Dick Smith (RAR) Sound Plate

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Dick Smith (RAR) Sound Plate - thoughts?

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steve98

1386 posts

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#1207508 3-Jan-2015 09:28

Glassboy: I'm not entirely sure if you're trolling, being obtuse, or just looking for an opportunity to name drop.

completely unnecessary.

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ronw

1222 posts

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#1207522 3-Jan-2015 09:54

I understand that after 30 years age everyone hearing starts to deteriorate. That aside there is also the problem that TV programmes do seem to have lost the art of recording english that is understandable. So many actors just mumble their lines and the TV companies seem to just accept any old rubbish.
Even the people that you expect better of such as BBC whose recent remake of the classic Jamaica Inn the sound was so bad that no one could understand what actors were saying. They were deluged with complaints after first episode and in good public service fashion promptly denied anything being wrong with sound. Second episode just as bad as the first and then BBC pulled it and said they would investigate. Not sure they ever fixed sound though.
That aside I would not get discouraged with the stupid comments about Dick Smith. Like all retailers you will get good and bad staff but on the whole I find their staff both male and female tend to have a reasonable knowledge of their products and they do go to some effort to ensure that you get what you need. Like all people treat them with respect and they will probably do the same back to you. Remember they are probably paid minimum wage as most retail people and work long hours mostly standing up.

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TLD

901 posts

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#1207535 3-Jan-2015 10:01

DSE staff are quite good in Blenheim, although hard to find at times. But when you do get their attention, I don't think I've ever been BS'd. Harvey Norman, on the other hand...

Which is kind of sad, because HN has better quality stuff than DSE.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

slim8589

6 posts

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#1207548 3-Jan-2015 10:41

Well, I wasn't going to come back but I forgot to turn off notifications for this thread so thought I'd take another look.

Thanks to those giving useful, honest advice.

Just wanted to know whether it was worth taking a punt at $99 since I don't have lots of cash to spend. Not looking for awesome cinema sound just an upgrade to the TV that improves the situation.

Useful comments.

God only knows what the name dropping comment means, I mentioned brands to give context I hardly think my ageing amp and speakers (both more than 10 years) are anything to name drop about.........

TLD

901 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1207570 3-Jan-2015 11:47

slim8589: I hardly think my ageing amp and speakers (both more than 10 years) are anything to name drop about.........

Do amps and speakers lose sound quality after ten years? I doubt it, but you can bet that the folk who sell them would like you to believe it is so.

The daft thing is, I occasionally start to fall into this trap, and wonder of I should throw money at new kit. This is even dafter considering that I know for sure my hearing is not as good as it was when I bought my speakers 25 years ago (Rega ELA). I don't remember how old my amp is (Denon 1802) but it must be in the region of 20 years. And yet the lust for shiny things still drives me... :-(

A buddy once told me 'He who dies with the most toys wins', and I try to live by that maxim.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

Glassboy

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#1208212 4-Jan-2015 22:58

TLD:

Do amps and speakers lose sound quality after ten years? I doubt it, but you can bet that the folk who sell them would like you to believe it is so.

Depending on how they have been used and the environment they have been in some will sound better. It takes a while for the dielectric materials to relax back from the factory testing and it also takes a while for speakers to warm in properly.

You're also going to have mentally attuned to the gear and you may subconsciously find newer kit "not quite right".

Dunnersfella

4081 posts

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#1208746 5-Jan-2015 20:07

I think cheap speakers don't last as well as the kit made from quality components / decent cabinetry.
Chipboard Wharfedale Crystals won't last as long as a set of Focal floorstanders - obviously.
However, if you leave most speakers in direct sunlight you'll see damage to the suspension around the woofers etc, so your mileage may vary.

Glassboy

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#1208796 5-Jan-2015 21:11

Speakers are made from composite materials as it means there aren't resonance nodes in the cabinets. Getting the clear cherry wood et al to be able to create decent cabinets without using a composite is pretty difficult.

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