Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 20, 2007, 07:06:15 am
I remember someone here saying that they were into stereo equipment. I am wanting to buy a surround system and need some advice. My biggest question is there a forum that anyone recomends? There is a product here in thailand named Sherman. It claims to be made in Germany and it is a really popular product here in Thailand and about mid grade as far as price. I can't find anything on the web about them. Any advice?
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: bubba on March 20, 2007, 10:11:38 am
I am into Home Theater a bit... not the big dollar stuff, but reasonable... I haven't heard of Sherman... Sherwood, yes. There is a huge site that is international for a/v systems. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/
I am an Onkyo fan for receivers. I currently abuse 2 different models and they keep going.... I tend to make work my equipment, and Onkyo takes the abuse. I killed a Sony already. I run 5.1 surround sound which I find adequate for me. I haven't really heard much of a difference in the more channels.
I am an Onkyo fan for receivers. I currently abuse 2 different models and they keep going.... I tend to make work my equipment, and Onkyo takes the abuse. I killed a Sony already. I run 5.1 surround sound which I find adequate for me. I haven't really heard much of a difference in the more channels.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 20, 2007, 11:07:39 am
Thanks for the site recomendation bubba. I will check it out. The brand is Sherman. The more I research the more I think it is made in Thailand. All of the big stores carry it and the Power mall mostly sells goog name brand stuff and they have a huge display. I listened to the system for quite a while today and it really sounds great. I agree with your recomendation for Onkyo. I have a nice Onkyo receiver but it is in the States. I am mostly buying this system for the speakers. They normally sell all of the components seperately but they are having a killer sale as a package. If the receiver konks out in a year I will buy a better one. I just mainly like the sound and looks of the speakers. The price is really right so I think I will get it. I bought a 42 inch LG High def plasma right before my accident so I think I need surround sound also. 
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: bubba on March 20, 2007, 01:03:05 pm
You definitely need surround with the plasma... I actually just got off th phone a bit ago with my buddy who is getting me some in ceiling speakers to complete my surround to go along with my new plasma... Hopefully will have the sound system minus the sub installed this weekend...
How long are you back over there for? How are you feeling? Getting back to normal?
How long are you back over there for? How are you feeling? Getting back to normal?
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 20, 2007, 07:39:16 pm
Thanks Bubba I am feeling much better. I never really knew how serious my accident was. The doctors didn't tell me everything. They pulled my Dad out and told Him that it was about 75% that I wouldnt walk again. Well It is only 3.5 months from the accident and I am walking unassisted. I have a bit of a limp but that is ok. I am back here in Thailand full time. I just got a promotion to Director so I expect I will be here for several more years. But I get to come home twice per year.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: bubba on March 20, 2007, 08:51:24 pm
Wow Josh... Congrats on the promotion... and on your recovery.. Sounds like your luck is finally changing
Maybe you'll be finding a machine soon!
Maybe you'll be finding a machine soon!
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: BrianB on March 21, 2007, 07:02:23 am
Josh -
Great to hear that your recovery is coming along! The AVS Forum is awesome!! I've been lurking around on there awhile and have gleaned a ton of usefull information. The Home Theater Construction threads are especially interesting. If you have any questions on anything related to home theater, it's definitely the best place to go.
Great to hear that your recovery is coming along! The AVS Forum is awesome!! I've been lurking around on there awhile and have gleaned a ton of usefull information. The Home Theater Construction threads are especially interesting. If you have any questions on anything related to home theater, it's definitely the best place to go.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: audiobeer on March 21, 2007, 08:00:36 pm
Hello Josh. Glad to hear your making the progress you are! I've been into AV installations up to a few years ago. I have heard of a audio company from the UK (Sherman) that makes a lot of DJ, Kareoke type equipment. Let me know what kind of setup you have and what you want to budget. Let me know what your usage will be and the dimensions of your listening area.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 21, 2007, 08:06:18 pm
I think I have decided not to go cheep. I am going today to a high end stereo mall today to check out some tube amps. I really don't care about surround sound I just want quality sound. I will use it for music more than Tv. My dad has a really nice system with a great tube amp. I have about $1,500 to play with. And remember $1,500 goes alot further here. I bought a 42 inch high def Lg plasma for about $1,100. Not a bad deal. Most of everything is made here so it is alot cheeper.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: audiobeer on March 21, 2007, 08:14:30 pm
Josh, If I were you I would purchase some vintage JBL speakers and some vintage Marantz or Mcintosh the next time your in the states and take it back with you. Man you would make a killing doing some trading! There is such a market in Japan, Thailand and Korea for this stuff. China is actualy making some great Tube stuff of late
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 22, 2007, 12:24:52 am
That is a good idea. What do you think of Marantz? I was looking at some of their new stuff last night. It is about midrange in price. I could get a high end Marantz receiver and 5 speakers and sub for $1K. Nice stuff and sounds great. My dads tube amp is a Spark. It is made in China and is supposably the best on the market. It is the best sounding system I have ever heard. I don't think I can afford that good though. He has about $3K in his system. That is just two speakers and an amp. Too much for me. The only problem with bringing equipment here is the power difference. We are getting ready to go to a stereo mall right now. It is an entire mall with just stereo stores. All high end stuff. I will post what I find when I get back.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 22, 2007, 10:35:48 am
Ok I really need some advice now. I completely changed gears again. I decided on Surround sound again. I am stuck between two systems and I want to go buy them tomorrow so I need advice.
First is a setup with JBL surround sound towers in the front, Jbl center, and rears. These are about mid grade JBL speakers. They sound great. Powering these speakers is a Harmon-Kardon 7.1 surround sound amp. This is the bottom of the line Harmon Kardon amp.
The second is all Marantz system. It is a nice Marantz 7.1 surround receiver, and Marantz surrond speakers. and Marantz sub. The receiver is the bottom of the line and the speakers are the only ones they have so I don't know if they are high grade or not.
The Marantz system first looks better but I know I shouldn't buy a system because of its looks. Second the Marantz comes with an 8 inch bottom firing powered sub and the JBL combo does not. However I would buy one seperate. And third the Marantz is about $200 cheeper and comes with the sub. I really don't care about the cost if one is better. Both Systems sound freakin great. What should I do?
?
First is a setup with JBL surround sound towers in the front, Jbl center, and rears. These are about mid grade JBL speakers. They sound great. Powering these speakers is a Harmon-Kardon 7.1 surround sound amp. This is the bottom of the line Harmon Kardon amp.
The second is all Marantz system. It is a nice Marantz 7.1 surround receiver, and Marantz surrond speakers. and Marantz sub. The receiver is the bottom of the line and the speakers are the only ones they have so I don't know if they are high grade or not.
The Marantz system first looks better but I know I shouldn't buy a system because of its looks. Second the Marantz comes with an 8 inch bottom firing powered sub and the JBL combo does not. However I would buy one seperate. And third the Marantz is about $200 cheeper and comes with the sub. I really don't care about the cost if one is better. Both Systems sound freakin great. What should I do?
?Title: Stereo systems
Post by: audiobeer on March 22, 2007, 09:57:49 pm
JBL is a good Home theater system. Harman Kardon with thier High Current amps are great performers but pricey. Thier entry level recievers can be a bargain. I don't want to confuse you with all the options out there. I like JBL Home Theater stuff when the speakers all match. Harmon Kardon actualy owns JBL as well and owns some nice High end audio companys like Lexicon. Mark Levinson, Revel, studer, crown, infinity, ect.. In the US you can get a real nice entry level system for about $1200 with JBL and Harmon Kardon. Yo can get the same setup by introducing an Onkyo or Yamaha instead of harmon Kardon as a reciever. Either way you won't go wrong. The main thing to understand you won't go wrong for the $1200 if you are using an analog source. If your going into an HDTV or High Definition Broadcast then you have to step up to get the digital Sync adjustments on your reciever to get the audio to match your video.......I know it can get confusing. But let me just say this......If you just have a typical cable coax box and basic DVD or VCR then you can't go wrong with the options you have mentioned. When it comes to entry level systems I would put more emphasis on the speakers and less on the reciever to start.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 22, 2007, 11:02:56 pm
thanks for the info. You didn't say anything about the marantz system. I know they used to be great but are they still? I am really leaning toward the Marantz system.
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: loman4ec on March 23, 2007, 04:15:40 am
Well it just arrived. I bought the Marantz system. It sounds fantastic. I can't believe that I had to buy $400 worth of wire and cables to hook the darn thing up. Is that normal? Either way I am happy. It is still a mess because the receiver wont fit in my Tv stand so I am going to have to buy something different. It was a cheep one anyway. I am going to have the TV hung on the wall next week. Now I need to go buy stands or brackets for the rear speakers. everything all together cost 50,000 thai baht which is $1,400 USD. Not too bad. i am really happy. Now I need to find somewhere that sells DVD's in english.
Thank you Audiobeer and bubba for all of your advice!
Thank you Audiobeer and bubba for all of your advice!
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: bubba on March 23, 2007, 05:56:24 am
Looks like a nice setup Josh... I love the finish on the Marantz receivers.. I've never heard their speakers, but they look really nice. Good luck with it...
Title: Stereo systems
Post by: audiobeer on March 23, 2007, 07:41:24 pm
You did good grasshopper!