USparc

I found another picture of it. There is a link but doesn't seem to work http://www.prosoundweb.com/fun/Photofun/05_bighorn.shtml ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

Well, a system can be called a "home theater" when it is capable to give a picture larger than 36" and can reproduce the sound via at least 5 speakers at the right position. Like JTS8 said: what you are getting in december is certainly qualified as a "home theater". ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

justin_tx_16 Well each RF-3 needs about a total of 90 " FTP cable. An RC-3 has enough with 40". So that makes a total length of 400" that is about 35ft. The FTP cable costs 0.085$/ft, so for the cable it is 3$. Then there are the clips for connecting the drivers. 6 clips / speaker = 30 clips at 0.15$. That is 4.5$. A total of 7.5$ would be the price for rewiring all 5 speakers. For the external cables I ordered 400 ft FTP cable: that is about 35$. The most expensive were the banana's. 3.5$ each. For 20 banana's : 70$. TheEAR The RF-5-7 are wired with Z-series from monster. I don't know how they look like and sounds, but probably not like the RF-3's REI HSING flimsy cables. I hope that BobG will fill this in. mike stehr It will be worth it, just be patient!! good look!!! ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

few, 72 views and still no replies. Ok, I understand. You get suddenly quiet after seen those pictures and started your own re-wiring project!! Have fun. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

My first (front's) pair of RF-3's have also consecutive serial #'s. The other pair(Rear's) does not. Since I tweaked the RF-3's (changed internal wires: See odds and mods) I was able to see the internal side of the RF-3's. All 4 RF's are build the same, except for some minor things. The first pair has different internal wire lengths. The damping material was identical and symmilar placed. The Rear RF-3's had identical wire lenght's,but the foam was different placed. So consecutive serial #'s doesn't mean nothing, except that they were manufactured during the same production cycle as lynnm said. Ok, the chance in difference could be smaller. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

Thx for all the replies. See also my RF tweaked post. Any reaction?? Opinion?? ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

quote: Originally posted by Mike Lindsey: Sparc, Very nice setup! Is your equipment cabinet located behind your TV? Very clean and simple... Mike Yep it is. I like symmetry, so no racks between the speakers! It was convenient because I had to move the TV forward to get the center on top of it. So the space behind the TV is there, why not use it. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

The ceiling reflects the sound in another direction to prevent standing waves. Standing waves amplifies or attenuate certain frequencies. So in my case the frequency response is more flat. The music sounds more natural because of this "more" flat frequency response. And indeed a dome would be perfect because nothing is symetric so no standing waves can occure. The list price of the Thomson here in Belgium is 100.000 BEF(2180$). I got it for 85.000 BEF (1853$). The picture quality is very good. I wouldn't go back to a normal TV. This is the one peace in my system I won't upgrade untill it fails to do what it is supposed to do. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

Since the RF-3 mk II 's are out I was wondering what the changes are. Well BobG answered this in the forum >> Technical Questions >> "II" version of reference series: "There are a number of changes to Mk II. Monster Cable internal wiring Grilles with beveled chin piece and modified mounting Bigger feet installed at factory New wood finishes Snap-lock ports (also in subs and Synergy models) Klipsch logo on front panel Convoluted foam acoustic damping material New packaging" The important thing is the monster cable internal wiring. Why???? This is the only change that could make a sound difference, the others are just cosmetic except for the damping material. So I had to know what wiring is used in the original RF-3's. After removing the terminal plate AWM 1007 vw-1 18AWG REI HSING cable were discovered. Looks flimsy. Here it is : http://www.reihsing.com/en1007.htm. Just installation cable for general purpose???? This has to be changed. Let's tweak. Since my very good experience with FTP cable as speaker wire, the answer for the internal cables wasn't far away. These cables are better then the kimber 4TC's(tested). Since I use 3 braided FTP cables(RF-3rewired.jpg) for each speaker I extended the 3 cables to each driver unit (RF-3rewired2.jpg). I added also some good damping material at the horn location.(RF-3horn.jpg) THE RF-3 tFTP 's ARE BORN!!!! Result: The result of my external cable is now further extended. A lot of detail in the high. The low is extended and well defined. The mid is very smooth. The dynamics are extreme and everything is perfectly separated. Best tweak ever. Taught that cable didn't make a difference. Was I wrong, very wrong!! My motivation to use FTP: See my post forums >> Technical Questions >> audio cables... ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

The DV-525 does the job very nice. It plays everything. Indeed the remote sucks, but I don't use it. All the functionality is programmed in the remote of my onkyo. There are still some "minor" things that will forse me to upgrade soon or later: Display can not be dimmed (who taught I would need that but still it can be handy) The transfo can be noisy at times (just a pitch tone my ears are sensitive to.) The tray when opening/closing could also be smoother. Don't mind this, it still is a good player. I like it's simplisity. Indeed the RF-3 are certainly not small. When I got my first pair they looked so huge in the room. In the store they seemed a lot smaller. Later I got a second pair. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

That sub looks good, but do you really need it with those RF-7. Maybe I have to try a sub. Up till now I have not feeling the need of a sub with my 4 RF-3's. Just wondering: Are those RF-7's working good that close to the wall?? I'm also surprised that your TV can hold the 42 lbs weighing center. Have fun and be carefull with that sub ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

Finaly I had the chance to take some pictures. Here they are ... . ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

The onkyo's have an Absolute/Relative Switchable Volume Display- Absolute provides the output level on a scale of Min(0:no sound) to Max(100: extremely loud), and relative provides the output on a scale which is measured in plus or minus, relative to the calibrated reference volume. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

1. definitly black 2. off and on No RF-7's but RF-3's. In Europe there is also the cherry version of the RF-3. Just to add my taste. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3 tFTP Rear: RF-3 tFTP Center: RC-3 tFTP

Yep, go with a denon or onkyo. I had the sony you mention prior to the onkyo I have now. The problem with the sony is the volume control. It is way to sensitive. The lowest posible volume was to loud for any background music. Even the balance lef/right was not good at these low levels. First the right speaker comes up... . Indeed "their studio hall garbag"(matthew2) was bugging me to. So many useless dsp modes. Finally the remote. Since it is two way (communicates with the receiver) it takes a while to do what you wish. I like direct(instant) button access. The volume control is even wors with the remote. I think (in compare to my onkyo) it turned the volume in steps of 6dB (just a tiny touch on the button). Ok, my RF-3 tFTP's have a lot to do with it, but the onkyo does this very smooth. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Bi-wire, it is your choice. Two small cables or just one decent cable. Give me one decent cable that handles all the frequencies. Keep it simple!!! It is the resistance of the cable that will alter the frequency once it is to high. I think that bi-wiring comes along with bi-amping, but here I can say the same thing. Get one good amp with the power you need. I use braided FTP cable. See for more info on the technical questions forum topic audio cables... . ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

martindemon, Still thinking about cables? or others. Well this is the answer: FTP cat5 data cable. I used 3 runs for connecting one RF-3. Yep, not bi-wired. Bi-wiring just lowers the total resistance. Better use one cable with low resistance. I just braided the 3 cables in a normal way. In a ftp cable you have 4 twisted pairs. I used the colored one's for the + terminal the others for the - terminal. So you get 12 individual wires for each binding post. Note that each + an - wires are twisted!! Even the twisted pairs are twisted with a different frequency!!. The best cable for it's price. I was able to compare this "FTPtriple" cable with the kimber 4TC. Conclusion: FTPtriple can easily compete with the kimber in sound, So detailed and transparant even more then the kimber!! In price it puts not only the kimber but all speaker cables far far away. Even the cheapest cable can't compete this!! Result: all my speakers are connected with this cable without thinking how much this costs for a total of 150 m(500ft) cable!! (About $50!!) What would that be if it was kimber 4TC .... Yes, now it is time to think about the internal wires since the RF-3 mkII 's are out. I'll make the RF-3 FTP For those who doesn't know what FTP stands for : FOILED TWISTED PAIR unlike UTP(unshielded twisted pair) the FTP is shielded with a sort of mica and an aluminum foil. Happy braiding !! ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Hey BobG, Is there nothing done to the cross-over???? or is it the new monster cable that makes the difference in sound??? Is there in fact a difference in sound or is the internal monster cable just a cosmetic upgrade. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Yep those sony's. I had one's the STR-DB930 for a very short time. Three times. Yep, replaced this unit 3 times. All the same. Just a little hiss(not hearable at listening pos), but the volume control way to sensitive. The lowest volume was still to loud. Oeps, deja vu. I posted this already in other threads. Oh, well here it goes again. It was even the case that one RF-3 was still playing while the other one was completly death. Shortly with the Onkyo the Sony was totaly forgotten. Far less hiss, nice volume control, nice remote control and ... yep better sound. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Hey paulaelliott, Good choice with those RF-3's. I'm probably to late but I have still some questions about the STR-V333ES. Did you audition those RF-3's with an alike sony receiver?? I had for a short time(very short) the STR-DB930. It is a good receiver, but with the klipsch RF-3's and probably other klipschers the volume control was to sensitive. It was even so sensitive that I wasn't able to get the right volume. Moreover the lowest volume with this receiver was still to loud for background music. It was even the case that one RF-3 was still playing and the other was death. Yep, those RF-3's reveal everything. Don't think I'm not playing loud, I do (115dB). But there are times ... for background music. Let me know how it turns out. Boa12, you have a sony receiver(I just noticed)driving those RF-3's. No problems or probably no background music in Boa's Listenin Lounge? ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Hey WhalerCane, Read this: http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/spl.htm If you select 75 db on the range setting and the meter is reading 0db you have actually 75db. Otherwise you have to + or - the readings from the 75db or other range setting. That is the basic of how it works. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

quote: Originally posted by paulaelliott: So far, I have Klipsch SB-3s on 21" stands with .... What about 4 RF-3's. To bad the center could not be also an RF-3. Ok the RC-3 does the job nicely. If you have bookshelfs on stands (and you should for sound quality) you can have on the same place floorstanding models. They eventualy take up the same place. This is my kind of thinking .... My room is 13x20 with in each corner an RF-3. Should I upgrade ?? ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Yes, I'm young (23) Ok, I have to focus on the 18kHz to hear it. But indeed I have never forgotten to turn off my TV when it was still in my bedroom. I would not be able to sleep with that tone. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

Ok, The nautilus 803 test. The guy returned an email with the same results. So don't worry it is the SPL meter ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3

What this?? buy a speaker to be able listen another pair???? That is so low, that salesman wouldn't see me a second time forever. So did you actually buy the SB-3?? Are they so powerfull that they can force people to buy something first to audition something else ?? Is there no competition ... ? Ok, back to those RB-5 's The speakers need a little break in, butt try first a different setup like denon or onkyo. Specially for the amplifier. Also the placement of the speakers. The best is to setup the system at your location. It all makes a difference. ------------------ ------------------------- Receiver: Onkyo 676 DVD: Pioneer DV-525 Screen: Thomson 46" RetroProjection Front: RF-3's Rear: RF-3's Center: RC-3