JJ's Year 12: First Year of the New HT in a New House

[liquidice]

Hey JJ, sorry if I missed this as I skimed the last couple pages, but how do you operate the power to your rope and LED lighting?

Everything looks good.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by J6P

Brilliant execution on a great plan in there, Jose. Squeaky clean. Congrats!

~Chris

Thanks, Chris!

Originally Posted by liquidice

Hey JJ, sorry if I missed this as I skimed the last couple pages, but how do you operate the power to your rope and LED lighting?

Everything looks good.

Theres an outlet on the interior loft wall near my office. IR receiver plugged into it, and both the rope lights and IKEA LEDs plugged into it, so I can control it from downstairs with a remote.

[spaceape]

It sure is a cool new house you have there josé. Very pretty if i may say so.

[hamilton02]

Very impressive job on the new place. From the speaker finish to the accent colours and clean lines of the room. Very Miami. Great job.

[JJ]

Thanks, guys.

Going through the new subwoofer deliberation process now. It seems no ID company is safe from slander.

[BigAl87]

So JJ where is that Arro and Tribes III review?


BTW I love what you did with your room looks really sleek and modern.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

So JJ where is that Arro and Tribes III review?


BTW I love what you did with your room looks really sleek and modern.

Ah, geez.

I don't have the energy to type out an eloquent review.

Bottom line:

Spendor A6 -
Sonus Faber Toy Tower -
Sonus Faber Liuto -
Totem Tribe III -
Totem Arro -

In all fairness, the Arro's were freshly out of box. Not broken in at all. I was their first audience. We listened to them after the Sonus Fabers, so it really wasn't fair at all. They had no chance. I didn't like them one bit - the bass was non existent, and the treble sounded weak, tinny. I can't blame the VAC gear, can I? If a speaker ever needed a break-in period, that was it.

The Liuto's sang, but I believe they were out of my range. The Toy Tower's leather finish won them points, but the true show stealers were the Tribe IIIs. Jesus, the sound coming out of those on the solid state gear was incredible. The bass they could hit despite the tiny cabinets. I know they're on-wall, and I could never use them as such, I'd have to get their stands - but, wow. They're definitely #2 right now behind the GE Triton 2s, and it's a close race. The Spendors were definitely the definition of "bleh," to my dismay. Looks-wise, the Tribe IIIs had no equal, either, especially in the fire finish.

Guys, I'd LOVE to write a long winded 2,000 word review - using my full arsenal of metaphors and grandiose adjectives with incredible detail, but I don't have the spirits (literally and figuratively) for that right now.

And suddenly, I'm thinking I might get myself a Sigma wide-angle for my DSLR instead of a sub. I'm going to sleep though, guys.

[phansson]

Originally Posted by JJ

Thanks, guys.

Going through the new subwoofer deliberation process now. It seems no ID company is safe from slander.

I hate to offer advice because everyone will, but take a look at the Seaton Sound submersive. It is very impressive. My only gripe is lack of an auto on/off function.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by phansson

I hate to offer advice because everyone will, but take a look at the Seaton Sound submersive. It is very impressive. My only gripe is lack of an auto on/off function.

Another one? I can't find any price specs, or their website, just their forum.

How's it look? I'm not sure about throwing another brand in there. I didn't like the look of the Seaton speakers themselves.

I'm set on the SVS PB12-NSD for now. Thanks to Kali for noting to me Epik's issues.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Good morning Jose!

Too bad the Totem Arros weren't broken in (and yes, they absolutely require a break-in period), because they are a wonderfully detailed speaker.

With regard to the Tribes.....mindblowing indeed! Rob, Chris, Doug and maybe Steve are hopefully going to have a listen to them at the end of the month at my dealer. We're getting together for Record Store Day and then dropping by my dealer for some McIntosh lovin' and the Tribe experience! Should be fun!

[JJ]

Yeah, they're $4,000 in fire finish with the stands, MSRP.

I'm going to shoot for $3500 as a cash price. I'd still have no center channel, but...

Versus $3000 for the GE complete front three.

Those are the contenders. No Monitor Audio, Thiel, Rega, or Martin Logans listened to yet.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by JJ

Yeah, they're $4,000 in fire finish with the stands, MSRP.

I'm going to shoot for $3500 as a cash price. I'd still have no center channel, but...

Versus $3000 for the GE complete front three.

Those are the contenders. No Monitor Audio, Thiel, Rega, or Martin Logans listened to yet.

It's a sizeable investment, so go and audition the others before making a choice. Those Tribes would look "smashing" in your decor scheme though!

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by JJ

I'm set on the SVS PB12-NSD for now. Thanks to Kali for noting to me Epik's issues.

Just curious, what issues do Epiks have?

[ceiph]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Just curious, what issues do Epiks have?

also curious? I've loved my empire for over a year now

[phansson]

Originally Posted by JJ

Another one? I can't find any price specs, or their website, just their forum.

How's it look? I'm not sure about throwing another brand in there. I didn't like the look of the Seaton speakers themselves.

I'm set on the SVS PB12-NSD for now. Thanks to Kali for noting to me Epik's issues.

It isn't the "prettiest" speaker in my room, but wow it sounds good. I was very apprehensive about purchasing one. After reading some shootouts and customer reviews, I decided to give Seaton a chance. It is nothing short of incredible. Here is an image. There is another 15" woofer on the exact opposite side of the cabinet. I also agree that the website sucks. They really need to upgrade.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by JJ

Ah, geez.

I don't have the energy to type out an eloquent review.

Bottom line:

Spendor A6 -
Sonus Faber Toy Tower -
Sonus Faber Liuto -
Totem Tribe III -
Totem Arro -

In all fairness, the Arro's were freshly out of box. Not broken in at all. I was their first audience. We listened to them after the Sonus Fabers, so it really wasn't fair at all. They had no chance. I didn't like them one bit - the bass was non existent, and the treble sounded weak, tinny. I can't blame the VAC gear, can I? If a speaker ever needed a break-in period, that was it.The Liuto's sang, but I believe they were out of my range. The Toy Tower's leather finish won them points, but the true show stealers were the Tribe IIIs. Jesus, the sound coming out of those on the solid state gear was incredible. The bass they could hit despite the tiny cabinets. I know they're on-wall, and I could never use them as such, I'd have to get their stands - but, wow. They're definitely #2 right now behind the GE Triton 2s, and it's a close race. The Spendors were definitely the definition of "bleh," to my dismay. Looks-wise, the Tribe IIIs had no equal, either, especially in the fire finish.

Guys, I'd LOVE to write a long winded 2,000 word review - using my full arsenal of metaphors and grandiose adjectives with incredible detail, but I don't have the spirits (literally and figuratively) for that right now.

And suddenly, I'm thinking I might get myself a Sigma wide-angle for my DSLR instead of a sub. I'm going to sleep though, guys.

They do need break in and not more than 12x20 room with 8 feet cieling to shine and yes they can deliver bass but you really need that 4 inch driver to loosen up to even show one bit of bass but I know they are good speakers.

My Rainmakers were bad too in the begining. I am not surprised about the Tries III, it's one well designed speaker but their speed and accuracy is not for everybody, John enojoys a rounder sound per say but the are spectacular sounding.

[liquidice]

Mr. 305, rockin it in Miami....now you just need the right dress attire...

[arc trooper]

jj my man!! i hope you dont mind i borrowed a page from your book of lighting tricks and did something similar myself.. check it out and let me know

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Just curious, what issues do Epiks have?

The Legends have amp issues. Rather not risk it.

Originally Posted by ceiph

also curious? I've loved my empire for over a year now

The Empire is issue free!

Originally Posted by phansson

It isn't the "prettiest" speaker in my room, but wow it sounds good. I was very apprehensive about purchasing one. After reading some shootouts and customer reviews, I decided to give Seaton a chance. It is nothing short of incredible. Here is an image. There is another 15" woofer on the exact opposite side of the cabinet. I also agree that the website sucks. They really need to upgrade.

What's the $ on that, Monsieur Hansson?

Originally Posted by BigAl87

They do need break in and not more than 12x20 room with 8 feet cieling to shine and yes they can deliver bass but you really need that 4 inch driver to loosen up to even show one bit of bass but I know they are good speakers.

My Rainmakers were bad too in the begining. I am not surprised about the Tries III, it's one well designed speaker but their speed and accuracy is not for everybody, John enojoys a rounder sound per say but the are spectacular sounding.

Right, and my room is HUGE w/ 19' ceilings. So that can't be it. I'm really leaning towards the GE T2s for this reason.

Originally Posted by liquidice

Mr. 305, rockin it in Miami....now you just need the right dress attire...

Did you see me out this weekend or something? This past weekend must've been the first time in a year or so I went out late and drank and did that whole thing.

[Show spoiler]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/309518_10100161514091367_10602183_46436793_1284127 169_n.jpg

With no gf around! Whee!!!

Originally Posted by arc trooper

jj my man!! i hope you dont mind i borrowed a page from your book of lighting tricks and did something similar myself.. check it out and let me know

Alrighty, ARC, let me give it a look see...

GOODNESS, work has me caught up. Up at 530, office at 700, out at 5:00, home at 6:00, eat, watch TV, bed by 9, rinse and repeat for weekdays. I have no forum time at all anymore!

So the latest heads up - I made an appointment to demo Monitor Audio GX200 and Thiel SCS4T in 2 weeks when I have an available day off.

I'm postponing my subwoofer purchase for December, and buying myself my Sigma 10-20mm lens this month and some new cans instead, so just flipping months around per my "upgrade plan" - then to start saving for the new speakers.

[phansson]

Originally Posted by JJ

What's the $ on that, Monsieur Hansson?

$2200 with the HP amp (2400 watts ).

I wish you could hear it. We finished watching the Jurassic Park trilogy tonight and is just silly how good this sub performs.