Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: save on March 01, 2004, 11:33:30 PM

Title: getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 01, 2004, 11:33:30 PM
i've been thinking about this for a while and trying to research as much as possible before purchasing my playback system.  right now i'm looking at the swan diva 4.1 for my speakers and the panasonic sa-xr45 for my receiver.  this is going to be used for audio playback and a/v for movies.  eventually i'd like to get some rear/center speakers to go along w/ the diva's for surrond sound for movies, but for now i'm hoping the divas would give me the sound to hold me over until i can afford them.  besides cables is there anything i'm overlooking?  this is my first real playback system so any tips would be great!

thanks,
justin
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: jpschust on March 02, 2004, 12:40:12 AM
i owned a pair of the diva 4.1's- you really need a sub to go with those.  they carry the highs unbelievably well, but the lows need some help.  i dont remember the rating of the 4.1's but make sure your receiver can push them- they require some power.
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: Craig T on March 02, 2004, 09:21:45 AM
If you go with the xr45, make sure your speaker cables are terminated in banana plugs on the amp end - it won't take spades.  If you can wait, get the xr70 instead of the xr45 - the xr70 will have an HDMI interface that will allow digital connection for hi-res audio & video.  I think the first gen dvd-v/dvd-a players with HDMI output are shipping or will be within the next month.  Last I read the xr70 is shipping mid March.
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: scervin on March 03, 2004, 07:30:17 AM
Divas are really nice.  Great airy speakers.  I'm sure you could find more info at avsforum.com or head over to www.rocketloudspeakers.com.  The Rockets are the latest and greatest from the company that brough most of us the Diva line.  
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 03, 2004, 08:26:19 PM
any idea where to find some used swan diva 4.1?  i check audiogon.com and ebay.com and haven't had any luck yet.  any other ideas?
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: jpschust on March 03, 2004, 08:42:44 PM
they dont come up as much as they used to, but they do come up from time to time on audiogon, those are gonna be your best bets
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 03, 2004, 09:05:34 PM
thanks johnny +t, i'll keep my eye out...i'm not in a huge hurry so i'll wait and see if i can save a little buying used so i have more $ for other fun stuff :)
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 03, 2004, 09:06:23 PM
almost forgot, +t to everybody else who replied  ;D
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 03, 2004, 09:09:46 PM
one more question.  when i buy my center/sub/rear speakers do i need to stay w/ the same brand/line of speakers to get a good sound?  my main focus is getting a good playback system....then having a decent surround sound to watch vids.  i was hoping to spend a little less on my other speakers since i'm not looking for quite as good of quality.  

any tips on some decent speakers for complete my surround sound in the future, that will go good w/ the swan diva's?
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: MattD on March 03, 2004, 09:31:09 PM
I would, just because speakers of the same line are generally of similar timbre. You DEFINITELY want to do this across the front ... having a bright center with dark L/R would drive me nuts, for example.
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: jpschust on March 03, 2004, 11:13:30 PM
the rears i wouldnt be as concerned about, they tend to carry a lot of mids and less highs and lows, so it means you can afford to go a bit cheaper on the rears
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 04, 2004, 12:56:18 AM
how about the sub?  do i need to stay w/ the same brand or is there a cheaper option than the Swan Sub10 BC?

diva 4.1 (front l & r) - $500 new
sub10 bc (sub) - $399 new
Swan C2 BC (center) - $200 new
Swan R2 BC (rear l & r)- $279 new

that's quite a bit more than what i was wanting to spend just for my surround sound.  would i be better off getting the diva 4.1 & c2 bc center & then spending less on my sub & rear?  any cheaper options for my sub & rears that  would sound similar to the swans?
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: jpschust on March 04, 2004, 12:58:01 AM
ive not heard the best things about the swans subs, i dont have a good rec at the moment, but just sharing what ive heard.
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 04, 2004, 09:25:49 PM
are there any forums similar to this one for audio playback?  hoping maybe there was a site similar to this that has a yard sale section.  

thanks,
justin
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: Brian Skalinder on March 04, 2004, 09:40:16 PM
are there any forums similar to this one for audio playback?

For starters:

audioasylum.com
audiogon.com
audiocircle.com
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: 1st set only on March 05, 2004, 08:18:09 AM
http://www.diyaudio.com/
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: scervin on March 05, 2004, 09:00:09 AM
I was just at www.av123.com and saw they have a sale on the RS550's.  At $699 you can't go wrong with these.  You will also be able to match the system easily with other components.  Hit the site up as they have a forum as well. I own the 750's and have no complaints.  I have owned B&W604 S3's and the Swan Diva 4.1's.  Of the three I liked the Rocket line the best.  Both the Rockets and the Divas I felt were better than the $1300 B&W's.  The Rockets are more smooth than the Divas btw.
SC
Title: Re:getting close to having my playback system figured out...
Post by: save on March 06, 2004, 09:19:26 PM
thanks scott i'll keep those in mind.  i'm looking to buy used to save a little bit of cash....so hopefully one of those sets of speakers will pop up on audiogon :)