I've got a set of B&W Matrix2 Series2 mains driven by a Arcam AVR100. I'm looking to add the VP100 to the mix here and use a older pair of JBL bookshelves to round out the rear. So my question is, will the VP100 mix well with the mains and my amp? My main concern is listening (musical ability) first and DVD/surround sound second.

thanks,

Peter Clark

You should have no problem with this mixture. Your only issue could be the change of tonal quality when a voice "moves" from one speaker to another. This can make things harder to follow.

In terms of music, quality listening will not require the center. The Arcam is a solid midfi piece, and the B&W's are also of good quality, albeit getting along in years. The weak link would be the JBL's in the HT area.

But hey, your main thinking is music correct?

Regards,

BBIBH

Yeah, I guess the B&W's are getting a bit long in tooth, but they do sound good. I spent hours listening to them against new speakers trying to determine what I wanted. In the end I ended up with the scratch and dent matrixII's I have for $200/ea. Even the Arcam was scratch and dent (dealer demo). Musically, it sounds really great.( although I would argue it sounds better to me than other AV amps much more expensive) I won't know about surround sound for a while until I get the whole kit finished out.

thanks for the reply.

Sounds like a couple of good deals!
B&W did make quality speakers within there line. They are somewhat of a pioneer in the field. You could be happy with them for years, or days, as that is the nature of this beast we can audio.

Keep us up todate on your progress!

Regards,

BBIBH

Just received my scratch and dent vp100.
Can't find the scratch nor the dent. ;-) So far I'm pleased, it sounds very good. I'm not sure how much breaking in the center channel will take. Any ideas what I should expect for break in time for the center? Is there break in time for a center? What should I expect?

regards,

Peter

one more question...I'm finding there's a buzz coming from the center. This is coming in stereo mode when I'm bypassing the center for the mains. It's not really obvious, but there nontheless. Any ideas?

If you substitute another speaker for the center, is it still there? If it is on another speaker wired in the center channel, this would eliminate the speaker itself. Have you verified the connections of all interconnects and speakers as being correct for phase, and if they have metal casings, they are not shorting on the equipment cases?

Does it happen on low level (volume turned down) listening/watching of any other type? If so, you may have a ground loop problem....but it should be audible on all recordings.

I would hesitate to say based on what you have provided that it is the amp/receiver causing the buzz.

Regards,

BBIBH

This is another "well discussed" topic in audio. Some say speakers require no break in periods, and others say they do. I believe they do, and several hours of moderate volume should cover it.
I think Ian made mention somewhere about 5 hours (if memory serves), and as he designed them, he should know!

You have nothing to lose, except a few hours of lower volume listening to lose by breaking them in. On the other hand you could damage them by not breaking them in....especially if Ian is right (and I am sure he is).


Regards,

BBIBH

I checked the connections first. They are all tight and do not seem to be touching any other part of the amplifier chassis.
I'll swap out with another speaker tonight. Assuming it's not the speaker, what should I do to eliminate the buzz? Could it be coming from the power source (power bar the amp's plugged into)? Something with the amp itself?

Well, it is hard to say. I remember once that a coil of speaker wire was laying across a poor quality power bar and it was causing an inductive hum. My background in electronic/electrical engineering tells me theoretcially that this is going to happen, but it does not always happen. Is the are clear of any other intereference sources? Is the electrical circuit stable and properly grounded? I don't believe this is an issue, because it would/could cause greater noise across the board.

Do you get this in any source when played? You can try isolating the amp and speakers from the source by unplugging the input side of the source connectors into the amp, and checking the noise.

Can you swap out the amp for another? It is not inconceivable that you have a channel problem. But that is a major statement. How old is the piece? What is the piece?

I think you need to isolate the probable sources of the problem. Try the speaker first. If the replacement also exhibits the noise, I would suggest moving towards isolating the amp.

Regards,

BBIBH

Ok, Just started my PD.
I unhooked all the other inputs (dvd, cdplayer, vcr, TV out)
Replaced the speaker with another and still have the buzz.
I then put the center channel on the left and the buzz went away (mostly, it's bareley perceptable)
I Checked the power source and it's good.
The amp is a new (bought 3 months ago) Arcam AVR100. The buzz is coming from the center channel. Looks like I'm going to have to take it in and see if I can recreate this on the bench @ the shop. I thought it may have been noise from the power bar, but eliminating the power bar doesn't get me anything.

If I read your last post correctly, a new center speaker also had the buzz, and the channel the original center speaker was connected to did not.

Clearly it is not the speaker, and is the amp. The problem stayed with the amp channel, and did not move with the speaker.

Let us know what the dealer finds.

Regards,

BBIBH

Hi Peter;

I also had a hum coming from my centre speaker with my Arcam AVR100. Arcam sent a fix to my dealer. Now there is only a slight hum (hardly noticeable).

The Arcam is a wonderful receiver. It sounds great with my Axioms.

Anthony.