SECRETS Home Theater Q&A

My home theater room is very dark. Should I opt for a projector that is not very bright so that I can have deeper blacks?

- Kyle, E
Medford, Ore

I, rather my wife, would like to view internet offerings on our home theater system, particularly the larger screen. I can find any number of articles on the physical connection to PCs/laptops (directly) to a TV but find little or nothing even in the AVR manuals on how to make physical connections to an AVR as well as what setup of the computer, AVR and TV...

- Frank Z
Connecticut

I am somewhat spaced constrained and am looking for speakers (5-10K range) that are relatively low profile and, more importantly, are designed to be placed up against the wall. Many of the speakers I have sampled require a placement at least 12-18" from the wall. The room is approx.: 14 x 21. Ideally the speakers would be placed on the 21' wall. In wall speakers are not a good option (old plaster & lathe walls on 2/4 studs). I am looking for a 2 channel audiophile solution to replace an older system. Our listening preference is primarily classical (symphonic) and jazz with the occasional R&R. Generally prefer imaging over brightness.

- Submitted by: Peter R
Seattle, Washington

I have a KURO display that has the ISF-Night mode calibrated to 30 foot-Lamberts with a 6500 K white point. I also had the Pure mode calibrated with a 5400 K white point for black and white movies. Should I use the 5400 K calibrated Pure mode with black and white movies on Blu-ray? I have always wondered which is the most accurate white point for black and white movies. Do they always correct the white point of black and white movies so that it looks correct on displays calibrated with a 6500 K white point?

- David A.
Dublin, Ohio

My dream of owning a Statement ended when I woke up realizing it wasn't going to happen. So, now I have narrowed my choice of AVR down to two. It's between a Pioneer SC-79 or the Anthem 710. Which would you recommend I go with. I would be looking for whichever one to be able to handle a medium to large size room. Bells and whistles don't mean a whole lot just the sound. I'm not a big music guy so most of its use would be for gaming and movies. I currently own the VSX-84txsi and have enjoyed it for seven years, but the 710 is very interesting to me (not to mention the fact, it's a thousand dollars cheaper). Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated and please keep up the good work. Thanks SECRETS!

- John Z.
Cockeysville, Maryland

I just bought a Samsung UN65F8000 LED TV, a Piooneer VSX-1128-K receiver which will power a pair of polk audio RTiA1's a CSiA4 Centre and PSW10 Sub. Also in the setup is HD Satellite box, a PS3 and a PS4 when it arrives in three weeks along with a BoxeeBox and some other crap. My question is about power protection. Should I get a fancy power protector for several hundred dollars, a UPS or simple surge protector? I don't mind spending a few hundred bucks if it will serve a purpose. Our power isn't bad but goes out acouple times a year and we get a brown-out now and again.

- Jack M.
Halifax, Canada

I've got a Pioneer receiver and a Polk sub along with Pioneer's Andrew Jones HT speakers. I want to place the electronics in a closet. I'm bouncing between the RedMere HDMI cables or cat6 with baluns for the TV. The sub will be 50 feet from the receiver. What are the best ways to get the signal to the sub using the LFE input?

- Don C
Bentonville, Arkansas

I will have a spot in the basement of my new home for a small home theater. My budget is limited for what I can spend on a projector and screen, however. Rather than buy an entry-level 1080p projector, I am considering buying a higher end model from the used or reconditioned market. Is the risk worth the reward? For example, I can buy a Sony VPLHW30ES for about $2K or a JVC DLAX3 for around $1,500. I have a Pioneer plasma, so I know that black levels are important. What do you think?

- S Knapp
Georgia

Do I need to add a headphone amp to my 4 yr. old AVR Denon 4310 to add power to my Sennheiser HD 800 headphones? If so, what kind? In addition to listening to music I watch a lot of movies with the headphones. Can I connect the amp directly to the Denon with an optical or different cord?
- Troy C
Boyceville

I have an analog tube preamp with no digital in's or outs. My sources are an Oppo BDP-83 and a Marantz changer. My problem is that I have a lot of music on flash drives and use my Oppo's usb to play them. The Oppo does not play hi-rez files, only mp3's. What are my options as far as a source component that will give me great sound from rca connections and handles flash drives.
- Steve S
Southfield, MI

I'm currently using a Yamaha A-S500 integrated amp to drive my Mirage Omni 250 towers. They mate well together. I also have an HK-3490 stereo receiver. I want to upgrade my current speakers to a pair of Tannoy DC6T/DC6T SE. Would either of my electronics mate well with the Tannoys? If not, how about the Monitor Audio Silver RX-6? These are currently the only speakers I'm considering. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jay B.
Palm City, Florida

I know the industry wants to move away from physical discs especially with 4K, but don't you think the following limitations point to needing some physical format for collectors...