Monday, September 12, 2011

Home Theatre Speakers

Complete the home theatre set up with high-end home theatre speakers


Home theatres are getting to be extremely popular among American homes. This modern technology is slowly giving movie theatres a run for their money. Basic knowledge of home theatre system and its basic components may be best for people who want to bring home relaxation and entertainment.

The most important consideration in the design and complete set up of your home theatre is the size of the room. The home theatre speakers and the other components of your home theatre may need to consider the size of the room. Too small rooms for your home theatre may not require so many speakers. Only three speakers may be good if the room is quite small. Do not overload your small room; you may not be able to get the entertainment and relation you want if you feel overloaded with so many home theatre speakers. Because you only need three home theatre speakers in your small room, you may need to acquire the high-end brand of home theatre speakers to compliment the size of the room and the other equipments for your home theatre.

If you have a bigger room however, the basic three home theatre speakers may not be enough. You may need to put up to six speakers around the room, you may also consider complimenting your home theatre speakers with subwoofer to complete the surround sound like in movie theatres. In addition to the speakers, you may also need to purchase a high-end television set which should not be smaller than 27 inches. It may not be reasonable if you buy a smaller television set because it may drown in the fineness of your home theatre speakers. Additionally, the DVD player needs to be of high quality, having progressive scan your DVD Player may help provide sharp images and flicker-free pictures for your home theatre system. The home theatre speakers, television and DVD player are the basic components of a home theatre system especially if the room is quite small. However, for bigger room, adding home theatre furniture and home theatre projectors may be necessary to complete the package. Again, it may be worth it, if your home theatre speakers are of high quality. This is because of the need to provide a surround sound for the home theatre set up. The DVD player and the television set may answer for the requirement of sight in a movie theatre setup. Your home theatre speaker needs to answer for the sound requirement, and if your home theatre speaker is not of high quality brand, it may not be able to do the job for you.

In order for you to avoid making mistakes in your choice of home theatre equipments including home theatre speakers, and home theatre furniture, you may require the services of a home theatre designer. They will be able to provide the best recommendation that will ensure you will get the most out of your home theatre system including topnotch home theatre speakers. Additional home theatre furniture may be necessary to complete the package and to dress up the whole room. Since they are the designers, they will be able to recommend the best for your home theatre system set up. If you have a properly designed home theatre, you will be the best entertainment possible.

Your home theatre designer may take on the huge responsibility of choosing the most suitable home theatre speaker to attain the best design for your home theatre.

Bring home relaxation and entertainment right in your own living room, home theatre system can provide this to you and your family.

Home Theatre Magazine

Get the most useful tips from home theatre magazines



Going to the movie theatre after a long day of work may be an entertainment you look forward to every single day. However, if you continue doing this everyday, in the end you will notice that this proves to be very expensive. Thus, if you truly want to continue watching movies everyday, a home theatre system may be what you need. However, people believe that a home theatre set up is a luxury only accessible for the rich and the famous. This is because you may need to invest quite handsomely in order for you to have the home theatre set up that resembles a movie theatre. Even with this notion, I believe that if you want to watch movies every single day, in a year or so, you will spend the same amount or even higher than what you invested in your home theatre set up. It is thus practical for you to bring home the entertaining experience you get from a movie theatre. If your budget is limited, you may opt for the basic setup of home theatre system, and when you finally get enough money to dress-up your home theatre system, you may be able to do so with no problem.

If you want to ensure you will be able to get the best entertainment in your home theatre system, you may start reading tipsters from home theatre magazines. Home theatre experts maintain various columns and publish numerous articles that will give home theatre owners the most useful tips concerning their home theatre system. You will definitely find one entertaining article, which will give you deeper understanding of the benefits of your home theatre system from the pages of home theatre magazines.

Even if you are still contemplating on acquiring home theatre system or are already an owner of a home theatre system, the useful tips and in-depth analysis of home theatre equipments and furniture from home theatre magazine may be very useful to you.

You may also find home theatre reviews from the pages of your home theatre magazine. These reviews will keep you up to date on the latest industry news. It is thus necessary for you to subscribe to a home theatre magazine if you want entertainment right in your own living room. You may find all types of home theatre equipments and home theatre furniture, reviews of each of them are also be available in the home theatre magazine. You will find that you will never commit the mistake of buying inferior product if you can follow the recommendation of home theatre experts found in home theatre magazines.

Movies and shows you may enjoy in your home theatre system may also be available in the pages of your home theatre magazines. Industry news and updated models of home theatre equipments with the corresponding pros and cons of home theatre products are available in the pages of home theatre magazines as well.

Finally, home theatre magazines may also recommend the best place to buy superior home theatre equipments and supplies. You may find articles on the latest innovative designs of home theatre paraphernalia in home theatre magazine. Thus, you are sure to be able to enjoy the most out of your home theatre set up because of the useful information and recommendations coming from home theatre experts and home theatre designers. Features of the most recommended setup for your home theatre system may also be available.

Find the most entertaining home theatre magazine and get the useful information from its pages to keep you updated in the latest industry news and home theatre reviews available.

Home Theatre Design

Home theatre design may require professional help


Having to be able to bring home entertainment may be a luxury. This is because only very few households can afford home theatre system. Of late, only the rich and the famous can afford such luxury. This notion is now a thing of the past. Home theatre systems may now be available to greater number of households because of the knowledge of basic home theatre design. The basic home theatre design may only require three basic components and these three components may already be affordable for the working class.

However, before you may need to think of the basic home theatre design for your home theatre system, you may need to know the size of the room for the home theatre set up. The size of the room to where the home theatre will be set up will depend on how basic the home theatre design needs to be.

Home theatre experts recommends that if the room is quite small, all you need for your home theatre design is a television set, three speakers and a DVD player. The home theatre design may be dependent of the shpre of the room; however, the position of the speakers remains to be the left, the right and the center of the room. Basic home theatre design may require a television set bigger than 27 inches. Too small screen for your home theatre design may not be sufficient for a movie theatre-like experience. This is because even for the home theatre design, you may need to consider the sight and sound of a movie theatre. It is the main consideration why people go to a movie theatre, the big screen and the surround sound. With respect to the surround sound of a movie theatre, the basic three speakers is only applicable for smaller rooms, if the room is bigger, the home theatre design needs to be more than three, you may go up to six speakers and a complimenting subwoofer may be necessary for the surround effect. Going back to a small room, if you will only put three speakers, you may want to consider buying a high quality brand speaker; this will give you enough surround sound for a smaller room.

If you have a small budget, ensure that the store where you will buy your speakers will allow you to test the product in your room and if it will not give you a good surround sound, they should allow you to return or replace the unit. This is because some speakers sound good in the store but when you finally set them up in a small room, the effect is not very good. Find a neat deal where they can allow you to return or replace the speakers. However, if your budget is sufficient, you may consider hiring the services of a home theatre designer. Your home theatre designer will be able to design the home theatre better and with complete accessories. He may require checking the power rating, and the need for amplifiers. He may also recommend using home theatre projectors and he may recommend how the speakers need to be. You will get a good home theatre design if you will be able to hire home theatre designers. The need for home theatre seating and television cabinet may also be necessary for the complete package of your home theatre.

You may enjoy the entertainment without having to tide traffic jam and enjoy in your own home theatre system.

Home Movie Theatre

movies in your own home movie theatre



We all love to go to the movie theatre to relax after a long day of work. Even if you need to tide traffics jams to go to the movie theatre, you are willing to endure this to be able to watch a movie. The sight and sound of a movie theatre is what makes us go back there every so often. We easily get lost in the movie scene because of the bigger than life pictures and surround sound that takes you there beside the characters in the movie. This may prove to be costly in the end but we continue to do this because we love to go to movie theatres and see movies. If you can bring home a movie theatre, it will be good and I am sure you will love the idea. However, before you say no, think again. Going to the movie theatres every single day is definitely costly in the long run. Additionally, if you know the basic components of a home movie theatre, you may not think twice and will definitely leave right now to acquire your own home movie theatre.

A complete setup of a movie theatre in a big room is definitely only accessible to the rich and the famous. However, if you have meager budget, you can have the home movie theatre for yourself knowing the basic components and setting up the home movie theatre in a smaller room. You may convert you den to a home theatre room. You only need the three basic components and you may already enjoy watching movies with no limit.

If you have a television set, which I know you do, that is about 27 inches, you run away spending for the first major component of your home movie theatre. The second major component, which I think you have, is the DVD player. If your DVD Player has progressive scan that is wonderful, however, even without progressive scan, your DVD player may work as the second component for your home movie theatre. The final piece of the puzzle, which I want you to spend on, is the home theatre speakers. You need three high-quality home theatre speakers for your home movie theatre. You need to place one on the right side, one on the left side and one on the rear center of the room. These are the three basic components of your home movie theatre. You may now start enjoying unlimited movie and enjoy watching movies with your whole family. I am sure you will agree with me that this is the best part of owning your own home movie theatre.

The set up for your home movie theatre with the three basic components is the best perfect setup for small rooms. However, if you have a bigger room for your home movie theatre, I am sure you have a bigger budget for your home theatre. Then you may want to consider the recommendation of home theatre experts, you may add more speakers up to six home theatre speakers and may need to compliment it with subwoofer to maintain the surround sound effect for your home movie theatre. If you want a bigger picture, you may want to consider buying a home theatre projector. You may also acquire home theatre seating and television cabinet if you want to compliment the home theatre design to make up a complete package for your home entertainment. All these additions to the basic components may be necessary if you have a bigger room. If the room is smaller, then you may only need the three basic components for your home movie theatre.

Having to be able to bring home the sight and sound you run after in movie theatres may be very efficient and less costly. Aside form the fact that you enjoy life with your family beside you watching movies after movies in your very own home movie theatre.

Home Theatre

experience the entertainment of movie theatres right in your own living room

.

The cinema is a good place to watch movies and relax. This is because you watch the movie in a wide screen with sound that can make you easily get lost in the movie scene. The picture and the sound is the most entertaining part of the cinema experience. However, if you can bring this technology home and with lesser expense, this is definitely something you will enjoy. This is the concept only a few American homes acquire in the past years. Lately late, however, a good number of American homes are starting to be less interested in going out of their abode to watch movies. This is due to the evolution of home theatre system.

A simple home theatre is easy to set up. All you need is a television set that measure bigger than 27 inches, a DVD player and three speakers. These are the basic components of a home theatre. This may already give you the home entertainment you can enjoy with the almost theatrical experience. Why do I say almost, when I am sure you want the perfect feeling of a movie theatre. This is because there are other equipments you might add to complete the home theatre experience that will ensure a cinematic experience right in your own living room. As mentioned already, you may still enhance the three basic components by adding home entertainment furniture; however, everything is dependent on the budget you set for your home theatre. The size of the room is another consideration of the complete package of your home theatre.

A neat advice however by home theatre experts is that you need to find a good size television set for you home theatre set up. A good size does not mean the biggest you can find in the store. A good size television is dependent on the place in your house where you will set up the home theatre. Big is not always good for you home entertainment system. It is a recommendation, however, that the television set should not be smaller than 27 inches. This is because the projection on a smaller television might be too inferior for your home theatre.

Another recommendation is for you to find speakers that will give you the surround sound from high quality brand of speakers. In addition, you need to be sure that if you do not find the speaker that gives you enough surround sound, you need to be able to return it. There are speakers that sound good in the store but when you put it in a room, it may not sound well enough that will satisfy your requirement. If the store allows replacement, then that is a good deal. In addition, you may need to choose a good quality DVD player. It is however a belief by home theatre experts that all DVD players deliver clear and crisp images, although there are those that promise a flicker-free picture, almost all DVD players provide this feature.

Knowing how big the room where you will set up your home theatre will be the basis of how big the television needs to be. The size of the room is another consideration for the number of speakers. If the room is somewhat big, you may need more than the basic three speakers. Adding a subwoofer may also do good to achieve the best surround sound if your home theatre is place on a huge room.

All these will give you the best home theatre experience only a few in the earlier year’s experience. A home theatre designer may be of big help in ensuring you will have the best home theatre set up that will give you the best possible movie experience right in your own living room.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Q Series


A class above

The multiple award-winning Q Series has always exemplified KEF’s conviction that new materials and technologies can, when applied with intelligence and imagination, reproduce recordings so perfectly that they sound indistinguishable from the live event. This is more true now than ever before. As the latest expression of this design philosophy, the new range immerses you in three-dimensional imagery of a richness and clarity that until now has been the exclusive preserve of speakers costing many times more.



Floorstanders



There are three full-size new Q floorstanders to choose from, each sharing the same audiophile-grade technology in the same basic configuration: a new generation Uni-Q MF/HF array paired with a long-throw bass driver of equal size, and two matching ABRs.

The difference is the size of the drivers: 130mm (5.25in.) diameter in the Q500, 165mm (6.5in.) in the intermediate Q700 and a class-beating 200mm (8in.) in the flagship of the range, the magisterial Q900.

As front speakers in a home theatre system, these effortlessly assertive performers are capable of flooding the room with an intricate and intensely physical soundstage.

As a viewer, you notice the striking clarity of the vocals and fluidly articulate midrange response.With massive bass extension heightening the drama and flawless 3-D imaging that faithfully tracks the action on screen, the illusion of being there is phenomenal.

All you have to do is decide which model is best for you, bearing in mind the size of the space and your personal listening preferences.


ModelQ900
DesignTwo and a half-way bass reflex
Drive Units200mm (8in.) aluminium Uni-Q 38mm (1.5in.) vented aluminium dome HF 200mm (8in.) aluminium LF 2 x 200mm (8in.) aluminium ABR
Frequency response ±3dB32Hz - 40kHz
Crossover frequency1.8kHz
Amplifier requirements15 - 200W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)91dB
Maximum output (SPL)114dB
Impedance8Ω
Weight22.1kg (48.7lbs)
Dimensions
(H x W x D)
1060 x 244 x 322 mm
(41.7 x 9.6 x 12.7 in.)
Dimensions with plinth
(H x W x D)
1107 x 359 x 322 mm
(43.6 x 14.1 x 12.7 in.)
FinishesBlack Oak, English Cherry, European Walnut





ModelQ700
DesignTwo and a half-way bass reflex
Drive Units165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome HF 165mm (6.5in.) aluminium LF 2 x 165mm (6.5in.) aluminium ABR
Frequency response ±3dB36Hz - 40kHz
Crossover frequency2.5kHz
Amplifier requirements15 - 150W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)89dB
Maximum output (SPL)112dB
Impedance8Ω
Weight17.2kg (37.9lbs)
Dimensions
(H x W x D)
920 x 210 x 302 mm
(36.2 x 8.3 x 11.9 in.)
Dimensions with plinth
(H x W x D)
967 x 325 x 312 mm
(38.1 x 12.8 x 12.3 in.)
FinishesBlack Oak, English Cherry, European Walnut




ModelQ500
DesignTwo and a half-way bass reflex
Drive Units130mm (5.25in.) aluminium Uni-Q 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome HF 130mm (5.25in.) aluminium LF 2 x 130mm (5.25in.) aluminium ABR
Frequency response ±3dB40Hz - 40kHz
Crossover frequency2.5kHz
Amplifier requirements15 - 130W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)87dB
Maximum output (SPL)110dB
Impedance8Ω
Weight15kg (37.9lbs)
Dimensions
(H x W x D)
870 x 180 x 272 mm
(34.3 x 7.1 x 10.7 in.)
Dimensions with plinth
(H x W x D)
917 x 295 x 312 mm
(36.1 x 11.6 x 12.3 in.)
FinishesBlack Oak, English Cherry, European Walnut


Bookshelfs





Whether as main speakers, music speakers for your study or family room, rear speakers in a home theatre system or general purpose speakers for multi-room set-ups, the two new Q bookshelf models open up a world of audiophile quality sound at a surprisingly affordable price.

The sound they make is even more surprising: lush, spacious and precisely defined, with compelling midrange/HF response and solid, immaculately controlled bass.The two models – Q100, with a 130mm (5.25in.) Uni-Q array and Q300 with the 165mm (6.5in.) variant – deliver all the benefits of the Uni-Q ‘point source’ configuration in its latest and most refined form: a more accurate sound image dispersed more evenly throughout the room than is possible with any conventional speaker.

Subjectively, it makes a huge difference. Because everyone in the room is enveloped in the same beautifully integrated three-dimensional sound image, viewing becomes more of a shared experience – and you no longer have to stay in the same spot to get the full enjoyment from your favourite tracks.

Q300Q100
DesignTwo-way bass reflexTwo-way bass reflex
Drive units165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q
25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF
130mm (5.25in.) aluminium Uni-Q
25mm (1in.) vented aluminium
dome HF
Frequency response ±3dB42Hz - 40kHz49Hz - 40kHz
Crossover frequency2.5kHz2.5kHz
Amplifier requirements15 - 120W10 - 100W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)87dB86dB
Maximum output (SPL)110dB107dB
Impedance8Ω8Ω
Weight7.7kg (17.0lbs)5.9kg (13.0lbs)
Dimensions
(H x W x D)
355 x 210 x 302 mm
(14.0 x 8.3 x 11.9 in.)
300 x 180 x 272 mm
(11.8 x 7.1 x 10.7 in.)
Black Oak
English Cherry
European Walnut

 

Centre, Dipole and Subwoofer



Reproducing most of the soundtrack narrative, the centre speaker is by far the most important in any home theatre surround sound system, and the Q200c and Q600c are engineered accordingly.

With a new generation 130mm (5.25in.) and 165mm (6.5in.) Uni-Q driver array respectively, flanked by a low distortion bass unit and an ABR of the same size, they combine raw power with the subtlety to convey moments of great delicacy.

What you notice is how convincingly the larger new metal dome tweeter captures the emotional range of the human voice – mood and character shine through with real clarity.

Your involvement in the action is noticeably enhanced by the addition of the Q800ds dipole to convey the left and right rear channels. With the two 130mm (5.25in.) Uni-Q arrays on each speaker playing out of phase, ambient 3D effects are completely diffused throughout the listening area to create an uncanny illusion of actually being there, whether that’s deep in the rainforest, in a concert arena or driving along a gritty urban back street.

The final ingredient of your new Q system is of course the seductive Q400b subwoofer. A closed box design housing a 250mm (10in.) woofer driven by a 200W on-board Class-D amplifier, this discreet cube creates spectacular bass imagery – eloquent, musical and addictively physical. Anchoring the whole sound performance in an all-embracing sensation of immediacy, it completes the acoustic picture.





Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Harman Kardon Receivers

AVR 460 



The AVR460 receiver from Harman/Kardon is a fantastic home theatre addition. With automatic video upscaling, Dolby Volume control and HDMI repeater technology the system performs well above standard. 
The receiver is equipped with all the means to create an ideal cinematic experience. The AVR460 is perfect for medium to large areas, with a variety of inputs including USB, finding the perfect place for it in your home is easy.  The AVR 460 is A-Bus ready.





Specification


75 watts per channel into 8 ohms @ 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.07% THD both channels driven;

 (seven-channel surround mode): 140 watts per channel into 6 ohms @ 1kHz, 1% THD, one channel driven;

60 watts per channel into 8 ohms @ 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.07% THD, all channels driven;

High Instantaneous Current Capability (HCC): ±35 amps
Tuner – Usable Sensitivity: IHF 1.3μV/13.2dBf;

THD at 1kHz with 100% modulation, (mono): 0.2%;

(stereo): 0.3%;

FM Adjacent Channel Selectivity: ±400kHz, 70dB;

Ultimate (maximum) S/N Ratio (measured at 1mV RF input level), (mono): 70dB;

(stereo): 68dB


AVR 660



Power 75W x 7 into 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, at <0.07% THD, with all channels driven simultaneously

 High-current (±50 amps), ultrawide-bandwidth (10Hz – 100kHz) amplifier design


With four HDMI™ inputs, USB and iPod connectivity, Faroudja DCDi Cinema™ video processing, all the latest Dolby and DTS® audio modes, our own Logic 7® processing and the EzSet/EQ™ system for precise room calibration and Dolby® Volume technology that automatically adjusts volume levels when you switch between sources and channels, the AVR 660 is an unusually versatile performer – and its full-colour graphical interface makes it an exceptionally friendly one. The AVR 660 easily enables multi-zone audio setups. It automatically corrects annoying “lip sync” problems with both HDMI Lip Sync capability and manual A/V Sync Delay. Front-panel A/V inputs make video gaming more convenient (not to mention more exciting). And an eight-device learning and programmable remote puts all of the AVR 660’s capabilities at your fingertips.

Specification

Dolby TrueHD processing
• Logic 7® (5.1 and 7.1) processing
• Dolby Volume technology
• DTS®-HD Master Audio TM processing
• HDMI repeater with 1080p up-scaling
• Faroudja DCDi Cinema TM video processing
• EzSet/EQTM equalization
• iPod-ready
• HDTV-ready
• Component video inputs
• Quadruple-crossover bass manager
• RS-232 control connection
• Multi-room audio
• High-current capability
• 192kHz/24-Bit DACs
• USB input
• Internet radio


AVR 760




Power 85W x 7 into 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, at <0.07% THD, with all channels driven simultaneously
High-current (±60 amps), ultrawide-bandwidth (10Hz – 100kHz) amplifier design Surround Processing


Harman Kardon® is one of the audio industry’s most-powerful and most-capable companies, and the AVR 760 is the most-powerful and most-capable A/V receiver it makes. So it should come as no surprise that the AVR 760 does almost everything you can imagine – including automatically adjusting volume levels when you switch between sources and channels, thanks to new Dolby Volume technology. Two onboard 32-bit DSP processors deliver other essential Dolby and DTS technologies, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.

The latest version of our exclusive Logic 7 processing and Faroudja DCDi Cinema video
processing are included to make any source material look as great as it sounds. Whatever input you throw at it – HDMI, analog, component or S-video sources; computer-based audio via a direct USB connection or from thumb drives; or your iPod using our The Bridge II docking station – the AVR 760 can handle it. You can even use a broadband connection to access a wide range of Internet radio stations. And the AVR 760 easily enables multi-room video and audio applications with Zone II and A-BUS® technology. With a true 85 watts of power to drive each of seven channels, dual subwoofer outputs and the EzSet/EQ II system to precisely tune the system’s performance parameters to the acoustic requirements of your space, the AVR 760 is the ideal receiver to satisfy a houseful of entertainment needs.