this whole process.