my experiences with Kenwood AV surround-sound processor
Raymond Peter Palma
I just recieved a Kenwood surround sound decoder I ordered from
Crutchfield. It cost $150 + $3 s/h and came with rear and center
channel speakers.
Since there was a discussion here a few weeks ago about add-on
pro-logic decoders and the description in the Crutchfield catalog isn't
very detailed, I thought I'd describe what I got.
The Kenwood SS-992 (AV surround processor) was listed at a "special
price" of $150 in the lates Crutchfield catalog. This price included
both the processor and 3 surround speakers. Unlike most of Crutchfields
adds, this one provided almost no specs except the wattage (40 rms
center, 20 rms each rear) and thd (max .9% per channel).
I called the sales people and asked them for more details. Oddly enough,
the information they gave me over the phone disagrees with the spec.
sheets that came with the equipment (Crutchfield usually gives accurate
info, in my experience). Specifically, I asked if the
decoder had line outputs for the different channels and was told no (it
does). I also asked if the center channel is magnetically shielded (told
yes, it isn't) and what the maximum avg power the speakers could handle
is (told 75/40 W rms actually 40/20 W rms). The reason for these
questions was to allow upgrade later by adding an external amp, or
possibly selling the decoder and keeping the "matched" speakers they
provide if they would handle the power of a better decoder.
The package came this morning (4 days shipping UPS) and overall I was
pleased. The line outputs will allow the use of an external amp with
more power/less distortion. The speakers aren't the greatest, but I
expected that. The processor has variable time delay for the rear
channels (15 ms to 30 ms by 1 ms increments). It has hall and theater
surround modes as well as pro-logic and simulated surround. The center
channel has 2 settings (normal and "wide") as well as a phantom. The
volumes to the center and rear channels are individually adjustable
and there is also a master volume knob. There is a bypass switch and
a tone generator to use in placing/balancing the speakers.
The only thing it is lacking that I might want is a line subwoofer
output.
I bought the Paramount surround decoder that DAMARK was advertising
around Christmas (cost $179, no speakers) and this model seems to be
much better: more power to channels, variable delay, separate volume
controls. The Paramount got shipped back the day after I got it. This
one may hang around a few weeks =).
I can't comment on the sound quality because I haven't hooked it up yet,
and this is my first pro-logic decoder, so I don't have anything to
compare it to.
Crutchfield did advertise this as "limited quantity available," but I've
bought stuff in this category before and have never had any trouble
getting the item.
Hope this info helps anyone else looking for an add-on decoder. If
anyone else has one of these and has comments on the sound quality
of the decoder, I'd like to hear about it.
Mihail S. Iotov
amplifier that has equal power outputs on the three front channels and
have speakers that are similar in timber (?). Then it will seem that you
cannot hook a 3pc. subwwofer system to it, which presumably only takes
two inputs, letft and right.
On another note, is it possible to find non-subwwofer system that does
better than a subwoofer basewise. My guess is yes, but not in the same
price range.
Hope someone finds this topic interesting.
--
Mihail Iotov
Thomas Goodwin
>Just putting in my 2 cents worth and I hope nobody takes offense.
>
>Personally I don't think the subwoofer/satellite systems are geared for
>home theater. These systems are geared for "normal" audio use. By
>normal I mean the typical frequency range associated with classical or
>rock music (say ~50hz to 20+khz).
>
>The subwoofer in a home theater setup is supposed to handle the extreme
>base requirements which are typical in surround encoding. The frequency
>range for home theater bass (20hz-40hz) is well below what your front
>speakers (or in this case your satellite/subwoofer system) are designed
>for. While you could over stress the subwoofer in the satellite system,
>I don't feel it was designed for that purpose.
>
>I feel the A/V system's designers agree with me because most receiver/preamp
>systems have line level outputs for subwoofers.
>
>Hope this helps and I would be curious to hear what others have to say.
>
I completely agree and think the same arguement goes for audio. A sub/sat
system is designed to replace a pair of full range speakers not a pair of
full range speakers and a subwoofer.
Has anyone tried a sub/sat system with an additional subwoofer?
Tom
Thomas Goodwin
>>
>>Personally I don't think the subwoofer/satellite systems are geared for
>>home theater. These systems are geared for "normal" audio use. By
>>normal I mean the typical frequency range associated with classical or
>>rock music (say ~50hz to 20+khz).
>
> If you are talking about the low-end bass-module/satellite speaker
> systems, those are no more adequate for serious music use than they
> are for home theater.
>
Wasn't this obvious from the context of the original post.