Sub or Centre - Travelling from US to India

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Vikramdeals

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Hi All,

This forum has been extremely helpful to me in the past and it gives me courage to put forward another help request.

Last year Flash and other forum members have been great help to me to decide on AVR that is Denon AVR 1912 during my trip to UK. This year around I am in the US and this bug of buying sound equipment struck again.

Due to budgetary issues I couldnt invest on speakers and might do it post trip in Jamo S426 to begin with. However I wanted to know since I am in the US, is it worth enough to buy a Subwoofer from here?
Has anybody tried taking the subwoofer as check in luggage from US back to India?

So precisely my queries are:
- Currently I am using Denon AVR 1912 with local speakers (BS) I had from my previous set up, it is doing decent job however when playing movies dialogues are not loud enough and if I raise the volume any special effect sound so loud that I have to bring volume down. I got a suggestion reading this forum that it is imperative to add centre speakers to solve this issue is it correct?
- I am planning to buy Jamo S426 once I am back in India as my budge sits around 20k. Do you think it is worth going for a combination of Denon AVR 1912 and Jamo S426 or go for separate Floorstanders or just buy centre to begin with? What combination should that be in initial set up?
- Lastly being in US I am aware that I would not be interested in carrying 5.0 set up as my luggage instead I wanted to check if I should make an attempt to buy subwoofer here? (This would be in addition to my budget of 20k to spend in India) If subwoofer is good enough to be carried to India, are there any suggestions for entry to mid level subwoofers to go with Denon AVR 1912, so that I can look deals around and order it in next couple of days? Any other drawback carrying the subwoofer from here?
Your suggestion/help would be much appreciated as always.

Cheers All
 
Vikramdeals,

If I were you then I did consider buying a nice Tube DAC or a tube pre amp.
And a pair of raw Audio Nirvana Drivers( Full Range)
Have it boxed up in India using the best wood available .

As for a sub Woofer you may Buy the best kit from parts Express and build the cabinet in India or carry a knocked down cabinet kit.

As subs are heavy ,you may have to pay up at the airport. Not worth it.

It would make more sense to buy in India as most importers have not adjusted to the falling rupee. Polk audio TXs 300 is cheaper in India for instance than the Us. Even a Black Friday or Fall sale cannot get you a cheaper Deal.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Vikram

A decent driver would weigh about 20-25 lbs and a plate amp would be around 12-15, if you bring them over you can do an excellent diy sub which will outperform anything for 2.0X times what you pay for them. Drivers-Parts Express Dayton drivers are reasonably decent ones, and plate amps for 220V can be got from www.apexjt.com.

I've built multiple subs this way and an enclosure is pretty easy to build here in India.
 
It is not worth it to get a sub from the US for the following reasons
1) It is too heavy and you will have to double pack (box within a box- with cushioning material in between to ensure it is not damaged)
2) Convert it to 220 V
 
Vikram, I am assuming you are on your way to setting up a HT...like THTpro and George sir said, going for a sub may not make sense...for that matter carrying any speaker might pose an issue in terms of baggage...why don't you look at going for a good player like the Oppo 103 or 105?

But if I need to suggest between the two you have listed...go for the center...but that may not add much value...
 
Or buy anything else (audio/video) that you are sure you will not get in India. Because there are so many things that you do not get in India as compared to the US. It is not only about the money. Or maybe something permanent like a power amp like emotiva etc. I donot know, the choice is yours.

Vinod
 
Go slow. You should build your HT around your AVR+Front Channel. These are the first things you buy if you are to upgrade part by part. This is because your center and sub will depend on those two components for various reasons.

I am on mobile else would have point out few points.
 
You mentioned sub or center in your post title.

There's a liquidation sale of Carnegie Acoustics speakers, and their center speaker is being sold for $300 (it normally retails for $900).

These speakers are based on Danny Richie's designs (there are a couple of build threads in this forum on his kits) and honestly, this is a really good price if it suits your needs and if you are okay with the piano gloss finish.

Huge liquidation sale!

Affordable Audiophile Speakers - CARNEGIE ACOUSTICS
 
Hi All,

Many Thanks to each of you for your reply. Appreciate your time and suggestion.

Based on the notes above I reckon I would hold on, instead of buying speakers from here. Although one of the reason other than price to buy from here was that I have additional baggage available on my ticket so I could afford another 23kg.

George, Naj, I know nothing about DIY stuff as I am more of a listener. I do not find myself having adequate knowledge to go for DIY. But I appreciate your suggestion as it must be worth.

Please can you help me with my left over queries?

- Currently I am using Denon AVR 1912 with local speakers (BS) I had from my previous set up, it is doing decent job however when playing movies dialogues are not loud enough and if I raise the volume any special effect sound so loud that I have to bring volume down. I got a suggestion reading this forum that it is imperative to add centre speakers to solve this issue is it correct?

- I am planning to buy Jamo S426 once I am back in India as my budget sits around 20k. Do you think it is worth going for a combination of Denon AVR 1912 and Jamo S426 or go for separate Floorstanders first or just buy centre to begin with? What combination should that be in initial set up?

- One additional query is regarding Apple TV, any benefits of buying it here? Any other audio equipment that is not available in India perhaps I can buy here?

Thanks
Vikram
 
Vikram

Better to use your additional 50 lbs to bring something over than to pass up on the opportunity! Stuff there is far cheaper than here. How much time do you have before you return-do you have opportunities to audition? Remember the duty free limit on baggage is now 35K, so might as well avail of it.
 
Apple TV works, and works really well, but only if you go "all in" on Apple products.

You can get really good prices on Apple products if you are okay with refurbished (I've never had any issue with refurbished products, and in most cases, the company takes more care with QC of refurbished products than with the original one).

You can get the iPad Retina display (4th gen) for $420 and iPad second gen for $320. Those are some *pretty* good prices.

Refurbished iPad Wi-Fi (4th generation) - Buy A Refurbished Apple iPad - Apple Store (U.S.)

Other things you can look at is cables. Blue Jeans cables does a sterling job at its price point.

Blue Jeans Cable -- Quality Cables at Reasonable Prices

And so does Monoprice.

HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! - Monoprice.com

Other things you can consider buying are good quality iPad or iTouch docks (but you may not need this if you get Apple TV as it can wirelessly stream your iTouch or iPad content), or a DAC.

I have very little knowledge on the audio quality of Apple TV and whether you need to supplement it with a DAC. I've seen it in action in friends' places, and it works like a charm and is super-slick though.
 
Hi Arun,

Many Thanks. These links were really helpful.

I am planning to go for Iphone 5s but it seems it will be tough to get.

If you have anything to suggest on Wi-Fi adpater for Denon AVR 1912, do let me know.

Cheers
 
Vikramdeals said:
- Currently I am using Denon AVR 1912 with local speakers (BS) I had from my previous set up, it is doing decent job however when playing movies dialogues are not loud enough and if I raise the volume any special effect sound so loud that I have to bring volume down. I got a suggestion reading this forum that it is imperative to add centre speakers to solve this issue is it correct?
Click to expand...
Have you done any level calibration using the included mic that came with your Denon? That could be one reason why the effects are louder and vocals are not.
 
Vikramdeals said:
Hi Arun,

Many Thanks. These links were really helpful.

I am planning to go for Iphone 5s but it seems it will be tough to get.

If you have anything to suggest on Wi-Fi adpater for Denon AVR 1912, do let me know.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I don't know much about wi-fi adapters, but the Audioengine W3 seems to do the trick.

Audioengine W3 - Audioengineusa.com
 
Hey Arun,

Many thanks for your suggestions and help.

I did order a refurbished Ipad however Apple took bit longer to verify my payment and messed up with the delivery so i couldn't receive it on time. :(

I checked price for wireless adapter and found it better to buy from India. The price difference is about Rs. 1000. However if I buy from India I will get 2 yrw warranty so will order Netgear from Flipkart.

Hi All,*

Just need suggestions on how to build speaker system around Denon AVR1912 with the budget of just 20k-25k. I thought Jamo S426 is a good starting point however price for Jamo has gone up considerably and last quote i could find was around 30k.

There was a time when Reliance Digital was selling it for 22k.

Is Jamo S426 good to go with AVR 1912? Any price points available?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. You may include your suggestions on if i should go for floor standera first making it a peice meal?

I will look forward to your suggestions.

Thanks a lot
 
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