Episode 97: The WORST Home Theater Purchases We've Made!

[@andrew1977au]

I watch these video over 4 evenings, thanks for doing these guys!

[@Youthman]

I’m glad you enjoy them Andrew

[@patbeesley6616]

Great convo. guys! It brought me back to the days of a bunch of us neighbors sitting around a fire pit, just sharing thoughts and learning from each other. Love the candid vibe!

[@Youthman]

Thanks Pat. I’m glad you enjoyed the episode.

[@cuberzeroer]

Holy cow. I dunno how the reference thing is bending so many people’s brains. 105 peaks is reference. Period. That is the standard. 0 dBFS, or 0 decibels full scale, is the maximum digital volume level. Reference makes that 105. Ok. Great. How do we get there? Follow the receivers instructions…. If they tell you their test tones should be 75, then make them 75. They are using a -30dBFS test tone. Let’s say you go into REW and use your own test tone. You could use -25dBFS. That tone should be at 80dB according to reference. Content will be at whatever level the mixer wanted it to be relative to the clipping point of 0dBFS. Usually this is in the vicinity of 85dB, but it does not have to be. Dialogue could also be up or down depending on the mixer’s tastes. Feel free to reply with any questions. This should not be hard or complicated and I am happy to help anyone who is feeling confused.

[@thomaswomack3888]

I'd like like to see what you guys think of the different Power sound audio 18" and 21" subs and suggest equivalent alternatives that have the same level of performance for less money.

[@Wmit79]

Thanks for the kx5 tip jonathan, it’s awesome! The bass on “take me high” is fantastic. I don’t have the low lows yet though.

[@jakeparker9416]

I was THIS close to getting that same LG Projector until I saw your home theater tour where Ryan talked about it. I shifted gears and bought a refurbished Epson 5050ub and I am so glad I dodged the bullet haha. Now a proud member of the JVC club and havn't looked back.

[@Saturn2888]

In VR, I've had DisplayPort corrpution where I see white "stars" flashing on the screen because of issues with cable length. It's kinda like analog signal corruption, but not as bad. If I adjust the cables, I can fix it. It's super strange.

[@matta9316]

Something about this show is really good. Part of it is the great rapport you all have!

[@Youthman]

Thank you Matt.

[@ZeonStar77]

@youthman Can you link to the Video Jonathan referenced that was (I think) 30 minutes on the discussion of setting your speakers to reference? (75 vs 85 and all that.) Thanks

[@kennietaylor241]

Looking to upgrade to Buckeye amps? Using: LCR - 1723s 3x Side wides - 1961 Monitors 2x Sides - 1961 Monitors 4x 1723 Heights as rears 2x All Arendal

[@gregorioavalos1256]

😂😂😂 One of the Greatest shows, I’m here pulling weeds and laughing and agreeing with you about subs. I have a x15 and someone said it’s too much, ok I have a little too much decay but it’s those bone rattling frequencies that improve music and theater. Recreation is paramount at normal volume.

[@t-rex1480]

In relation to boosting the rear speakers instead of having them level matched, thats the reason for Audyssey dynamic eq, and what it does along with bumping the bass. If dynamic eq is being used then it would probably be best not to bump the rears. If its not being used then it is personal preference or situational. This would only relate to Audyssey equiped equipment of course.

[@Palindromeguy1]

Going to the subwoofer conversation, which is better in your home cinema knowledge. Average speakers and amazing subs vs average subs and amazing speakers???

[@jvonengeln]

My vote is for average speakers and amazing subs. My wife once said without subs it’s just background music, with subs it’s the main event.

[@Palindromeguy1]

For the cathedral question, there is a company called theory audio that do reference pendant speakers.

[@Youthman]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm familiar with Theory Audio, but have not heard any of their speakers.

[@squared80]

Great episode. Thanks as always.

[@89legendcoupe]

Emotiva Fusion 8100...lots of HDMI issues, sent the Fusion 8100 in for RMA and ended up with the same issues 6mo later. I didn't learn my lesson and bought the BasXMC1 just a few years ago...cheap is not a good thing.

[@Rayman-expertsoundpro]

This should get some discussion going, but the points about REL not showing data applies to some others such as PSA....🙃

[@Youthman]

There are lots of brands that do not post data. I wish more would.

[@Rayman-expertsoundpro]

@@Youthman Absolutely. But that brand has a big following on AVS at least. This is why Mwave is such as great opportunity to come and hear/test a bunch of stuff. I can't wait! May be ask Tom to send his subs...lol...never gonna happen

[@nicolasben-fredj8162]

What speakers get to reference easily (as long as enough power is fed to them)

[@richardzagozeski892]

If you're looking for a piano that will hold it's value, look for one of those player piano's. They sound good, even if you don't know how to play.

[@Wmit79]

So what’s the story on JTR and RTJ? Are they connected in some way, or is it a coincidence that they’re names are so similar and they have very similar looking products?

[@Youthman]

Jeff Permanian began with JTR which is consumer direct, and later introduced RTJ as a dealer only brand.

[@richardzagozeski892]

Here in Canada, we have outfits called Liquidation World.

[@johnlira3316]

Question for all 4 what's the least expensive speakers that can hit reference levels like Jonathan speaks about like at a cinema level. I know he says they must have horns or a line of several dome tweeters. Interested in ur answers.

[@unknownspectre]

DIYSG HT-10s

[@jvonengeln]

No matter what I write here it gets deleted. This is five times now.

[@Youthman]

Stop saying bad words Jonathan! 🤣 I just looked and there’s nothing that is being held for review, so I’m not sure what KZbin is doing with your comments.

[@jvonengeln]

@@Youthman ha. Nothing a censor should have deleted at all!!!!! I just listed a handful of speaker names each time before. Model numbers etc.

[@Youthman]

KZbin is goofy sometimes. Definitely wasn’t me.

[@andrew1977au]

Hahaha the legend of the white van man selling speakers, he's here in Australia as well! 😅😂😅

[@joeyveloso9124]

It’s a little annoying to bash REL I get it, large black boxes for HT. But I don’t buy that REL doesn’t good in their own habitat.

[@Youthman]

No bashing here. We are referring to performance. Their HT/1510 is rated down to 20Hz but it’s -6dB. Our point is performance wise there are plenty of $2,000 subwoofers that will out perform them. What does a REL habitat look like? I’m not sure I understand what you mean.

[@gaurd3]

I do so much research before big purchases. And hate pressure and will not buy on spot, ever. So this is foreign to me. I been at this before KZbin. So had to troll the forums. Audioholic avs.. etc

[@Youthman]

Worst purchases can happen even after extensive research. It doesn’t mean it was an impulsive buy.

[@gaurd3]

@@Youthman I guess. But that amp not handing 1 ohm is totally avoidable. Simple mistakes.

[@Youthman]

Looking at the MartinLogan website, the 15A says the nominal impedance is 4ohms, 0.5 at 20kHz. But it also says it’s compatible with 4, 6 or 8ohm rated amplifiers. I could see how that might lead someone to think that most amplifiers would be fine.

[@gaurd3]

@@Youthman that’s where research comes in. Any Reputable reviewer will have the impedance plotted across all frequencies. Then you look for a receiver or amp that can handle the worst case scenario. That’s how I work.

[@Youthman]

@@gaurd3 Ryan isn’t a reviewer. He purchased them for his own home.

[@onebigchief1]

😂

[@myplacerighthear3691]

You know I have got to say that I love these conversations I like the examples you give excellent information. But you know what. If you're making less than 75,000 a year and you own a home and you got a mortgage car payment insurance is all that neat stuff where do you find the money to buy all this expensive equipment for God's sake.. I recently bought four SBS PB 1000 1st generation subs new in the box for 300 bucks a piece directly from SVS and they are farook and wonderful they give all the boom in the large room that I need... I'm kind of like you know you get well over five or 600 bucks for a subwoofer just think of what else you could buy or do with that $2,000 rather than buying one large box with a huge subwoofer in it.. I truly believe you guys need to be much more realistic about people's incomes and what they could truly afford in the moment.. would you guys are talking about only reaches financially about 40% of the population the rest of us are left out of the loop because we could never hope to afford these things.. take what I'm telling you seriously because it's the truth.. thank you very much man take care guys

[@Youthman]

We all started exactly where you are describing. I paid $400 for my Klipsch RF7’s, $200 for the RC7 center channel and $250 - $350 for each of my (4) Klipsch RSW-15 subwoofers. I have always felt that if the best Youthman Deals are found on the used market. And if that’s where you are, that’s awesome! Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I have and will continue to review budget gear and feature budget home theaters on my channel. I have followers that with varying budgets and income levels so I continue to make content that speaks to everyone. But that doesn’t mean every video or every podcast will be a topic for every person. Hope that makes sense.

[@HiFinest343]

@@Youthman I think this comment leans into the intention of my comments in the chat during the live stream. I’m honestly just trying to enjoy what I have because I’ve been spending years chasing unicorns only to find out it’s not enough. I’ve been drooling over RS1’s to replace my SB16 ultras because there’s just not enough bass in my big open concept space. Then I start thinking about moving all my gear to a smaller room just so I can get more out of my SVS subs. Honestly it’s exhausting - just enjoy the music. I can afford RS1’s it’s not about that, at what point am I trading function of my living space for the obsession of single digit output? My wife is super patient with my purchase decisions but if I start talking about upgrading my subs she may not be so patient. I have an amazing system, but social media and YT content continue to leave me feeling like there’s more to be desired, and I’m finally starting to see how it’s effecting me personally. Perhaps the best content for me is where people are talking about how they’ve made improvements in their systems through things like trial/error with RoomEQ, tutorials on REW, making better use of the PEQ on the SVS subs, etc. It always seems to be about single digit bass with more subs than furniture, and that may appeal to some but not most.

[@Youthman]

What’s your describing is exactly everything that this world has to offer. No matter what you buy in life, you’ll never end up being fully satisfied. Not a boat, not a home, not a sports car. I was completely satisfied when I had a five point one system from Polk Audio. I wasn’t chasing the rabbit because I knew I couldn’t catch him. But eventually down the road deals became available and I upgrade and I was very happy with that next system and enjoyed it for many years. New opportunities arose, and I begin to slowly upgrade overtime. But the truth is if I had to sell everything in My Home Theater today, I would still be just as satisfied with my life. Happiness depends on happenings. Joy comes from something much deeper. In my case, it’s my faith. I believe we can become content in whatever stage we are at. There’s never a need to upgrade, those are simply choices that we make from desires that we have. If you do not have a desire for single digits, enjoy where you are at. Someone else’s pursuit of single digits should not affect you whatsoever. As I have always stated on my channel, it’s not about chasing stuff, it’s about enjoying the journey. If your journey is enjoying what you have, that’s an amazing journey to be on. Listening to new music and watching new movies. The journey doesn’t always involve an upgrade to your system. Hope that helps

[@HTPatrick]

​@@Youthman I agree with the comments above. You say to enjoy what you have and that is great. That sentiment doesn't always come across that way during the discussion in the stream. I have a PC-4000 and Monolith 12 that I am happy with. I often feel that if I mentioned those subs during the stream, then one of the hosts would say "they are fine, but those won't reach single digits" Or if I mentioned my speakers they would say, "they are fine but they won't hit reference". You may disagree my thought, which is fine. I am just saying that is how you guys come off sometimes. Love the stream. I watch on replay every week. Just wanted to add to the perspective above.

[@Youthman]

@@HTPatrick I appreciate the perspective. Jonathan has a definitive standard for his own theater that if it cannot hit Reference, it’s not for him. I have reviewed many speakers over the past 6 years that likely would not reach reference but I still found them quite enjoyable. But I tend to watch movies around -10dB so I’m rarely ever at Reference volume. I have reviewed several Monolith subs on my channel. They offer huge value and incredible output. My friend has the 15” and absolutely loves it. Not everyone is chasing single digits and that’s perfectly ok. All three of us have experienced it and know how fun it is. Nothing more than that. We are all on different paths, and at different phases. Wherever that might be, enjoy the journey.

[@myplacerighthear3691]

Always buy everything at bottom dollar prices even negotiate with the people you're buying from..😊 doesn't hurt to ask and all they can do is say no.. bottom dollar for everything never pay anything more than absolute bottom Dollar

[@Youthman]

When you don't "need" something, it puts you in the position to be patient until the right deal comes along.