Which new piece of equipment has exceeded your expectations?

**warpdrive** · **12-19-07, 11:48 PM**

I couldn't get to sleep, so I was thinking about all the money I've spent on equipment over the last year and what I've gained in the process.

I was thinking that the one thing that I was most impressed with among all the stuff I bought was my iPod Touch. I take it everywhere and as a media device, I can watch movies while waiting for my car to be serviced, enjoy my tunes in high quality sound (high bitrate encoding, and top grade headphones), and as an information device at the local coffee shop or around the house. At work I use it to listen to music which really enhances my day. Not that I couldn't do any of this stuff before but now it's done with one slick device that I say "cool!" every time I pull it out.

As for my home equipment, I think the biggest impact was to go HDTV. It's a quantum leap over regular DVD resolution, and I still marvel at watching HD channels every day. By top quality standards, my XBR LCD definitely isn't cinema quality, but the picture and colors just pop out....and that is something I appreciate every day.

What piece of equipment did you buy that makes you go Wow?

**Sonnie** · **12-20-07, 01:03 AM**

Martin Logan Ascent i speakers with ML Motif center. Hands down the best purchase I've made ever... along with the most notable improvement in sound that I've not experienced this year, but in my lifetime of fiddlin' with HT.

I'd say it would be a toss up between HD-DVD and the Panny 1080p projector for the second best improvement.

**atledreier** · **12-20-07, 01:44 AM**

The SVS PB12 plus/2 was a revelation for me. Other than that I'm amazed every day what my system in total can really do. Especially the projector, considering the age and price (BenQ PE7700) that still make me chuckle and grin like an idiot. Or my audio system that keep me up at nights playing music. Or my Toshiba HD-E1 that blow my Denon DVD2910 away in every aspect. Or the BFD that will tame the beast that is SVS and make it shine. Or my wife that let me do this at all. I think maybe she's the best 'bang for the buck'...

**mike c** · **12-20-07, 02:27 AM**

my projector and screen. i have always had 40" LCD's and dreaming of the next big tv, before I decided to go to a 108" screen via Projector ... I don't even know why I've always wanted a big tv when you can get a humongous screen for a fraction of the cost of the tv.

**Fincave** · **12-20-07, 04:44 AM**

Amphion Argon 2's, speakers that I bought to replace my JBL xTi 80's. Listening to music is an absolute pleasure and I keep hearing little things on cds that just were not heard before, always brings a smile to my face. Second on the list would be the upgrade from a 28" tv to a Sanyo Z3 and 110" DIY screen.

**Prof.** · **12-20-07, 07:24 PM**

Quote:

mike c wrote:

my projector and screen. i have always had 40" LCD's and dreaming of the next big tv, before I decided to go to a 108" screen via Projector ... I don't even know why I've always wanted a big tv when you can get a humongous screen for a fraction of the cost of the tv.

I would have to say the same for me...
After years of watching movies on what I thought was a big TV screen...changing to a projection image on a 106" screen, totally elevated my enthusiasm for home theatre..
I didn't think it could get any better, until I changed to CIH Cinemascope projection and that now blows me away everytime I turn on the projector..

**Big Worm** · **12-20-07, 07:59 PM**

My Samsung 56" DLP I bought last year. That led to my 2nd, HD-DVD/Blu-Ray.

**tonyvdb** · **12-20-07, 07:59 PM**

I think for me its building our home theater. It has already proven to be a sound investment (no pun intended).
As far as a piece of equipment, its a tossup between my Mission 765 speakers and the Onkyo 805. The missions I bought new almost 16 years ago and still would never trade them in for anything. The Onkyo has just been a great transition and has improved the already great sound that I have.

**MatrixDweller** · **12-21-07, 11:08 AM**

I went from a Kenwood VR309 receiver to a used Denon 3805. With the same speakers it was like night and day. I upgraded my Cerwin Vega speakers shortly afterwards with some Klipsch speakers and had a similar "ear opening" experience. I new they would sound better than the Cerwin Vegas, but didn't expect them to sound so sweet.

**OvalNut** · **12-21-07, 11:21 AM**

Acoustic treatments.

I did my whole room with GIK Acoustics Tri-Trap bass traps and wall mounted 242 and 244 acoustic panels. The difference was not at all subtle, truly remarkable. I won't go back to an untreated room again.

Tim

**jr1414** · **12-21-07, 11:26 AM**

Definitely my Pb12 +/2. Brings everything on the audio side to a new level. I never knew what a difference truly low, accurate bass could make. I feel it makes my mains sound clearer, even without a change in crossover point, adds new punch to music passages, and changes the HT experience entirely. I no longer feel like I'm watching a movie, I now feel like I'm there!!!

If I didn't know any better I'd swear it slices, dices and bakes!!!

**bmplockmonster** · **12-30-07, 08:39 PM**

i just returnrd my polk lsi15's and center for klipsh rf-63.i havn't got the center or surrounds yet.
i cant believe how much happier i am.polks were good speakers but couldn't handle my outlaw 7500 amp.i was skeptical of klipsh but they sound great

**mazersteven** · **12-30-07, 09:11 PM**

I haven't purchased anything new in over a year. But I would have to say my SVS PB12-Plus/2 brought the largest "WOW" factor for me.

I went sub less for about a year before purchasing the subwoofer. What a difference in my system when I added the sub. My speakers seem to be different speakers. They just seem to sound different, detailed.

**MrPorterhouse** · **12-31-07, 11:24 AM**

I'd say my Sony Playstation 3 is the single most impressive item that has exceeded my expectations. I had high hopes to begin with for Blu-ray playback and it has surpassed anything I thought. What really impresses me is the capability to be a center piece of the entertainment setup. My family really enjoys the photo slide shows set to music stored on the harddrive. Its music playback is excellent and I even use it to surf the net on the big screen. Oh yeah, it also plays PS3 video games, too.

**conchyjoe7** · **12-31-07, 01:37 PM**

No question: My ultra cheapie ($98.87 at WalMart) Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD players. They (I bought 2) astounded me out of the box and continue to do so (with continuous firmware upgrades thanks to Toshiba) on both my living room 61" JVC and my 55" bedroom Sony displays, both of which are 1080p LCos sets.

Cheers and Happy New Year all,
Konky.

**daniel** · **01-13-08, 12:38 AM**

I'm not sure if it,s my Oracle Delphi turntable or my listening room. The listening room came with an extra, a house!

**Funkmonkey** · **01-13-08, 02:59 PM**

I gotta agree with you Warp, going to HDTV has been the most impressive jump for me. So along those lines, I have to say my Sony 46XBR4 HDTV. I have yet to get a blu-ray player (I am relatively certain that is the way I will go via PS3) but Hi-Def cable looks great, and SD DVD juiced up through my Oppo 981HD is amazing. 2008 is going to be all about building the audio to match the HQ video I now enjoy.

**nova** · **01-15-08, 06:50 AM**

Hands down,.... my Harmony remote. Finally a universal remote that would actually control all of my equipment. Plus (and the best part) it allowed my wife to be able to figure out the system,... no more calls at work "I can't get the DVD to work, the kids want to watch a movie. We can hear it but not see it" and many similar conversations.

**warpdrive** · **01-15-08, 07:08 AM**

Quote:

nova wrote:

Hands down,.... my Harmony remote. Finally a universal remote that would actually control all of my equipment. Plus (and the best part) it allowed my wife to be able to figure out the system,... no more calls at work "I can't get the DVD to work, the kids want to watch a movie. We can hear it but not see it" and many similar conversations.

You are right, but I bought mine so long ago that I almost take it for granted now. I had a whole bunch of $200-300 remotes (Pronto, Marantz RC2000, Home Theater Master), and they all failed to deliver on the ease of use/all in one promise.

**daniel** · **01-15-08, 11:00 AM**

When my remote dies, I will probably go with Harmony's remote.
I've seen one "in action" and It can do things that mine can't.

**MatrixDweller** · **01-15-08, 02:36 PM**

Quote:

nova wrote:

no more calls at work "I can't get the DVD to work, the kids want to watch a movie. We can hear it but not see it" and many similar conversations.

I've had a few of those calls. I still do if my wife lets my 2 year roam and explore all the buttons he so likes to push

**hyghwayman** · **02-28-08, 10:37 AM**

Replacing our 1991 JVC 26" analog TV w/ a 2006 27" JVC DTV was

, crystal clear picture and 5.1 audio out to SS Receiver was and still is mind numbing

.

hyghwayman

P.S. Moving up to HDTV (Sony KD-34XBR970) wasn't as big of a change that from analog to DTV

, but 34"s of widescreen is very cool

.

**SteveB** · **02-28-08, 11:59 PM**

Two things for me, Polk LSI 15 speakers and my new Emotiva LPA-1 amp. Got the speakers before the amp arrived and listened to them with the old HK receiver. When the amp got here and hooked it up the speakers really came alive.

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