Who's Home Theater book would you read?

Question

If you had a choice on who you would want to write a book on home theater, who would you choose?

I ask you to limit your submissions to those who participate in the Home Theater section.

Robert I do take exception to an answer that is clearly wrong, several times. I do not understand how the rant I'll call it answers my question? I did read your response with the included web page and I have to question the acuracy of any information contained since it has errors al over the place. You'll notice that I rarely use sources like wiki to prove a point, unless I would have wrote the same information the same way. Your statement about another guy saying a RMS figure (who will soon be familiarised with characteristic impedance as well) seem childish.

The real reason for my inquiry was to see from other general askers who's informational delivery is the easiest to understand. I was recently approched about a book deal for high end home theater and stereo systems. I wanted to see about possible contributers and a popular writing style of information. If I had a choice I would pick thinkenstien, but I wanted to see what others thought.

Thanks Thinkenstien you really do get what I mean. I rarley see an answer from you that doesn't contain at least one or three questions, you really try to get to the bottom of the issue.

Answer 1

I doubt if you are fishing for compliments but I would read yours. You have a good combination of technical education and practical experience, and I find I agree with your opinions.

--edit--

Robert must misunderstand us. I have heard no one suggest that components are not vital and I doubt if Robert would trade his speakers in for a pair of Fisher speakers. Having worked in audio for quite a while I had the opportunity to try different speakers with the same components and different components with the same speakers. Yes, components do make a big difference. We once hooked up a B&K amp to some old Fisher speakers and were quite surprised at the results. Nevertheless, there are even bigger differences in the sound of speakers than there are in the sound of components. Speakers can not improve sound but some are more neutral than others. Try listening to some lousy Bose speakers on the same amplifier and CD player as some Monitor Audio speakers. I have done this and there really is a huge difference. I have heard it. Every audiophile I have known acknowledges that speaker sound quality differs even more than component sound quality and every audio journal I have read acknowledges this. Those on a limited budget are wise to invest in a good amp and great speakers rather than a great amp and good speakers. Robert, by your standards no one who has experience testing speakers and components is an audiophile since real world experimentation makes them recognize that speakers sound more different from one another than components do.

Answer 2

I would not read a book on home theater from anyone i have come across in this section because they do not understand the importance of how the audio signal effects the sound they hear from the speakers. They do not believe that the quality of the signal from the source to the speakers determine the final sound.The quality of the signal coming out of the first component defines the ultimate ability of any sound system.Every other component in the system merely passes on the signal with greater or less accuracy .

If something sounds not right they say to get better speakers to "improve" the sound.Speakers are passive devices they can't improve what they receive, they can only reproduce it. Audio and video are damage control jobs.
I expect to get a lot of "thumbs down" whenever i list this post but i dont care, they are not audiophiles.

edit.
Thinkenstein,
I DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND YOU AT ALL. I UNDERSTAND YOU VERY WELL.
l am not talking about the sound of different speakers,.i totally agree about the different coloration all speakers have. I am talking about the best possible signal to give them,.but you seem to miss the point about the importance of the signal in the chain of equipment. Now i know that trying to explain it is of no use because i feel you fail to see what i am saying.

You say that speaker sound quality differs even more than component sound quality.

COMPONENT SOUND QUALITY (THE QUALITY OF THE SIGNAL AFTER IT HAS BEEN ALTERED/DEGRADED) IS THE REASON FOR SPEAKER SOUND QUALITY IN THE FIRST PLACE.THEY ONLY REPRODUCE WHAT THEY RECEIVE. SPEAKERS AND AMPS ARE LINKED TOGETHER THEY RELY ON EACH OTHER AND THEY AFFECT EACH OTHER.

DO YOU UPGRADE AN AMPLIFIER OR BUY NEW SPEAKERS TO IMPROVE THE SOUND FROM A WORN STYLUS ?

You say those on a limited budget should invest in a good amp and great speakers rather than a great amp and good speakers.But you are forgetting the Source

.A GOOD OR GREAT AMPLIFIER IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE SIGNAL IT RECEIVES FROM THE SOURCE.IT CAN'T IMPROVE THE SIGNAL .IT CAN ONLY MAINTAIN OR DEGRADE IT.

You have to start at the beginning so you buy the best Source you can afford .It is that simple.Why do people find this so hard to understand ,like i keep saying audio and video are damage control jobs

IF THE SIGNAL IS DAMAGED OR ALTERED BY THE SOURCE NOTHING ELSE CAN FIX IT .THE AMPLIFIER RECEIVES THE DAMAGED SIGNAL AND PASSES IT ON TO THE SPEAKERS.

There are plenty of web sites that explain what i am saying .At first i was like everyone else i thought that by changing speakers(but keeping the same amp and source) would improve the sound until i found out that changing to other speakers does not improve the signal.The sound is not improved but changed to a different sound which is perceived by others as an improvement on the previous speakers.

.EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID ON THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN REVIEWED ON VARIOUS DOCUMENTS BY SOUND EXPERTS AND ENGINEERS ON VARIOUS LINKS ON THE WEB.THIS IS WHERE I GOT MY INFORMATION IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS NOT MY OPINION BUT THE OPINION OF OTHERS .(TO WHICH I AGREE)

But nobody has bothered to check me out.I feel that you wont bother to check because your mind is already made up.and you will probably disagree with them anyway. In previous answers you have stated that the speakers come first in your order of importance but it should be the Source,. where the signal starts its journey to the speakers.
I will continue to say what i am saying to help people get the best sound system for their money because i want them to have the truth about how the equipment affects the sound.

edit 2

when i gave a similar answer not long ago regarding the quality of DVD players and how the signal can be altered the Answer man remarked that i was quote' "Robert is spouting complete and utter nonsense"unquote.So how do you defend yourself from someone like that?

edit 3

If you have a look at the end of my answer, the only ones i refer to as not being audiophiles are the ones that give me the"thumbs down" .


edit 4

There is a question about converting 140 watts Peak power to RMS power.My answer was 70 watts RMS I checked on the web to make sure i was not quoting a wrong figure .

flapjack said in his answer "first of (ROBERT PAY ATTENTION ) Peak power is not twice RMS.

anyway i forgot to include my source so i added it later on to show flapjack that my answer was not a stab in the dark. another guy answered "about 70 watts RMS but he was not "reprimanded"

.I don't mind being corrected for a wrong answer but why do people have to be rude or show bad manners in correcting you ?

To the best of my knowledge i have never given an answer or advice to someone without researching my answer first on the web if i am not 100 percent sure of the answer,but if i have it is a honest mistake.

Answer 3

i would say Robert P or Flapjack,since he is an electrical engineer he should know good sound and what electronics are superior.

Answer 4

having 30 years experience in audio technology (from valves into solid state and onto digital) i do not need to consult any literature-my brain serves me well.

Answer 5

Mine of course, but you would be a close second...

Answer 6

so , mr. you want me to determine that, perhaps you want to be appreciated by me i mean you want me to propose your name and in a way you are in search of confidence of others am i right?