orthj

Hi All, I am a member from a long time ago, and despite visiting the site often I do not usually post. But, I am driven to do so. So, what is the answer to the question? The original question posted? Shouldn't we answer the question instead of using it as an opportunity to brag about what we have? If I'd answer questions like that I would would fail in my career. The Paradigm Servo 15 is a monster, and has been for many years. This sub has consistently been ranked one of the best by distinguished sources, including Stereophile...while many of the subs mentioned here...have not (dare I say, frightended of the Pro-SVS army that might hunt me down...). Further more, this sub will EASILY be adequate for almost anybody's home theater AND music, unless they are wealthy...this is the point. Will 90% of the public here the difference between the Velodyne HGS18 and the Servo 15...what is the price difference...You can find a Servo 15 for 1000 on Audiogon or EBay...The Servo 15 is usually several hundred dollars less for 95 (or more) per cent of the performance of many other subs...is it more, dare I say, intelligent to spend the extra $$ on a bettwe monitor or amps, or front channels? Anyway, why don't we all try to stay focused on the questions, and use our experience and opinions as a vehicle to answer those questions. My time to brag: front channels, Klipsch Forte IIs, Kg2.2V rear channels, Klipsch Kg1 Sub, Paradigm PW2200 Sony S560D DVD Adcom DD, DTS processor NAD 2700 THX amp Adcom 2535 amp Sony 51"HD TV Counterpoint preamp Adcom CD player

In my opinion, the PW-2200 is one of the best for the dollar, it is as good as subs costing 2X as much (not bs, I know, because I've had subs that cost nearly 2X as much). They are so desired that they are VERY hard to find used. Occassionally you see one on Ebay or Audiogon but they don't last long. I got mine new for 650 if memory serves. I've also listened to the Paradigm PS1000, and is actually kept up admirably with my Klipsch Forte IIs, until I got LOUD...You can find PS1000s for 3-400 used, slightly more new (5-550). If they still make the PS1200 this is also good, hell, even there little eight incher, the PS800 is nice with smaller speakers in a more modest system. I really like the Paradigms ------------------ James D. Orth

With regard to the Forte, Chorus discussion going here. There was a comment about not understanding why the Fortes (IIs?) would have greater bass than the Forte IIs...why not! There are two-way six inch drivers that go much lower than the Chorus or Chorus II!!! It is a blend of driver, the driver's natural resonance, what the cabinent is 'tuned' to, what the cross-overs are like, etc. If you see the frequency response curves the Forte II does indeed have higher output at 32 Hz than the Chorus II, so, this could lead to the perception of there being more bass-based on what we hear. But, at 25Hz and lower how do the speakers compare? Also, bigger does not always mean more bass. Accoording to Klipsch the old Kg1s and Heresys both were rated down to 50 Hz - is this true? Also, the Forte II has a slight hump in the bass region, for whatever reasons, combination of driver/cross-over/cabinet, etc., perhaps by design, whereas the Chorus II are VERY VERY flat, perhaps by design? So, why it is hard to believe that a speaker has 'more' bass than another (bigger one) is silly. Buy what you like, what you can afford, and what sounds the best to you. I should qualify this by saying that I own Forte IIs, and they do have outstanding bass performance, I audtioned those against Chorus IIs when I got them. The Chorus IIs were 'flatter' sounding to me...that is not to say less dyanamic, but rather more even at all frequencies at a set output, (ie, they were 100 db at 15kHz and 100 db at 50 Hz, while the Forte IIs were 100 db at 15kHz, and 105 at 50 Hz). With test discs with a lot of extreme low-end bass I felt the Forte II was a slightly better perfomer, for whatever reason, perhaps because of the 'exaggerated' content at 35-80Hz...Because I listened to a lot of music with a lot of low-end, I got the Forte IIs. Any way you go, you are GOLDEN, and should feel lucky and privelaged to own these, perhaps underappreciated, pieces of audio history. Happy listening!!! ------------------ James D. Orth

I'm not really that opposed to using a receiver as a pre/pro except that...why pay for those amplifiers and then let them sit and get dusty. If the price was right I guess it doesn't matter though... The Aragon is a sweet piece, but the price isn't that sweet. Similar is the Bryston SP1. Has anyone seen or heard the NAD processor, the one in their silver series? All of these are a little rich for my blood I think. Doesn't anyone make a nice little no-frills pre/pro like the old ONKYO ED301, or Sony...just something to get me by? Anywho. Have you guys seen the Klipsch THX theatre for sale in EBAY...priced a little high don't you think? I know it has 2 SW15 THX but still! Later, man! ------------------ James D. Orth

Diggs: I forgot to mention that I have Acurus RL-11 and Counterpoint Solid 8 preamplifiers. Also, there are 2 Klipsch KT-LCR THX front channels that aren't being used. They were part of a second system in the basement but...I should move one of them up to upgrade the center channel. Anyone have a good suggestion for an affordable pre/pro that has DD and DTS? NON-RECEIVER. I am not a receiver kind of persion, all separates. ------------------ James D. Orth

Hey Klipsch peoples: What do you all think of this set-up? Sorry, no pics available. Looking for advice on amp upgrades, affordable processor, or other. TV. Cheap 32" RCA (drooling for new one but so $$$ and I am graduate student) Fronts: Klipsch Forte IIs Center: Klipsch KV3 Surrounds: Klipsch Kg1s Sub: Paradigm PW-2200 Forte II amp: NAD 2700 THX Center and Surround amp: Adcom GFA6000 DVD: Sony S560D (also used as processor-not much flexability here) Interconnects: mostly Audioquest and one Straightwire Cabling: Audioquest to Forte IIs, Monster everywhere else including sub VCR: Panasonic...can't remember the #, is pretty good That about does it. Thanks for your opinions, good or bad. ------------------ James D. Orth

Let me preface my reply by first saying that I have owned Klipsch, M$K (yes, $, they are overpriced) and Paradigm subs. I have owned Kg1s, and Forte IIs for 10 and 7 years, respectively. I currently own a Paradigm PW-2200 (see my review on audioreview.com) and in my opinion it is one of the top AT LEAST 10 subs out there, regardless of price, with its big brother, the Servo-15 raking in the top 3. Until Klipsch has a sub ranked as Sterophile recommended for at least three years running I wouldn't consider it a match for the Servo-15. This isn't to say that it won't be great, or even better than the Servo-15, it is just to say that Klipsch has not proven that it can manufacture a durable, world class sub (LF problems, hum problems, back panels falling off, etc.). I think that the market has forced Klipsch to make amplified subs, which is not their...forte, shall we say. Hopefully, with the acquisition of Mondial, a very fine ampifiler company among other things, will help propel Klipsch into the top of the powered sub universe. I think the M&K MX5000 (if you can afford it) and Velodyne 18 inch, and Servo 15 (with several others from 'smaller' manufacturers) are the top contenders right now. A year from now maybe that will have changed. Go Klipsch! Surprise us with your subwoofer prowess! J. ------------------ James D. Orth

I don't mean to be a stinker, but what really sounds the best is the old Heritage line: Chorus II and Forte II. Ever since they were discontinued and the Epics premiered it's been...different. I haven't listened to much of the new Ref line so there is some hope I guess. Long live the Forte II. Heck, even some of the old Kg line was pretty good, the 3.2 and 5s. There is my 2 cents. ------------------ James D. Orth

The Paradigm pw2200 is much more of a beast than either of these two Klipsch subs. The pw2200 is more on par with the good Velodyne and M&K subs. I've owned three subs, one Klipsch (SW12) and two M&K (MX90 and MX200) and the Paradigm is better than all of them. I own a pw2200 and each time I listen to it it is better than the last. All of the talk about SVS is...hmm...woops, I better not say that in this post. Paradigm has been around for many years and there is a reason they have received the awards over the years. Listen and be sure to bring your drool cup. ------------------ James D. Orth

Simply put, PARADIGM PW-2200. I have owned Forte IIs for six years and just recently (3 mo ago) got this sub and it thrills me to death! Better then the MK MX90 and MK MX200 that I've owned/lived with, better than those Carver 'cubes', better than any current Klipsch (we'll see about the new Klipsch this autumn), better than most (all?) Velodyne. I cannot say enough about it. The best thing is that you can own 2 of them for the same price as many other SINGLE 'good' subs form other companies. A week ago a guy was selling the PW-2200's big brother, the PW-2500 (15", 16 Hz) on Audiogon.com for $650...You can get a new PW-2200 for 6-700 (they no longer produce the PW-2500). Hope this helps, J. ------------------ James D. Orth

I own the PW-2200 and it is a monster! Who wants mail order if something goes wrong with it? You can't interact with those you are giving all of the $$$. The output of the PW2200 is simply awesome. I have Forte IIs, which are no slouch, and the PW-2200 never EVER skips a beat (while other subs such as M&K, Velodyne have). I have had it for 3 months and it is better each and every time I hear it. You will not be disappointed, that is a quarantee. The Servo 15 is its big brother, and as you must know, is very highly regarded, ever hear of the trickle down effect...the PW-2200 has benefited from this. I am a fan of the 'old' Klipsch, and have to say that many of Paradigms current models are a better value sound/$ than the 'new' Klipsch. Have fun with the Paradigm. J. ------------------ James D. Orth

I think I'll get the pw2200 in black. I have never thought that a sub would help that much either (since the Forte II does such a nice job), but I think a sub like the 2200 will be a nice addition. I once owned an M&K MX 90 and was running it with Quartets and it was nice-but the 2200 is MUCH better than the MX90 was...So, I think I'll go for it! Any other hints about the 2200? And, what did you get it for? J.

I think I'll get the pw2200 in black. I have never thought that a sub would help that much either (since the Forte II does such a nice job), but I think a sub like the 2200 will be a nice addition. I once owned an M&K MX 90 and was running it with Quartets and it was nice-but the 2200 is MUCH better than the MX90 was...So, I think I'll go for it! Any other hints about the 2200? And, what did you get it for? J.

jhawk92. Wow. I am near to buying the PW2200 myself. I've only heard it in the store and not with the Forte IIs that I own. My one concern was that the the pass on the sub only goes down to '50' - I am afraid that this will pollute the sweetness of the Forte IIs from 50 down to mid 30s...How do you have your PW2200 set-up and which finish did you get? This isn't that important but I haven't seen the dark cherry or rosewood in person (I am buying the sub over the web)... Thanks! J.

jhawk92. Wow. I am near to buying the PW2200 myself. I've only heard it in the store and not with the Forte IIs that I own. My one concern was that the the pass on the sub only goes down to '50' - I am afraid that this will pollute the sweetness of the Forte IIs from 50 down to mid 30s...How do you have your PW2200 set-up and which finish did you get? This isn't that important but I haven't seen the dark cherry or rosewood in person (I am buying the sub over the web)... Thanks! J.