High-resolution
multichannel audio for the car
September 30, 2003
I've read about the new Acura with DVD-A capability and was
wondering what your take on car-based DVD-A and SACD was. Do you think they will stick?
Frank Trigg
Whether it will stick will have more to do with
the marketing and availability of software than anything else. I wouldn't hazard a guess
as to those two factors right now. What I will say is that multichannel audio is a perfect
fit for car audio. The car-audio environment is already suited to multichannel sound due
to the multiple-speaker array found in most automobiles. A typical car system, as you
know, consists of door-mounted (or dash-mounted) left and right speakers, rear-mounted
left and right speakers, and a subwoofer in the trunk. I have even heard of a few
installations with center-channel speakers mounted in air vents up front. So a 5.1-channel
configuration is easily realized when you consider the number of speakers and discrete
amplifier channels already present. This is a far easier proposition than converting a
simple home stereo system to 5.1. And with the advent of auto-based DVD-Video, many
installations would simply need the decoding to get going.
Speaker choice
September 29, 2003
I have come to a dead end trying to find a good setup for
my home. I am currently shopping for a home-theater system. I was so set on the Polk Audio
when a friend tossed me JMlab, KEF, and B&W. Ultimately, my budget is around $4500 for
speakers. What's your suggestion? I haven't heard them at all since they are all carried
by different vendors here in Taiwan and everyone of them says their brand is the best.
Please help.
Wayne
You gotta listen to them! You should also see them,
touch then, look at their features, finishes, size, and every other conceivable factor
that might influence your decision. I could tell you what my favorite is, but you are the
one that has to live with them.
Two-way speakers for home theater?
September 24, 2003
I know it is thought that a two-way speaker, being a
simpler design, is great for small-scale music. For home theater, however, where more
output is needed, wouldn't a three-way be better? All other things being equal, of course.
Ralph Morrison
You have good instincts! Three-way speakers generally
have higher power-handling capability due to the extra drive unit(s). Although higher
power handling doesn't necessarily equate to better sound, it does mean you'll likely have
more output capability and be able to accommodate raucous home-theater dynamics without
damaging your system.
A subwoofer can compensate for the lack of beefy main
speakers, however, because the crossover to the sub essentially "makes" a small
two-way into a three-way. This is due to low bass being routed to the subwoofer as opposed
to the main speakers. However, if you have a large space and like to listen at
rambunctious levels, a three-way is the "way" to go.
7.1 slowdown?
September 22, 2003
After an initial surge, I've noticed that there's not much
talk of 7.1 anymore. I still see the odd mention of it, and some components advertise the
fact that they have the capability, but the focus doesn't seem to be on more and more
speakers. This is good for me because I can't put any more than 5.1 channels in my living
room.
Paul Tracy
Yours is a good observation, and I suspect you've
answered your own question. I don't think most real-world rooms can accommodate 7.1
channels or greater -- whether it be for aesthetic reasons or simply a matter of space. I
also think we have a ways to go before 5.1 is fully optimized -- from both hardware and
software perspectives. So while 7.1 will continue to be a niche segment of the
home-theater market, I wouldn't expect it to become the mainstream standard anytime soon.
|
