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Our primary home theater system is now complete. With our latest additions, the audio and video are perfectly matched. Our system now includes:
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Audio
Video
Speakers
- 1 pair Definitive Technology BP3000TL Powered Towers. Each includes a 18" side-firing Subwoofer w/1000 watt RMS subwoofer amplifier. The speakers are manufactured as mirror pairs, so the subs can be aimed either inward or outward. The bipolar array includes on both the front and the rear of each speaker: 2 x 6.5" mid/bass drivers and a 1" pure annealed aluminum dome tweeter in a D'Appolito array, for a total of 4 mid/bass drivers and 2 tweeters, plus the powered Subwoofer.
- 1 Definitive Technology CLR3000 Powered Center Channel Speaker including a 10" top-firing Subwoofer and 150 watt RMS subwoofer amplifier. The other drivers are identical to those in the BP3000TL, without the bipolar aray. The CLR3000 includes 2 x 6.5" mid/bass drivers and a 1" pure annealed aluminum dome tweeter in a D'Appolito array.
- Many thanks to Greg Mayse at
[6609 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis] for all his help and patience during my testing of the Definitive Technologies products and on working out a great deal (in my opinion) on the 3 3000-series speakers that I've just purchased. I highly recommend Greg and Ovation if you live in the central Indiana area.
- Hsu Research HRSW12V Powered Subwoofer Even after 3 years, this remains one of the single most extraordinary piece of audio hardware I've ever bought. It was like buying an entire new music and video library, because without a good sub, you've never really "heard" your music or movies. The Hsu was my choice for three reasons. First, the reviews, (such as the link offered here), are singularly enthusiastic. Second, the output levels the 12V can produce cleanly are extreme. The test reviews suggest SPLs of 105dB+ and I like it LOUD, which the rest of my system can give me, and I needed a good match. Third, the price. You're getting very similar performance from the 12V that you will pay 50% more for with other brands.
It also looks nice and fits in reasonably well with most decor. The cylindrical shape is really unique looking. I like the separate amplifier unit as well. It means I can keep it close to my other components and use short interconnects, and then use 10-12 gauge cable to connect to the driver unit. Because of the specs on my other speakers, I replaced the standard 91Hz crossover modules with 51Hz modules and it seems to be a great match. I'm still working on getting the level right. This is not easy, at least for me, because if you're not use to dealing with sound at such low frequencies and because the Hsu continues to give such tight bass performance at any level, getting it matched with the rest of my system may take some time. But I'll sure have fun doing it. ;^)
- 1 pair Speakerlab 4s (Rear L/R)
- 1 pair Bose Model 301 Series III (Rear L/R Surrounds, paired with Speakerlab 4s wired in phase like bipoles.)
Current Wiring/Power Configuration
Currently, my system is wired as follows:
- The Front Mains L/R (BP3000TL) are bi-amped using two of the Carver A500x amps. This configuration delivers 250 watts to the low/mid drivers and another 250 watts to the highs on each, for a total of 1000 watts to the pair. This is distinct from the 1000 watt subwoofer amplifier in each BP3000TL.
- The Center Channel (CLR3000) is wired in a bi-amped configuration using the third Carver A500x, which delivers 250 Watts to the low/mid drivers and another 250 Watts to the highs. This is separate from the 150 watt subwoofer amplifier in the CLR3000.
- The Surrounds (Speakerlab 4 + Bose 301 Series III) are wired to show a 4 Ohm load to the Sound Valves Mosfet 32B, which delivers at least 500 watts/channel into that load.
Yes, if you do the math this means Whitmervision2000 UE is capable of 4.80 Kilowatts RMS continuous!!! This makes for some interesting wiring to keep the circuit breakers happy.
Why 4,800 Watts? Answer: Headroom. Obviously, I like it very loud, and the DTs are very efficient and have a maximum SPL of 117dB. But I learned a long time ago, (when I upgraded to a Phase Linear 700 Series II Power Amp in my undergraduate days) that headroom is everything. Being able to drive your speakers to their limits can only happen safely if you aren't driving your amps to their limits at the same time. I like it loud, but I also like it clean, pure and without distortion.
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Our secondary home theater system now includes:
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- Audio and Video:
- Speakers:
- Front Left/Right: Paradigm Titans (in white)
- Surround Left/Right: Paradigm Atoms (in white)
- Center Channel: Paradigm CC-170 Center Channel Speaker.
- Sub-Woofer: Paradigm PDR-10 Subwoofer (10" driver with builtin 100watt amp.)
- Once again, many, many thanks to Greg Mayse at [6609 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis] for all his help and patience during my testing of the Paradigm products and on working out a great deal (in my opinion) on the Titans, Atoms, CC-170 and PDR10 Subwoofer that I've just purchased. I highly recommend Greg and Ovation if you live in the central Indiana area.
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Our son's home theater system now includes:
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- Audio and Video:
- Sony STR-DE545 Receiver, with Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. Rated at 100 watts/channel X 5 channels.
- Panasonic PV-9451 Hi-Fi Stereo VCR.
- RCA ColorTrak F-20600ET 20" Monitor/Receiver
- Sony Playstation 2 (doubling as DVD player with Optical Digital Audio and S-Video output.)
- Sony Playstation
- Speakers:
- Front Left/Right: Optimus Pro LX5 with Linæum 3600 Tweeter.
- Center Channel: Optimus Pro LX5 with Linæum 3600 Tweeter.
- Surround Left/Right: Bose Model 20 2-way Bass Reflex.
- Sub-Woofer: Jensen JS800 Subwoofer (8" driver with builtin 100watt amp.)
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Our portable home theater system now includes:
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- Audiovox DVD1500 Portable DVD/VCD/SVCD/CD Player with 5.8" 16:9 LCD display.
- Sony SRS-57 Portable AC/DC Speaker system.
- Boosteroo multi-link Headphone amplifier.
Jeff Whitmer's Home Page
Our Home Audio/Video Systems.