Kasper Connections, LLC

2010-10-28T07:53:00.001-07:00

We may soon be able to sell and install Direct TV. Headed to a certification class right now.

2010-09-01T18:09:00.001-07:00

We got word today that a large job is going through. 8 zns audio, auto thermostat, 40 automated lights, security integration all controlled via iPad

2010-08-30T09:00:00.001-07:00

Starting a new project integrating apple TV to stream music throughout a home.

Lighting Control for Home theater

2010-04-21T19:57:00.001-07:00

How Does Lighting Control Enhance Your Life?

Do you have a place in your house where you would like to have fully dimmable two way lights, how about being able to dim them or turn them on or off from a third location? This is something you can do with lighting control. In fact it’s just the beginning of what you can do with lighting control.

What is Lighting control? I’m glad you asked, you are most likely accustomed to turning on a light switch when you walk in a room. Your experience has taught you that when you flip that switch the light turns on. You are also familiar with two way lights. In this scenario there are two switches that can both control the lights. A typical example would be at the top and bottom of stairs. In this example the two switches are tied in together, flipping either switch would allow you to turn the light on and off. In this case either switch controls the lights. lighting control

Usually the term lighting control is referring to lights that are found in a home automation system. In this case lights can be controlled by many types of activities. The easiest to understand is a wall plate with buttons. In this case you would press one of the six buttons and a light could turn on and off. Pressing another button on the same wall plate could turn a different light on and off. This probably reminds you of the two way light switches by your stairs. Yes, you are right. In this case we are using lighting control to mimic a two way lighting scenario, but in this scenario it is not electricity being turned on and off that controls the light. It is a radio frequency being sent back and forth between the six button wall plate and the light switch that the light is on. It seems the same but the difference allows lighting control to give you the ability to control lighting scenes. If you have a good home automation integrator they will most likely help you program lighting scenes. This is one of the real benefits of lighting control. In lighting scenes pressing one button can control many various lights from the press of one button.

One of the first places people use lighting scenes is in their kitchen/dining room. This is because we typically have 2 rooms that are open to each other but used for many different tasks. What do you usually do in these two rooms, cook / clean, eat dinner, entertain, perhaps study or read at your table? Most people have 6-8 light switches between these two rooms. In the Kitchen you may have overhead lights, pendant lights, a sink light, under- cabinet lights, and over-cabinet lights. Then in the Dining room you may have a chandelier and wall sconces. Let’s say it was time to cook. You’d probably want bright lights in the Kitchen and maybe ambient light in the dining room for setting the table. So let’s say you want the under cabinet lights and sink light and the main overheads on full bright. When it is time for Dinner you want only the chandelier light brighter with the kitchen lights set to an accent level.

When was the last time you ran around your kitchen and dining room and actually set the dimmers on each light for the two tasks? What most people normally do is either turn all the lights on or don’t use their accent lighting. Creating lighting scenes that are controlled with the touch of a button will make it easy to have the lighting you need when you want it, and it will become something you use every day. Instead of running around the room turning on and off light switches you will simply be able to change lighting scenes with the touch of a button. This not only accents the beauty of your home, it saves you energy by only using the lights you really need. So you can see the benefit to using lighting control.

This article was originally published at
http://www.kasperconnections.com/blog/entry/187281/how-lighting-control-enhances-your-life-

Subwoofer Placement for Home Theater Installation

2010-04-19T20:11:00.001-07:00

How do you find the best speaker placement for a subwoofer in a Home Theater installation? I'll outline a very simple method that anyone can do.

Remember that there are many things to consider when placing speakers. Obliviously sound is one of them but also we have to think of how it looks in a room. Many times the best place to put a speaker is determined to also be the ugliest by our spouses. :-) This leads us to compromise. That being said lets talk about Sub woofer placement.

Make sure you have a CD in hand a receiver and a subwoofer with a long cable connecting your sub and receiver. Do you know where you are going to sit? I hope so. If so take your sub and place it right by your prime seating location. Then crank up your CD with the sub booming away walk around the room and listen to where the bass sounds the best. Mark a couple of your favorite locations with painters tape on the floor.
Then move the sub to another main listening location and do the same thing again.

After you have done this 3-5 locations you should have a good idea of the best place to get the bass to sound the best in the room. If you are more concerned about your prime listening locations in your Home Theater then you can take that into consideration when placing your sub.

This is a quick and easy method that anyone can do. The thing to remember is that everyone has their own listening prefrences so where you would place your sub is not the same that your neighbor wood.

I'd recommend going for a placement that allows the bass to blend in smoothly with your other speakers too.

I hope that gives you a great starting point for your Home Theater.

Feel free to contact us via phone or email if you have any other home theater installation questions. http://ping.fm/sDSPD
http://www.kasperconnections.com/blog/entry/630991/subwoofer-placement-for-home-theater-installation

Proper Speaker Placement for Home Theater Rooms

2010-04-15T18:53:00.001-07:00

Many time we get asked where should I put my speakers in my Home Theater system. What most people don't realize is that this is a very important thing to consider when designing a home theater. Ideally with out any considerations for how the room looks speakers would be placed on the circumference of a circle. With the center being the listening position. Obviously this not usually feasible or attractive in our Home Theater rooms.

What you should try to do is keep speakers including your subwoofer out of corners. You should ideally be sitting at the point of an equilateral triangle with the other two points being the Left and Right front speakers.

Front Speaker placement:
Your front speakers should be height wise as possible. Do not have the center speaker low and the Left and Right High.

Surround Speaker placement:
If you can your surround speakers should be the same height as the front left and right speakers. The side speakers should be directly next to you and the rear speakers should be directly behind you. If you were on a coach they would be right behind the corners of the couch.

Of course now you are going to tell me, umm my room isn't shaped like that. This is pretty typical. It is best to call in an expert if you are having a hard time trying to figure out where to put your speakers in your room.

All in all speaker placement in a home theater room can make or break the experience.

Here is a link to a great article that you may find helpful. http://ping.fm/SMlRn
this post was orginally published here: http://minnesotahometheaterinstallation.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/proper-speaker-placement-for-home-theater-rooms/

We've Moved Our Website

2009-01-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

Please visit us at our new site. http://www.kasperconnections.com
We have added a whole new section about home automation.
Our new site also contains a blog, and a public forum.
We hope to see you there.

Receive Discounts on Products and Services

2008-03-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

How would you like to receive discounts on HD Products and Services.
Yes save money on your new HD TV, or the installation of a whole home audio system.

All you have to do is sign up on our email list and we will begin to send you bi monthly discounts on the latest and greatest in HD gear. Look for the link on the right side of the site that says subscribe and unsubscribe and you'll be taken to a subscriber form.

We'd love to know who you are and how you heard about us, so if you can fill in any of the other information that would help us greatly, but all you need is your email address to get going.

Don't wait you'll receive a special thank you immediately.

Thanks for your interest in our company, we look forward to talking with you in the future.

Multi - Room Audio

2007-11-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

Are You a Music Lover?
Can you imagine being able to walk up to a touch pad on your wall and listen to the exact song you want at that moment? All this while your kids are jamming to their music in another room and your spouse is listening to their favorite artist in the next room over.

You probably have heard of Multi - Room Sound systems before, but what you may not know is the cost of these systems are dropping all of the time.

Kasper Connections has the ability to install these systems for you. We carry top name brands such as Russound, Niles, & Channel Plus. What this means to you is that we will be able to develop a very high tech system that is easy to use and can integrate with your current systems.

Call us today and we'll sit down with you to develop a Multi - Room sound system that will meet all the needs and demands of your family.
We look forward to working with you.
651-455-4903

About Us

2007-11-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

Kasper Connections, LLC
Is an independently owned custom installer of HDTV's, Surround Sound Systems, & Multi - Room Audio.
We are based in South Saint Paul, MN and service the metro Twin Cities and surrounding areas.
We hold a MN Power Limited License (Low Voltage) are Insured and Bonded.

Doug Kasper has been working in the audio & television field since 1992. He has worked as a sound technician both live and in studios in California & Minnesota. Various sound duties have included radio DJ, head sound engineer for a west cost tour, working in a major recording studio in San Francisco, installing sound systems in clubs and bars. He has also been an independent installer of Satellite TV since 2002, and has helped countless people install their home entertainment systems.

Kristy Kasper moved from Bismarck, ND to the Twin Cities to pursue the interior design field. She is the daughter of Myron Rogstad who owns Rogstad Construction one of the premier home builders in North Dakota. Over the last 2 years she has completely remodeled 2 houses in the Twin Cites. She has an eye for design and color that creates a sense of comfort and warmth.

Combining our skills we will be able to help you develop a Home Theater Room that not only sounds great, but will be so comfortable you will never want to leave.

Products

2007-11-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

We carry a full line of HDTV 's, Audio Receivers & Speakers, Mounts, Universal Remotes , Cables, & Power Protection.

HDTV 'S:
Plasma, LCD or DLP Televisions available from 13"- 68"
Name Brands include: Panasonic, Pioneer, Sharp, Samsung, Fujitsu, & Toshiba

Audio Equipment:
We carry Receivers, Amplifiers, & Speakers including in-wall & in-ceiling by top companies like:
JBL, Infinity, Harmon Kardon, Pinnacle, Russound, Marantz, Onkyo, Crown, & Atlantic Technology

Mounts & Furniture:
Omni Mount, Sanus, Cheif, & Vanatage Point

Universal Remotes:
Harmony, Universal Remote Company, Phillips, TERK, & Monster

Cables:
High quality cables by: Monster Cable, IXOS, NXG, Gefen, Key Digital Technologies, & Phoenix Gold

Power Protection by:
Monster Power, Furman, & Panamax

Call Us and we'll help you choose all of the right components.
651-455-4903

In-Home HD Consultation

2007-11-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

In-Home HD Consultation
Do you have questions about HD Technology? Perhaps, you want help designing the layout of your Home Theater System .

Call us today to schedule a FREE In-Home Consultation (free until 5/30/08, a $100 value). We have the expertise to explain all of the new technology in a way you will understand, and we can help you figure out the best way to set up your new system.

In-Home Consultation can include:
- Answering any existing questions you have
- Work with your budget to design an overall Home Theater Plan
- Explain the pro's and con's of the different types of HD technologies
- Assist with Product selection and pricing
- Discuss wiring options that will work for your house

Call now to set up an In-Home Consultation.
We will work with you to answer all of your questions.
651-455-4903

HDTV Sales

2007-11-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

Plasma, LCD or DLP

The choice is yours!
We carry over 30 different models of HDTV 's whether you are looking for a 13" LCD that you can tuck under your kitchen cabinet, or a 68" Plasma for that knock your socks off home theater you are creating. We can provide, deliver and install your dream TV for you.

We carry only name brand TV's by
Panasonic, Toshiba, Samsung, Sharp & Fujitsu.

Our prices are comparable to the big box stores but our service is much more personable. As we are a local independent installer and retailer.

Do you need help deciding which kind of tv is right for you. Give us a call to schedule an in house consultation with our HD Expert. For more information about In-Home consultations see the HD Consultation Section or give us a call.

We also carry and can provide all of the proper Mounts, Cables, TV Stands, Power Protection, and other fun stuff like HD DVD and Blue Ray Players. There is nothing like your favorite movie in HD!!! Call now with any ?'s 651-455-4903

Installation Services

2007-11-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

Professional Installation Services from Kasper Connections, LLC
Did you know that having integrated electronics in your house such as in wall speakers, and wall mounted TV's add resale value to your home?
Many new home buyers are and will be looking for houses with Multi - Room Audio, and Home Theater rooms already installed. We will help you install a music and theater system now that you and your family will enjoy, and rest assured that when and if you decide to move you will enjoy increased resale value.

HDTV Mounting
Are you ready to have your TV Professionally mounted on the wall?
We will mount your TV, hide your A/V cables in the wall and connect your audio system.
Don't have a mount? No worries. We are a one stop shop and can provide everything you'll need from the mount, to the HDTV you've been desiring and the cables to properly connect everything. Call for details. 651-455-4903

Speaker Installation
Are you ready for Surround Sound, there's nothing like being washed with a bath of sound with a properly set up surround sound system. Whether you want to just get existing speakers mounted and properly placed, or you need help finding a new receiver and speakers we can help. We can get your house set up with in wall speakers that can be painted to match your room, or mount your speakers on the wall.

Universal Remote Programming
Are you tired of juggling remotes? There's nothing like having one remote that can control your entire electronic system with the press of one button. Want to watch a dvd, press one button, want to switch to music, press one button. We are an official Harmony Remote Partner. This means we can provide and program the best universal remotes on the market.

Pre-wiring for Remodels and New Home Construction
Do you have an unfinished basement you are going to tackle this year, or are you in the middle of creating your plans for a new home? Give us a call. You don't want to be mad at yourself later. Get your new room wired for the future.
The cost of wiring an unfinished area is very minimal to the value it adds to your house. A properly wired house or room will give you a lot of flexibility for the future. You'll be able to use home media servers to have streaming music floating throughout your house, with wall plates that let you choose the artist and song you want to listen to. Your kids can listen to their music while you listen to yours. All with in wall speakers and hidden wires. The cost of these systems is coming down all the time, but without the proper pre-wiring they are either not possible or more expensive to install. Call today for a free wiring estimate and consultation.

Media Room Planning.
Are you ready to create that awesome home theater room? There is a lot to consider acoustics, decor, the proper equipment, and ease of use. Lucky for you we love to plan such rooms, and have the knowledge and expertise to help you create a room which you will never want to leave. Call today to set up a free consultation.