Jack71

Yes, the receiver does have test tones. Although when I try to do it by ear it seems like I'm way off; particulary with the subwoofers. If I adjust their test tones even with the fronts (at least to my ears) they are way too loud and boomy when I exit the test mode and play music. I'm guessing the SPL meter must measure something beyond the volume that our ears can hear.

Ok, here's my little makeshift 2 ch. Stereo / HT setup so far: Rotel Rsx-1056 receiver; Klispch RB-5 II's (on stands and using as fronts); Hsu MBM-12; Hsu VTF-3 MKII. I've also got a couple of Rsx-3's that I haven't integrated yet, but may. I'd probably want to get a separate power amp before I did that. Maybe add a center channel too, but I'm really mostly interested in listening to music rather than movies so I don't know if I'll ever go beyond a 2 or 3 channel setup. Anyway, can someone recommend a good setup CD that I can use to fine tune the levels of my speakers, etc.? Preferably something that would be readily available at a local music or electronics store. Also, I'd need some sort of meter, correct? All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Yeah, I thought about the phase thing. The speakers are wired in phase and connected to the main L&R (front) speaker outputs. I did notice that there is some faint electrical noise comming from the speakers. Kind of like a "zzzzzzzzzzt" sound. You have to put your ear close to them to hear it but it's definately there. Maybe the connections themselves are not great?

Hi. Thank you for the response. I guess I would say the speakers sound kind of "distant" at regular listening volumes. I suppose I can't really expect to feel enveloped by sound running a regular two channel setup though. So if wattage does not tell us whether an amp has the ability to adequately drive your speakers, what does? I went with the Rotel rather than some other similarly priced units with more watts per channel because I tend to listen to music more than watching movies and Rotel seems to have a good reputation for this. Are you saying, even for listening to music, you would not employ an EQ unless it were one of the prohibitively expensive top of the line models?

I just picked up a used Rotel 1056 receiver locally to power my Klipsch RB-5 II's. Right now I'm running it in 2-channel stereo mode so I'm getting the full 100 watts per channel. I put the RB-5's on stands and am using them as my fronts (no sub or middle speaker, yet). The RB-5's sound nice but I'm not really hearing them clearly at regular listening volumes. I'm not sure why this is. Is the 100 watts per channel not enough to push these things sufficiently? Is it the room? They are set up in my family room which opens into a larger area (kitchen and breakfast area). Perhaps I simply need to boost certain frequencies with an EQ? Would pairing them with a powered subwoofer and crossover help by assigning the extreme lower frequencies to the sub only and away from the RB-5's? I've heard alot about the importance of that "first watt" but I'm not sure I understand the concept. Is there a way to look at the specs of a receiver or amp to see whether it delivers sufficiently in that first watt realm? I'm pretty sure either way that I want to pick up a decent powered sub and external EQ unit to pair with my receiver. Can you guys recommend a decent EQ unit that I could pick up used for around $100 or less? I also need suggestions on a good powered sub that I can pick up used for about $350 or less. I should mention, as far as the sub goes, I'm more interested in something tight and musical rather than loudness. Thanks in advance for the help!

I paid $150 for mine locally off of craigslist, but I've seen them go for as much as $200 on Ebay. There's one on Ebay right now. The bidding is currently at $102.50 with about 14 hours to go. Check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/Klipsch-iFi-Computer-iPod-Speaker-System-w-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ140291772035QQihZ004QQcategoryZ111694QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I found mine locally on craigslist but they do pop up on Ebay as well.

If you can find one, I would consider the Klipsch Ifi system. The speakers are just slightly modified Reference Series satellites (RSX-3). 3.5" aluminum woofers and .75" titanium horn. A 3.5" woofer is probably about as big as you're going to find on a dedicated computer speaker system. The 8" subwoofer is very nice too. I just picked one up. I upgraded the speaker wire and bought a high quality connector cable and it sounds fantastic. Really puts to shame a lot of the lightweight crap out there.

I just picked up an Ifi system in great shape to use with my Imac 24". I upgraded the speaker wire and connector cable and, wow! Great system. I'm wondering however, what the optimal way of hooking it up and setting levels would be. I know Klispch reccomends plugging into the line in on the back of the subwoofer but to my ear it seems to sound better plugging into the dock. I'm going to be using the computer and not an ipod as the primary source of music so I don't see the need to be able to mix audio from the computer and an ipod which seems to be the rationale behind plugging into the subwoofer. Plus, plugging into the dock should eliminate the ipod dock from the signal path, which can't be bad. Also, I'm not sure how to deal with the computer's volume levels vs. the volume controls of the ifi system itself. Plus, if you throw itunes into the mix you've got that volume control to deal with as well. I'm afraid if I dime the computer and itunes' volume controls that I would be clipping the input of the ifi. What do you guys do? Oh yeah, any good itunes EQ setting for Rock music would be appreciated as well. I tweaked the preset one a bit and it sounds decent, but I'm always looking to improve.

I wonder why this is? When you do that aren't you just mixing the signal with that of the dock anyway? I could see if you were using an ipod in the dock as your primary source of music and just wanted to be able to hear the computer's system sounds, but if you are going to use your computer as the source of music, it seems like plugging into the dock would be the way to go.

I'd say I'm probably looking to spend no more than $400 for a used receiver (I try not to buy new when it comes to electronics). It will be hooked up to my HDTV and Blu-Ray player but like I said, I'm more interested in how my music will sound through it rather than an espisode of Star Wars, lol! As for a powered sub, no more than $200 used. This is really meant to be a startup kind of system. I can always upgrade later.

Thank you for all of the great advice. I did pick up those RB-5's. Great looking speakers, although the grill cover design leaves a bit to be desired. Why did they use plastic and cloth? Does anyone make a modern replacement? Anyhow, it's funny you mentioned Harmon Kardon again; after I made my post I started doing some more research and became interested in the HK 7300. Seems like it would be a great choice if you can find one. I don't know if I need a 7 channel receiver though. Did HK make an equivalent receiver in a 5 channel design? As for a sub, if I do decide I need one, is it better to buy a powered or unpowered one? Can you use a unit like the HK 7300 to power a sub or do you need a seperate amp? I mean, an unpowered sub in the same price range as a powered one should be superior (speaker wise) because you're not paying for the amp, correct?

Ok, slight change of plans. I was going to base everything around the rsx-5's but then I found a pair of Cherry finish RB-5 II's locally in great shape and for less than I would have paid for a couple of rsx-5's new. From what I've read, the RB-5 II's should be a superior speaker to the rsx, correct? I figure I can put them up on some stands they will make decent fronts. So now I'm going to need a complimentary subwoofer and (maybe) a center channel speaker. I guess my choices in receivers has changed somewhat as well since the RB-5 is a different animal and requires more power to drive. I'd like to be able to use my Blu Ray player with whatever I get but honestly, the system's performance for listening to music is more important to me than movies. I keep hearing to stay away from certain receivers (i.e. Yamaha) because they are bright and Klipsch speakers are bright and so on. Any truth to this? I was looking at the Yamaha rx-v2500 which seems like a nice unit which good power and room for expandability, but I certainly don't want to get something that is going to be harsh or induce ear fatigue; I like to listen to music for long stretches at a time.

Hi. Thanks so much for the input! It was extremely helpful. The A/V receiver you mention would act as both a preamp and poweramp, correct? Can anyone recommend a decent one that can be had for a good used price? Can any of the powered subwoofers out there be used to push other speakers as well; kind of like you see with all-in-one computer speaker systems? Sorry if these are stupid questions but I'm new to the audiophile scene, lol.

Hi, new member here. I tried posting this in the 2 Ch. Audio section but no responses yet. Maybe this is the proper place for my question. Anyhow, the title of the thread pretty much says it all. I'm thinking of picking up a couple of rsx-5 speakers and a 10 or 12" sub to build my own 2 channel sound system. I want something I can use with my computer and then occasionally move to my LCD television for use as an entry level home theatre. So, I need suggestions on a decent sub to go with the rsx-5's (preferably something I can pickup up used for $200 or less), something to power the rsx's and a way to interface the system with my new 3.06ghz I-mac 24. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated!