"Big sound"
September 17, 2005
I have a large room, and I am looking for a
really big sound. I like full-scale home theater and rock music. Is there a speaker around
$1000-$1200 that gives full-range sound and can play loud while still imaging and
portraying music in a fairly neutral way?
Darren
I can't think of a speaker that describes
better what you are looking for than the Axiom Audio M80ti. Its six drivers and very large
cabinet allow it to play loud and with authority. I know that Axiom tests their speakers
in the most torturous of ways, allowing them to play at almost full volume for 24-hour
periods, just to insure that they can handle any abuse that their owners can throw at
them. In fact, Vince Hanada, in his Home Theater & Sound review,
stated, "This high dynamic capability makes the Axiom M80ti a standout in the
home-theater environment." But not only can they play loud, they can play with
precision. I think they're just what you're looking for.
Damaged subwoofer
September 14, 2005
I bought a subwoofer (cheap) that had been damaged in
shipping. It does have some cabinet damage, but I don't see any cracks, only crunched-up
veneer and some scratches. Is this likely to cause any problems with the sound?
Ray
If the damage is only cosmetic, and the subwoofer's
structural integrity is intact, you should be OK. If it's playing fine now, it will likely
be fine in the future. If the cabinet's panels were loosened to the point where the
constant force of the moving driver loosens them more over time, there is the chance that
at some point you could experience some performance degradation. I suppose you could peel
back the veneer a bit, apply some glue to the cabinet joints, just in case. But my gut
feeling says that you'll be fine as long as the cosmetic issues don't cause you any
problems.
10.2 surround sound?
September 10, 2005
I have read (a while back) that 10.2 surround sound was the
best way to go, but I rarely see it mentioned in your articles. Do you have any comment on
10.2 surround sound and whether it will take off in the near future? Also, are there any
good current receivers that support 10.2 surround sound?
Brent
10.2 surround sound, as far as I know, was introduced
at the 2001 CES show in Las Vegas. I penned "10.2
Surround -- Why I Don't Support It" in Home Theater & Sound in June
of that year. Since then I have heard virtually nothing about 10.2 surround sound. There
has been very little, if any, call for expansion past 6.1- or 7.1-channel sound (5.1 plus
one or two back surround speakers). The reasons are fairly straightforward: most consumers
don't want 12 speakers occupying their living rooms. Even most HT enthusiasts with
dedicated theaters eschew the thought spreading their speaker and amplification budget in
so many directions. There are perhaps a few products available that will synthesize 6.1
sound into more channels, but these are more gimmicky than real home-theater improvements.
Stick with 5.1 for most rooms, and perhaps 6.1/7.1 for larger spaces, and I suspect you'll
have little desire to add more speakers anytime in the near future.
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