Introducing Basix Packages
Posted by Jared Walth on May 18, 2012 | Posted under Package Announcements
We here at AVWORX felt the strong need to put together highly aggressive package pricing while preserving our performance reputation. So...
...Basix was born!
First we started with the core components that we thought would scale properly with the speaker system in each package. Ultimately we decided that the Epson 8350 had the right amount of brightness and picture quality to be our entry level home theater projector. Then we needed the proper screen material at a certain price but we didn't want to give up a velour frame. The Screen Innovations Sensation had just what we needed, black velour, 1.0 gain material, USA made, and the right price. Stick that projector with a brand name quality mount from Sanus and the best entry level HDMI cable from AudioQuest and our picture was set!
Now for the head end. We struggled here a bit because as we progress through the package upgrades the speakers become more power hungry. Typically lower priced receivers max out at 100 to 110 watts and can't handle harder loads. Then along came the Sony STR-DH830 AV Receiver, new for this year, sporting 140 watts of power for each of the seven channels... WOW! Well that certainly did the trick. Add the tried and proven BDP-S390 blu-ray player from Sony, an AudioQuest Pearl cable and we have a match made by the gods.
OK, so now the base of the package is complete, on to the speakers. First we started building our three in-wall speaker packages. We decided that SpeakerCraft had everything we needed plus their wonderful lifetime warranty. Basix Level 1 uses their AIM LCR series One speaker for the front left, center and right and their MT One for the surrounds with a Velodyne Impact 10" Subwoofer. Basix Level 2 includes AIM CInema One speakers on the left and right for more overall output and AIM LCR One for the center. Two AIM CInema One Dipoles as surrounds for better dispersion and output with a Velodyne EQ MAX series 12" Subwoofer. Velodyne's EQ MAX series are self-EQing so you get smoother bass response and less of that annoying boomy sound. Next up would be Basix Level 3 are there you move into a completely different kind of driver compliment and performance SpeakerCraft Three series speakers. All three series speakers have aluminum drivers for a more detailed and a faster, punchier sound. For the front left and right we used the SpeakerCraft AIM Cinema Three speaker with an AIM LCR Three for the center. Surrounds are the SpeakerCraft AIM Cinema Three Dipoles and the subwoofer is a massive 15" Velodyne EQ MAX. After we put those together we were convinced that each system made a significant improvement over the previous and justified the additional cost. Now for the InRoom packages.
For the Basix InRoom we knew exactly what speaker brand we wanted to use, Monitor Audio! We have other great speaker brands of course but Monitor Audio had the perfect price/performance balance we needed. Also, the thing about Monitor Audio is, we have yet to be disappointed with any speaker we have heard from them. Now that is rare because if anyone knows Greg or I, we are picky to the point of annoying. But why shouldn't we be, we don't want our customers to own something inferior. Anyways, back to the packages.
Each Monitor Audio speaker series usually gets the previous series drivers and driver technology. So you are always guaranteed great performance. Basix Level 1 uses Vector Series speakers. Monitor Audio Vector V10's are a compact speaker with an amazing amount of output and midbass. We used four of them, two for the front left and right and two for the surrounds. The V20 is a large model with a front firing port so it doesn't interfere with cabinets and has a little more bass than the V10. All that together with a Vector VW8 8" subwoofer and you have a perfect entry level package.
To be continued...
A Customer Moment #1 - Brian Sinclair
Posted by Jared Walth on April 11, 2012 | Posted under A Customer Moment, Videos
This is a new series of videos we hope to be doing more of in the future. Filmed by our friend Matt at Long Board Public Relations, it is an interview with a customer of ours. Thanks to Brian for taking the time to share his experiences with us.
Introducing the new Bel Canto C7r
Posted by Jared Walth on March 13, 2012 | Posted under Product Announcements
The C7r Receiver: A DAC with Integrated Amp and a Tuner!
Why choose different components for your music downloads, computer, CD player, turntables, cable/satellite box or game consoles? And did you know a recent study shows that FM is still the most popular of finding new music. Keep things simple with Bel Canto's compact, powerful C7R Receiver! It’s loaded with inputs -- two 24/192 SPDIF, two 24/192 TOSLINK, and one 24/96 USB, MM Phono and Analog Line Level inputs! Outputs are WBT NEXTGEN Speaker Connectors plus RCA Line Out and a Headphone Output.
It uses the REF150S-based power supply (The C5i’s is from the S125 amp) includes the REF-series filter board and like all Bel Canto components it runs so cool it can be placed practically anywhere. The big 8-character display makes the C7R very easy to operate. Use the full-function remote to label your inputs and never guess again.
Technical Tidbits for You More Knowledgeable Customers:
The C7R sounds so great because of custom 0.1% audio grade resistors, class-A output control circuitry, and extremely low-noise power supply components. The heavy-gauge all-steel chassis design prevents mechanical resonance from compromising signal quality. The stereo amplifier section is based on an elegant switching output stage that eliminates thermal distortion caused by changes in operating temperature. And the 24-bit digital volume control is completely transparent and accurate throughout the entire volume range. The tuner section features a patented Digital IF analog FM tuner front-end, an RDS/RDBS, and 10-station presets. And the C7R uses the same elegant, easy-to-use single control knob.
Sony Projector's Making Waves!
Posted by Jared Walth on March 09, 2012 | Posted under Projectors, Reviews
Sony VPLVW1000ES
Tom Norton, Home Theater Review, January 2012,
http://www.hometheater.com/content/sony-vpl-vw1000es-4k-sxrd-projector-0
“Given a good 1920 x 1080 HD source, the projector produced some of the best 2D images I’ve yet seen…To see such resolution from conventional HD material on a screen this large is simply jaw dropping.”
“The Sony’s blacks were respectable in its fixed iris settings but exceptional in the Auto Full dynamic mode…No one does dynamic irises better than Sony.”
“Sony certainly promises to deliver the right 4K stuff.”
Doug Blackburn, Wide Screen Review, February 2012
“Sony’s VPL-VW1000ES projector prototype produced the best 2-D Blu-ray images I’ve ever seen anywhere on any home theatre projection system.”
“…everything is simply cleaner and less grainy looking. The 1000ES has no visible pixel structure so there are no gaps between pixels at all. Diagonal or circular lines/edges are remarkably clean-looking and appear much sharper”
“Sony remains the gold standard for automatic iris programming. I couldn’t imagine using this projector with anything but the full range automatic mode.”
“I have seen the future of home theatre and it is 4K”
“Even my wife, who is not into this stuff at all, kept asking if we were going to use the Sony projector for our weekend movies. All it took to hook her was one movie. She (and I) even preferred the images produced by the Sony projector over the images produced by a $55,000 HD projector. That $55,000 projector made the best looking HD images I had ever seen prior to the 1000ES. But the 1000ES made those images look rough and grainy in comparison.”
“A number of times I viewed half a movie on an HD projector and the other half on the Sony 4K projector. Every time, the 4K presentation was easily preferred over the HD projector in question.”
Sony VPL-VW95ES
Art Feierman, Projector Reviews.Com, December 2011
http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony/vpl-vw95es/summary.php
“The 3D performance on the VW95ES has been rather glorious.”
“I don't know if it's new panels in the 95ES or some other reason, but Sony's blacks are better than ever.”
“Sony is silky smooth for 2D with those rich blacks, and some great skin tones”
“This is a first class projector. It seems to suffer not a single, really noticeable flaw.”
“Sony looks like a Hot Product for those that want a really fine viewing experience in their home theaters”
Kris Deering, Home Theater Review, January 2012
http://www.hometheater.com/category/3d-projector-reviews
“Sony has been right there at the top of the heap, too, earning our Top Pick for the last three projectors we’ve reviewed.”
“Sony always has sleek cabinets with gorgeous lines and great paint jobs. The VPL-VW95ES is no exception…gives off a great first impression with its flaked blue paint job and sexy curves.”
“And quiet seems to be the big word when it comes to the VPL-VW95ES; I’ve never experienced a quieter projector.”
“Sony has managed to deliver the most accurate calibration I’ve ever seen for out-of-the box performance…the Sony didn’t really need any calibration at all.”
“Sony’s dynamic system is one of the best I’ve seen…”
“One of the strongest performance points for the Sony is its motion resolution.”
“The VPL-VW95ES breezed through our video benchmark testing and earned top marks for both high and standard definition video testing.”
“…the Sony delivered it with some of the most spectacular, breathtaking, and exceptionally film-like HD images I’ve ever seen. The color rendition was outstanding and the depth afforded by the VPL-VW95ES, even on this 2D release, was incredible. This was an image that was easy to get lost in.”
“I was really impressed by just how seamlessly the dynamic iris worked with the VPL-VW95ES. There is a great scene in this film that normally wreaks havoc on dynamic iris systems. The Sony showed no signs of struggle at all.”
“I found the VPL-VW95ES a solid value. The out-of-box calibration is second to none, and Sony’s outstanding dynamic iris implementation and built-in 3D emitter make this one of the best projector experiences I’ve had right out of the box. “
Sony VPL-HW30AES
Chris Eberle, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
“Color luminance is nearly perfect. Many displays don’t measure this well after adjustment much less before.”
“Video processing was among the best I’ve tested from any display.”
“HW30 is one terrific projector. And don’t forget the three-year warranty and ES-level service. You won’t find this in any other projector at this price point.”
“I have no qualms with giving this Sony a high recommendation.”
Geoffrey Morrison, Sound and Vision Magazine, Nov 2011,
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-sony-vpl-hw30es-3d-hd-projector
“Once you get 3D up and running, though, it looks good. Really good, in fact. The projector is so bright that its image still looks punchy…”
“Even without taking price into consideration, it’s a great projector. And when you do take price into consideration, it’s fantastic.”
“Some may classify the HW30ES as a “budget” projector, but given its performance, I can’t say it deserves such a mundane moniker.”
Tom Norton, Home Theater Review, February 2011
http://www.hometheater.com/content/sony-vpl-hw30es-3d-sxrd-projector
“Most important, I saw no ghosts on the 3D discs I watched—including discs that have ghosted consistently on many displays.”
“I watched a number of films with this projector on this screen, and it never came up less than roses.”
“The Sony had the superior blacks with its auto iris engaged…”
“VLP-HW30ES had its own story to tell, and it tells it brilliantly.”
Exclusive Sony SS-AR1 and SS-AR2 Interview
Posted by Jared Walth on February 09, 2012 | Posted under Videos, Website Changes
Hello everyone!
I just wanted to take a second and let you know I upload a new video on our front page. It features an Interview with our good friend Yuki and Kaku going over some of the key features of the SS-AR1 and SS-AR2 speakers. The most important thing here is the fact that they are discussing a design based on what is pleasing to the listener verses Driver, Crossover, blah blah blah. Every time I have demoed these speakers in our showroom I am consistently overwhelmed how easy they are to listen to. This interview basically explains why.
Here is a link: http://vimeo.com/36499199
I invite anyone who wants to come listen to a little bit of magic to come on down, bring some music and listen. Our current setup is the following equipment.
Preamplifier: McIntosh C50
CD/SACD: McIntosh MCD500
Speakers: Sony SS-AR1
Amplifier: McIntosh MC452
Interconnects: Kimber Kable KS1136
Speaker Cables: Kimber Kable KS6063
Rack and Stands: Cambre Core
Thanks!
Posted by Greg Furch on January 27, 2012 | Posted under Website Changes
Wow! I just want to say a huge 'thanks' to all of those that made our new website possible. A bunch of effort has gone into this and we are very excited about this new venture. We are fortunate to have such a great bunch of customers and excited to serve them better with the new features this website offers. Our goal is to be more informative about the excellent products we offer in our store and now we will offer many of them to be purchased on our website. Since these are typically items we sell and install everyday at our store we can offer our experience to our online customers. Watch for our reviews and comments on products in the coming days. You can also be assured that all products we do sell online are authorized by the manufactures and include the full warranty, as well as the service and support you would expect. Thanks for visiting our website and considering AVWORX!
Very Sincerely,
Greg Furch
Owner
Website Launch
Posted by Jared Walth on January 24, 2012 | Posted under Website Changes
New website up and running...
...for the new year. We were a little slow getting around to it but it finally happened. After struggling to find a format we wanted to use we felt that Shopify was the best suited.
