Pictures of your B&W Set-up

[GregLett]

very cool....

You REALLy have to do something about the cables. Can I suggest finding a Bang and Olufson Dealer and buying some of the cable covers they sell. There is one which is one thick round rubber peice which you can place two or three cables into to make it look like on thick black one. I think it would be perfect for your set up. If needed I can post a couple pictures of it...

That's not a bad idea, please post some pics. My cables aren't much to look
but the sound ;x( . I sold cables I had that were four times the price of what
I have now. The speaker cable that is h:

[Nolan B]

That's not a bad idea, please post some pics. My cables aren't much to look
but the sound ;x( . I sold cables I had that were four times the price of what
I have now. The speaker cable that is h:

I will post some pictures tomorrow. If my memory is right you are in the Hi Fi industry right?

What are your thoughts if I change my Pure FPM setup to XT4s as mains and FPMs as my centers and surounds?

[Nolan B]

Greg..here are the pics. Two show the before and after with the thick ruber cover and one shows the Aluminum cover used when you have cables against the wall. In my opinion you should never see cables unless the cables look good.

But I am an visualphile when it comes to my audio equipment.

[GregLett]

Nolan,

I'm not in the Hi Fi industry. I've never hear the FPM series, so I cannot
compare them to the Xt series. What you want to do might be fine though,
the Xt4's ROCK!!! You would at least like the mains, but you might find
yourself in a position wanting to change your center.

Thanks for the pics :T

[JKalman]

chicks dig it too! :W

making a girl a pepermint mocka latte on it is almost as good as getting them drunk...almost.

My spider senses tell me my wife won't consider that a good buying point.

[misterdoggy]

New Additions EVOLUTION

Here's the latest evolution of my system.

Panasonic 50 inch Plasma
Apollo Rack (you can select the heights and number of shelves)
2 x Krell Amps - Kav 2250 and 3250 (5 x 250 watts)
B&W
2 x 802D's
2 x 804S'
1 x HTM2D
1 x ASW 825
Nordost Red Dawn XLR interconnects,
Nordost Red Dawn Biwire,
Nordost Whitelight glass optic fiber,
Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Rca/Rca
Supra Power cables,
Audioquest S-3 Video cables,
Halo Parasound C1 Processor
Ayre D-1Xe DVD-CD set in DVD-Component and CD-balanced out
Goldmund - DAC - into balanced bypass stereo,
VHS, 2 Satellites French & English both optic connects.

[Nolan B]

Here's the latest evolution of my system.

Panasonic 50 inch Plasma
Apollo Rack (you can select the heights and number of shelves)
2 x Krell Amps - Kav 2250 and 3250 (5 x 250 watts)
B&W
2 x 802D's
2 x 804D's
1 x HTM2D
1 x ASW 825
Nordost Red Dawn XLR interconnects,
Nordost Red Dawn Biwire,
Nordost Whitelight glass optic fiber,
Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Rca/Rca
Supra Power cables,
Audioquest S-3 Video cables,
Halo Parasound C1 Processor
Ayre D-1Xe DVD-CD set in DVD-Component and CD-balanced out
Goldmund - DAC - into balanced bypass stereo,
VHS, 2 Satellites French & English both optic connects.

Grand!

[JKalman]

B&W
2 x 802D's
2 x 804D's
1 x HTM2D
1 x ASW 825

So, how is the HTM2D blending musically with the front 802Ds?

[caleb]

Beautiful setup Mr Doggy!

That wiring behind looks like a nightmare - I've got the same situation, but not been able to find a PRACTICAL solution yet.

[PavelL]

Beautiful setup Mr Doggy!

That wiring behind looks like a nightmare - I've got the same situation, but not been able to find a PRACTICAL solution yet.

i-link is PRACTICAL - ALL digital signals can be transfered... incl high-rez. SACD, DVD-A.

[ZX10 Guy]

i-link is PRACTICAL - ALL digital signals can be transfered... incl high-rez. SACD, DVD-A.

So is MHR Smartlink that I'm running between my Meridian gear. Unfortunately, no support for SACD.

[caleb]

ZX10 guy - please tell me more.

[ZX10 Guy]

Sure Caleb,

Meridian has a proprietary protocol called MHR Smartlink. This is Meridian's method of transferring all the digital audio in full digital from the player to the processor. There are two methods they use to do this. Either with a single VGA 15pin cable or with 3 SPDIF interfaces. The selection of interfaces is dependent on application. I'm using the 15 pin single cable connection. Not only does this allow DVD-A to be sent over in full digital to my Meridian processor it also allows upsampling of all the channels. All my audio is upsampled to 24bit at 96kHz. The interface also passes media specific information to the pre pro so that it can automatically engage profile pre sets I've established for that type of medium. But like I've said, Meridian doesn't support SACD over MHR. You can get SACD capability with their flagship 800 series equipment but you're dropping some serious coin to step up to that setup. Meridian is deeply entrenched in the DVD-A camp as they created the MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing) used in DVD-A. You can find out more about Meridian on their website: http://www.meridian-audio.com . In my opinion, Meridian is one of the prime leaders in digital technology.

[misterdoggy]

So, how is the HTM2D blending musically with the front 802Ds?

jkalman

blends in nicely. i've got the height of ALL of the diamond tweeter within 12 inches of the same height which i think is important.

i don't play sacd or dvd-a so there's that many wires less. I don't buy sacd's and do all my stereo listening in stereo. maybe because all of my speakers are not the same (not all are 802D's) and not everything i want to listen to is available in sacd.

Another note, is that in europe there is less and less available and it almost seems as though its going out rather than in.

i will probably be getting a krell fpb400cx to drive just the 2 802D's for stereo listening as I have a Goldmund DAC for stereo in bypass xlr which is 'sweet'

its just a personal choice to go stereo

[dortiz]

New set up,
802ds
HTM2d
SCMs
Velodyne DD15
Classe'

[JKalman]

dortiz, do you have any input on how the 802Ds sound matched with the HTM2D when playing surround music?

[caleb]

A good new year to you all & your families.

Many thanks ZX10 for that explanation.

I am doing a revamp of my theatre over the holidays (it's our annual break here now).

I'll try to get some pics of the wiring as well to let you see the "nightmare"

[Lestat]

The pictures aren't great, there wasn't a lot of light when I took them, and I didn't want to use flash.




Equiptment is basic, it's a 4.0 setup for now. (Considering adding a PV1 sub at some point):
HK AVR-635 surround amp
HK DVD31 - great DVD player and does music very well too. Connected via optical cable, so the DAC happens on the 635.
B&W XT4 fronts. I'm continuously surprised by the incredibly sound these speakers put out. They put out way better and deeper bas than my old JBL's with 10" bass units!
B&W DS6 S3 surrounds. Surround isn't my main priority, so I didn't spend as much here. Wanted something that blended in so no full-size speakers for me. As I'm spending more time listening to 5.1 channel music, I'm considering upgrading them down the road.

TV is a Panasonic PD30, a great TV.

L.

[misterdoggy]

New set up,
802ds
HTM2d
SCMs
Velodyne DD15
Classe'

Dortiz

Sweet setup !! Are those windows to the left and right. the reason I ask is I think you would have better sound blending with the L&R at the same plane as the center and screen. If those are cabinets you could possibly put the 802D's back. ?

[Indytown]

New set up,
802ds
HTM2d
SCMs
Velodyne DD15
Classe'

Dortiz,

How do you like the sound with the CAM 400 amps and the 300 pre?

What other amps and pre's did you audition?

Indy

[grit]

New set up,
802ds
HTM2d
SCMs
Velodyne DD15
Classe'

Arrgh! I'm SOOO jealous!

WHY do you have Monster's power conditioners on such a nice system?

Did I mention how JEALOUS I am! OOoh, aahh! Classe'!

[dortiz]

I actually owned the Mac 501s but after hearing the Classe they had to go. I have finnaly reached the sound that I have been chasing. Those famous words..I am done.

Monster is only on the processor and TV.Amps have 2 dedicated circuits just for them.

:B

[xixel]

Well, the room I'm building for my HT has been put off for a bit, so the big boys are setup in my room for now - so I wont take any full shots but I couldnt resist taking shots of these beautiful things!

[JKalman]

I actually owned the Mac 501s but after hearing the Classe they had to go. I have finnaly reached the sound that I have been chasing. Those famous words..I am done.

Monster is only on the processor and TV.Amps have 2 dedicated circuits just for them.

:B

Dortiz,

Any comments on how that HTM2D sounds paired with the 802Ds for surround music? In particular, how seemless is it?

Thanks.

[dortiz]

JKalman,
I think it perfect. I balanced the sytem with an spl meter and fixed calculations for distance. To me its on the money.
I dont know how critical I have been on music though. I really stick to stereo unless its a DVD like Audio Slave in Cuba.

[JKalman]

dortiz,

I want to save money down the road and buy the HTM2D instead of the HTM1D, so if you do decide to test it out with some SACD/DVD-A in multi-channel, please let me know how it goes.

Thanks for the reply.

[Indytown]

I actually owned the Mac 501s but after hearing the Classe they had to go. I have finnaly reached the sound that I have been chasing. Those famous words..I am done.

Monster is only on the processor and TV.Amps have 2 dedicated circuits just for them.

:B

Doritz, I have listened to the 501's and the cam's. What is your impression with both amps in your system. Do you find the cam's slightly bass shy or does the addition of the pre amp help compared to the 501? The 501's to me seemed to be more amplified in the midrange area with a slight more bass?

What made you sell the 501's?

Indy

[Race Car Driver]

Lestat, I like your setup!! Nice and clean!
The room is put together perfect, im envious.

[dortiz]

Indy,
Even with windows right behind the speakers I am getting plenty of bass. I liked the 501s, the difference is that I am in love with the Cams. I truly believe that with the true pull of 802s down to 3.5-4 ohms the ability of the Cams to go to greater power makes the difference. Yes the 501s have great design features that sound awesome at 500 but these speakers need power to sound right.
Everything sounds like its floating in the room its etheral (spell check please).
With no insult intended even my wife finnaly gets what I have been trying to do. She states she has never heard music sound so beautifull.
They just do the job and do it right.
I must now return to lying on the carpet and smiling.

Cheers

[Rob72]

Dortiz,

Nice system! I was curious as to which amp you are using to power your center and rears? I only seem to see the mono blocks.

Also what was your impression of the SSP-300 vs the SSP-600. Did you have a chance to audition them both?

[Lestat]

Lestat, I like your setup!! Nice and clean!
The room is put together perfect, im envious.

What are YOU envious about, don't you have the 802's?

However, I'm very happy with the sound from the XT4's. They'll tide me over until I've saved up for the 804's.

L.

[dortiz]

Rob72,
Its the Monster Amp. At 250x3 its good for center and rears. While I like movies I could not justify Cam 400s all around. It does a great job though and blends well.
As far as the 300 vs 600 thats tough. My sources are DSS, Escient Fireball and DVD. Since everything was digital it seemed a waste to pay for Balanced design without Balanced analog in to it. If the amps were farther I would have done it for the balanced out. Since they were right there I just dont see the need for a balanced run.
In the end that will depend on your sources and distances to gear.
I will say its the best piece I have worked with. A part of me bought it just to have Classe' across the front. In the end I am more than happy about this piece. A) it just sound awesome. B) Its crazy easy to manage. You never have to open a manual to figure every possible setup out. You just follow intuitive menus either on screen or the LCD in front.

[misterdoggy]

I had left out a closeup of the "Rack" which I now have posted

Krell Amps Kav 3250 and Kav 2250
Dvd Ayre D-1xe and Halo Parasound C1 Processor
Sky and Canal + Optical Satellite receivers

[misterdoggy]

Hey Dortiz,

I have a chance to pick a a pair of Cam 350's which go for around $1650 each. Thats about the price of a Krell Kav3250. It seems the CAM 350 would be the competition for Krell's FPB 350 mcx which costs twice that easily and maybe more.

have you ever compared Krell and Classe ? It seems Classe is less expensive for the same watt power. And the sound ??

[PavelL]

A favourable review of cam 350 on stereophile. 1650$/ each is a bargain IMHO. http://www.stereophile.com/amplifica...304/index.html

[misterdoggy]

Pavel

it seems B&W test all their speakers in their listening rooms with Classe so that's why the thought.

Problem witht the pair that is offered is they are 110V and I am trying to find if someone can convert them to 240V.

Doggy

[Matt M.]

have you ever compared Krell and Classe ? It seems Classe is less expensive for the same watt power. And the sound ??

I have !
Krell amps are generally more dynamic, but Classe are more subtle, more
"musical", IMO.
A pair of CAM350 would sound remarkably with your 802D.
(I own a CAV180 with a pair of 803D).

[Wild Bill]

B&K + B&W set-up W/360 View

Hello fellow B&W'ers.
I was asked to post these in the picture area so here we go. Hopefully.
I've also attached a link to a 360 degree view of the room.
If it doesnt load you may need to go to java.com to download the java aplet for your browser. It works with most browsers though.
As you might imagine, the bar at the back of this room creates some booming sound. I dont really noticed it when on the couch or out in the room but when Im in the bar (which I do a lot of) or sitting at the bar, the boom can be a little much. Sounds great in the room itself though! Does anyone have any experience with salon panels? they are the designer sound panel company. I obviously want to remove the boom in my bar area but dont want egg crates on my walls.

http://www.hometouramerica.com/tour.cfm?ad_id=1697&tour_type=mls

[bryan w]

my new speakers

my new speakers had them just over a week and they sound better every day

[Wild Bill]

Looking Good, Bryan.
What kind of speaker feet might those be?
That center stand looks great. Nice.

[jim777]

very nice bryan! How does it sound with a ceiling like that?

must be fun up there

[bryan w]

very nice bryan! How does it sound with a ceiling like that?

must be fun up there

sounds fantastic jim

[jericho]

Nice looking setup Brian!!! :T

[Indytown]

Nice looking setup Brian!!! :T

Jericho, do you have pic's of your system yet? - Indy

[jericho]

I'll be sending you a few pictures next week Indy, have to work this weekend and will take some pictures next week.Not everything is finished yet.