DarkSoul

Sound System; yea im still around.

So I don't play too much AAT anymore and when I do I am in and out. It's not that I don't like the game. Simply put I don't have the time required to play with any longevity. If there's a server out there I haven't that has settings that make it a pick up game. Some quick settings and a weekly reset would be perfect. However I don't think it exists and so I found some new games to play. Mainly Rock Band; it is by far the ultimate party game ever. It's looks daunting to the new player; but just about anyone can pick it up and be rocking in a half hour. Harmonix also happens to be my favourite developer of games. Since I found Amplitude I've been dreaming of working there myself. There has been but one problem with my obsession with them though. See Harmonix only makes music type games. Frequency, Amplitude(sequel to frequency), Guitar Hero 1 and 2, and now Rock Band. What started as just a dream job created a related obsession. My sound system has grown and sitting here I just really realized how much I've spent on it. I've actually built together two different systems, a 2.2 system for music and a 5.1 system for video. And for games I get both into it so I have 7.3;. Thats not to be confused with 7.1 surround sound i actually have 2 front lefts and 2 front rights in mine.

So when I started my system I picked up a Kenwood 500watt receiver from the local pawn shop for $150 then I picked up a set of speakers plus a sub refurbished for another $150. That lasted a while, movies were great but music; just didn't do it for me. So about a year later I bought a couple PA speakers for $100 and ran them off my receiver instead; it added a great deal to my system. I was happy once again. Then I went to university and I got a little competitive to say the least. I wanted my music louder then it had ever been before. And I knew my speakers could be much louder then the measly 100watts of power estimated to be coming out of the Kenwood receiver. So after a long search I picked up a 1000watt Soundcraftsman PCR800 amplifier  for $150. I slunk back into a comfortable chair and did some AC/DC album sides after plugging that all in. It didn't end there though oh no. While it was louder the PA speakers just weren't capable of hitting the bass as I dreamed it could be. The sub from my surround system just didn't have it in it either. And so another $150 and me and my friend built a dual 10inch sub.  So we plugged that into a second Soundcraftsman amplifier; another PCR800 which my friend gave me; and I was finally set. The bass was louder everything sounded good; that was until you turned the speaker off and you could hear the singer on the sub. One more piece would be needed; today I got that piece. Another $150 for a Behringer Ultragraph Pro FBQ1520. First piece of equipment I bought new. Its a crossover and an equalizer in one and I just have to say wow. I'm at a small fraction of max volume and its really loud.  

The thing now is looking back on it its cost me what $700 bucks Probably closer to $900 when you add in all the cables I have purchased. For me thats a lot of money. Don't get me wrong I'm sure it's worth it and I would do it again. I could see someone spending 4x more and getting something half as good. But really its nuts how things add up; and I could see myself getting something else in a month or two just for the sake of getting something better. Main problem now is the surround receiver; Its certainly the one thing holding me back; sadly its the most expensive piece. And something I don't want to skimp out on. The next purchase is probably new home theater speakers; specifically a center channel. Ah well; I guess this is a little bit of a misleading blog; no clue how to end it. I'll be around.

Post Date: Feb 1, 2008 - 9:55 pm