ct1615

I had a Denon DVD player and returned it because it was so loud when it played DVDs. My advice, check the players at the store before you buy them.

There are better speakers then the reference series. I bought them and they where too bright. I returned them the next day and stayed with my Synergy series set-up.

Ottscay I dont think you and some other people understand my post and no you counter point posts do not offend me. I brought home Reference speakers that are close to the same size and price as my current Synergy set up. I compared them over several days with a bright and warm receiver. I wanted to see if there was something the Synergy series speakers where missing, they where not compared to the Reference counterparts and in fact sounded better over time. Yes, I could tell the Reference series had a more Dynamic sound but I gave up the warmer sound of the Synergy speakers in order to get it. I did not want to make that trade-off. I also did not find the Dynamic sound to be a night and day difference between the Reference and Synergy series as some people stated. Im sure there are Reference speakers that sound better then the RC-25 & RB-25. I know Yamaha and HK make more expensive and better receivers but I believe the speaker match ups worked well the receivers in terms of price.

So receivers in the $500 price range don't work with Reference speakers? I should go out a get a receiver $2-3k? Shouldn't it be the other way around, a better speaker will make a cheaper receiver sound good? Hey, if knocking the Synergy line compared to the Reference line makes your purchase justified - more power to you. I tested them at home for one week. I didn't see them worth the extra $.

1. Isn't the tweeter from the Synergy F-3s and RF-35s made of similar material? I know the c1, 2.1, and 1.1 have silk dome tweeters. This may give those speakers a "warmer" feel compared to current Klipsch speakers. 2. I like the term "fair and balanced", I find it kind of funny.

I compared my current line-up of Klipsch Synergy KSC-C1, KSB 2.1, KSB1.1, and a Boston Acoustic CR400 verse the Klipsch Reference RC-25, and RB-25 while the sub and surrounds remained the same. TWO receivers where used in this test. A Yamaha RX-V730 (considered Bright by many of you) and a Harmon Kardon AV235 (considered warm). I set-up both speaker arrangements in similar fashion and played various TV shows and sports programs (Including watching my Pats win!) through each speaker set-up and receiver set-up. I then played the following DVDs on the speakers and receivers; Return of The King (DTS), The Mummy Returns (DD), and Lost in Translation (DTS). Compared to the Synergy 2.1 speakers, the RB-25 speakers produce a noticeable deeper bass and the RC-25 is slightly deeper then its Synergy counter part (you need to really listen for the bass). Both the RC and RB displayed a sharper audio output then their Synergy counterparts (some call it more Dynamic) but they where not picking up audio detail that the Synergy speakers missed. The big difference between the two speakers; the reference speakers are BRIGHT. I mean headache causing BRIGHT. While listening to them, I could not wait until the movie or program ended so I could turn them off! Once I replaced them with the Synergy speakers, my headaches would slowly go away. It did not make any difference if I had the reference hooked up to the Yamaha or HK, they where still BRIGHT. One thing I did notice on the HK, setting the receiver to DTS NEO rather then Dolby Prologic II did help tone down the speakers a bit on TV shows. My older Synergy speakers are no longer sold so I cant compare them to the current Synergy speakers but my advice if you are on the fence between Synergy and Reference speakers, save your money and invest in a better TV. You will be glad you did.

There are also too many people on this board that jump on a newbie planning on spending $500 on a/v because they feel real HT set-ups start at $5k without even asking what a person's budget is. 1. Can you imagine posting questions about your Honda and having people post "You should have bought an Acura"? 2. His question was about the SYNERGY series not the REFERENCE. He never asked to have them compared. The Synergy speakers are fine speaker and with the right set up can kick the reference series butt.

"If you can afford it, go for the Reference line. They sound much better" BS!!!!! I have owned both the reference series and synergy series. With a Yamaha receiver the reference series are BRIGHT and they don't sound that much better then the synergy series. I hate audio snobs.

Thanks for your response Grams. The writer (Steve Guttenburg) does a lot of work for HT magazine and I have enjoyed several of his articles. I just don't understand why you would leave that info out? You would not write a food review like that and state the best way to prepare a chicken kiev in with "good spices". Why are reviewers so scared to call out electronic manufacturers on their products?...yes I know sales $$

Cool, but who makes bright receiver? Is Yamaha a bright receiver, Sony, HK, Denon, etc.,? He doesn't say in the article and I have yet to see someone post a list anywhere.

I tested the Toshiba upscale unit on my SONY CRT HDTV and it did not improve the picture past component cables. Save your money and get a normal DVD player with progressive scan.

"The RC-25's tonal balance is ever so slightly lightweight...We have one caveat: Avoid mating a bright or even slightly harsh receiver with the RC-25, which will highlight that weakness. Our setup involved first-class electronics, and our reference discs sounded awfully good. " What is a bright receiver????? For the full article go here http://reviews.cnet.com/Klipsch_RC_25/4505-7869_7-30582947-2.html?tag=top

You may be right Drwho on the meter's battery.

It's a digital signal not an analog, how much signal loss could there possible be? You may be able to find your answer at this site http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/cables.htm

Yes I know, it stated all that in the instruction maual.