cmdridq

Are you kidding?

Very perceptive observations, triceratops. Excellent post!

I've experimented with several different bi-amping and bi-wiring configurations utilizing different kinds of speakers, amplifiers, and source material. I also conducted a listening test while I was working at a high end audio shop, of about 100 of our 'audiophile' customers. The goal was to see how many could actually discern any differences between bi-amped, bi-wired, and normal setups, using a blind hearing test. Make a long story short: Bi-amping -- In circumstances involving extreme demands on a receiver/amp including factors such as high volume, inefficient speaker design, underpowered or poorly designed amps, high dynamic range of source material, or extremely demanding bass reproduction, bi-amping clearly can save your bacon. Under these conditions, over 80% of our customers could repeatedly and immediately hear a definite improvement in a bi-amped system when compared to a conventional or a bi-wired hookup. It should be noted that under low volume levels and undemanding source material, the bi-amp advantage decreased sharply. Bi-wiring -- In blind test comparisons, no one could consistently tell the difference between a conventional setup and a bi-wire setup. Interestingly, when listeners knew which setup they were hearing, over 3/4 of them claimed a definite preference for the bi-wire config vs. the regular setup, but they again could not hear any difference in a subsequent blind comparison. I have intentionally not mentioned any brand or store names because of problems I have had in the past when I told this experience to others. I have been accused of promoting equipment, knocking equipment, being an incompetent nutjob, and all manner of other ridiculous assertions. I did it because I was curious about all the contradictory claims being made about these techniques, many of which seemed lacking a legitimate scientific basis. IMO, bi-wiring has no advantages over a conventional two wire connection, and listening tests confirm this conclusion. But some people are convinced otherwise, just as some people are positive that their system sounds much better using 10 GA speaker cable instead of 12 GA. These are just my opinions, YMMV. I do know that high-end cables and connectors are often the most profitable part of a system sale.

Does anybody know where I could get a set of spikes for the feet in my RF3-II speakers? The local dealer isn't that 'local', so I was hoping there was some way to get a set online, but I haven't been able to find anything at klipsch.com, so....

Uncovered KHorns sitting in the back of a pickup truck at a carwash? Are you sure he wasn't trying to sell them "real cheap"?

Up and running on the banana connection! Thanks alot guys. Funny they don't mention that in the owner's manual. I guess it's supposed to be obvious.

Yeah, I've got the red and black plastic plugs in the center of the connector. I didn't realize you could remove them. I don't want to wreck anything, do I just pry them out with a knife blade, or is there a better way to do this?

I recently acquired a pair of RF 3-II speakers. I was surprised when I noticed they do not accept banana plugs, since I already had some great 10 AWG cables fitted with expensive banana plugs that I had been using with my previous speakers. (The thing I liked about the bananas was the simple plug/unplug capability, which made it a breeze to move the speakers around). Anyway, I don't want to deal with bare wire. So, besides spades, are there any other options for me? Do you guys have any secrets you're holding out on?

I've got a pair of RF 3-II speakers being driven by an old Sony receiver. The Sony is about ready for the junk heap, so I've been thinking about what to replace it with. I would like to keep the cost under $400, roughly. So of course the Panny digital units were looking good. Anyway, I happened to talk to a friend who mentioned that his neighbor has an Onkyo TX DS-676 receiver for sale. I guess it's about 4 years old, is in mint condition, and has not been used very much. Amp is rated 85W X 2 @ 8 ohms. He's asking $150. The problem is I haven't been able to dig up much info on this thing, so I wondered if anyone here had any experiences with it and what your opinion would be. I know most electronic equipment like this depreciates very fast, but $150 doesn't seem bad, supposedly it cost over $600 originally. On the other hand, it won't have the latest Dolby tweaks, etc., and the Pannys are not much more money. Also, I'd have to drive a couple of hours to pick it up, wouldn't be able to demo my speakers, and once I buy it I'm stuck with it. (But I figure if I can tolerate my Sony, this could only be an improvement). Right now I'm not contemplating any HT ideas, but who knows what the future will hold? Should I snap it up or take a pass? Any thoughts are appreciated.

---------------- is 105 db output from a sub ok? Im not a bass head but I do like to feel explosions or other lf effects. Would the Dayton Titanic MK3 10" kit be comparable to the KLipsch RW-10 in a home theater setup? last question: does rattling/shaking bass come from distortion in the sound? If the bass is supper tight(like the titanic 10" kit, or so Ive been told its tight), will you be able to feel it as well as a more distorted subwoofer? oh yea, my room is about 15 X 20 feet and on second floor with ceramic tile. Im running klipsch synergy series on a yamaha rx-v420. ---------------- Not sure what you want to accomplish. Rattling and shaking comes from a high spl. A high spl can be either distortion or accurate reproduction. I haven't heard the Daytons either, but if they are tight you shouldn't get distortion unless you're clipping your amp, in which case you're wrecking your equipment. With the ceramic tile, it sounds like you should be able to produce the "feel" you seem to enjoy.

I made the following post in the 2-channel forum, and am afraid I may have opened a can of worms, so I thought I'd ask for your views here. Any objective input is appreciated! --------------- A friend has a pair of RF3 II speakers he wants to sell for $300; 1 year old, black wood veneer, mint condition. I've got a Sony 110x2 receiver that I will upgrade sometime in the next year to add AV and HT capabilities. The RF3 II series is not current, so will I have trouble getting compatible speakers to complement the RF3 II's for HT setup, since I can't count on the 3 series being available? What kind of receiver would be a good match for RF3 II's? ---------------- On 1/11/2004 8:53:32 AM whell wrote: In terms of amplification/receiver, most here in the two channel forum would suggest that HT equipment does not do the best job of reproducing music satisfactorily for their tastes. If you don't do much critical listening for music, and place an emphasis on HT/Movies/TV viewing, than a HT receiver might be just the ticket. ---------------- Is this one of those esoteric debates like '12 ga speaker cable sounds better than 14 ga?' I am not so interested in setting up HT as I am in being able to integrate my components together and add AV support? Is there some scientific reason why HT gear would not sound as good as regular stereo gear when playing back CDs, tapes, FM, etc.? ----------------

---------------- On 1/11/2004 8:53:32 AM whell wrote: In terms of amplification/receiver, most here in the two channel forum would suggest that HT equipment does not do the best job of reproducing music satisfactorily for their tastes. However, your milage may vary. If you don't do much critical listening for music, and place an emphasis on HT/Movies/TV viewing, than a HT receiver might be just the ticket. ---------------- Is this one of those esoteric debates like "12 ga speaker cable sounds better than 14 ga?" I am not so interested in setting up HT as I am in being able to integrate my components together and add AV support? Or is there some clear scientific reason why HT equipment would not sound as good as normal stereo gear when playing music CD's, tapes, FM, etc.? Also, my present receiver has a phono input, which seems to be missing on a lot of new equipment. Do some manufacturers still include this, or will I have to rig up some external gadget, etc., to use my turntable? Also, anymore receiver suggestions?

A friend has a pair of RF3 II speakers he wants to sell to me for $300. They're about a year old, black wood veneer finish, in mint condition. I've got a Sony 110x2 receiver about 5 yrs old that I will upgrade sometime in the next year to add AV and HT capabilities. I know the RF3 II series is not current, so will I have any trouble getting compatible speakers to complement the RF3 II's if I want to set up a HT system, since I can't count on the 3 series being available? What kind of receiver would be a good match for RF3 II's? Any input is appreciated.