Article: Review | Heavenly Soundworks FIVE17

[firedog]

Bob-

Glad you seem to have found something you are happy with. Maybe this is "it" for you.

But a couple of your comments are a bit misleading:

 

With the Kii Control, you don't usually need to manually switch inputs on the Kii Three. You use a remote control.

The only manual switching needed is if you want to use AES digital and then switch to XLR analog (or the reverse).

If you are using  digital inputs other than AES, and XLR analog inputs, no manual switching needed. Same if all your inputs are digital- no manual switching. 

The 8c sell for about $12500 a pair in the US. So not really 50% more than the HS.

[firedog]

3 hours ago, Cadguy said:

Great review, I found it most helpful.  I used to be really into high end audio back in the 80s and 90s but I could never find that elusive  perfect combination of components. and have been out of it for almost 20 years. I'm just starting to get the bug again but all the new technologies, room correction and brands I've never heard of are very daunting. The combination of active speakers with built in AD and DA conversion as well as room correction makes these types of solutions very appealing. I just worry that this is such rapidly evolving tech that if I buy in now I'll have regrets in a short time when the next "game changer" comes along. I don't want to get back on that treadmill of buying, selling and trading in equipment that caused me to become disillusioned and leave the high end audio scene. 

Understandable. My solution: Think about the most I could reasonably afford long term, and then do the best I could with that sum. I ended up with something I really like, and don't worry about what else is around.

 

No matter what you do, there is always going to be "the next greatest thing". And all of those "upgrades" - aren't necessarily upgrades. The audio marketing complex just wants you to think they are. 

 

I just decided "really good and the best I can do" is all I need. You don't have to get on the merry go round of constant upgrading.

 

If you don't want to go that route, then think about equipment that's modular/upgradeable. There are more and more  companies making that type of equipment or have that kind of trade up policy. 

[firedog]

I'm missing something: why a touch screen if it across the room from you?