AV Rant #999.9g: Taking a Gamble on Dual Centers
Tom is back! Thanks to Lee Overstreet for guest co-hosting last week. ICEpower announced their new Class-D amplifier modules using an all-new design they’re calling Super Conductor. RBH separated their entry-level speakers into the dome tweeter Impression Series and the folded ribbon tweeter Inspire Series while introducing new flagship Tower 88 models in each.
Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUSBK
00:00:00 – Intro
Some quick personal updates. And SPOILER: we did NOT have time for Rob to share some early impressions of the Sofabaton U3 software. So stay tuned for the full review in a future episode!
00:06:35 – Sofabaton Discounts
Sofabaton U3 Early Bird pre-order discount ends May 28:
Sofabaton X2:
– Discount Code for 15% off : THOMASWT
Sofabaton X1S:
– Discount Code for 35% off: TOMX1S35
– Discount Code for 25% off: TOMX1S
00:08:56 – Deliveries & House Updates
The things keeping Tom distracted this past week.
00:13:03 – What We Watched
Rob watched Project Hail Mary.
00:24:34 – Contact Info
00:26:05 – Listeners of the Week
Our Listeners of the Week are: David, Michael, and Dan for their PayPal donations, plus our 121 Patreon Patrons.
We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Julian, Chris, Mikael, and Joe. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!
In the news:
00:28:15 – News: ICEpower Super Conductor Amps
ICEpower announced their newest Class-D amplifier design that they’re calling Super Conductor with the SC400A2 2-channel module coming first: https://tinyurl.com/duwac9dn
00:40:02 – News: RBH Inspire Series
They aren’t actually new speakers. RBH has separated their entry-level dome tweeter speakers from the folded ribbon tweeter versions and called them Impression and Inspire, respectively. What is new is the flagship Impression/Inspire 88 Tower model. But you cannot order it directly:
– RBH Inspire Series: https://tinyurl.com/yj7e3xaj
– Impression 88: https://tinyurl.com/zpsp7nxk
– Inspire 88: https://tinyurl.com/yc697ztj
Comments:
00:44:09 – Comment: Trevor – Denon X3900H Differences
Trevor found more differences between the Denon X3800H and the new X3900H than we mentioned last week.
00:50:37 – Comment: Infinite Gary – Mystery Object
It is not another Panasonic product. But Gary did find something from 1959 stored in his basement. We’re not sure what it is. Do you happen to know?
QUESTIONS:
00:54:13 – Julian: Dual Center Speakers?
Since he has a spare Center speaker on hand, should he use two Centers, with them aimed directly at two different seats? We also discuss how we’d rearrange his entire speaker placement.
01:07:30 – Chris: A Signature Sound
First, we go way off on a tangent about finding your career and work-life balance. Then we tackle the subject of some speakers intentionally having a characteristic sound, and whether using such speakers with room correction makes any sense.
01:28:17 – Leighton: Cupped Hands Vocals
He tells us about the changes he made to his acoustic treatments and shares new measurements. Then we dig into the tricky subject of what to do when it sounds as if singers have their hands cupped around their mouths, even though your speakers don’t inherently sound that way.
01:45:58 – Mase: Party Speakers
We give a suggestion for an inexpensive Party Speaker to use on a covered patio.
– Klipsch GIG XXL: https://tinyurl.com/ymt5bnm3
01:50:26 – Andrew: Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
He’s got a budget, and a preferred place to purchase. So which ANC earphones can we recommend to him?
– EarFun Free Pro 3: https://tinyurl.com/4jpmv3ff
– https://avgadgets.com/earfun-free-pro-3-anc-earphones-review-getting-way-more-than-you-paid-for/
– EarFun Air Pro 4 : https://tinyurl.com/3229awtc
– Soundcore Space A40: https://tinyurl.com/2knm3j7n
– https://avgadgets.com/soundcore-space-a40-and-q45-headphone-review-insane-value-at-any-size/
– Soundcore Sport X20: https://tinyurl.com/wr899zfe
– Beats Fit Pro: https://tinyurl.com/yc5advd9
– PowerBeats Fit: https://tinyurl.com/2mcu2f76
– Beats Studio Buds+: https://tinyurl.com/58xc72ks
02:00:08 – Super Quick for Jonathan
We’ve got questions left over for next week. So it’s not a full answer, but we quickly mention that plenum-rated speaker wire will pass code in both Canada and the USA.
Thanks for listening. Now, don't forget to:- Check out the AV Rant YouTube channel to watch our show videos.
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