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Lol! Thanks for the shout out guys. Seriously, sure they don’t measure well and they do look like a 90’s throw back (specifically the Polk RTI6). But I’m guessing they’re not terrible, especially for the price. The build quality looks good. Not hating, just poking fun. These are just material things at the end of the day. As a wise denim and spectical enthusiast once said “The only person who needs to enjoy your system is you” 🍻 P.S. AIWA is life!
While I hope you guys don't feel like you have to do one of these every week, you have hit on gold with this concept. Very entertaining and helpful. And hell yes to hifi being fun. From chilling in front of my main system to just washing my car and wearing some Air Pods, music makes life better.
I voiced my opinion on the speaker on the last review. For this one I just want to say THANK YOU. This is why I love this channel and you guys. Real people, real opinions and views, simple and honest. Thank you for this conversation! Hope everyone has a lovely day and to the guy diagnosed with the worst thing out there, I hope you get to experience more enjoyment and get well soon! F*** you cancer.
HAHA, RU-vid overlords... Seriously though, I started enjoying HIFI more the less I engage with the toxic community that is HIFI. A good example I have was a person telling me that I was ignorant for saying "wide soundstage". "This is an ambiguous term. You should use proper terms like the sound is spacious." Great format you two, I am enjoying the conversations!
Totally get what you mean about the toxic hifi scene. It’s all my team is better than yours or more importantly in this community I’ve got more cash to spend on gear than you! Andrew and Kristi are cool though, they’ve got my stamp of approval (not that that matters)
Inflation combined with no federal minimum wage increase in 15 years is hardly sustainable. That said...there are so many options available at a variety of price points, which I hope helps fill in the gaps a little.
As someone who bought a Marantz 11 channel processor which failed, and had to be replaced under warranty, i totally understand the fear of buying new gear. If i were to shop for a new processor, i could no longer afford Marantz as an option with their new pricing. But, there are always options. Just my opinion.
@@thepracticalaudiophilethat totally sucks. To their credit, they gave me a new unit and its still rocking. But when / if this preamp goes, i cannot afford to buy marantz again regardless of reliability. I am hoping this unit lasts, as it has no amplifier, and just does the processing. When it fails, even the new models regardless of brand are excluding the analog 7.1 ch input, which i still love for some movies.
I think what makes the hobby fun for me is listening to my kids talking about wanting home theater when they’re on their own. They’ve grown up always having 5.1 surround sound in the house, so movies and gaming at other households falls flat for them. My pieced together systems don’t have the latest tech, aren’t scientifically placed or tuned, and may fall below the standards of many followers here, but they rumble and damn are they fun! Someday, I can see myself searching the market for gear for a kids first system.
Sharing a personal HiFi fun story. Sometimes, just sometimes, I might set up 3 stereos in one average living room on 3 walls and play music via airplay to all of them simultaneously. HiFi sacrilege to be sure, but it fills the room nicely for parties and gives an interesting and FUN effect.
Bruh, this is what hifi is all about. I run four speakers and it gives the best holographic 3D sound in a small space. I'm down with doing stuff that no one else does and getting good results
For the people that don't own a SPL meter..85-88db is LOUD. And just because you've heard 10 different speakers in your lifetime you are far from an expert. And for those that criticize everything..lighten up. Take that energy to the gym or for a walk. No Fun!!
I'm so glad you like Unplugged! We're really enjoying it ourselves. The sofa is new, but you'll probably notice a different one in a couple months. We're exchanging this one for one with a lower back for more support (just what we're used to).
Weren't breast fed with enough eye contact? That's friggin epic! :D hahaha btw Kristi's username pronunciations and descriptions steal the show. Please KEEP THAT UP! :) Andrew's reactions to them are awesome.
Well you kids got us having lots of fun. Using the Sony str-dn1080 with used Focal Chora 806 fronts with a Sony a90j 65 all of which ya'll turn us onto. Hope ya'll review the Hisense U8N this year. 😊
This was a really fun video to watch! Thank you both! I bought the Jamo Studio 8 home theater package when they were dirt cheap on Amazon ($143 for the package) and they are what really got me into home theater. I only bought them after watching your review on them from a few years back and after watching the Cheap Audio Man (CAM) review the s803 and s801 speakers. After I got everything setup I went right to reddit and posted in both the home theater and budget audiophile subs because I was proud of my first setup and excited to share them and I immediately felt like everyone wanted to rip apart my speaker choice because "they don't measure very well". I think that there is a lot of "gate keeping" in the home audio world and It's just really refreshing to have your channel and CAM highlighting fun speakers at a good price point. It's also really fun to watch you review speakers that are way out of my budget but to also see you be happy enjoying my same speakers even if they don't have the flattest measurements. I've since upgraded significantly and am now enjoying the Klipsch Reference Premiere speakers in my home theater and the Jamos are still going strong in a secondary home theater area. I would have had a hard time purchasing the Jamos and the Klipsch speakers had there not be reviewers like you willing to recommend fun speakers and highlight pros and cons of fun speakers on a budget.
The fun you have, encouraged me to pick up a 6000a play after almost 20 years with an old yamaha avr. While the Audiolab is now gone, that vibe of having fun still remains, so thank you. I'm enjoying this new format, the "shop talk" vibe is great. As an FYI, I am currently running Atoll Pr200, Am200, zidoo neo s streamer dac, and a brand new pair of audiovector qr5 se speakers. Living vicariously through you two.
Bravo for showing the smoothing value for your sample graph! Plenty of people show spl graphs with no indication at all about how much smooting was employed.
Well , since I have been an audiophile with good equipment since the early 70’s…I’d say it is still very much fun. I get at least 2-3 hours listening in a day, in winter, summer, a little less as I am outdoors. That is pure 2 channel, not counting movies or TV. Not only do I have around 3000 CDs…but I also have a huge archive of vintage “underground” FM rock radio now converted to digital…sill use my reel to reel, have a stereo in my backwood cabin, camp and listen to acoustic music by the campfire in a national forest. Yea, I still enjoy it.
In my group of baby boomer audiophiles, most who have systems WAY better than my own, we have had a saying that goes back decades: “Even if you only have a boom box…or college dorm stereo, the thing is only as good as the music you play on it.”
I like how most of the comments do not in fact voice and opinion wether or not a center is actually needed. I haven't had one for over 12 years, but my space was always very small. I just moved into a bigger living room now, with my main left and right being much further apart. It's still great if i sit flat in the middle, but not as great when I am on the outside of the sofa. Its the first time in my life where i am thinking of adding a center to my system.
Hey just wanted to say thank you for your content and the way you both deliver it. I almost never engage with this community based on what I feel is an unwillingness to help others and their willingness to just flat out belittle people by the vocal few "audiophiles" who dominate the comment threads. When I was finally in a position to invest in a home theater system, I made a purchase based entirely on your review of the Polk R200's. I had seen others nit pick this speaker, but your thorough and unbiased review sold me on it. I have so much fun watching movies, even more so now with a 5.1.4 all Polk Reserve setup. I couldn't care less how it measures, it's budget friendly price, or that most wouldn't classify it as Hi-Fi, I just love how it sounds.
Love what you two do! Been deep in Tidal tonight listening to early Robert Palmer, man if that doesn't reinforce my desire for great sounding gear, I'm not sure what will.
I enjoy watching your Unplugged series better than all the other shows you produce ~ Great to see you folks with your hair down and speaking frankly to your viewer mail ~
Recalling the day I watched a video of your about the Jamo 809’s about them being a cheap way to get into audio . I found them,set them up . Never been disappointed with any of the purchases after watching any of your reviews . Thank you for taking the time to make videos and share with us your knowledge of audio. Been a blast so far
Re: breastfeeding, Rodney Dangerfield said his mom refused to breastfeed him. She said she just wanted to be friends. I appreciate y'all sticking to the thought that "the only one who has to like the sound of your system is you." There are so many out there who want to belittle someone else's hifi choices or deride the equipment they own, whether that equipment might be characterized as "snake oil" or "audiophile jewelry" or "cheap crap" or "over priced garbage" . And you are having fun with dissenting opinions. I like that! Keep on keepin' on. David
I like the new format with image in lower left. I like hearing both of your opinions. I am getting back into audio and really learned a lot from your different videos. Thanks.
Tell the fun police to get bent. While I do have an appreciation for the occasional witty contrarian, life is too short for grumpy asses that get lost on good information. Look at me I've got bad GAS (gear acquisition syndrome, not the rear surround voicing. ), for me the hunt is never ending fun! The only thing that isn't, is trying to find a matching tuner and cd player for Onkyo Grand Integra system, let alone a pair of their speakers. Keep doing what you're doing!!! Always fantastic content!!!
How do people look at the production quality on these videos and think they haven't evaluated the option of Kristi being on camera. She doesn't want to be, and once she states that, continuing to request it or comment negatively on it is uncalled for. Can we just stop?
The main issue with phantom center for me is off-center listening. Since it's replicating the center that's missing with roughly equal volume from each speaker if you sit closer to the L or R you'll no longer hear the voices coming from the center/TV. With a center the AVR is generally just not playing things like on-screen voices from the L/R speakers so sitting off-center isn't as bad. Works great for tightly coupled listening positions though!
Good afternoon Andrew and Kristi. Good discussion. Totally agree with regards to loudness levels. As someone who likes his music a bit on the louder side and who has been checking db levels the past few months out of curiosity in the interest of avoiding hearing damage, 85 db average with peaks 90+ db at the listening position is quite loud. I find I like my music in the 80 to 85 db average level but beyond that it's getting excessive at least for any extended period of time.
Hello Andrew and Kristi! I wanted to express my gratitude for providing such an entertaining video! I hope you don't mind if I ask an off-topic question. Thanks to your recommendation, I purchased the Q990C at a quite decent price, considering my location (Malta, to be exact). Now, I aim to maximize the soundbar's capabilities with my current setup. I have a PS5 connected to a Feintech VAX04101, which is then linked to a relatively inexpensive projector that, as far as I know, lacks ARC/eARC capabilities. My main concern is whether I can achieve the full 11.1.4 experience with this setup for gaming, TV shows, and movies, or if I should consider investing in something else. I appreciate your time and assistance!
I want to help, but unfortunately, I don't have any first-hand experience with the Feintech product or gaming with a projector connected to the Q990C. The 990C should pass through the video if you connect your PS5 to the HDMI input and then runthe HDMI out, out to your projector. I'm unsure what adding the Feintech gives you or does in this setup? You don't need to run audio to the projector as the soundbar is handling it so ARC/eARC isn't necessary here? Again, I haven't tried your exact setup. I'm doing my best to visualize the signal chain in my head, and I think you may be overcomplicating things.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews yeah in fact now that I opted for the q990c, the feintech is redundant, apart from having the ease of having more hdmi inputs to make use of 😊 lastly, will I make use of the whole 11.1.4 channels with my ps5, or should I opt for something like the apple 4k? Thank you!
Enjoy your videos. One of my first 5.1 surround sound setups was a panasonic ht in a box. right on the remote it had a button that said "center focus" that spread the center channel signal into the front left and right speakers. This sounded so much better than all the dialouge coming from one speaker setting on top or underneath my tv. After I started upgrading to nicer AV receivers ( I like the older denons) I couldn't understand why that feature wasn't available on all surround sound setups. Never could find a center speaker that I liked. So I always go with the Phantom center. I keep the left and right front speakers not too far apart. 3-5 ft.
I’ve been following you content off and on since the recovering audiophile days. Even saw some of the record store find videos you guys did back in the day. I like how you present your material and you down to earth approach to reviews. I think it’s partially due to watching your content and finding the right gear that I’m no longer looking for new gear and just enjoy listening and watching content. I now just watch reviews for the entertainment value. This one hit close to home. The idea of making gear do things it was not intended to do, being disappointed by the results, and then reporting it as failure of the product is a disservice to people who want to learn. I was happy with my gear for 18 years but when I got back into the hobby to upgrade my setup it felt like a mine field and it took me a couple of years to figure out which direction to go. I’m back in a place where I just enjoy content. Thank you both for creating great content that even the less rabid fans can enjoy.
As you've always said Andrew, the only person that needs to enjoy your system is you. We all have opinions, I agree. BTW - shout out and prayers to Preston. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
If one ruins their hearing with high SPL their speakers will always get far more expensive. I think there could be a fairly strong argument there is a threshold of SPL that will prevent anyone's room from allowing quality sound.
Thanks for covering some of my comments / questions. Let me clarify, though. I understand the role that the center channel plays and how valuable it is, however, that statement is incomplete, it needs to be how valuable it is for certain situations. Let's take the movie theater situation that Andrew mentioned in the video. He is completely correct with a seating area that wide having center channels to anchor dialogue to the screen is a huge advantage over phantom. This is because of how wide the seating area is. Here is where things diverge, though. In homes a lot of people don't have the equivalent of a theater where people may be sitting way off center. A lot of in home systems have 1 to 5 viewers that are all relatively close to on center. With speakers that have a great center image this is child's play for a phantom center set up. Some listeners jave budget Best Buy speakers and may really need that center for any seat off of dead center. There are others though that have a scaled down cinema in home and will greatly benefit from a center channel many viewers that are well off center. Phantom isn't the best solution for everyone. However, it is a viable solution and a great one for a lot of people. The problem is a lot of people don't even know it is an option at all. That is what I mean about the industry conspiracy. Why would "they" want anyone to do phantom. It is a xash cow. Convince people to buy expensive mains for good misic performance. Now for movies, well now you need an expensive center as it is the most important channel because almost all dialogue goes there now. That is true, except there is an exception to that which is almost never told, and that is that it isn't mandatory. Fhe center is the most important channel for sureound content IF you add one. If not then your mains remain the most important speakers, and dollar for dollar they are simply better.
Speaker manufacturers need to evolve with their center channel speaker form factor; who really wants the distraction of a hulking box of a center channel right smack in front of their sleek Oled? Or why not a center channel bar with integrated ATMOS speakers (for those that don’t want to place hideous ATMOS speakers in their living rooms)? As a consumer I’d sacrifice a little elitist audiophile/HT nerdy performance for something that has a more balanced aesthetic for real living spaces that don’t overwhelmed the pleasure of watching. I’d be curious to see a review of the KEF HTC 8001.
I learned *all about* how much of a movie soundtrack is going to the centre *and only the centre* when I had to redo our setup after we upgraded to 4k, and after a few days, suddenly movies no longer contained dialogue. Absolutely baffling, but I blamed the TV or something elsewhere in the signal chain-which of course made no sense, but I hadn't touched the speakers so they couldn't be the problem. Then I found the loose speaker connection. Super frustrating at the time, but a valuable learning experience.
OMG Soooo funny you 2. Esp Kristi on fire 🔥. Love it! 😂 Seriously better than some of the comedy clubs I've been to lately. Love you guys and look fwd to unplugged every week!!! 🙏🏾🎆💯❤️
I totally agree with you: there is no right or wrong in this hobby. It’s so personal, we hear all in a different way. A long time ago I was visiting a college and he was doubtful about with amplifier worked well with his new speakers from Jamo ( big floorstanders). He had 3 amps to his disposal. We were the about the same age and we loved the same music (classical) and we had a totally different preference. Who was right or wrong: nobody. I never get personal over someone taste, if the other person is happy and I have another taste so what. Greetings from Ludo Belgium
I use KEF Q35 as front channels and my wife and I keep trying to add a centre speaker but it comes off as so much less natural sounding. It calls so much attention to itself.
Also, FYI, it is one thing to say that you don't like Andrew doing personal in room measurements as you want anechoic or similar. However, saying he doesn't know how to measure because he measures differently than you would like is ignorant.
I may put in a center, but I'd probably only use it when other people are watching a movie. Since it's almost always just me listening (or another person sitting dead center behind me), why would I need a center? Dialogue already seems to come from dead center.
There is good Schiit and not so good Schiit when it comes to design. Just glad they will all soon be manufactured in either San Antonio or Corpus Christi, TX.
Hi Andrew! Thanks for the great content! I've watched a bunch of your videos, and was hoping you could drop a recommendation. I am building a film studio for video production, but it will double as an intimate unique event space. The space I need help with is 22' wide, 45' long, with sealed concrete floors, 13' exposed commercial ceilings with exposed metal i-beams, and there's not a ton of reverb, but I will be hanging acoustic panels parallel to the floor from the i-beams to clean up some of the slight echo there is. I'm rocking the Hisense C1 at 175" for video, and while I have the Samsung Q990b at the house, and the Q990C in the green room, I know I need a real setup for this space. I'm unsure if the theater style screen/sound will rent out well, so I want to go very mid/low tier. Ideally under 3K with receiver, but I could jump it to sub 4K all in. I'd love if it could be an Atmos setup as well. Because nothing can be permanent if at floor/wall level, I was thinking tower speakers for the front L/R, a center speaker brought in at ear level, or a permanent mount angled down from an i-beam, two bookself speakers at the rear, and either up firing atmos speakers, or I could easily mount them to the ibeams pointing down. Depending on what you recommend, I may need a dedicated sub as well. Keep up the great content, and thank you for your time and help!
Okay, first, thanks for the support and supper chat! Because this is a larger space, but one that may need to accomodate a lot of different configurations, I'm not sure I'd go with towers. I think on-walls may be the most freeing as they won't be in anyone's way (or foot path) if you do an event or gathering --something you'd have to consider even with towers let alone bookshelf speakers on stands. If we go with on-walls, we can keep all the speakers the same, which is best for surround sound honestly. I was going to steer you towards Arendal 1961 bookshelf speakers all around but they're discontinued. My next choice would be Magnat's THX cinema line here amzn.to/49hO6rS. These are great, wall-mountable speakers that can be used for all channels. Add a sub or two and you should be good to go! For an AVR, I used the Onkyo RZ50 and it was a great combo. Now, we may be pushing your budget here (not sure) but this would be a good setup for a large space like yours.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I was hoping you'd say these. I've watched A LOT of your videos and this is the system I initially built out. Really appreciate the input. What would you do with the center channel? Would you mount it at roughly a 10' height hanging from the I-beam, would you bring out a small table to set it on when in use for screenings, or would you skip it all together?
I would likely experiment with both center options, or mount the center to the wall below the screen. If this is going to be a semi event or gathering space, I would advise against ANYTHING being on a stand/table out in the room.
I had these old Jamo C-807 speakers and tried the whole phantom imaging thing (2 channel), actually placing them correctly and having a listening position. I was blown away by how all of my old music was brought to life in this beautiful three dimensional space with layers and depth. Luckily, the Jamos were very very good at imaging to make me realize this phenomenon. This put such a smile on my face the fun factor of music listening was right back in my life, and investing in an upgraded system almost immediately was justified. Luckily, I have an OCD brain that accepts I can live with the same system for a least 10 years 😂.
Kristi and Andrew, Schiit will move all their production to Texas in next few months, would like to see more reviews of their products, for example, their recently launched Aegir 2 with Halo～～
If one has their home theatre system in a small to medium bedroom where a surround system is not practical, I can’t begin to tell you how much fun the smaller Magnepan LRS+ perform in a 2.1 setup. While I own more expensive speakers, the transparency and spatial quality of the Maggies makes them ideal for watching Netflix and the like. While a sub is obviously needed for “rumbling” effects, even the bass is surprisingly satisfying.
@@KristiWright thanks for answering my question, I quite like the design on these and I am on a look for new bookshelf speakers so your reply will definitely help me decide.
SVS has made it clear to us that they only want overwhelmingly positive reviews of their products, and since we never guarantee the outcome of any review, to any brand, for any reason, we're not likely to get a pair sent to us for review.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews well, I've just lost a lot of respect for SVS. I'm proud that you stand for us. If a company builds a product that they believe in, they shouldn't need to put pressure on reviewers to give kudos.
Definitely having fun. Too many people though decide to align themselves with internet teams and form opinions without ever hearing anything for themselves. It’s unfortunate but an aspect of the internet echo chamber age. I would absolutely encourage people to goto a local Hifi store and hear for themselves. I would also encourage that they respect what someone else might like and that not everyone needs to be in your camp. Like what you like and enjoy and don’t sweat what others may think since it’s yours not theirs.
Since we are talking about Is HiFi Still Fun....how about a poll on Best Looking Speakers, Worst Looking Speakers? Sound Quality thrown out the window.....Just Looks.
I'm 62 so between the ages of 13 and 15. I tried to build my own speakers they sounded good to a 14 year old. At 15 I bought a pair of Phase technology spears and I couldn't believe my EARS! The year 1977 wow.
Like everyone else in this hobby, I've also struggled with that darn center channel dilemma. A single center speaker anchored the sound to the screen but also drops it below correct ear level and led to muddled unintelligible dialogue which we struggled to hear from one single speaker. A phantom center raised the sound to appropriate height level but since there is no true anchor, it sounded bad for anyone who was sitting off angle. So the solution I finally figured out for myself: USE BOTH. Wait a sec? Just how do you do that? Allow me to explain. 1. I got an inexpensive 4 channel mini-amplifier from Amazon. 2. I purchased 5 affordable but relatively good quality center speakers from Amazon. (Yes, 5 of them. Bear with me.) 3. I purchased 3 audio cable Y-splitters from Amazon and connected them to each other so they branch out like a tree branch. The single end of two into each of the split ends of one. I connected this to the Center channel pre-out. 4. I bought two pairs of standard RCA audio cables which I used to connect the 4 ends of the joined Y-splitters to the inputs of the mini-amp. 5. I connected a single speaker to the standard Center speaker plugs of my AVR to act as my anchor. 6. I connected the remaining 4 center speakers to the mini-amp. 7. Two of these center speakers were placed on top of my left and right speakers and toed in to act as an elevated ear level phantom center. 8. Really this was more than enough but just to sweeten the deal, the other two speakers were placed on top of my rear surround speakers and toed in for a second phantom center. Now, this probably sounds crazy to everyone reading this. My friends and family thought it was crazy too. It's one thing to have a 5.1.4 surround system, but 5.5.4?!? Seems like absolute overkill and utter horror to true audio aficionados. Yep, everyone thinks I'm crazy.... until they sit down in my living room and I play them the movie of their choice off of either Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Say, Top Gun: Maverick. Then they're absolutely blown away. And I assure you that nobody complains about a lack of dialogue clarity no matter where they are sitting.
Well, I live for a good Dish Washer Looking Speaker....lol Even if they look like an old Boom Box Cheap Speaker. Luv luv luv your Fun Fun Fun Channel........thanks for your commitment.
@@KristiWright after my father passed away in ‘21 I took his vintage gear from the 70’s and 80’s. I was always a hifi guy since my early teens. The hifi fire started again for me. Last year upgraded my main system. Plus having fun with a bit a vintage gear in the basement.
@@KristiWright thank you. After auditioning some integrated amps and loudspeakers I went with a Hegel H190 and Bryston A1 loudspeakers. And at that time a Wiim pro streamer. Upgraded to a Node X shortly thereafter. I enjoy it a lot.
I'm hyper-focused on this video so that I may have something witty and funny to say afterwards, so there's no time for fun! Oops, I just laughed and completely lost my thoughts!
