Recent content by betweenthetines

The Captivate does...at least with a custom firmware and modem. ;)

You may want to consider the JVC HARX700 or HARX900 ($34 and $56 at Amazon, respectively). I have the HARX900 and as long as the volume isn't really cranked up there is very minimal sound bleed. Comfort is mostly relative but find them quite comfortable to wear for hours. Lastly, while you...

I probably could have stated it better. "Never" is a strong word and it really comes down to preference. For vocal-heavy music stereo just seems to provide a more (for lack of a better word) appropriate sound. However, the live recordings I've listened to in 5.1 make very good use of positional...

In my opinion, even music intentionally recorded in 5.1 (such as Meridian Lossless Packing or SACD 6-channel audio files) is never as enjoyable as its stereo counterpart.

Pictures? Also, I agree with you on the lack of much focus on this forum to room treatment and second the idea of having a thread similar to the "Post your speakers" etc. threads for this.

Mr. Woof, regarding your center speaker positioning issue: what about mounting the monitor to the desk or wall and then placing your center under it?

This is what I was getting at with my questions. As Alai alludes to, you have three options for sound to leave your computer: 1. Analog out from your soundcard, which would likely (although not always) be hooked up directly to a self powered speaker system. This is how just about all...

Other questions that won't hurt to go ahead and answer: do you intend to use (or currently have in your setup) a soundcard for your digital to analog converter? Could you run digital out and have an external DAC (or receiver, etc.) do the conversion? Do you plan to keep the Z-5500s to use for...

For music especially, while every component matters, speakers--which you've already addressed for now ;) --probably make the most difference in influencing sound, especially until you get to the super high-end level. I completely agree with miskari and The_Engineer that a digital connection to...

Either the p18x or the Sonata line, for non-flashy Antecs. The P180 or Sonata III are more apt for a micro-ATX board--the P182 is actually rather large for a mid-sized tower due to its lower bay. Also, if color matters to you, the Sonata III is more of an actual black in color than that for the...

IMO a properly set up 2.1 system is much more enjoyable for music. I see where you're coming from--in principle 5.1 sound should be better, or at least immerse you more in the music, right? I've dabbled in music through my 5.1, even music encoded in DTS surround, and still end up feeling that...

For use as a TV, how far away are you sitting from the monitor? Have you watched any HD content on it, and if so, does it do it justice?

Just a suggestion, and I see how you feel about your Hanns-G, but Newegg has the HG-281DPB on sale for less ($349 + FS) than any of the three you mentioned above. You won't gain any pixels over your 26" choices, but it is a 28" TN panel and has decent reviews.