Home Audio System

[_Snake_]

Late to the party here but I'll put in my two cents. What you buy isn't nearly as important as how you set it up. I have a second hand Klipsch Reference set that a friend of mine (professional audio engineer) positioned and tuned. The before and after is incredible. An expensive but poorly setup system won't sound nearly as good as a budget system that's been setup properly.

Thought I'd add to this after having my surround speakers installed and the system tweaked.

The improvement was mind blowing. Just finding the optimal settings on the AVR made a huge difference.

We also did back to back comparisons of the Firestick, Apple TV, apps on the TV, and video streaming services. My biggest takeaway was that compressed music and video sucks. I ditched the TV apps and ended up with an Apple TV, signed up for Tidal after being a lifetime Pandora subscriber, and put a Kaleidescape Strato V on my short list.

Movie Players and Media Servers for Your Home - Kaleidescape

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[wizbangdoodle]

I spoke with a friend of mine who did the Sonos system throughout his house. He is very satisfied. I'm going to give it a look.

Politicians are not to be trusted.

 

[PhoenixM3]

I spoke with a friend of mine who did the Sonos system throughout his house. He is very satisfied. I'm going to give it a look.

Politicians are not to be trusted.

I have Sonos connected to a 4 zone Crestron audio system. Zones are: Great room, Rec room, Dining room, and Master bath. I believe the in-ceiling speakers are all Klipsch…

 

[86GN_inPA]

I spoke with a friend of mine who did the Sonos system throughout his house. He is very satisfied. I'm going to give it a look.

Politicians are not to be trusted.

As stated above somewhere, both my house and my buddies house are Sonos and they’re great. We both needed to add the Sonos “Boost”, which is a little $99 hockey puck thing that creates its on WiFi network for all the Sonos components. I initially was having issues with some speakers being a few ms behind, creating an echo. Also had some speakers cut out. Sonos ran diagnostics and said it was because I had so much stuff on my wifi and recommended the Boost. Got that, haven’t had a problem in years.

 

[03cobra#2]

Sonos is a bit pricy but it just flat out works.

I just picked up a Denon AVR-S760 Atmos receiver to replace a Yamaha HTR-7065 purchased factor refurb back in 2013....it started to have hdmi audio issues.

I'm using it to power a basic 5.1 system featuring a 3ch passive sound bar. Couple things I noticed is the Dolby surround up mixing is much improved over the old pro-logic II decoding, room correction is much better, amd the video up scaling is a big improvement. Really surprised at the differences to be honest.

Next up is I will listen to some Atmos content and see if its an improvement even only with a 5.1 setup.

 

[86GN_inPA]

Thought I'd add to this after having my surround speakers installed and the system tweaked.

The improvement was mind blowing. Just finding the optimal settings on the AVR made a huge difference.

We also did back to back comparisons of the Firestick, Apple TV, apps on the TV, and video streaming services. My biggest takeaway was that compressed music and video sucks. I ditched the TV apps and ended up with an Apple TV, signed up for Tidal after being a lifetime Pandora subscriber, and put a Kaleidescape Strato V on my short list.

Movie Players and Media Servers for Your Home - Kaleidescape

.

How do you like Tidal? I’ve had Pandora family for years now. Is it just the quality of the stream is better or is the music choice/algorithm better also? I have Pandora set on highest sound quality.

 

[03cobra#2]

I have a Co worker that has a Emotiva / Martin Logan setup using Tidal through a Apple tv and swears by it....I have not heard it for myself.

I choose to download hi res music as flac files and stream that way. Both are good options for hi quality playback.

 

[_Snake_]

How do you like Tidal? I’ve had Pandora family for years now. Is it just the quality of the stream is better or is the music choice/algorithm better also? I have Pandora set on highest sound quality.

I’m still working through it and trying to figure the app out, but I’ve already noticed that I can’t do things like create a playlist from thumbed up songs on my stations. I’m going to continue to use it and mess with it, and will keep the thread updated.

That being said, I listened to music with both Tidal and Pandora today and have no plans to cancel my Pandora subscription currently.

 

[_Snake_]

I have a Co worker that has a Emotiva / Martin Logan setup using Tidal through a Apple tv and swears by it....I have not heard it for myself.

I choose to download hi res music as flac files and stream that way. Both are good options for hi quality playback.

I would back what your coworker says. The quality of that combination far surpasses all of the other options I’ve used.

 

[Fat Boss]

How's that Sonos app treating y'all?

https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/sonos-new-ceo-after-disaster-app-rollout-20031991.php

 

[BrunotheBoxer]

How's that Sonos app treating y'all?

https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/sonos-new-ceo-after-disaster-app-rollout-20031991.php

I never had the issues that lots of people experienced. If I did I’d be pissed off too.
The app needs to be totally revamped so the price of the products is justified. The app has caused such bad press that people look at other products first. Sonos always made very high quality speakers but having a shit app running it all was apocalyptic.

 

[CobraBob]

I just looked at some of the Sonos stuff. It's definitely on the high cost end. I'm sure it's better than what I'm using now with my 5.1 setup, but I'm very satisfied. Years ago there were local audio/video stores that showcased higher end stuff where you could go into one of a number of rooms to hear different setups. They made choosing your equipment IMO easier to do and more risk free. I would never spend mega dollars on a system just based on some reviews. I'd rather hear it/see it with my own ears and eyes before deciding on the purchase. Again, I'm more talking about high end stuff.

 

[RX1Cobra]

How's that Sonos app treating y'all?

https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/sonos-new-ceo-after-disaster-app-rollout-20031991.php

I have a bunch of Sonos speakers and hardly ever use the app. I use Spotify to play music on them. About the only thing I use the Sonos app for is to adjust speakers in a group. This can be done at the speaker itself too.

I just looked at some of the Sonos stuff. It's definitely on the high cost end. I'm sure it's better than what I'm using now with my 5.1 setup, but I'm very satisfied. Years ago there were local audio/video stores that showcased higher end stuff where you could go into one of a number of rooms to hear different setups. They made choosing your equipment IMO easier to do and more risk free. I would never spend mega dollars on a system just based on some reviews. I'd rather hear it/see it with my own ears and eyes before deciding on the purchase. Again, I'm more talking about high end stuff.

Sonos does sound great for what it is but that's not what you pay for IMO. It's about easy setup (just power, no speaker wires) and how seamlessly you can play music/tv on speakers scattered throughout your house. I have 9 different zones in my house that can all play the same thing or any combination of different things. I'm happy with it.

 

[Fat Boss]

That sounds pretty awesome!

 

[BlueSnake01]

I used to have an Onkyo but receiver went out and just settled for Samsung Sound Bar Q990C. Got it new for under $750 over a year ago, retail is almost 2k!! Overpriced at that price but....

I actually think it sounds great for what it is and doesnt take much space. Rear speakers and woofer are wireless, just need power individually. It's an "11 channel" lol but it does play ATMOS and proper 5.1 SRS

Wont beat a proper top home sound system, but eh, im happy.

 

[CobraBob]

I can't wrap my head around wireless speakers. I've never heard a wireless setup. I'm sure it's awesome and easy to set up. Is a wireless speaker setup a step down from wired? Or can it equal or exceed the sound quality of a wired setup? I know the quality of the speaker is a factor, but comparing a wired and wireless speaker setup with the same specs/quality. Is the sound equal, too, or is one better than the other?

 

[03cobra#2]

Doing a small update on my down stairs system. I put 2 12's in the cobra last winter and really like how they sound, a bit overkill. So I am relocating them to the basement surround system:

SQL 12 Series 2 – StereoIntegrity.com

stereointegrity.com

Then this to power them:

Crown XLS 2502

Meet the new XLS DriveCore™ 2 Series The next generation of XLS got a makeover with a sleek n...

www.crownaudio.com

I also have a measuring microphone so I can get a bit more serious in the dsp / room correction department.

Should be pretty intense for a small surround system after this upgrade.

 

[86GN_inPA]

I can't wrap my head around wireless speakers. I've never heard a wireless setup. I'm sure it's awesome and easy to set up. Is a wireless speaker setup a step down from wired? Or can it equal or exceed the sound quality of a wired setup? I know the quality of the speaker is a factor, but comparing a wired and wireless speaker setup with the same specs/quality. Is the sound equal, too, or is one better than the other?

They all have self-contained amplifiers in them, so the only wire is plugging it into an outlet. Sonos also has standalone amps as well (I have one running my outdoor speakers). The sound quality is phenomenal as the system self-tunes based on the room size/furniture/reflective surfaces.

As for the app, I had about a month where it was frustrating when they revamped but subsequent updates seemed to fix it.

For me, no longer having to run speaker wire, tune the system, etc was worth it. I probably have about $4000 into my Sonos stuff but I have full surround in my living room and kitchen, speaker in the wife’s office, bedroom soundbar, speaker in my garage, and two outdoor speakers on an amp. When entertaining I set each one at an individual volume based on the room/conversation/atmosphere and can adjust what plays in each room on the fly. Got some ladies out on the patio? Put music on for them. Group of guys watching a game? That’s on in the living room and garage at the same time.

 

[Blowncobra_97]

I got this Bose system several years ago, its pretty impressive, running two subwoofers, front bar speakers and 2 front speakers on a clean looking stand, wireless surround speakers mounted to the rear of living room ceiling. I run the xbox one, tv, record player through it..i didnt want big speakers on display..this system is very clean looking and sounds great. It's loud too.

Lifestyle® 650 home entertainment system | Bose

Bose

www.bose.com