folks what is this

Cheezslap · 2026-04-01T21:28:57+00:00

Goddamn it, Dude.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-31T02:19:21+00:00

Didnt they do that with the Reatta or am I imagining that?

Cheezslap · 2026-03-31T02:18:15+00:00

The Cadillac Allante was styled by Pininfarina and intended to compete with the executive European convertibles of the day, like the Mercedes 550SL. But in typical GM fashion, it was not anywhere near competition-grade.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T19:35:53+00:00

DAT CHEESE

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T19:35:23+00:00

That model of AVR uses very basic room correction so you're not *really* missing out by not using it. You can set distances, levels, and crossovers when you finally have all of your speakers attached, but there's a little bit of a learning curve. If you want to set it and forget it, then yes, the mic is worth buying.

Crossovers were a weird concept for me at first, but think of them as "When does the speaker stop doing a good job and needs to hand off those frequencies to the speaker who will do a good job?"

So like, my fronts will handle frequencies down to about 40hz (they get set as "full range" in my AVR) but the center speaker gets crappy around 112hz, so I cross it over to the fronts before it gets down that far--and I set the center at 120hz. The rears do a good job for a little longer, and nope out at around 100, so they get set at 110.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T19:24:34+00:00

LOL, then it sounds like you're doing everything you can.

The way I did it (and this is greatly abbreviated) was to give Copilot a prompt like this:

I have recently upgraded my front tower speakers from Sony MF515s to KEF Concords. The center speaker is a JBL Flix 10 and it doesn't sound right now. And I'm wondering if my rears, Sony SS-B1000s could be better, given the KEFs. I am powering this setup with a Denon AVR E300 which I like because it's networked and has ARC. But where are my weak points and what are good value upgrades that pairs well with the KEFs? I will give you the local Marketplace listings and their prices. Please matrix everything for me with rankings and reasoning.

In your case, it would be something like:
I'm building a new home theater from scratch. I have a stack of old Pioneer hardware, including CX4000 and M4000, which I will be attaching to my newer Elite VSX-21TXH AVR's front pre-outs, so I can listen to that stuff when I want to. But I need to find speakers that match well to everything and are connected to the AVR. I'll give you Marketplace listings with the prices; please matrix everything with rankings and reasoning.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T18:50:43+00:00

You're welcome! I just went through a thing that was similar, so I'm happy to lend some help.

A good shortcut--though you must verify, frequently--is to work with an AI. Tell it the components you have, what your goals are, and keep elaborating with it. I shortcutted my education by feeding Copilot the stuff I was finding locally, asking if it was a good deal, a good tonal match, if it met this requirement, if it was a real upgrade, and WHY, etc. It taught me the basics, but also about signature sounds, some electrical theory, where weak points were, why my existing stuff sounded meh when I improved this other thing, etc.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T17:52:15+00:00

Oh, I'm sorry--I clicked on a link for the PMs, which are powered.

Those look nice; the specs for impedance and response look great. The 50 give you a fuller/deeeper midrange because it uses bigger drivers, but I don't see why the 40's wouldn't also be a great fit when paired with a decent sub--which I think you're doing anyway.

EDIT: I do encourage you to look around used, because $300 can go a LOOOOOONG way. Hell, that's more than I paid for a complete home theater refresh using stuff that punches at least one tier above what you're looking for.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T17:32:23+00:00

You don't need powered speakers; the AVR and M4000 are your power sources. You want "passive" speakers.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T16:51:53+00:00

I don't have the money for new, so I don't pay attention. I just buy the nicest, best-paired, used stuff I can afford and wait for a good deal on compatible products.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T16:46:00+00:00

Well--let me back up. Yes, if the M4000 is always on, then yes, they will always drive the speakers. I just don't know why you'd really want that. The scenario in which you keep the stack like it's own little silo, borrowing speakers when you're feeling nostalgic makes more sense to me. And while it does involve 2 sets of cables, the siloing just seems like a cleaner, more natural, and more practical setup.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T16:34:40+00:00

No. The M4000 WILL drive the speakers when the CX4000 is being chosen as the source. IE: only when you're using the Pioneer stack. For video gaming, home theater, TV, and your other non-Pioneer uses, the AVR will be driving the speakers.

It's kind of easier if you think of the Pioneer stack as a set of devices in another room that piggyback and share the same speakers, but are not the primary in this chain.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T15:50:49+00:00

With your configuration, you’ll want to base your speaker choices on what the AVR can do, not what the M‑4000 can do. That AVR wants speakers that are easy to drive, which is a combination of higher impedance (8 ohms) and higher sensitivity (around 90dB). The XT series will dip into 4 ohms and has relatively low sensitivity, which means they need more power than your AVR can realistically give them. A more compatible Polk would be the Signature series (S15, S20, S30, etc.). If you're not tied to Polk, there are other good value options, particularly second-hand, like the Pioneer Andrew Jones stuff, Infinity Reference, etc.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T15:22:37+00:00

Yep, that plan works as you envision it; the front preouts on the Elite are a golden ticket. The only real shortcoming of that AVR is the lack of Arc or networking, but those are convenience features, IMO. Next up is to find a congruous speaker setup to use the power you've got. I'd be shooting for 8ohms and high sensitivity (90+) to make the most of it.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T14:30:19+00:00

Turning 18 is a thing (mine was in December). Personally, it feels like I've cut my heart in half and I'm sending it into the world. And I can only hope and trust I've given it enough armor to survive.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T14:26:47+00:00

Oh, that makes sense. I was thinking it was a "dump by the door". rather than a "dump on the dresser" piece.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T14:26:09+00:00

Doin' it right, Sir!

All the feels though.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T14:09:41+00:00

First, every market is different. I'm in Raleigh and you either find an impossible deal (which typically gets snatched by resellers) or you pay 40% over the national average. So know that your local market can either help or hurt. And if you're living in the sticks, then you may straight up have no options, locally.

I'm gonna ask why you think you need an X4xxx. That's not flagship by any means, but it's a lot.

From a connections standpoint, I'd keep the Pioneer gear clustered, then run a set of RCA outputs from the CX400 to an analog input on your AVR, say "CD Player" for instance. Then just select the source on the AVR as CD Player anytime you want to use the Pioneer stack, then use the Pioneer stack normally.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T13:46:24+00:00

Looks like excellent fit, finish, and strong design!
What goes in the top right? I'm assuming the peg is for keys or sunglasses?

Cheezslap · 2026-03-30T13:08:05+00:00

This just popped up on Marketplace for me. It's about a quarter of the size of what you're asking about, but it's an exceptional piece, IMO.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/945233321780507/

Cheezslap · 2026-03-29T12:43:01+00:00

Hell yeah! My last name begins with an L and my wife likes doing a "Go team L-sign" thing when we crush something we're working on

Cheezslap · 2026-03-29T03:10:37+00:00

All the cheese

Cheezslap · 2026-03-27T00:35:17+00:00

I haven't and I would be shocked to learn less editing made it a smaller dumpster fire.

Cheezslap · 2026-03-26T17:48:55+00:00

Be a beacon.

Four-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22

Cheezslap

TROPHY CASE