Lankhoss

Hey, I live in Loganville and would like to be a part of the party! ;-) I'm not really an audiophile.....so I don't have the knowledge nor the money to really get into all of this as much as 99% of the posters. But I do love the sound of Klipsch. I have yet to find any speaker that matches them, in my opinion. My HT consists of the entire Legend series. KLF-20's, KLF-C7 center, KSP-S6 rears. I LOVE them. I also have a set of Klipsch Ultra ProMedia5.1 for my computer. Anyway, I'll keep an eye on this thread...I've never heard the older Klipsch speakers before. P.S. I work in the Athens area all the time, so maybe I can stop by one day.

D'oh, I just realized something. I need it to be at least a 5-disc changer as well. Sorry for not being specific in my original post.

Thanks for all of the replies, everyone!! And, I'm not using a pre. Just a CD player and receiver. Thanks again.

Hello, I have a fairly old Pioneer CD player in my system, currently. I do not have the model number with me, as I am out of town for the next week. I am VERY pleased with the sound that comes out of it. However, I'd like to eventually have a digital connection from my CD player to my receiver. I am wondering if there is a certain type of CD player I should look for. I have heard the Sone ES series have a great DAC in them, but I know very little about Sony products. It is not really that big of a deal to me, since I'm pleased with what I have. I do not need the super audio CD players or anything.....just a basic CD player with a digital (optical) output. I am not looking to spend much money either, probably $300 at the very very most. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for the reply, Mr McGoo. That is what I had figured. From what I can read, it seems the "dedicated center channel wire" seems to only serve 2 purposes. 1) To sell a single wire, as opposed to a pair.....when you really only need one. And 2) Color coding, to keep connections less complicated. I think I'll just use one of the M2.2s cables for my center (unfortunately, my C-7 doesn't have bi-wiring capability ). Guess I'll be selling a M2.2s center wire in the near future if anyone is looking for one Thanks again!

I am looking at getting a set of M2.4s monster cables for my bi-wired front speakers, and one M2.2s wire for my center channel. I just recently found an exceptional offer on a lot of Monster equipment, which includes a set of M2.2s stereo wires. I am not going to use them, and just planned on selling them.......but I am wondering what the difference is between the stereo wires, and the center channel wire is. If there is none, I'll just use one for my center channel, and sell the other as a center channel wire. Can anyone enlighten me on this? Thanks.

I totally agree that DTS is phenomenal for action scenes. I'm curious if everyone thinks DTS is better in general for an entire movie? It's like once the explosions and action is over, I have a hard time picking up the "normal" sounds in a movie.

Kyler, Gladiator was the first movie I listened to in DTS as well. I was in the same boat as you. I actually owned the movie for over a year before knowing what it was. Gladiator DOES sound awesome, and it totally sold me on DTS like it has you. I am not sure if it is because it is DTS-ES, or for some other reason. But I got The Professional redone in DTS 5.1, and I think it sounds better in Dolby (although, like I mentioned...the gun shots and explosions sound better in DTS). My friend has X2 at his house, and in DTS you miss a LOT of the background dialogue and small noises in the movie. Again, this movie is in DTS5.1, and I don't know if it's just that DTS-ES is so much better or not. My suggestion to you, Kyler...is to listen to the battle scene in Gladiator again. It does sound better in DTS, but listen to it again in Dolby and tell me if you hear more small sounds (such as the buckles clanging together, and leather stretching in the uniforms when Russel Crowe is forming his calvary). I have noticed LESS of a "loss of sounds" difference with Gladiator than other DTS movies, so that one is difficult to gauge. I realize you can't really say which one is better or not, I am just curious if anyone has noticed the same differences in the two that I have. Or, if the REASON I'm not hearing as much small detail is because of receiver settings....meaning, are there other settings I should adjust to get the full performance out of DTS?

When I first heard DTS, I thought it totally blew Dolby Digital away. Of course, I was watching an action scene from a movie when I checked it out for the first time. Just recently, I purchased another movie I've had for some time, that was redone in DTS. I am now noticing a few things when playing the entire movie in DTS, that I originally did not. Basically, it seems like DTS takes the loudest or "front" sounds in the scene, and makes them louder, and much more defined and crisp than Dolby ever sounds. This sounds freakin' awesome, but it seems like all the other sounds suffer behind it. There are times where the music is way too loud in a certain scene, and you miss out on a lot of other sounds. Dolby, on the other hand...never has that super crisp clean sound, nor the "boom" for big explosions and things that DTS gets. But it seems that everything that is going on in the movie is heard. In my opinion, the sound is a bit more realistic...although not as flashy. I am just curious as to what other people's opinions are on this, or if you should change certain settings with your receiver to specifically listen to DTS movies. In summary: DTS Pros: Incredibly crisp colorful and powerful sound. Good separation for surround sound Cons: "Main" sounds seem to be the only ones enhanced, everything else seems to suffer Dolby Pros: More details are actually picked up, sound is more realistic, seems easier to hear all of the sounds in a movie Cons: Sound is rather dull compared to DTS, doesn't even come close to as lively and powerful as DTS is

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Just to let everyone know, I did do some trouble shooting. I switched the speaker wire at first, then tried the right output hooked to the left speaker, and also tried the original wire on the other (right) speaker as well. The right speaker never made a noise, and no matter what wire or output I used, I got crackling on the left speaker. I am not sure if this makes a difference or not, but the left speaker is pretty close to a window (I keep the blinds shut when I'm out of town). Also, my house was right at 50 degrees (could have been colder, it's possible my thermostat doesn't register below that) each time I came home. D-MAN, I had suspected pretty much the same thing that you are suggesting. I know very little about speaker repair...so I may just have to have someone else look at it. Thanks again!

I have a pair of KLF-20's, and recently had some issues where I would get a crackling sound out of one of the speakers. This happened after I had gone out of town for work, and came back and turned the stereo on. The first time, I'd left for a week. Came back, turned on the stereo, heard crackling out of the left speaker. Then when the song started, that speaker sounded like crap....almost as if one of the connections wasn't quite in. After checking all of the connections, then trouble shooting everything I could...I found out it was actually the speaker, and not the wire or the receiver. So I just left the CD playing for a bit, and it cleared up after a minute or so....and never got bad again. Now I JUST got back from a 3 week trip, flipped on the stereo, and got crackling out of the left speaker again. Again, it cleared up, and I haven't had any problems since. The thing that happened just before both of these instances, was I was gone for an extended amount of time (meaning everything was powered off) and had my heat turned off, so it was very cold in the house. I never thought that temperature would affect speakers, nor that they needed to "warm up" or anything. I am wondering if there are problems with some of the capacitors in the crossover or something. Does anyone know if anything I've listed could affect the speaker? Thanks!

Does Pro Logic sound better for non-digital signals than your typical surround setting? I've got a Pioneer VSX43TX receiver, and although I rarely watch TV...I've got my TV input set to THX Cinema. Since I am only getting an analog stereo signal, at best, would it be more beneficial to use Pro LogicII?

Tlbor, The best thing you want to do for bi-wiring is buy a set of bi-wire cables. It's one cable per speaker. Monster makes these, and you can buy them at Hi-Fi Buys for about $85 for a 10ft. pair. Then the tips are about $25 (although you will have to buy two sets for the bi-wire cables). These are what I use, and they made a significant difference. To answer your question.....with only one set of wires run through your walls right now, no, you won't be able to bi-wire. Hope this helps.

Bill (and Todd), Thanks for the explanations, that was perfect. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to reply, but I am on a business trip out of town, and using a crappy dial up connection Anyway, I will mess around with certain movies and see how they sound with VSB. The only DTS ES movie I have is Gladiator (I am rarely interested in the blockbuster movies, in fact Gladiator was GIVEN to me). I just purchased a set of KSP-S6 surround speakers, and they seem to have great imaging. While setting up the delays on them, it ACTUALLY sounded like the speakers were behind me, I didn't even get a hint of sound from where the speakers were actually placed. I'm sure they would be great speakers to try VSB with. On a side note, I am thinking about purchasing a set of KSF-S5's for the back wall, and setting up 7.1 surround in the future. Thanks again for the very informative post!!! Brad

I realize this is a Klipsch forum, but it seems several people on here are extremely knowledgable in several areas other than just Klipsch speakers. I cannot find a good Pioneer forum, so I figured this would be the next best place. Currently I have a 5.1 surround setup. I have a Pioneer Elite VSX43-TX receiver, that is 7.1 capable (if you use the "B" speaker output for surround backs). While listening to a movie in 5.1, I have the option of using "virtual surround back," known as VSB. I really noticed this the first time when I was listening to a movie encoded in DTS5.1, and the receiver said "DTS + VSB." My question is, if anyone is familiar with this, is it a good effect? I am curious about it, since 5.1 has a dedicated channel for each surround speaker, are you actually degrading that signal (or effect), by using it to create a "virtual" back speaker? Since I don't have my new surrounds set up correctly yet, I can't really test it for myself.....and I don't always have the best ear for this sort of thing either. I am just curious if anyone is familiar with this, and what their opinions are. Thanks!

I actually already have the speaker wire run and everything. I've got a REALLY cheap set of small Kenwoods mounted on the rear wall right now. Of course, they're in a horrible position for surround sound....but I didn't really care that much when I did it all. So, all I have to do is run a wire from that plate to the speaker on the mount.

mbajner, Thanks for the info, but I had already ordered the BSKSPE mounts that T2K had suggested. Now that I'm looking at them, the ones I ordered are for up to 25lbs, and the ones you suggest hold 30. My speakers weigh 24lbs a piece, I hope I'm not pushing these mounts to the limit!! I've decided to try to mount these by anchoring the mounts on the rear wall in the corners, and sticking the arms straight out (towards the front of the room) holding the speakers perpendicular, so they are actually on the SIDES, and facing directly at my listening area. I'm still debating on whether to do it this way, or from the ceiling...I'll get a better idea once the mounts arrive. I'll let everyone know how I did it...and I thank all of you for the help!

That's what I thought as well, T2K....but I wasn't sure. From the diagrams in the Klipsch catalogues, it looks like these speakers are meant to be on the side walls, directly facing you. Another option I am looking at, is I have JUST enough gap on the left side where my door is to squeeze a speaker in. Unfortunately, there is no stud in the wall between the rear wall and the door, and I'm pretty sure the drywall won't be able to hold the weight of the speakers ;-) I may end up hanging them from the ceiling like you orginally suggested T2K, and having the "arm" angle back towards the corner and twisting it so it faces me. If I were to do that, would that decrease the imaging of the speakers? Since they fire at angles, and not straight ahead, one side of the speaker would be firing almost directly into a wall (there might be 2" of space at the very most from the edge of the speaker to the back wall). Would that box up the sound too much, or do you think it'd still be ok there? Also, since the mounting holes are at the bottom, I might hang them upside down as suggested in another post. Would this screw up the effect when sounds are delayed to the surround speakers to give the "circling" effect??? Meaning....if a sound is delayed to the back left surround speaker to make it "appear" to be moving from my left, to back left, then circling from back left across to the right.........would all of that be BACKWARDS with the speakers upside down??? Thanks again for the replies!!!

Thanks again, T2K. I was looking at everything last night, and I'm not so sure that a ceiling mount will work. I have a door RIGHT where I really need to put my left surround. So even if it's hanging from the ceiling, the door would hit it. The only option would be to hang it really high, and even then the speaker will be dangling right above that door....and I really don't like that idea. I think, simply for the sake of cosmetics, I need to put these speakers either in the back corners of my room (which I may just build shelves for) or else up on the back wall. Which would actually be a better sound placement??? Thanks!!

T2K, Thanks for the advice, I'll look those up! I noticed there are threaded holes in the back of the speakers for mounts, are they specifically made for the mounts you told me about, or does Klipsch make mounts for the S6's???? Thanks again!

Well, I just got my set of KSP-S6 surrounds today. Now, even though I knew they would be large speakers....they still ended up being much bigger than I thought!!! I originally wanted to put them on my side walls, facing directly towards me, which would leave my back wall open to put some KSF-SF's for "surroud back" speakers for 7.1. Unfortunately, that's not gonna work out So, I'm going to stick with 5.1 surround and use the S6's as my only rears. My question is... I'm sure most of you here are familiar with the KSP-S6 and how they are setup. I don't have the details with me, but there are two drivers that face away from each other at what appears to be a 45 degree angle (it may actually be 60, I'm not sure). My question is, would it be better to put them in the corners of my room, with the centers of the speakers facing towards the TV, making one driver of each speaker fire along the back wall, while the other driver of each speaker fires along the side wall. Or should I just mount them on the rear wall over my head, and have them fire over me? I am running late for work, so sorry my info isn't that detailed....but here's a general idea of my room layout. I have a living room that is around 18' X 19.5' I think (obviously deeper than wide). My couch sits up against the back wall, slightly off center. So if they're on the back wall, they'd actually be over my head, and sorta firing over me. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Ok, after reading up on it....some things have been cleared up for me, and some are now more confusing!! I have a Pioneer Elite VSX43TX receiver that has THX EX. It has A and B speaker hookups on it. I can use the B speakers as "surround back" speakers for 7.1 surround. Is this true 7.1 surround sound? What IS 7.1 surround sound? And, also, are the only receivers that are capable of 7.1 the ones that are THX certified? It was my understanding that DTS ES was true 6.1 surround, and THX was responsible for 7.1, but........ehh.......I'm so confused!!! Not to mention, when I watch something that has DTS, I'm not sure if I should play it in the "THX Cinema" setting on my receiver, or "DTS"!!! Anyway, Happy New Year to everyone, and thanks for the posts!

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I am no audiophile by any stretch of the imagination, but I bought my first decent receiver this year from Hi-Fi Buys. I was comparing a Denon, Pioneer Elite, and Yamaha receiver (don't have the model numbers). The prices were around $2500 for the Denon, $1000 for the Pioneer, and $850 for the Yamaha. The Pioneer absolutely blew the Denon away while listening to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon in the THX Cinema setting. Then the Yamaha sounded excellent in stereo while playing a CD, the Pioneer not as well (although it was in "direct stereo" mode where you could not adjust the settings), and the Denon didn't sound nearly as well as the other two. From my personal (although extremely limited) experience, the Denon receivers seem very over-priced, and the Yamaha receivers do put out an excellent sound. Yamaha has always made excellent amps, in my opinion.

My old receiver was DTS capable, but not THX certified. The DTS was definitely the best sound on that receiver. I wonder if the Digital Dolby5.1 THX actually marries up better with the THX receivers.....to where DTS may sound better on typical receivers, but the THX encoding is truely brought to life on the right receiver, making it actually have more sound quality. I am also curious as to what "THX certified" means, exactly. I know Digital Dolby and DTS are encoded in a completely different way. To the best of my knowledge, THX is simply re-EQ'ing sounds so that they are more "accurate." When something is encoded in Digital Dolby5.1 THX....is that actually a completely different encoding than Dolby, or just enhanced? Thanks again!

Hello, There is a lot I don't understand about home theater, although I am slowly grasping a lot of the concepts. One I am unsure of, however, is which encoding is the best for theater sound. I see several movies that are still coded in Digital Dolby5.1 but digitally remastered THX certified. Does this actually sound better than DTS ES? I do have a receiver that is THX certified, and can noticed a sizeable difference in playing a movie in DTS, or "THX certified" Digital Dolby5.1....but my ear isn't good enough to really tell which one has the better sound. It seems as though DTS is more crisp and loud, but the Digital Dolby has a bit more detail (or perhaps I'm hearing more because the sub and other sounds aren't as loud). Can anyone clarify what the differences are, and which one is supposed to be the best quality? Thanks! By the way, even though I do have a THX receiver, I only have a 5.1 speaker setup currently....not sure if that makes a difference for the DTS/Dolby comparison.