B&K ref 50 vs Outlaw 950

BillyLown · 12-22-2003, 02:08 PM

Is the B&K ref 50 really worth $1,200 more than the Outlaw 950 ?

Is the sound that much better?

Features seem about the same. They both seem to have their quirks about them.

Stephen M · 12-22-2003, 03:21 PM

It is much better IMO. However, you should try each in your own system to see which is better.

Donnie Eldridge · 12-22-2003, 04:31 PM

Features IMHO are not the same

Ref.50
THX Ultra II Certified
Hometheater Master MX-700 universal remote
Balanced inputs and outputs
notch filter
3 component inputs
video bandwith 100mhz+
hardware and software upgradable

Michael Mohrmann · 12-22-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Ref.50
THX Ultra II Certified
Hometheater Master MX-700 universal remote
Balanced inputs and outputs
notch filter
3 component inputs
video bandwith 100mhz+
hardware and software upgradable

Also:

8 digital coax inputs (vs. 2 for the 950 - too few)
Presets feature
built-in tuner

MattBu · 12-22-2003, 06:39 PM

Quote:

THX Ultra II Certified

This is worthless junk. It would be the same as me starting some kind of Matt Certification. If I gave Outlaw the extra money to waste on THX Certification they could get it, they just choose not to waste their money on it.

**HTF Ads**

Donnie Eldridge · 12-22-2003, 06:46 PM

Quote:

This is worthless junk.

In your opinion. However, to many people it is important which is why I listed it.

Stephen M · 12-22-2003, 07:14 PM

I agree with Donnie. THX certification is important to a lot of folks who are looking for a pre/pro and this update allows balancing two subs which is significant for some people. BTW, I tried the Outlaw about a year ago and I like the B&K 30/307 a lot better for reasons set out above by other posters. I thought it sounded better too. YMMV.

Ernest Yee · 12-22-2003, 07:25 PM

Holy crap - I didn't realize that the Ref 50 came w/ a MX700! Hmmm - damn this upgraditis bug!

Although i would still like at least an option to turn off the popping noises.

Alan Galbraith · 12-23-2003, 09:34 AM

Many pre's pass the THX certification specs, but manufacturers dont pay for the licensing. so beware of relying on that cert logo to tell you if an pre is good or not.

I'm not saying that the Outlaw passes this particular cert spec, I'm just throwing that out there.

P.S. the licensing aint cheap, and its the same whether you produce 100 or 1,000,000 units.

MattBu · 12-23-2003, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Many pre's pass the THX certification specs, but manufacturers dont pay for the licensing.

Many people obviously don't understand what it is. They are obviously confused and believe that it's some sort of feature.

NickSP · 12-23-2003, 01:09 PM

Quote:

If I gave Outlaw the extra money to waste on THX Certification they could get it, they just choose not to waste their money on it.

You mean yours because eventually it is the end user to which it is tagged!

Michael Mohrmann · 12-23-2003, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Many people obviously don't understand what it is. They are obviously confused and believe that it's some sort of feature.

Actually, THX Ultra 2 is a feature. As an option, it allows for 7.1 output from 5.1 sources (and not the so-called "copy sides to rears" shortcut). It also has an option to incorporate boundary gain compensation when using one or two subwoofers.

Michael