My Turn - 8.3s and 6.3 Center

[floridapoolboy]

OK, I ran "breakin" music all day, and ran Audessy when I got home from work. The Onkyo 805 (used as prepro) set the 8.3s full band, and crossed the 6.3 at 40hz. I switched both to 80hz, as my LFM-1EX does the lows real well. First up, some music. I tried my usual test tracks, Donald Fagen from "The Nightfly", Dire Straits from "Brothers In Arms", and Robert Cray from "Strong Persuader". Nice, VERY nice! These speakers are remarkably clear and crisp, without being overbearing. In 2 channel the towers seemed to expand around me, making me check that the ERDs were indeed off. I played with the switches a bit, and could make the towers sound "laid back" or "bright", but I preferred them at their nuetral positions. Plenty of bass from the twin woofers in "pure" stereo, but being a bass freak I tended to use my sub.

Switching over to PL2 music the room opened up, with all the speakers getting into a seamless blend. Some purists don't like music this way, but I'm finding I like to use surround sound for cds, especially now that my setup is timbre matched. All in all, I was very impressed.

Now it was time for HT, my main interest. I'm doing about 80% HT, so this was really the make or break for me. Here the 6.3 took center stage, literally. I have never heard such a clear midrange, like a bell. The towers provided plenty of dynamics, and the ERD surrounds were perfectly matched. I played all my usual suspects, LOTR Fellowship, Matrix, Fifth Element, jumping to my favorite scenes. For comparison I had been using Rocket 850s and Bigfoot, and I find the Emotiva setup to be much more clear and sparkling. The 850s are great speakers, but I was never totally happy with Bigfoot. This was probably due to the rear ports, in my room placement seemed to be a problem. The acoustic suspension design of the ERMs made them a snap to setup, no boominess to worry about.

I'll post some pictures later, for now I'm gonna get to know these speakers better. Another great point about them is they fade into the backround when the lights go off, and don't reflect any light back with my projector. The Rockets had a bit of a glare, that no amount of toe in would eliminate. I'll be back with more later, but that's all for now, back to my taxes!

[Deleted]

nice . . looking forward to the pics . .

[floridapoolboy]

A quick question for those who may know, what the heck is the tweeter High/Low 'Extension" switch? I played around with the level, but I didn't know what to make of those. Maybe if I had some instructions in the box it might have helped....! Any manuals come with these? I had nothing, and no online manual either. The only one is for the ERM/ERD, and it doesn't have the same switch configuration.

[Deleted]

Apr 7, 2009 21:32:51 GMT -5 floridapoolboy said:

A quick question for those who may know, what the heck is the tweeter High/Low 'Extension" switch? I played around with the level, but I didn't know what to make of those. Maybe if I had some instructions in the box it might have helped....! Any manuals come with these? I had nothing, and no on line manual either. The only one is for the ERM/ERD, and it doesn't have the same switch configuration.

I pm'ed Dann today and he mentioned that the ERT manuals are being finished and will be available for the down load soon. There was a delay of some sort but he was being hush hush about it .. . something about escaped monkeys from the no defunct chimps division

[Lonnie]

Apr 7, 2009 21:52:05 GMT -5 rather said:

Apr 7, 2009 21:32:51 GMT -5 floridapoolboy said:

A quick question for those who may know, what the heck is the tweeter High/Low 'Extension" switch? I played around with the level, but I didn't know what to make of those. Maybe if I had some instructions in the box it might have helped....! Any manuals come with these? I had nothing, and no on line manual either. The only one is for the ERM/ERD, and it doesn't have the same switch configuration.

I pm'ed Dann today and he mentioned that the ERT manuals are being finished and will be available for the down load soon. There was a delay of some sort but he was being hush hush about it .. . something about escaped monkeys from the no defunct chimps division

The Extension switch on the 'Low' setting allows for a normal roll-off of frequencies 18k and above. The 'High' setting makes the slope much more gradual...things roll-off much more gradually, and this makes an 'extended' high end. Can be used if your room is particularly dark, or if your personal preference is for a more 'airy' sound.

[floridapoolboy]

Cool, thanks! Of course I had to go check, and my extension switch is 3 position! If low is normal and high is extended, what happens when the switch is in the middle position?

[headknocker]

Thanks for the review. I never get tired of reading them.

[jmilton]

Apr 7, 2009 22:17:59 GMT -5 floridapoolboy said:

Cool, thanks! Of course I had to go check, and my extension switch is 3 position! If low is normal and high is extended, what happens when the switch is in the middle position?

NEVER use the middle switch! Ol' Joe did it and we haven't heard from him ever since. (Actually, it is the normal setting with out boost or attenuation).

[Lonnie]

Apr 7, 2009 22:17:59 GMT -5 floridapoolboy said:

Cool, thanks! Of course I had to go check, and my extension switch is 3 position! If low is normal and high is extended, what happens when the switch is in the middle position?

Let me correct myself, sorry. The center position is 'off' and the EQ circuit is disengaged. 'Low' introduces a gentle roll-off about 18k, and 'High' introduces a similar roll-off, but it is more gradual. So, you'd get the most high end from the tweeter in the off position, a little less at 'High', and still less at 'Low'.

[someciscoguy]

FPB

Would you mind posting some pictures comparing the size of the Bigfoot/850s to the 6.3/8.3s? I have RS1ks and Bigfoot but have to admit I am very interested in trying something new...

Thanks

SCG

[floridapoolboy]

I'll be posting pictures of my new setup shortly, but unfortunately the Rockets are no longer here. Sorry!

[Deleted]

PICS!!!!!

[bigred7078]

pppppppiiiiiiicccccttttttuuuuuuuurrrrreeeesssss

[Deleted]

puh-puh-puh- PICS!



(opps now I'm the one with the mob . . oh gosh . . )

I will get therapy . . sorry . .

[floridapoolboy]

Soooooon!

[Deleted]

seriously man . . I'd be a hypocrite if I meant it . . no worries from me . . I was just joshing ya because I got razzed by the group for pics. . .

[floridapoolboy]

Taxes are finally done, now I can take some pictures! They will be posted, promise! Tonight, however, I'm gonna give the new speakers a workout with "Gladiator", all sorts of cool effects.

[ICBM99]

Ummmm....



¿Dónde están las fotos?

Its been a week. Did Russel Crow come to you're house and gladiate you? ;D

[floridapoolboy]

Sorry, I took advantage of the "buy two, get one free" Bluray sale at Amazon! 6 new movies to watch, cool! I'll get those pics up soon, count on it!

[floridapoolboy]

Oh yeah, I had to completely redo Audyssey, since my original tweeter extension switch position turned out not to be a position afterall! The speakers needed to be re-equalized, and I needed time to re-evaluate.