HOME THEATER

     Big TVs are not home theater systems. Over 80% of all big screens sold over the past 5 years were sold without an audio system. The speakers inside $1000 TVs are two to four inches across & cost under a dollar. The amps inside big screen TVs have very low power, often under 10 watts & very high distortion, 10% or more. Even our smallest & least expensive speakers [under $90 per pair] sound far better than the speakers in big screen TVs.

     The sound system is an essential part of the home theater experience. Much of the enjoyment of action movies comes from hearing the soundtrack. We have new home theater systems with a Yamaha HDMI receiver & DVD player, five speakers & a subwoofer, starting under $1,000.  Our better home theater systems can sound better than systems in movie theaters.   

    HOME THEATER & many other magazines recommend MARANTZ. PLAYBACK magazine top-rated a Marantz above all other AV receivers tested. "What made it a standout design is just how easy it was to install & use. We never had to consult the owner's manual to get the job done. The remote deserves special mention. It's just so darn well laid out & easy to master; it also helps that it's completely backlit, so we could actually see all the buttons in our darkened home theater." It was the only receiver earning the highest grades for user interface, plus movie & music sound quality. 

    MARANTZ AV receivers have seven discrete amplifier channels, plus HDMI 1.3, which is necessary for Blue Ray DVDs. The NR1501 is  only 4" high, the same size as Marantz Blue Ray players. Other Marantz AV receivers include HDMI video upconverting, pre outs for every channel, A/B speaker switching, plus front panel AV inputs. The SR6004 includes a front panel USB input.

     All Marantz CD's, amps, receivers & DVD's have 3 years parts & labor warranties. Reviewers praise MARANTZ for its sound, ease of use & comprehensive, intuitive remote controls. DVD's, plasmas & projectors are a reference standard.      
      YAMAHA AV receivers start at $249 & include two HDMI inputs. The $329 RXV465 receiver has 4 HDMI inputs, 10 band automatic EQ, all double banana speaker jacks, plus XM & Cirius tuners. If purchased with the receiver, the $100 optional iPod dock is reduced to only $49. 
      MARANTZ & YAMAHA AV receivers are renowned for their features & flexibility. Most Marantz & Yamaha receivers feature:

1] HDMI video inputs for HD picture quality & simpler, easier connections. The $549 Marantz SR4003 includes three HDMI inputs. 

2] A/B speaker outputs for two rooms with double banana speaker jacks for better sound with quality cables & connectors. The $149 Parasound speaker switcher lets you connect up to ten speakers throughout your home.

3] Learning remotes that run most any TV, DVD, satellite, cable, etc. Your home theater experience is much more enjoyable with one remote control running everything, rather than fishing between seven different remote controls.

4] Multi-zone; different music can play simultaneously in different rooms.  While you are watching a surround sound DVD in one room, the FM radio, for example, can play in another room. The only things needed are another pair of speakers & the wire to connect them.

5] Preamp outputs for easy upgrades. The receiver can become a tuner-preamp. If you want more power, you can plug a 200 watt or 400 watt / channel amplifier or whatever power you prefer directly into the receiver. Parasound power amps have deeper bass, more power & better quality power than any receiver. The $949 Parasound A23 has 200 watts, into a 4 ohm load. The $2000 A21 has 250 watts, 8 ohms & 400 watts, 4 ohms. This is far greater than any AV receiver.  
   With most other receiver brands, you'd have to replace the receiver to get more power. Preamp outputs are included in every Marantz receiver & Yamaha receivers from the RXV663 on up.  

6] Video up-conversion to improve video quality. While DVD players can use an HDMI connection, VCR's can only use an S video or composite video connection. With most receivers, you would have to use the this sort of cable between the receiver & TV, reducing the video quality. Video upconversion enables you to use the highest type of cable, noticeably improving video quality.

7] On-Screen Display enables you to see any changes you make on the remote control or receiver's front panel on your TV screen. This greatly helps when first setting up your system.

8] A Built-in Equalizer automaticly adjusts all the channels when you first set up the receiver. A microphone is included, which you can place at your favorite listening seat.

 HOME THEATER & STEREOPHILE magazines praise PARASOUND’s  high performance, high value preamps & power amps. The Parasounds have more power, greater flexibilty & better sound quality than any receiver. Parasound's warranty is 5 years labor & 10 years parts, also far better than any receiver.

NAD made the most popular integrated amp in history. Their preamp processors & multi-channel power amps are affordable & provide better sound than comparably priced receivers.

 AV RECEIVER REVIEWS

MARANTZ
SR5002, now $749  TOP-RATED above all other  receivers tested. "What made it a standout is just how easy it was to install & use. We never had to consult the owner's manual. The remote deserves special mention: well laid out, easy to master & completely backlit; we could actually see all buttons in our darkened home theater." The only receiver earning the highest grades for user interface, plus movie & music sound quality. PLAYBACK

SR7002, now $1399, "Impressive amplifier sonics & power anchor a fine mid-level contender. Solid audio power; AV performance beyond reproach. Easy to use & quite straightforward. Very solid ergonomic layout. Rated 110W/ch; tested at 150W, one channel, 133W, two channels.“SOUND & VISION 4/08

SR8002, now $1999, "Its video credentials are impeccable. Totally up to the minute in support of next-gen sound. Sounded 3 dimensional even in 2 channel mode. Quite reasonably priced.“ Rated 125W/ch; tested at 187W, 8 ohm, 271W, 4 ohms. HOME THEATER 5/08
"A deluxe option for anyone looking for a receiver. With HD Radio, Dolby TrueHD support & THX Select2 certification, it offers all the perks while still supplying detailed but natural sound."
HOME THEATER 8/08

 SPEAKERS

      Most speaker companies buy their parts from a few generic manufacturers & then put these in a cabinet. Every speaker we carry is from a company that designs, engineers & manufactures every component in their own factory. The benefits include better sounding, more durable speakers of higher value, since you are not paying for multiple companies' markups. We choose our speakers for superior sound quality & best value, not for the biggest advertising budget. Over the past few years, we've tried over a dozen  U.S. & European speaker brands that didn't pass our high standards. Most of these speakers are now available at local competing stores. 
             
      ABSOLUTE SOUND recommends eight models of QUAD speakers, twice as many as any other brand. The Dynamic 11L, 22L, Lite satellite, Lite center & Lite sub, as well the Electrostatic 988, 989 & 2805, are all recommended. They praise Quad speakers for wonderful sound, fantastic bass, imaging & appearance. STEREOPHILE chose a QUAD speaker PRODUCT of the YEAR, above models for 10 times more!  “World-class”. Quad dynamics have high gloss real wood veneer fine furniture finishes. WHAT HI-FI chose Quad 11L, $699/pr, “PRODUCT OF THE YEAR” for three years.
     Our customers give glowing recommendations. At the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, people thought the Quad 22L sounded like a $16,000 speaker, not a $1900 speaker. JM exclaimed, "My friends who bought from other high-end stores couldn't believe how much better my Quad & Marantz system sounded." A customer who has been a musician for over 30 years said, "The Quad 22 speakers are amazing; the best that I've ever heard." Another customer said, "After going to every other store, I had to buy the Quads. Their sound is the best by far." 

      The QUAD Lite System, [4 satellites, center & subwoofer, $2000 total] is top-rated in American & European reviews.  PERFECT VISION, July 2007, loved their sound, construction & great appearnace. What Hi-Fi top-rated this system. "Real delight; sensational sub, delivers weighty bass, gives punch, precision & taughtness; satellites detailed & dynamic; impressive package." 
         This is the best one box theater system we've heard. You'll be amazed at the quality & quantity of sound from these small, attractive speakers. The exquisite rosewood & cherry real wood veneers, plus the black & silver finishes all have seven layers of lacquer.  You can attach the satelite speakers to your walls or ceiling with optional metal swivel mounts. 

       WHARFEDALE & QUAD speakers both received “PRODUCT OF THE YEAR” AWARDS, for bookshelfs, subs & floor-standing speakers. PERFECT VISION calls Wharfedale “Best of Show” & “costs half of what you’d expect”. Reviewers exclaim, “HI-FI BARGAIN of the YEAR, an absolute steal; sensational; superb”. The 9.6 has two 8” cast frame, Kevlar woofers, & a silk dome mid & tweeter for only $898/pair. 

            MONITOR AUDIO has made well engineered, high-quality speakers in England for over 30 years. Their unique engineering includes woofers & tweeters made of C-CAM, ceramic-coated aluminum / magnesium originally developped by the aerospace industryfor use as blades in jet engines. Sonic benefits include increased efficiency, clarity & reduced distortion. Monitor speakers include mini-monitors less than 4" square, bookshelf speakers, towers, home theater models & subs. All are known for high value & exceptional sound. The exquisite cabinet finishes include walnut, oak, cherry & other real wood veneers.  
     The Radius are an attractive, small lifestyle home theater system. Most include metal wall brackets.  "Stunning; audiophile grade components at a consumer friendly price. Remarkable; precision & detail I'd only expect from much larger speakers." HDTV, etc.
"A serious bang for the buck system; awesome power-to-weight ratio; innovative design." HOME THEATER 3/04 
     "The flawless & exceptional RS6 gave me more listening pleasure than any other speaker I've reviewed. In over 20 years or reviewing, I haven't reviewed anything that had greater sound quality per dollar then the RS6.  STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 3/06
        
     Hear JBL, NHT, KEF, GOLD SOUND & other in-wall & in ceiling speaker systems here. Installation is available.

INVEST IN THE BEST!
OUR BRANDS WILL BE HERE MANY YEARS

YAMAHA, QUAD & WHARFEDALE
have been in business over 70 years.
CROWN, JBL, MARANTZ & TEAC, over 50 years.
 MONITOR, NAD, PARASOUND, PRO-JECT, PS AUDIO & REGA over 30 years
QUICKSILVER & VPI over 20 years
REL & ROGUE AUDIO over 10 years

HOME THEATER SYSTEMS

Below are a few Gold Sound Home Theater Systems. Many more are available. Systems include receiver; front, center & rear speakers; powered subwoofer & cables.

1] YAMAHA VALUE, list $1200; now $899
YAMAHA RXV365 Receiver with 100 watts per channel, all 5 channels, two HDMI inputs, 5 Top-rated 9.0 Diamond Wharfedale speakers & 150W Yamaha sub. YAMAHA 5 DVD changer, $179 additional

2] MARANTZ QUALITY, list $2300; now $1798
MARANTZ NR1501 Receiver with 3 HDMI inputs, 5 Monitor Audio speakers & 270W Yamaha sub [Radius 90 bookshelfs, 180 center & 45 rear speakers, all with swivel metal wall mounting brackets]. MARANTZ BD5004 Blue Ray DVD, $549 additional 

3] MARANTZ & QUAD PERFORMANCE, list $3200; now $2798 MARANTZ SR5004 Receiver, 5 Top-rated Quad lite speakers, 4 bookshelfs, center & sub, all with wood veneer or black lacquer. 

4] TOP RATED MARANTZ, list $5700;now $4378
MARANTZ SR6004 Receiver with four HDMI inputs & two HDMI outputs, Quad 22L towers, center, 11L rear speakers & Wharfedale 250 sub.

WARRANTIES, all parts & labor   

MARANTZ: Receivers, CD & DVD: 3 years  
MISSION: 5 years 
MONITOR Audio: 5 years
PARASOUND CLASSIC: 3 years
PARASOUND HALO: 5 years 
PARASOUND JC HALO: 10 years
PS AUDIO: 3 years
QUAD Dynamic speakers: 5 years
TEAC: 1 year 
WHARFEDALE: 5 years
YAMAHA: receivers, amps, speakers & subs, 
      2 years; CD & DVD, 1 year.