Anyone set up a Halo with 9.1 surround?

[brentmcd]

The addition (home theatre room) to our home is about 3 weeks away from completion and I need a little advice. I’m looking to hear from those of you with a Halo C1/C2 who have played around with the extra programmable channels.

I've read that the Halo’s extra programmable channels can be used several different ways. My theatre will be 20’ wide by 30’ long with two rows of seats so I’m thinking I’ll add a second pair of side speakers. Has anyone done this? How did it sound? Do you have any recommendations as far as settings on the processor?

I plan to order a Halo C2 from Bhuskins (Media Designs) next week. I have a pair of 2205A amps to drive everything. My main speakers are NHT 3.3s, the center is a NHT AC2, a sub with dual NHT 1259s and I have THREE pairs of NHT 1.5s for the rears and sides.

I appreciate your thoughts and advice. God Bless

[SpOoNmAn]

I havent done so, but I'd die to have your room :T

Keep in touch and tell us what you decide on. :P

[Q-Man]

That's the main reason that I'm thinking about buying the C2. Although I havn't mentioned it to anyone on this forum. My room is 17' x 30 and I use front effect speakers right now. I got the idea from using Yamaha receivers in the past. They have an extra pair of channels that they call front effect channels. You place these two extra front speakers to the far right and far left of your mains and about 5' off the floor. There is a little time delay and reverb mixed into these channels. I've been spoiled by these extra two speakers over the years. They broaden the front stage, and make your room seem bigger. The sound is more real or live sounding. I can't listen to just my mains and center channel anymore.

Since I went to separates I have to to this another way. I run a spliter from the main channel outputs, one pair to the main power amp, then the other pair to a lexicon reverb then to the front effect channels power amp. I keep the front effect channels about 2db lower then the mains. I have modified Klipschorns for 6 of my channels so I use a pair of LaScalas for the front effect speakers. If I by the Anthem AVM30 instead of the C2, I'll use the main balanced outputs for the mains and the main unbalanced outputs for the front effects. The C2 will give be better control over these front effect channels then the way I do it now.

I also use a pair of LaScalas for an extra pair of surrounds like your talking about doing. I find that the front effect speakers do much more for the room then the extra pair of surrounds. Again, to do this I have to use a splitter from my surround channel outputs.

My speakers are on the large size and my room is now too small. I'm working on an addition that will be 24 wide and 32 deep. The extra width is going to help me out .

I'm surprised that more people arn't taking advantage of the extra channels that the C1 & C2 offer. These guys talk about how great these controlers are and non of them are using the best features that they offer you.

By all means do it! You can't have enought speakers.

[JamesE]

I don't have a Halo preamp yet either. I am following this forum because I am interested in the extra channels-mainly for overhead use. The house I am building has a dedicated room for HT. The room is a 29 foot in diameter geodesic dome which is what I am living in right now until I get the rest of the house done. Still about 2 years off till I upgrade the preamp. Hopefully, they will have all of the HD stuff worked out by then.

[SpOoNmAn]

I shouldnt be saying this, but when I get the C2 back from Parasound, and it returns with the upgrades, I might sell it and get the C1, sell the A52 and get its bigger brother.

somethies this hobby kills me, lol, and I love it.

[Peter Nielsen]

I shouldnt be saying this, but when I get the C2 back from Parasound, and it returns with the upgrades, I might sell it and get the C1, sell the A52 and get its bigger brother.

Why on earth sell the C2 to get a C1? The units are exactly the same, with two minor differences:

• The C1 is fitted with a tiny LCD (useless IMHO).

• The C1 has 3 component inputs where the C2 has only two.

Sonically the C1 and C2 are identical. Parasound has even confirmed this. If I were you, I'd buy a nice 15" or 17" monitor and hook it up to the C2.

Personally, I like the blue alphanumerical display on the C2. It is easy to read even at a distance. I also think that the C2 is visually more attractive than the C1, but that's of course a matter of personal taste...

Peter

[nicholtl]

Oh, he just wants bragging rights, don't you spoonman?

[SpOoNmAn]

lol, anyone in this hobby knows how the upgrade bug works. You dont need a rational explanation, you just do it because its there :T

I am definitely getting the A51 in a couple weeks, so anyone interested in a 3 month old A52, keep your eyes open for my post.

[Brian]

I wonder if Parasound may be planning to offer more in the way of upgrades (hardware) for the C1 over the C2, to add a little more diversity in their lineup. hummmmmm

And the screen on the C1 is far from useless if you have a projector and the equipment is located outside of the HT.

[Q-Man]

Spoonman,

I see you had an Outlaw 950. I had one for a couple of weeks and sent it back. I found it lacking in bass and rather bright sounding.

May I ask you how you think the C2 compares to the 950?

[SpOoNmAn]

Ive made a few posts on the matter. Youd have to search them out.

But for a short version, I didnt think it was bright at all, if you have horns, Im sure that attributed to it. My DefTechs seemed more laid back with the 950. I found the bass to be great, you have to remember your dealing with a very very affordable pre/pro.

We have totally different systems. Wed have to have the same cables, same cd players, same everything to compare with. It definitely was not bright in my room.

what did you compare it with? The midrange was excellent, thats what matters to me. Ill be getting another one for another room. I cant believe they are now selling it for 700.00 new.

I would have gladly kept it if I didnt have inheritance $$ to play with. I mean Im glad I got the C2, its unbelievable. But at over 4 times the price, it had better be. Honestly, for what I use it for, just dvd and xbox, and stereo listening, its twice as good as the 950, but nowhere near 4 times as good.

I think Outlaw could fancy it up a bit, make the exterior more appealing, and ask 1,200 to 1,300 easily for it, and it would be worth every penny.

I currently dont have any Outlaw gear, but Im a fan nevertheless.

Ill be ordering the 950 again, and possibly some more 200 monos, and maybe the 755 amp. Its just so cheap, but you still get quality sound and construction.

Back to Fatal Frame 2 on Xbox...nightmares for a month :E

[nicholtl]

OMG...fatal frame...that twin sister is gonna turn on you, I just know it...

My roommate was playing that game for a month and I always had to tell him to turn down the volume when I went to bed. Whoever invented that game is seriously disturbed.

[SpOoNmAn]

OMG...fatal frame...that twin sister is gonna turn on you, I just know it...

My roommate was playing that game for a month and I always had to tell him to turn down the volume when I went to bed. Whoever invented that game is seriously disturbed.

I am scared to go to bed, it has seriously creeped me out! And Im only a couple hours in :E

I had to watch some more LOTR to get me into a less creepy mind set, I think its safe now 8)

almost 4am?!?! Damn those LOTR movies sure do make time fly :B

[Peter Nielsen]

And the screen on the C1 is far from useless if you have a projector and the equipment is located outside of the HT.

Well, I didn't mean it that way. What I was trying to say is that a big external monitor will be better. If you're getting a really good deal on the C1, it will probably only cost you $600 more than the C2. (At least this was the case for me).

However, those $600 buys you a really good 19" TFT flat screen. I chose the C2.

FWIW, I'm convinced that Parasound will offer all future options on both the C1 and C2. Offering it on just one of the models does not make sense economically. They have to offer it on both models to cover R&D costs.

Peter

[Peter Nielsen]

Oh, he just wants bragging rights, don't you spoonman?

I can undestand that...

My A51 and two JC1s all have a model number that ends in 1, so for me it would be logical to have a C1. Still, I'm convinced that going with the slightly less expensive C2 was the right thing to do. I would not want to switch it out. My reasons are:

• The C1 eats up more rack space (I still need to be able to fit in a T3 and a future HALO DVD in there)

• The C2 looks better (IMHO)

• The C2 display is readable even at 20' distance (I guess that this isn't the case with the C1 LCD. By all means, please correct me if I'm wrong!)

• The C1/C2 will probably be "obsolete" in 3 years (it's a computer after all). Time to upgrade...

Peter

[bhuskins]

There's a HIGH likelihood that SOME future hardware upgrades will only be available on the C1 due to the real estate available on the back of the unit.

Also, to get back on topic...I've installed several systems utilizing the programmable outputs in several ways…multiple subs, additional side speakers, ceiling speakers, tactile transducers and even front effect speakers like Yamaha does. They all worked out wonderfully. This is one of Parasound's unique features that set them apart.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Peter Nielsen]

There's a HIGH likelihood that SOME future hardware upgrades will only be available on the C1 due to the real estate available on the back of the unit.

Back in Finland I used to work in the equipment manufacturing industry, and I really doubt that Parasound would offer upgrades that require them to punch new holes into the rear panel. Upgrades like that are just not worth the time and effort it takes. Of course it always comes down to how much the customer is willing to pay. In this case, however, the upgrade cost would most definitely be too high compared to the cost of simply upgrading the C1 to a brand new model. (Just think about the HDTV-2500 upgrade for the AVC-2500u. It costs a whopping $500 although it does not require expensive work like punching out new holes).

Since the C1 box is bigger, there is of course more room for additional circuit boards inside. However, how full is the C2 on the inside? I doubt it is that crammed anyway...

Also, let me emphasize that Parasound is based on a business model where selling the products in QUANTITY is important. When developing a new hardware upgrade, the fewer they can sell, the more it will cost! The R&D costs are roughly the same, and for an upgrade they are a significant part of the final cost. The end user pays! Buying a C1-only upgrade means that you have to share the R&D costs with C1 users only. With all the competition out there, it will just not work out...

What I *do* find very likely is that the C1 will evolve into a new future model that uses the space on the back panel. C1u?

Peter

[SpOoNmAn]

I can undestand that...

My A51 and two JC1s all have a model number that ends in 1, so for me it would be logical to have a C1. Still, I'm convinced that going with the slightly less expensive C2 was the right thing to do. I would not want to switch it out. My reasons are:

• The C1 eats up more rack space (I still need to be able to fit in a T3 and a future HALO DVD in there)

• The C2 looks better (IMHO)

• The C2 display is readable even at 20' distance (I guess that this isn't the case with the C1 LCD. By all means, please correct me if I'm wrong!)

• The C1/C2 will probably be "obsolete" in 3 years (it's a computer after all). Time to upgrade...

Peter

thats the best part though, upgrading :T

[bhuskins]

C1u...likely...C2u...not likely...C3...very likely.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[brentmcd]

Thank you for all the input and encouragement. Does anyone have any advice as far as settings?

Spoonman & Q-man, I've discovered that that the Fosgate FAP T1 is almost exactly the same thing as the Outlaw 950 with a built-in LCD display like the Halo C1. They have the exact same rear panels and they sell for $2,500. Check it out at: http://www.fosgateaudionics.com/products/FAP_T1.asp

Those little LCD displays can't cost more than a couple hundred bucks. I sure wish that Parasound just sold the C1 and that it only cost $200 more than the C2 does. That display does look cool, but the cost is not justified in my opinion.

BHuskins, I see that Parasound is rolling out a 7100 (or is it a 7200?) processor in their lower end series with a similar upgrade/expansion slot as the C1/C2. With three processors sharing the same slot, it would seem to make sense that they will be upgraded the same way. You definately appear to be in the know and I consider you an authority. Would you be so kind as to expand a bit on Parasound's upgrade plans? Please???????

Gratefully yours

[bhuskins]

All I can say is that if you look at the picture of the classic Prepro, the 7100, you'll find (if you look close) that the opening IS NOT the same size as the expansion opening for the Halo gear. It is quite a bit bigger.

We will have to wait until CES before I can say more about hardware upgrades.

That's the problem with being a dealer...

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[emillika]

If Parasound doesn't offer upgrades for the C2 I will most likely look at another brand when I upgrade. Part and parcel of my buying logic was the fact that the C2 has the expansion port for future upgrades. While I know there were no guarantees but would be inline with Mitsubishi's "promise" module crap.

[bhuskins]

I wouldn't say that there won't be any upgrades for the C2, but that the C1 will likely continue to differentiate itself from the C2 with alternative upgrades. Currently they are too similar and that will very likely change.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Savannah]

are you suggesting that maybe as soon as the release in the very near future

[bhuskins]

We'll have to see what officially gets announced at CES (January 7th)...

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Chris D]

Holy @#$%@%, Q-man, you have KLIPSCHORNS and LASCALAS for all your channels? ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( That must sound AWESOME.

Getting back to one of the original questions, I'm currently using two programmable channels, one for a second subwoofer, and one for driving tactile transducers. So I guess you could call my system a 7.3 setup. I don't have as big a room as the one that you're suggesting (mine's still decent at 14' x 22') so I don't have a need for side surrounds, but I would love to install a ceiling speaker for a 8.3 setup.