Gremal's Home Theater

[Gremal]

My goal in putting together my HT is to achieve maximum detail, dynamics and definition, accurate soundstaging and cost-no-object audio grandeur. This goes for home theater as well as multichannel and two-channel music applications.

To my ears, the elliptical midrange/tweeter unit of the B&W 800, 801 and 802 models, with their dome tweeters and kevlar midrange cones, is something special and really drilled into the microdetail of any recording to reveal what is there. When B&W upgraded the Nautilus models with a diamond dust-encrusted tweeter, new crossovers and Connelly leather on the upper portion of the cabinet, I sold my N802D and got the magical 802Ds. The only center that matches their midrange/tweeter unit is the HTM1D, designed to be a floorstander under the screen. The resolving power of the front three channels is to me the most important element of home theater.

When I owned my original pair of B&Ws, I demoed lots of amps, trying to decide what was the perfect match for the N802s and finally settled on VAC's Avatar, a relatively low-powered tube integrated amp for its ability to deliver openness and detail. People insist the B&W 800 series demands hundreds of watts of power to feed them, but they are actually very senstivite, efficient speakers and rarely pull more than 10-15 watts even at peak, earsplitting levels. When VAC introduced its Phi Beta 100i integrated amp, I wanted very much to upgrade but at $19,000 list price it was not possible. After upgrading to the 802D, I realized I did need more power and eventually found an opportunity to get a used Phi Beta after VAC stopped manufacturing the amp. I believe the combination of this particular amp and the diamond/kevlar elliptical unit of the speakers is an extraordinary match that unlocks the nature and the detail of any recording.

As you may notice from my photos, I needed to overcome the limitations of a very small room and integrate my two-channel system with my HT system. I am well aware that a bigger room would be preferable. I have put a lot of thought into the best way to organize my gear and there are logical reasons for my choices. I get a lot of comments that I should move this or change that, but when you really take a look at the floorplan, the location of the windows and doors and my goals for the system, there is no better way to set up the room.

The feature that allows me to use the Phi Beta in a 7.1 system is the amp's cinema bypass function that decouples the amp's power and preamp stage. I use the Integra 9.8 as my preamp for HT applications, and found an Audio Refinement Multi 5 designed by Yves-Bernard André to compliment the VAC and power the center and surrounds. While not as dynamic or detailed as the Phi Beta, the Multi 5 does have an openness and tube-like analytical characteristics that make it the best choice for my system.

I originally had a 50" 720 Pioneer plasma before the advent of HD, and I loved the color vibrancy. But I was always aware that the black level was terrible and chose to watch with the lights on. When my extended warranty ended and Pioneer introduced the Kuro models, I sold my old plasma and bought a new kuro 50 incher. The black level is much better, and I often watch in the dark now. I also pick out more detail with 1080p, since I sit only about 8-9 feet from the screen.

My current goal is to stop the cycle of upgrading since I consider this system to be reference quality--what I really need to upgrade is my room. I have worked with an architect and structural engineer to develop plans to add about 1000 sq ft to my house, including a second story. The plans call for an HT space attached to a master bedroom on the upper floor. Someday I hope to execute these plans and have a room that is as impressive as my gear. Until then, I'm perfectly happy with my HT the way it is and don't believe there is a way to significantly improve it.

[VinnAY]

If you don't want peoples comments, don't put your stuff out there to be judged...SIMPLE AS THAT.

[Siri]

Or disable ratings, it sucks that just anyone can rate it without being a member, but sometimes when I click on the username it says they are not a registered member when I have seen them post and know they are, just to be sure, do a search on google with the username in " " and maybe on here too, just to be sure

[UK_fan_05]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

If you don't want peoples comments, don't put your stuff out there to be judged...SIMPLE AS THAT.

+1 Enough said.

[Opips2]

you can read ego in your home theatre room?

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[JasonR]

He is registered.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=2868

[Rovic]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

If you don't want peoples comments, don't put your stuff out there to be judged...SIMPLE AS THAT.

Originally Posted by eagle_fan_05

+1 Enough said.

Agreed! That and everyone is entittled to their own opinion so keep in mind that not everyone will 100% love your set up.

[phansson]

You have some really nice gear. I bet that your room has the highest cost of equipment per square foot on this site.

I understand the room constraint situation. I only had one room that would hold all of my gear and only one setup position in that room. Eventually, I will be able to build a dedicated room but until then, I am stuck with a multi purpose room.

[Deadset]

Well we all build within our constraints. Until I build/design my own house I live within the walls that are provided.

Those comments made me laugh, a good pre-Christmas chuckle. Gremal, you have a great setup, anyone who says otherwise is probably envious.

[Blu Titan]

In all honesty there's no way that Greg's set up is less than four stars. You can have a differing opinion, but it should be reasonable. You can ALWAYS find something negative to write if you are looking to do that.

[Mr. HiDef]

Well atleast he didnt say anything about the Vac, because then I would have been offended lol


Gremal, don't let it get to you, your center channel cost more then his whole setup and he knows that.

[MacDaddyOJack]

It's really not a big deal, just because someone gives you a 1.5/5 doesn't mean that you will enjoy your setup any less. They are just ratings and as you have found out, they often come from people who aren't as educated when it comes to home audio.

[Slec]

What a great setup.

Small? so what?
wires showing? i watch movies in the dark (as i'm sure you do)
Center channel not on a stand? - it doesn't look to need one based on size..
rear surrounds aren't 'placed properly'? 98% (made up stat) of movies don't even have 7.1 at this point in time.

Apparantly there are many people on this site with PERFECT rooms for their theaters. I wish I had one of those.

[owa]

Originally Posted by Sirius389

Or disable ratings, it sucks that just anyone can rate it without being a member, but sometimes when I click on the username it says they are not a registered member when I have seen them post and know they are, just to be sure, do a search on google with the username in " " and maybe on here too, just to be sure

Does disabling ratings also disable comments or can people still leave comments when the ratings are turned off?

[Siri]

Originally Posted by owa

Does disabling ratings also disable comments or can people still leave comments when the ratings are turned off?

Not sure, I know I have looked at some galleries that had ratings disabled, never tried to leave a comment though, you can delete comments in your gallery, I know that

[Slec]

Originally Posted by Sirius389

Not sure, I know I have looked at some galleries that had ratings disabled, never tried to leave a comment though, you can delete comments in your gallery, I know that

Exactly!, and instead of deleting comments Gremal created this thread to discuss some of the comments made. A much more mature way then deleting them or 'taking his ball and going home' by not sharing his setup.

[Gremal]

Ok, maybe I did overreact just a bit.

I don't want to delete or hide any comment because I believe it's all about giving ppl a voice to express their opinions, but whatsisname did have some serious misconceptions about my gear and how the setup would impact the sound.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Slec

Exactly!, and instead of deleting comments Gremal created this thread to discuss some of the comments made. A much more mature way then deleting them or 'taking his ball and going home' by not sharing his setup.

I know was just saying you could though, lol

Originally Posted by Gremal

Ok, maybe I did overreact just a bit.

I don't want to delete or hide any comment because I believe it's all about giving ppl a voice to express their opinions, but whatsisname did have some serious misconceptions about my gear and how the setup would impact the sound.

Your gear is awesome, way better than mine! hopefully I can have some serious gear like that one day!

Siriusly!

[guitarist155]

i would have to agree with him though, most everything he said are the basic rules of speaker placement as there are most likely a lot of standing waves in that room around your mid - high range, also your bass would develop about 15-20ft behind that couch and space would help give some "air" to the system. just thoughts, if it works for you thats all that really matters

amazing setup

[Gremal]

Actually, I think folks in bigger rooms have more serious challenges in some ways with standing waves and echoes and other reverberations. As small as my room is, it's dead--I can clap in here and get no echo whatsoever. I go to some HT rooms and it is clear they are facing major reflection issues.

I just checked out my new comments today. Thanks to those of you who recognize the quality of the setup. One other dude had some funny comments:

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Room is too small for a 7.1 configuration, the L/R rear are right up against the back of that hideous couch that looks to be about as comfortble as a rock. Speakers are F'ugly.