BusaDude

1) LaScala 2) Chorus II & KLF 20 (Tie for 2nd) 3) Forte II & Cornwall (Tie for 3rd) If I can ever get a hold of some CF-3/4's (which I've briefly heard) then there might be a 3 way tie for 2nd.

Here's the PDF in case you hadn't seen it... JBL4670d.pdf

It has a, "Please email me before bidding..." statement, listed within the photo section???

Here is a good link to the calculations... So just to be clear 6 dB loss for each doubling of distance (anechioc) and then less than that depending on a "regular room" and it's reverberant qualities. So at 12+ feet it's still down 6-9 dB. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/acoustic/isprob.html#c3

I hate to say it again, but it's simply the speaker system versus the large room (full of bookshelves and furniture)... Even with your current receiver, in 5.1 mode, the RB-81's would be capable of 110+ dB or so (at 1 meter) before you might run into any clipping issues (provided they're set to small). In 2 channel mode you would have another 2 dB or so. And even if you could feed the RB-81's their full rated power (150 wpc continuous), that would give you maybe another 3-4 dB. But with your listening position being 12+ feet away, you're going to lose 10-12 dB (with every doubling of distance you'll lose 6 dB)... So now you're at 100 dB (which is loud) at your couch, but that's with the volume nearly maxed out. The RB-81 II's are 2 way speakers and that 8" woofer (probably closer to 6.5" or 7" driver width) has to handle everything from 45 Hz (their -3 dB rated point) up to the 1400 Hz crossover. That's why setting them to small and crossing them at 80Hz would ease their workload and the load on your receiver. The "punch" you're looking for is the ability to move enough air so that you can feel it. And the RB-81's simply can't do that... You'd need solid response down to 30Hz and LOTS of driver area for a room your size. In a smaller room and sitting "near-field" (6 feet or so) the RB-81's would do a much better job. That's why I think a second sub (placed close to or right behind your couch) would really do the best job at providing the "punch" you want. Or if you can move your existing sub close enough that it's near-field, it may work at providing the punch you want without adding a second subwoofer. The RX-A840 is a definite upgrade in the features/connectivity department. But it's still rated at 100 watts per channel (2 channels driven, 20Hz-20KHz). It does have some nice dynamic (short term) power specs, so it probably has a better power supply and should be able to supply a little more with all channels driven. With your room size and speaker placement options (and a wife to keep happy) there's not much more you can do except try an additional subwoofer. If you didn't have those restrictions, a used pair of KLF-20's or 30's, RF-7's, Chorus II's or the new RP-280's would "punch" you all over the room.

I think it is... The Tractrix midrange really made a difference. I used one between a pair of Forte II's, then between Chorus II's. The only thing better is when I was able to put together a 6.1 setup with two pair of Chorus II's (front left/right and left/right surround) with a pair of Forte II's as center front and center back.

The speakers you have are just fine... But, if they're going into a huge 20'x30' room, then they may not deliver the performance you're wanting/expecting. Regardless of the receiver you have or end up with, they'd do a better job (particularly for 5.1 HT) in a smaller room. As others have mentioned, the known name brands (Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz, etc) will all work fine. Generally, once you get up around the $500-$600 range, you'll have solid all-channel power and enough connectivity/features to handle most single room 5.1/7.2 setups. Spending more, above the $600 range, generally gets you an incremental increase in power output and better all-channel power ratings. And more features.. such as Dolby Atmos (9 to 11 channel capable), second zone, better room correction (auto setup & EQ), additional HDMI, etc. Essentially it will be what works best and integrates into your current equipment/needs. For your own reference... You might want to hook the RF-15's up to the old receiver and listen to them in the new room and see what they sound like. If the old receiver can accommodate the sub, add it as well and see what the 2.1 setup sounds like before you buy anything new. You might find yourself wanting a larger floorstanding model, if your room really is that large.

Why do YOU think this? Have you run out of power with the setup you have? Or do you listen very loudly (105+dB) all the time? The simple answer is no... Even if you bought a 5 channel amp rated at 200 watts per channel. You're only going to gain 3-5 decibels of headroom compared to your current receivers 105 watt rating into 2 channels... which is probably 60-70 watts into all 5 channels. Different setups, different rooms and just a "slight difference"? What is this" slight difference"? Is it a better difference... Or worse? And how will you know? Your receiver is not under powered for your current speakers... However, it sounds like your whole system is too small for your room. (based on the questions you're asking). RB-81's are very nice BOOKSHELF speakers... And will sound great anywhere. BUT, they will not (even in a 5.1 setup) fill up a 25' x 25' room with big sound/volume. And sitting 12-15 feet back doesn't help. You would have been much better off buying a pair of RP-280F's and a better spec'd AVR to start with... and then building on that 2 channel setup as you could afford to add pieces to it. From where you're at now, making sure all your current speakers are set to small in your AVR (and crossed at 80Hz give or take), will let your sub do the heavy lifting and make the best use of the power your receiver currently has. If you want to upgrade what you have... you could start with an amp, but you'll need a new receiver or pre/pro to use it. But I'd add another subwoofer first and then look at upgrading your front 2 speakers with a larger pair of floorstanders and move the RB-81's to surround duty. Then you could look at a different AVR with better "all channels driven" power. Or look into a separate 5-7 channel amp and preprocessor. Lots of ways to go... How much do you want to spend?

As others have mentioned you can do the phantom center channel, 3 speaker stereo setup... The PDF link from "Babadono" is the place to start. Or you can Google it and find lots of reading material. In regards to your questions... A: I don't think your Marantz would appreciate having the Left/Right positive terminals connected to the same speaker. B: Only you can decide if you like the way it sounds in your room with your equipment. Try it, experiment with it and find out. C: The Academy is a very good center channel speaker. However, it's not the closest match to Forte II's. The Academy has an exponential horn and is a match to the original Forte, which has exponential horns. The Forte II's have the Tractrix midrange and the KLF-C7 is the closer match since it has the updated Tractrix horn.

That site is F'ed as well... If I thought it would make a difference, I'd write a letter to Klipsch headquarters to complain about the lack of planning, delays and the generally s h i t t y way the websites have been screwed up. Just another reason NOT to visit the forums and the main website... As those specs were used daily by a bunch of people. And "Klipsch" apparently doesn't care that the data/specs are missing.

Go with the SVS... Either the PC-2000 or the PB-2000. Bigger driver, better amp and better frequency response, particularly down low. It will walk all over the R-110SW. I've got an older version of this sub (SVS 20-39 PC+) that I use with my LaScalas for both music and movies. It sits right behind my couch and doesn't disappoint. What have you got to lose... With SVS you can try it risk free for 45 days and if you don't like it you can return it. http://www.svsound.com/pages/bill-of-rights

Cats disappear all the time...

CD all the way...

The Klipsch U.S. website is supposedly being updated and all the specs for the old/discontinued models is not available... But, the Australian version of the website still has the information... http://www.klipsch.com.au/kg-4/details

Grand Prairie didn't have any issues from what I've read/heard... But I'm currently in Amarillo dealing with some snow and wind.

This explains it very well... http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PIXzcxS2XCw/learn/what-you-need-to-know-about-hdcp-2-2.html

That's funny... Just for giggles there are LaScalas being used as surrounds as well.

If these are still available, it's a really nice deal... Just down the road. https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ele/5335705713.html

This is a sore subject with the guy responsible for maintaining/updating the Klipsch website. Apparently he thought it would be better to just delete all the information while he worked on it... And it's been gone for a month now. Too bad he couldn't bother to refer everyone to the Australian site like you did. Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/160533-klipschcom-websitesearch-box-what-happened/

Also, if the serial numbers you have listed are correct, then those speakers are 26 years old... So it's hard to believe they were "installed new" just 9 years ago? As mentioned above, posting pictures of the actual speakers, including any serial number tags on the back (if they're there), would help determine exactly what you have.

HWO stands for Heresy Walnut Oil HBR stands for Heresy Birch Raw (unfinished) And is nothing more than a description of the exterior finish. It has nothing to do with the components inside, which could be exactly the same or different depending on how old the speaker is. Depending on what you find visually appealing, the HWO's (assuming they're in nice condition) will generally look better. If they're both original Heresy I's (and relatively the same age/condition) then they'll probably sound the same.

Wish the original Northpark 1 & 2 were still around. It would be the perfect place to see The Hateful Eight. One side had 900 seats and the other was nearly 1100. Huge screens and awesome sound. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/11628

Just to add... The Belles have been discontinued and are no longer made. So they are relatively rare and harder to find. If you haven't had a chance to listen to them yet, by all means, do that before you make a decision about whether to keep them. Even if they're from the 80's (can be determined using the serial number) the drivers should still be in rather good working order as long as they haven't been abused. And the only thing they might need would be to freshen up the crossovers. If you can provide the serial numbers (from the tag on the back), the veneer type and some better closeup pictures, then I'm sure some of the forum members could help provide an estimated value for reference.

Those are not subwoofers... They are Klipsch Belles from the Heritage line. If someone gave them to you, then you're a rather lucky person. They are full range loudspeakers... fully horn loaded. There is a 15" driver in the bottom (within the V) and a horn loaded midrange and tweeter in the top. Unfortunately the Klipsch website is being "updated" and the prior links to the discontinued models and their specifications, including the Belle, are not currently available. Here is the only link I can find for them right now... http://www.klipsch.com/products/belle-klipsch-floorstanding-speaker I'd recommend holding on to them if at all possible.

It looks like the only actual 70mm show (in the DFW area) will be at the Cinemark West Plano. All the local AMC's are completely digital now to my knowledge. I believe they've been this way since AMC added the IMAX screens a few years ago. http://www.in70mm.com/news/2016/hateful_8/index.htm