Home > Podcast > AV Rant #318: Merry Christmas

AV Rant #318: Merry Christmas

December 25th, 2012

Rob H flies solo  to host a special Christmas episode for this week. Flat Panels, Sound Bars, Low Cost Speakers, Entry Level Audio, Room Acoustic Treatments, Power Conditioning, Front Projectors, Projection Screens, Subwoofers, Speakers, Receivers and Amps – Rob totally geeks out to bring you his take on Home Theater Value, and the products he thinks are worth your attention and dollars. This is pure Gear Lust, people! Happy Holidays! Links to all the products mentioned are below the cut.

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Play

Links:
Viewing Distance Calculator:
Flat Panel TVs:
Sound Bars:
Official “Refurbished” Retailer:
Low Cost Speaker Options:
Low(ish) Cost A/V Receivers:
Entry to All-around Good Sound:
Room Acoustic Treatments:
Power Protection:
Front Projectors:
Projector Screens:
Subwoofers:
Speakers:
On-wall Speakers:
Amps:
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  1. Keith
    December 26th, 2012 at 08:46 | #1

    Thanks for the very informative podcast Rob!

  2. Rob H.
    December 26th, 2012 at 16:05 | #2

    Thanks, Keith!

    I’d no idea if anyone would like it, but it was fun! :p

  3. Henry
    December 30th, 2012 at 16:42 | #3

    Hi Rob,

    Haven’t finished listening yet; just popped in here to check out the links. Gadzooks! It’s an HT Value tour de force! I doubt there’s a better or more comprehensive list of high quality yet affordable gear extant!

    Nicely done!!
    Henry

  4. Rob H.
    December 30th, 2012 at 23:42 | #4

    Thanks, Henry!

    Like I mentioned in the podcast, a lot of these are the products I find myself recommending over and over. And it’s because I feel they’re the best value, or the best fit for a given niche. Obviously, no such list can ever be “complete”. But I feel pretty good that if anyone were to chose from this list, they really couldn’t go “wrong” 🙂

  5. Mike G.
    December 31st, 2012 at 11:40 | #5

    Haven’t listened yet but I’m excited for this “Rob exclusive” podcast!

  6. Rob H.
    December 31st, 2012 at 13:31 | #6

    Haha. Thanks, Mike. There’s definitely a whole lot o’ me talking non-stop! In case anyone was ever wondering if I really am able to prattle on about home theater for hours on end 😉

  7. Michael M.
    December 31st, 2012 at 21:11 | #7

    Very good podcast Rob. Very complete and informative. Can you do that once or twice a year – to keep an up to date list of recommended models, etc ? Would be a great resource to recommend those new to the hobby, or those looking for equipment… especially with the comprehensive list of links.

    One recommendation… take a breath my friend. Work on your transitions. Seemed like you would jump from one product category to another.. in the same breath.. and never stopped or paused. Now, granted, I listen to podcasts at 1.5x speed, but still, take a breath Rob.

  8. Rob H.
    December 31st, 2012 at 22:15 | #8

    Thanks, Michael!

    Yeah, I’d be down to do an updated list once or twice a year…if Tom will allow it 😉

    And yeah, I know I was rushing…haha. Especially by the end! I really wanted to try and keep it around an hour, so that was the main reason for my haste. I listen to podcasts at 1.5x, too, and by the end there, I was talking about that speed, but at 1x – lol

    I did actually have some breaks when I recorded it, but I edited out every pause for the sake of running length. I’ll keep what you’ve said in mind and allow a few more pauses and breaks! Let listeners catch a breath! Haha. And better delineate the sections. So I appreciate your suggestion very much. 🙂

  9. Grant
    January 1st, 2013 at 14:22 | #9

    Great Show Rob and thanks for the links.

    Grant

  10. Rob H.
    January 1st, 2013 at 20:59 | #10

    You’re very welcome, Grant! And thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad this went over well with at least some portion of the podcast’s fans 😀

  11. Eliezer
    January 6th, 2013 at 01:48 | #11

    Hi Rob!

    I agree wit you regarding on-wall speakers. The only ones I’ve really liked are the Vienna Acoustics.

  12. Mike G.
    January 8th, 2013 at 09:01 | #12

    Had a chance to listen and I’m upgrading my sub now. Thanks Rob!

  13. Scot
    January 10th, 2013 at 10:50 | #13

    Great podcast.
    Refreshing to have some real geek deep but newbie friendly AV talk…
    You could use this podcast as a springboard to going deep into any topic you covered here. I would really be looking forward to that podcast.
    Thank you Rob H.

  14. Patrick V.
    January 10th, 2013 at 14:27 | #14

    Content rich but yeah, very densely packed. Nice reference podcast.

  15. Rob H.
    January 10th, 2013 at 15:01 | #15

    Wow. Thanks so much for the kind words, everyone! I’ll definitely check with Tom to see if we can make something like this a yearly thing 🙂

  16. jnmfox
    January 11th, 2013 at 17:21 | #16

    Thanks for the great podcast and list!

    My system- I just set-up a dedicated HT room with a projector, Yamaha 663 AVR, RBH speakers, and HSU sub. For cost reasons I am going to paint the projector wall white and potentially get a screen down the road.
    Would you recommend getting a new Denon AVR with Audyssey (never been impressed with Yamaha’s YPAO) or room treatments first? And what are your thoughts on the Denon 1613 vs 1713? I lose MultEQ XT (but it isn’t one the 1913 either???), 1 HDMI input, and Zone 2. Am I missing something?

    Thanks again!

  17. Rob H.
    January 11th, 2013 at 17:50 | #17

    Hi, jnmfox.

    Thanks!

    Personally, I’d make use of GiK Acoustics’ free room analysis service before anything else. You can find GiK’s service at this web address (also in the links above 😉 ): http://gikacoustics.com/acoustic-advice/

    If nothing else, it will get you to really think about your layout and setup.

    Since you have good speakers, a good sub, and a perfectly good AV Receiver already, my opinion is that acoustic room treatments are likely to make a bigger difference, and provide more benefit than a modest Receiver upgrade.

    The order of importance is: get good equipment, place it, set it up, and calibrate it properly, then make the room the best acoustic environment it can be with treatments, then use EQ and room correction as a “last resort” 😉

    That’s a good catch on the AVR-1613 vs. the AVR-1713. You aren’t dropping too many features, although the 1613 is very light on connection options. All things considered though, I don’t think such a modest Receiver upgrade from your Yamaha to one of the lower cost Denon units is really going to be worth it. A bigger jump, maybe. But I’d focus on the room acoustics first.

    Hope that helps!

  18. Tony
    January 11th, 2013 at 23:52 | #18

    Best AV Rant podcast of all time Rob, well done, you covered more in one podcast than Tom and Liz cover in a year, wish you were on more often talking about AV instead of just Tom flirting with Liz

    Tony

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