Don Lindich’s Sound Advice Blog

Ohm MicroWalsh Short Speaker Long time-readers know how much I love Ohm Acoustics Walsh speakers.  You can read what I have to say about them at the links below: http://www.soundadviceblog.com/home-theater/ohm-walsh-speakers-unique-technology-stunning-performance/ http://www.soundadviceblog.com/sound-systems/product-of-the-day-ohm-walsh-3000-speakers/ If you want to treat yourself to the best, Ohm is having a Black Friday sale this weekend, including Thanksgiving hours! I have copied [...]

Q. I recently purchased the Samsung PN42C450 after reading your blog. With my PlayStation 2 hooked up, I get sound with a black-and-white picture. I am using the regular red/white/yellow cable that came with the PS2. What do I need to get a color picture? JIM HONDLIK A. Your TV does not have a composite [...]

Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers Longtime readers probably remember The Speaker Company and the great speakers they sold at very low prices. Sadly, they are not around any more and though there are lots of high-value lines out there (such as Arx) not everyone can spend $249 per pair for bookshelf speakers or $500 or more [...]

Sound Advice By Don Lindich Week 13, 2010 Q. We recently purchased a 58-inch Panasonic VT25 series 3D plasma TV. The installer strongly recommended we get it color balanced by a professional service person for $200. Do you think it is worth it? -Anand Kumar, Pleasonton, CA A. I think calibration can be worthwhile for [...]

Sound Advice By Don Lindich Week 11, 2011 Q. I have a desktop computer I use with powered computer speakers. Nearby I have a vintage stereo receiver with speakers. Is it possible to run the computer audio through my receiver and speakers, and will it work when using Netflix or iTunes? -Dale Nielsen, Shoreview, MN [...]

Audio-Technica ATH-M35 headphones are quite a market standout. I have been enjoying my own set recently and thought it might be a good idea to mention them to anyone looking for headphones, or who are thinking of adding headphones to their system.  Though marketed as “monitor headphones” for professional applications I find them to really [...]

Sound Advice By Don Lindich Week 8, 2011 Q. I just switched from cable to satellite and no longer get Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound from high-def channels, as I did with Comcast. I have the satellite box connected the same as before, with HDMI to the TV and an optical digital cable to my [...]

Sound Advice By Don Lindich Week 5, 2011 Q. I have a Kenwood KRV 7040 audio-video receiver. It was purchased in 1992 and I’ve been very pleased with it. I was considering upgrading to one of the $500 digital HDMI receivers you recommend (either the Onkyo or Pioneer, leaning towards the Pioneer) but after reading [...]

Sound Advice By Don Lindich Week 2, 2011 Q. I have a mid-1980′s NAD 7140 receiver that sounds great to me. Lately when I adjust the volume or balance knob there is static in the left speaker. A few seconds of jiggling removes the static and gets it back on track. My guess is the [...]

Lately I’ve received more than a few emails from people either upgrading their existing sound system to match a new HDTV added over the holidays, or who simply want to add surround sound to their home entertainment system for $1,000 or a hair above.  I’ve emailed this recommendation several times recently so I am going [...]

I often receive questions asking about tiny surround speakers that can be placed very discretely in the room.  I’m not usually a fan of tiny speakers and prefer to match the speakers with the fronts, but sometimes tiny speakers are all that will keep the peace with the wife, or all that will fit in [...]

 Arx A3 towers before unboxing. Miniature dachshund provided for scale. Yesterday Fedex Ground stopped by and dropped off some double-boxed happiness: a pair of brand new Arx A3 tower speakers.  I’ve been anxious to see and hear these since The Audio Insider announced they were dropping Acculine and developing something new based on the Acculine [...]

I just got the news- the long-awaited Arx speakers from The Audio Insider are shipping starting today, June 16, 2010. I have my order in and will be reporting on them soon.  This product has been anxiously awaited by many of your readers and I am happy to report that you can finally give these [...]

I was always a fan of the Acculine speakers from The Audio Insider, and readers who purchased them upon my recommendation were absolutely delighted.  Understandably, I was disappointed when they were discontinued but was told that something even better was in the works, called Arx. I was promised that Arx speakers would use even better [...]

Paradigm Atom Monitor Bookshelf  Speaker The Paradigm Atom Monitor has long been loved by audiophiles for its fine sound and its  affordable price.  I’ve spent a lot of time listening to the Atom Monitor lately and though they sounded good out of the box, after around 30 hours of break-in the sound opened up and [...]

    NAD 7175PE Receiver- playing music as I write this Today’s Product of the Day will take us down Vintage Lane to take a look at some exceptional gear you can buy easily and inexpensively! The NAD PE series of amplifiers, integrated amplifiers and stereo receivers was produced in the late 1980s.  The series [...]

Definitive Technology Mythos ST Home Theater Speaker System  (Mythos STS uses slightly smaller towers) Earlier this week I discussed the Pioneer SC-25 Elite receiver and mentioned what a great match it would be to a Definitive Technology Mythos STS home theater speaker system. I am mentioning this speaker system in next week’s column as well [...]

Pioneer Elite SC-25 A/V Receiver Download High-Rez Image I usually recommend a separate amplifier and preamp/processor when people write to me requesting a recommendation for an expensive receiver.  The Pioneer Elite SC-25 is a receiver that gives separates a run for their money, and even offers some clear advantages, especially when compared to budget separates.  [...]

so-na-wall Speakers Anyone who has visited my site or read my newspaper column regularly knows what I think of the tiny Bose  Acoustimass cube speakers.  To sum it up, they are horribly designed and executed, have serious sonic defects, and are an extremely poor value  Check out Bose: Better Profits through Marketing to learn the [...]

The Polk Hitmaster… playing greatest hits at a living room near you! The Polk Hitmaster is one of those products that makes you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Polk Hitmaster AM2555-A looks like a miniature version of the stage monitors used by rock bands.  It is meant to be used by gamers [...]