My challenge was to assemble a dual stereo/HT in a family room that is 21' x 13' x 8'. While I love music (jazz, classical, classic rock and some pop and folk) and used to play jazz trombone, I am a novice when it comes to understanding accoustical engineering, but even in my un-learned state, it seemed to me, based on what I read, that the buggest challenge in a home system was taming base frequencies.

From what I could glean from my initial research, relatively flat mid and high frequencies by having a room that is a mix of well-placed reflective, diffusive and absorbent material, much of which can be part of a normal family room - a thick area carpet, fabric-based furniture, bookshelves, etc.

While I know one can buy base traps to combat room nodes, my sense of the research was that this would help but not eliminate the base problem.

So my goal was to achieve a true and musical (non-boomy) base, and the one product I found that seemed to fit the bill was the Velodyne Digital Drive series.

I purchase a DD-15 at an excellent price whose amp section was made in December 2006 with the latest software.

With the Velodyne in hand, I decided that I would match it with monitors that are strong above 80 MgH, the theory being that floorstanders or more base-focused monitors would be redundant.

There are many excellent monitors but I decided on Paradigm's Signature line, in part because I was able to get a very good deal on new S2s and a C3 in a beautiful birdseye maple.

For now I am using as surrounds old Celestion monitors that actually sound quite good in 2-channel but are ill-suited, visually, as surrounds, so I will be getting something new.

I also need to get stands for the S2s.

For electronics I went with what was considered a good stereo/HT processor from Anthem and a matching amp, both purchased for good prices on Audiogon.

It's all housed in wife-approved Salamander Synergy racks and furniture.

Without the stands, it's hard to judge the system, but it sounds very good right now, and I expect it will sound even better with proper stands and a few needed room treatments.

I'll update and add pictures later.