jdm56

Another option: I just remembered that I could get the XM or Sirius programming by subscription through my Squeezebox, too. Drat, the water grows muddier! So I could stay with what I have, getting limited service through my Dish Network subscription, or I could by an a-daptor kit and subscribe through my Onkyo tuner, or I could subscribe for the on-line service and get that through my Slim Devices Squeezebox network music player. Wow, makes me proud to be an American! I wonder of the three options, which would sound best? I'd bet the direct sat connection through my Onkyo T4555!

No good Bose stories come to mind, but I am always amazed that when the subject of Audio comes up with non-audiophiles, they almost always have the pre-conceived notion that Bose is the gold standard in speakers. They'll ask what I have, and they usually seem a little disappointed or let down to discover I don't own Bose. It's like they're thinking "Oh, I guess you must not be a real audiophile." Most folks have never heard of Klipsch.

I always use masking tape, too. Only 3M, of course...made right here in the USA, by gosh!

#2 fer sher

I get Sirius/XM from a Dish 411 hdtv receiver via optical digital audio output to Pioneer Elite VSX-55TXi a/v receiver. The sound sux compared to a decent CD. I will try the Wal-Mart tactic. That is a no-lose proposition!

Regardless of the signal quality or bit rate, satellite radio is still offering up compressed audio; relatively low bit rate mp3 or comparable sound quality, whereas CD is uncompressed, with relatively huge data rates even compared to top quality mp3, which maxes out about 320 kbps. Still, your experience is interesting. I think I may try Sirius/XM (I think they merged, didn't they?). I find 128kbps mp3 to be much more listenable than 64-96.

I get limited Sirius/XM channels via my Dish TV box. My question is this: Is the sound quality of the sat. radio service much, if any, better when you subscribe and get the feed direct from their satellite, or is it the same quality as what I get from Dish? The reason I ask is because I have an Onkyo tuner that could receive sat. radio, but I would have to subscribe. I would consider it if the audio is better that what I get through Dish Network. The sound quality through them is mediocre at best. Must be a data rate of about 50 or 60 kbps tops, judging from the flat, thin, lifeless sound. It's really only good for background music. But if the direct feed from Sirius/XM is at least 96, or maybe 128 kbps, it might be worth subscribing.

"Best horns I've ever heard"...hm...OK, how about klipschorns, 1976, The House Of Sound in Springfield, MO. The music was the LP "Sailboat" by Jonathan Edwards, which btw is an overlooked classic of the country/rock era (imho, of course). No wait, the best horns ever heard would have to be the klipschorns I heard at Flip's Stereo in St. Louis in about 1986, playing "Graceland" by Paul Simon. Wow. I'll never forget that experience! But for the best horn sound I've ever heard in my house, my LS2's (with subs) hold that honor!

Three CW's up front would be cool if you have the room, but Heresy's for center and surrounds would only be slightly less cool and might be a lot easier to manage. That's probably what I would go for: Two Corns / Three Heresys.

I think separate rooms and systems, one for two-channel music and one for multi-channel and/or home theater are definitely the way to go, if you have the space available. (Thank goodness for basements and attics, so even po' folks can spread out!)

Hi Marty, Sure, you can use the unbalanced outputs from your pre to feed the subs. As for your other question, you can do it either way. It just depends on if you want "stereo" subs, or if you want to feed both subs the same blended signal. There's good arguments both ways, so you just have to pick your poison. Personally, I prefer the stereo sub arrangement. For one thing it frees you up to run the subs up a bit higher in frequency if you want, without the possibility of losing some directional information. A lot of Beatles music had bass all in one channel or the other. Mono subs would not reproduce this the way it was intended to sound. Of course, you might like it better! [6]

Without a doubt, the biggest and bestest gear change of '08 for me was getting a pair of La Scala II's. After being away from big ol' horns for four years, it was really nice to be back. Nothing does clean and clear like Klipsch!

I before E except after C. That's my opinion on your "reciever".[] Nah, I'm just being difficult. I don't know how accurate that 85W rating is. So many receivers can't come anywhere close to meeting their advertised power with all channels driven. But, assuming it's close to the truth, you'd have to get a lot more power to notice much difference driving the klipsch set-up you have. I'd upgrade somewhere else. Like Blu-Ray!![H]

Y'all think you got problems? How about this?...Rams 2-14 / Chiefs 2-14. Should the football fans of any state in the union have to suffer through so much ineptitude in one season? It just ain't right.

Stuff happens. My VSX55TXi gave me grief for awhile when it was new. A board was replaced under warranty and all has been smooth sailing since. Modern AV receivers are pretty darned complex beasts!

nevermind[]

Sounds like a good rig to me. If you're going to RF83's in January of '09 (Yes, they are quite decent for music!), I wouldn't worry about the RF3 setup now. The 83's shouldn't need the sub for music, but depending on your room acoustics and setup, they may sound better with it. I don't know if the Sony even allows you to use the sub in 2-channel mode. Some AV receivers don't. And as for mode, my first inclination would be straight up 2-channel, with no dsp, but like the sub/no sub question, your system may sound better with DPL-II Music or some other music mode that adds some ambience without screwing up the fronts. It all depends on the room, the set-up and your personal preference. There ain't no right or wrong here!

There is no wall to complete what would be the right-hand corner if the speakers were moved to the existing right-side wall! Unless I missed something, it is actually open to a utility area. So, as was originally stated, moving the speakers to the right-side corners is not an option.

I really like horns.

Adding a sub or two would probably cure the bass issue, but whether you want to deal with the muss and the fuss, that's up to you. Personally, I think that once you get subs dialed in, you shouldn't have to be tweaking them all the time. It's crucial to not set the crossover or level too high or else they will call undue attention to themselves sometime. With klipschorns, the rule of thumb when it comes to adding subs is "get the biggest and best you can". Of course if you don't really play the system very loud, then you could get by with smaller subs just as well. Or with one sub instead of two. I would try one good quality 12 or 15 inch'er to start. And I'd start with the lowest possible crossover point. As for brands, there are many good ones these days. For maximum value, I think SVS, Outlaw, Hsu, Rythmik, Dayton and AV123 are good places to start. I also like Velodyne for their remote control and built-in EQ. Of course, Klipsch has some good solid contenders too.

Can you move the love seat forward or back? That might improve the bass at least at that one position. But if you're mainly concerned about an overall lack of bass throughout the room, you may want to add a good sub or two. I'd hate to part with the k-horns if you like them other than the bass issue. At least they are tall enough to project over the pool table and couch toward the sweet spot. Another option might be to put the horns on the wall with the door; the right sidewall in the drawing. I know you said moving them is not an option, but looking at the picture, I would think that might be a possibility.

I'd find a few of the closest dealers who could order them and shoot them an offer. I'd start at about $4000/pair and see if any will bite. Don't get too anxious, though. If there are no takers, you can always offer more.

The Icon series is not replacing the Reference series. The Icon's are for someone wanting a slimmer, more stylish speaker than the Reference, yet that still retains a high level of performance. That's all. I don't think you can go wrong either way. That said, of course the Reference line has bigger, badder models than the top Icon speaker, so those models will play louder and lower. But, if you mate the Icons with a good sub or two, the comparison is much closer and becomes a matter of preference.

It's a very good preamp. If it does what you want and sounds good, why change?

I'm trying hard not to look...