Home cinema specialists, home visit
Discussion
I have always not been entirely sure if all my home cinema kit (onkyo amp + Tannoy arena speakers) has been setup as well as it could have been. I kind of just used the onkyo setup microphone wotsit and that was it.
So, my question is, has anyone ever found/paid an actual real proper expert to come and perform a "tuning" for want of a better word? If so where do you find them?
Thanks!
So, my question is, has anyone ever found/paid an actual real proper expert to come and perform a "tuning" for want of a better word? If so where do you find them?
Thanks!
There are quite a few (usually 'ISF' qualified) calibrators over on the AVforums website. They post in the calibration section (funnily enough), names such as Gordon from Convergant spring to mind and others. You're looking at around £300-400 to calibrate a display, but I don't know what they charge for a sound calibration/setup, you'll have to email them as they can't post prices openly on the forum.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/isf-calibration/
PS. Don't be surprised at the cost of calibrating a display: I've bought my own equipment to do this (I have a projector which tends to drift as the lamp ages meaning regular recalibrations to keep it spot on). It's taken me 2 years and I'm still learning, last time I completely redid my projector it took 2-3 evenings with 3-4 hour sessions to get it just right. A pro would be quicker than this, but it's still a great deal of fiddling about, checking and remeasuring. They also have to pay to get their sensors recalibrated at least annually which isn't cheap (otherwise who knows whether the readins are accurate). Also it turned out that my own sensor wasn't that accurate, so now I rent a much better quality one that is calibrated before being sent out.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/isf-calibration/
PS. Don't be surprised at the cost of calibrating a display: I've bought my own equipment to do this (I have a projector which tends to drift as the lamp ages meaning regular recalibrations to keep it spot on). It's taken me 2 years and I'm still learning, last time I completely redid my projector it took 2-3 evenings with 3-4 hour sessions to get it just right. A pro would be quicker than this, but it's still a great deal of fiddling about, checking and remeasuring. They also have to pay to get their sensors recalibrated at least annually which isn't cheap (otherwise who knows whether the readins are accurate). Also it turned out that my own sensor wasn't that accurate, so now I rent a much better quality one that is calibrated before being sent out.
Did you buy the speakers & amp unheard an based on reviews, or from a demo at a dealer's store?
If the former, then maybe the pairing isn't optimal - I've never really rated Tannoy as a loudspeaker manufacturer - or your room placement and/or acoustics aren't working to their strengths/exacerbating their weaknesses.
Perhaps you can describe/draw the layout of them, and dimensions of the room/distances from the walls.
If the former, then maybe the pairing isn't optimal - I've never really rated Tannoy as a loudspeaker manufacturer - or your room placement and/or acoustics aren't working to their strengths/exacerbating their weaknesses.
Perhaps you can describe/draw the layout of them, and dimensions of the room/distances from the walls.
I don't think even a GOOD dealer would come to your house to setup a system free of charge, especially if it is a more budget setup as there really wouldn't be any margin for them left. There is a good thread over on AVS forum about using Audyssey and how best to set it up: It's not just a question of sticking the mic in a single position and pressing 'go'. You should take about 6 or 8 readings in a particular pattern (I can't remember the details as I don't have an Audyssey amp any more). This will average out the peaks and troughs a bit more than a single point reading.
However, if the basic issue is that you don't like the way it sounds, then that's when a GOOD dealer is worth his salt in providing a decent demo (or letting you bring them home against a credit card as I usually do). A decent dealer may also help if it doesn't work out and allow you to exchange/upgrade within a certain time after purchase.
Sometimes buying as cheap as possible on the web can have it's problems.
However, if the basic issue is that you don't like the way it sounds, then that's when a GOOD dealer is worth his salt in providing a decent demo (or letting you bring them home against a credit card as I usually do). A decent dealer may also help if it doesn't work out and allow you to exchange/upgrade within a certain time after purchase.
Sometimes buying as cheap as possible on the web can have it's problems.
OldSkoolRS said:
I don't think even a GOOD dealer would come to your house to setup a system free of charge, especially if it is a more budget setup as there really wouldn't be any margin for them left. There is a good thread over on AVS forum about using Audyssey and how best to set it up: It's not just a question of sticking the mic in a single position and pressing 'go'. You should take about 6 or 8 readings in a particular pattern (I can't remember the details as I don't have an Audyssey amp any more). This will average out the peaks and troughs a bit more than a single point reading.
However, if the basic issue is that you don't like the way it sounds, then that's when a GOOD dealer is worth his salt in providing a decent demo (or letting you bring them home against a credit card as I usually do). A decent dealer may also help if it doesn't work out and allow you to exchange/upgrade within a certain time after purchase.
Sometimes buying as cheap as possible on the web can have it's problems.
The company I worked for for 13 years upto the early 2000's did free delivery and installation on most systems, Inc. Av. I think they still offer this to instore buyers However, if the basic issue is that you don't like the way it sounds, then that's when a GOOD dealer is worth his salt in providing a decent demo (or letting you bring them home against a credit card as I usually do). A decent dealer may also help if it doesn't work out and allow you to exchange/upgrade within a certain time after purchase.
Sometimes buying as cheap as possible on the web can have it's problems.
Edited by carlymart on Sunday 30th January 21:55
That sounds a good company to deal with, though I'm surprised they can afford to do this on all AV systems as even an hour on site plus travel must be close to wiping out any margin on some of the cheaper all in one systems. Of course if someone then goes on the web and finds the same system for £50 less, then we know which option they are going to go with in many cases: Not really any problem with this, but when they do this after having a demo in a bricks and mortar shop I think it's out of order myself.
There was a good AV shop that recently went to the wall and this was one of the reasons why: They'd spend time setting up the demos, then the customer would go away 'to think about it' and then buy the gear on the web. When I bought my current projector the guy brought it to my house and spent 3-4 hours demoing it (well them as he brought two so we could compare to the one I had). I was nearly tempted to buy the dearer model, so I really did want to 'think about it'. However once I'd deceided I went back to him and placed the order and he knocked a couple of hundred pounds off the price anyway. I'd had some others posting on AVforums that I should buy it elsewhere to save another £50, which I felt was wrong after the effort the guy had gone to, but this seems typical of this day and age. I felt the £50 wasn't worth it over being able to go back to a local shop incase of problems and I knew it was checked properly before I collected it as well, which many box shifters wouldn't have done either.
I went to a great place today for a demo of a new video processor and BluRay player. He spent over 3 hours and ended up getting an order for both items, as an extra he is going to recalibrate my sensor so I can redo my projector calibration when the new gear arrives. Demoing on a Sunday and providing a free sensor calibration gets my vote and even if I could save £200 on the deal elsewhere (which is doubtful anyway) I'd still stick with this dealer. I hope guys like him will be around for the next time I want to buy more gear.
There was a good AV shop that recently went to the wall and this was one of the reasons why: They'd spend time setting up the demos, then the customer would go away 'to think about it' and then buy the gear on the web. When I bought my current projector the guy brought it to my house and spent 3-4 hours demoing it (well them as he brought two so we could compare to the one I had). I was nearly tempted to buy the dearer model, so I really did want to 'think about it'. However once I'd deceided I went back to him and placed the order and he knocked a couple of hundred pounds off the price anyway. I'd had some others posting on AVforums that I should buy it elsewhere to save another £50, which I felt was wrong after the effort the guy had gone to, but this seems typical of this day and age. I felt the £50 wasn't worth it over being able to go back to a local shop incase of problems and I knew it was checked properly before I collected it as well, which many box shifters wouldn't have done either.
I went to a great place today for a demo of a new video processor and BluRay player. He spent over 3 hours and ended up getting an order for both items, as an extra he is going to recalibrate my sensor so I can redo my projector calibration when the new gear arrives. Demoing on a Sunday and providing a free sensor calibration gets my vote and even if I could save £200 on the deal elsewhere (which is doubtful anyway) I'd still stick with this dealer. I hope guys like him will be around for the next time I want to buy more gear.
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Sunday 30th January 23:31
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff