RimBlock

If you can place near your front door then she can use it as a seat for putting her shoes on and if you play the right music at the same time she can get a massage too . Two sure ways to increase the WAF . RB

Yeah agree. We got a very cheap basic package and kept it pretty basic. What with people spending 80+k for an EM reno, we are happy without the feature walls and the like for now. Can always add in later . RB

Err I have the SB12 so I know the size. No I was comparing the size in the great scheme of living room placement, not comparing brands. It is a rough rule of thumb which I personally use. Others have different views but my SB12 is fairly large compared to other AV stuff and takes a fair bit of space. An 8" could most probably be tucked away more our of sight unless someone put an 8" sub in a Cylinder. That is why it is just a rough guide. PB13-nsd would have been tempting depending on price. No cash left now though . RB

We are renovating for around S$37k not including sanitary ware (toilets / sinks etc) or electrical. I would guess it will be around S$45k in the end with those included. The stairs picture was of someone elses staircase . We still are looking to do ours but it will come to around another S$5k so have to do it at a later date. If you like the glass then you could always arrange for the glass to be added after you move in. The gates were got from Ho Ho Engineering. I see they have a tread here advising not to use them but we never had any issues. The gate is fine, no issues. The interior doors are fine and cheap but not quite as finished as more expensive doors. They are still better than moulded doors and not far off the price. The hinges are not sunken in to the door though but just screwed to it. Cheap price but some compromises. For us they are not so bad and we have never had any issues so have not needed to be involved with their customer services. RB

The SPL800 is a 8" sub. The SB12 is a 12" sub (1/3 bigger). Personally I would class it as fairly big especially when compared to the HTS subs at the low end. It is small compared to the PC cylinder subs or the bigger SVS models though. The top of the range ported box they have in KEC is massive. I could make a mini-sub out of it for both my kids . The Velodyne 8" was pretty small. I saw it when demoing my SVS subs and didn't bother with it as 8" would be hard pressed to fill my living area For me at least; 8" < = small 10" > = medium 15" > = large Insane: If you are more in to music then the Velodyne is reputedly better. SVS have a better reputation for movies. The SB12-NSD is great, I just bought one. If you have the chance and the money and watch more movies than listen to music then take the chance and listen so the SVS and velodyne side by side and then decide. Both are good choices. RB

The KEF are very much designer style but with the looks usually comes some compromise in sound. If this compromise is too big for you is for you to decide after testing. Kef are well regarded though. Take a look at the Def Tec as DemonYi has suggested and also try out the Q Acoustics 2000 series. Both are small speaker packages. There are also the B&W M1s which should be worth a listen. I am glad you are pushing to test with the different AV Receivers rather than just going on what the shop sales person says. It is your cash and your ears . If you find a reasonable package but have a some $$ left over you could save it or see if you can top-up for a better center speaker and / or subwoofer as both of these have a big impact on a HT multichannel system. For more music someone can look at upgrading the front left and rights instead. Remember to factor in for speaker stands if needed and speaker cable. Something like Chord Carnival (Classic) is around S$6/7 per mtr and is fine for the front three speakers. S$2/mtr speaker cable is fine for the rear speakers. For interconnects between your HT and DVD/Bluray player or other devices you can get cables cheaply from Amazon (US) or Blue Jeans Cable (US). I have just bought some Audioquest cables from Amazon US for around S$35 + shipping (Borderlinx). Just tell the shop that you have cables already. They are likely to be a bit pushy as the cables are a huge profit maker. I actually have some audioquest Emerald (need to confirm when home) 1/2 meter and some JVC 2 metre cables which I am happy to sell. Any interested parties can PM me. The Audioquest are too short for my use and the JVC will be replaced by the new Audioquest from Amazon which matches my Sub cable . As it stands, what you buy now will last you a few years. The speakers should last you a long time and it will be most likely you wanting to upgrade that means you sell them on. The amplifier should last a while. Although the major brands get refreshed yearly, the differences are not usually that significant unless a new sound format comes out like the change from DVDs DTS to Blurays DTS-HD. There is likely to be a few years until another format comes out. RB

Looks like it Steamer plate (you have it upside down I would guess) or for you to cook with and the fat runs off to the sides giving healthier food (again the pic is upside down). This would be great for Chicken. Timer ? Difficult to tell from the picture. Google translate could be your friend, or if not, could at least provide you with a laugh with its weird translations of the manual. Edit: Ok, their catalogue is here (descriptions in English as well as other languages). Your grater is on page 23. Cannot find the item in your second picture though. Still sticking to the healthy chickin cooking raised tray to let fat run off . RB

I do but then I am quite large, I mean tall, no lets face it.... large(ish) as well,.... I need to get back to the gym .... My head blocks the bottom of the image but my kids playing do not block it at all even when standing on our coffee table (solid wood and granite 2 foot high they are in no danger, just for anyone concerned). We could have mounted it higher if we did not have the ceiling fan. The closer you are to the projector the less the influence so right next to the projector slightly to one side of the lens should be fine for just about anyone. Standing close to the screen will have a greater blocking effect of course. This is a downside of projectors especially when you are big... err, I mean tall . RB

The trigger cable is just a mono 3.5mm -> 3.5mm jack cable. If the stereo one works I can just get a cable you would use for plugging in an iPod or the like to a HiFi. Few dollars should do it. I really would not bother with the audioquest cables if you are not doing a projector run. Get some Amazon Basics cables at around US$10 each as they will be just as good regardless of what KEC tell you. I did a cable shoot out with three cables inc my own projector audioquest one. There are no visible differences. You cannot see differences with colourspace or sharpness in the digital realm whatever KEC say. If you do then either the test is flawed (possibly deliberately) or the cable is faulty. The HDMI process first does a handshake between the source and the amp/display. From this is determines the max resolution and preferred colourspace of the display. Next you get the handshake for setting up the encrypted signal (HDCP) and then it will start sending the signal. If the DCC line in the cable is damaged or there is not enough power on the 5v line which powers the initial handshake, the wrong colourspace and / or resolution can be set. This would be very unusual and if this happens then the cable is faulty and should be replaced. The only other issues with the picture would be white pixels (sparkles) appearing in the picture, green / coloured blocks in lines across the screen or loss of sound / picture. The only difference a more expensive HDMI cable will give over a cheaper one if both are working correctly is possibly better build quality. This is true at short lengths. At longer lengths it is usually better to go for a better cable past 10+ meters. Alternatively, if you feel the need to spend S$190 for 3 cables then give me the cash and I will get 3 cables for you and may even give you a S$20 discount whilst guaranteeing the picture quality will be the same as the audioquest to the point that if you blind tested the installers from KEC they would not be able to tell the difference . The S$200 upgrade for the 609 really depends on the extra features it supplies over the 608 and how much they are worth to you. The replacement for my 677 does not have pre-outs any more so it would have been a step down for me. What is the difference. RB

Ahh, the plus. Even better deal at S$750 then . So they are entry level for the Usher series. We rarely get to listen to music and certainly not in the bedroom what with the kids watching tv or the like unfortunately. I also rarely listen to music on the PC and having used various amps and speakers have ended up with just a decent set of PC speakers now. Enjoy the new equipment as things change a lot with kids around. Now if I could just buy another apartment for me and one for me and the family then I could have one the way I wanted it and the other setup for the kids . Funnily enough I bought some more blurays from Amazon yesterday. A few movies I have and like but on Bluray rather than DVD. All around US$10.50. The Rotel is very nice looking but I need to get a 12v trigger cable as the one supplied is too short and has a bite mark which I suspect is from a rabbit (the owner had rabbits caged in the same rooms and we used to have rabbits so I am well aware of their desire to chew cables). The cable is a mono 3.5mm jack. Some people have told me a stereo cable should work so I will grab one today and give it a go. The 12v trigger will auto turn on the power amp when the Yamaha 667 is turned on and turn it off when the Yammy is turned off. The Rotel has the bright blue ring light around the power button but also comes with a sticker you can put over it to mask the bright light. Seems a shame to do that but it is pretty bright for when watching a movie. RB

Nope. Only thing missing but I cannot use from the 667 anyway so no loss to me. RB

The Rotel has 4 binding posts for each channel with a high / low filter built in so I am still bi-amping . But this means I can use the two rear channels again and there is now more power from the Yamaha 667 to drive the center and rears. I would probably buy the other Rotel 1582 on sale at XP if I had the cash left.... RB

The audyssey you have in the amp will work out the distances and volume adjustments. Then you use the antimode to flatten out the response of the bass. The unit goes between the sub and amp and filters as the sub is in use. Both should work together fine. RB

Some pictures here from the guy I bought it from. Will put my own up tonight if I get the chance. Really need to dig out my other camera. I am sure a try out can be arranged or if you want to come over for a movie. Still no movie night takers . RB

SVS PC12-NSD Using the Which is the same as in my SB12-NSD. She would have had a nice delivery surprise . Having to wait until Saturday (auditioned on Wednesday) was also one consideration in not buying. Haha, my MS Carnival 1s were entry level at S$180 . I take it the S$550 Ushers were entry level for Usher ? I am enjoying going through my collection although some discs are a little disappointed now I have a higher level system to what I used to have. Need to get some more blurays I think . RB

S$750 is a nice price to be sure with the new ones coming in at 1.4k. I am guessing you have the older 350W amp in it (new ones are updated to the 400W sledge amp now) ?. I would have probably gone for it if I had the cash at the time and it was not bought by you . I am sure you will find it great, a bargain at the price and hopefully the room can defuse some of the pressure it puts out, unless of course you like that which some do . RB

Maybe but mine was a leak from outside which could not be fixed due to the weather so this was their fallback action until they could fix the roof. Problem is that it can just migrate the leak to somewhere else. RB

I ended up getting one of the Rotel 1582s on XP. Lovely unit. Only stereo but sounds great. Runs hot though . Put basically, the antimode works out the acoustics of your room and tunes the signal to your sub to take in to account any peaks and so flatten the response. Most rooms have certain characteristics which cause certain frequencies to jump in volume. The antimode and other devices like it amend these frequencies so the spike is hidden. The reviews I have read are all pretty good. One review here from AVForums. One point of note is that the antimode only tunes your sub and so if there are frequencies playing havoc higher than the sub can manage it will not help. You would need one of the more expensive alternatives like the Audyssey. The idea of spikes is to, as much as possible, insulate the speaker drivers from outside influence which could colour the sound. The vibration of a bus going past may cause the speaker cone to vibrate a little and so 'muddy' the sound for example. Spikes maintain the minimum contact area with the floor and so reduce the influence of vibrations travelling through the floor whilst still maintaining a secure base. The same logic is used when people put things like CD players on plinths, they do it to minimise external vibration which may affect the reading of the CD data. The using of spikes is pretty much set in stone for improving quality although there are other options for those who do not want to scratch their wooden floor or need to protect their kids. Something like this may be better. They are more like cones than spikes. RB

I also have no interest in the 3D side of things. Seems not too mass market yet. Having to wear glasses is a real issue especially if you have friends round or kids. Not interested in the Antimode ?. They have a couple for sale in XP although they seem a little expensive at S$400 when you can get them new though the local distributor for S$480. So did you get the XPA-3 in the end . RB

Haha. great. Show her small pic from far away to get the ok from the wife. Top tip . It is interesting how the two of us have listened to the same things and have different impressions. Just goes to show the way different people take different sounds. It is interesting how you found the SB12 directional as the bass levels it produces are of a level the human hearing cannot determine direction. Don't get me wrong, not suggesting anything more than it is an interesting comment. Maybe your perception was at play as you liked the cylinder better. My perception tried very hard to swing me to the cylinder too . The cylinder does look fantastic but I am pretty happy with my sealed box. Did you try with a reference set to see what a more expensive sub would be like. I went in expecting vibrating windows and rattling dvds and was quite surprised that as the price range went up the rattling and vibrating went down. There was no buzzing or rumpling I had associated with bass in the past but only a deep controlled sound. LOTR - Fellowship of the ring where they have the mass battle at the very beginning and Sauron explodes is a great example of really deep bass. Oh and movie night. Check my t-blog for details if you are interested. Err limited spaces . Anyone let me know if interested in my blog please. RB

Just out of interest, did you demo the sb12 or the pb12 as well as the pc12 ? The upgrade on the center speaker was a good choice IMO. Certainly for HT, spend on center and sub and you wont go too far wrong. Don't scrimp too much on the others but they will make the most impact. I put the setup on for my BiL who helped me collect the amp and he was suitably impressed with the music even though I have no idea of his musical tastes. Maybe another convert to Nickleback . Ok, my good lady wife is fine with a movie night. Would suggest a bring snacks and drinks type arrangement. Suggestions for dates ... Suggestions for movie / movies ... Any other suggestions ... One proviso is that you have to take us as we come as with two screaming kids, the place is rarely in pristine condition . RB

Well wouldn't you know it, just after taking the photos the setup has changed again..... I bought the Rotel amp. Took it home, wired it up and it is very nice. The musical side of things seems to be much improved now. As it is a stereo amp it only powers the left and right fronts but they sound a lot better playing music. Only issue is that the 12v trigger lead is too short and looks like it has been nibbled (they had rabbits as we used to and it looks like a rabbit bite mark). It comes with the original receipt and so I got around 250 off the new price for a unit that is run in and only a couple of months old. The standard rule of thumb with power amps is that if they survive the first month then they run for years. The best addition so far is the subwoofer though. It just changes so many things and not just the deep bass levels. If someone has a stereo system or a free surround sound system and is finding it hard to understand what people are saying in the films then they should change their center speaker. Not to a big expensive one but just changing to an entry level speaker from someone like Wharfedale will have a big effect. After that get a subwoofer. They are not cheap but some second hand ones are usually floating around and that will make a massive change if you get a reasonable one. From then they can decide if they wish to go further. For me, I am at my plateau where the cost of improvement now starts to out weigh the gains. Will have to check that one out with the wife . Might need to bring some cushions though as we have limited seating (although plenty of floor space). We do have an inflatable double air bed that can be used for seating though. Suggesting a good movie we have not watched yet may improve the chances though . Oh and for another recommendation for a demo disc, I tried Band of Brothers bluray Ep2. If you get the speaking for the pre-episode interviews to a good level then when the episode starts the noise of the planes carrying the soldiers to France (from Britain for the WW2 D-Day offensive) is just stunning. All together this is a fantastic scene if you can play it up high. RB

Ok, I have half the info for you. The gate is wrought iron and cost around S$380. My wife knows who supplied it and fired off the name to me but as I was not at the computer and had no pen or paper handy I failed to record it. I will try to get it again tonight. RB

The projector is just so cool. I fear we will be up for a new bulb far too soon . I found that having the 5D and two very active kids makes life pretty difficult. Having bought the Nikon P6000 (the Canon G11 was not available at the time) I find I use that a lot more now. Exploring the world as a single person or even as a pair then a D-SLR can be great but when the kids come it becomes so much more difficult. Not regretting the decision although there was definitely a sadness on selling. RB

The New HT setup. The new center speaker is a beast.... And the new subwoofer. Off to take a look at a Rotel RB1582 stereo amp this afternoon. Well regarded, going pretty cheap by new prices and only a couple of months old apparently. Info here. RB