2ch: WiiM Pro; Topping E30 II DAC; Oppo, Acurus RL-11, Acurus A200, JBL Dynamics Project - Offline: L212-TwinStack, VonSchweikert VR-4
7: TIVO, Oppo BDP103D, B&K, 2pr UREI 809A, TF600, JBL B460
Well, I will admit that all that gushing about the 1400 Array, SAM1HF, and 800 Array piqued my curiosity. Then seeing Greg T.'s living room set up and reading how everyone wet their pants...
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We'll be experiencing an avatar update, soon, apparently....
All right. Even though actual delivery looks to be early next week, I might as well come clean (just like my bank account--ha ha).
It's a Synthesis® Two Array Plus (more here). It's got some of the standard Two Array system pieces and some of the One Array system pieces. It's an incomprehensibly stunning system. Hearing is in fact believing, but hearing is also an act of faith, because no amount of rational preparation can brace you for what you are about to hear.
I'm fortunate to have a pretty good room to put it all in, though there will be some modifications to the room and some new treatments to really bring out the best.
Of course, the "Plus" upgrades really add to an already excellent system, without adding expensive bits from the One Array that I really don't need or want.
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Well, maybe a composite... :dont-know
The harder thing would be changing my moniker. Horn Head? CD* (instead of TD)? SonoAss? SAM Horn? The permutations are endless.
I'll probably stick with what I've got. There'll still be a Performance Series multichannel music system in the house.
*Constant-Directivity, in case anyone was thinking compact disc.
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The shipping invoice reads just over 1000 pounds. so what's arriving on that shrink-wrapped pallet.
1x JBL Synthesis SDP-5 - THX® Ultra 2® Surround Processor/System Controller
1x JBL Synthesis SDEC-4000X* - Synthesis 12 Channel Input and 20 Channel Output Digital Equalizer System
1x JBL Synthesis S4000IC - High Grade Multi-Shield Braided Audio Interconnect Set - Connects SDP5 to SDEC-4000X and SDEC-4000X to S5160 & S800 Amplifiers.
2x JBL Synthesis S5160 - 5 x 160 Watt THX® Power Amplifier
2x JBL Synthesis S800 - 2 x 200 Watt, 1 x 800 Watt THX® Power Amplifier
3x JBL Synthesis SAM1HF - Synthesis® Array™ THX® Horn Module
3x JBL Synthesis SAM2LF - Synthesis® Array™ THX® Dual 8" Low-Frequency Module
2x JBL Synthesis S1S-EX - 18" (457mm) THX Ultra2 Subwoofer
4x JBL Synthesis S4Ai - Vertical or Horizontal Multipolar Flush-Mount THX® Surround Loudspeaker
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I didn't see the need to go all the way to the SDP-40HD in the One Array, since I've got no use for multiple zones and I already have top notch video HDMI switching. The SDP-5 will do everything I need and costs many thousands of dollars less.
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The Two Array's SDEC-3000 and passive Array crossovers were a little disappointing, so the SDEC-4000X was just what the doctor ordered. It's an amazing piece (well, kinda two pieces actually) of hardware and it does phenomenal things. It's well worth the upgrade.
Maybe someone here can expound on it more. This is why JBL sends out a tech to calibrate the system. It would be a crime for me to touch it.
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Instead of the Two Array's single S800 and S7150, the upgrade brings two S800 and two S5160 amps. That's a lot of heavy hardware, and the power ratings seem very, very conservative.
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The Plus substitutes two S1S-EX 18" subs for the S2S 15" subs. I know these subs are not universally loved here, and I also know the 4645 Pro unit costs a lot less, but I was very happy to make the move to the bigger subs. There's a discernible increase in power and dynamics, and it meshes very well with the SAM2LF, dual 8" bass modules. In fact, these tough little buggers allow the S1S-EX subs to really focus on the strongest part of their range, which is in the chest-pounding, groin-thumping octave.
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After hearing the S1A speakers from the One Array and the S4A1 from the Two Array, I definitely preferred the S4AI. Especially in my intended installation, the S1A would be problematic, so no reason to "upgrade" here when for me it seemed a downgrade instead.
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