Kevin Merritt

After more than 10 years with the same women... she revield to me that size DOES matter! Seriously, I moved into a new house and the best place to put my system (many reasons- one of them turns 1yr this week) didn't allow me any floor space for speakers. The little CM2's sit on top of a low-set entertainment center. Regards.

Congrats to Wes! He's a great guy to meet and, my Lord, his house is like a Klipsch museum!!! I know that I'm gonna hate myself for selling those things but it had to happen. I think Wes got a great deal but he (an others) would cry if you knew what I paid. Things like that can happen when speakers change hands too often. Some people just don't know what they have! May you all be so lucky! I eneded up replacing them with a pair of B&W CM2's. I was limited by size and those little guys were the only thing I could find with tight base like a Belle. A bit of a change (ha) but that's all the room I had. You can commence with the insults, now. I'll have to check back when I get another set of Klipsch... I understand that ol' man Klipsch is about to introduce a design based on 20-years work (according to the dealer). I can't wait! Last word on the Belles: GREAT speaker. You need a big room and the freedom to move them to get quality sound. I know that can be said for any speaker but it is MANDATORY for the Belles. All the comments about lack of low end, hollow sounding cabinets and lack of imaging... all are overcome in the right room, in the right place. It was amazing how bad they could sound in some positions... really! Take the time and the pay-off is HUGE. Bass so strong it'll knock the wind out of ya if desired. One of the most striking things about them was their ability to fill a room with sound but not overpower the listener. With your eyes closed, it was hard to identify where they were or what size they were(and mine were only ten feet from the listening position). Experienced listeners couldn't guess as to what drivers were used or how many. They all worked so seamlessly together. Like most great speakers, the more accurate the speaker, the more you can tell when you get a bad recording. That was the only compromise. Like I said... I'm gonna hate myself down the road... Best regards to all, Kevin

Let me open one more door... I'm also looking for a sweet sub/sat system...

Nice spelling... You get the idea! If you live close to Michigan, I'd even consider a swap for a nice TV... that would make the wife REAL happy... I can't beileve I'm saying these things... I'm gonna hate myself for this!!

Let me add, I'm live in Michigan...

Anyone looking for a set of Walnut Belles? They are in good shape and were built in 1976. The local rep tells me that I have the "better parts" in mine. They sound great and I love these big hogs but I need to make room and the small space I have them in doesn't do them justice. I would love to trade them for a set of R-5 or R-7's.. a local guy offered to swap 'em for his Chourus II's. Anyone interested for $850?

Belles like big rooms. I would stick with the k-horns if they sound OK. I wouldn't recommend a Belle in a room less than 13 x 16. 20 x 30 is better...

If you're looking at Belles, you NEED a big room. I've got a set in a 13 x 16 room mounted about 9 feet apart on the long wall. They sound 100 times better than when I had them on the short wall. For years I have worked with speakers and design... the Bells are , by far, the most temprimental speaker to place. The sweet spot couldn't be much smaller. Let me repeat, you need a big room. I would guess that a good size would be 20 x 30 or so. I would be upset if I paid full price for these bad boys. Granted, they sound very good in the sweet spot but only "fair" outside that small area. I wish I had a bigger room to take full advantage of them.

I just spent some time a/b listening to the 5's & 7's and I liked the 5's better. The bass was tighter but the 7's ARE more efficent. The guy at the store stated that the new copper cones take a LONG time to break-in (100hrs) and the 5's were broken-in... the 7's had just arrived. I told the guy to start a CD on repeat cuz I was coming back in a week to listen to some fully broken 7's. Overall, great sound. I'm willing to swap my Belles for a pair (long story).

Anyone want to upgrade from some RF-5's or RF-7's? That's all I plan to do with the cash I get from the sale... This message has been edited by Kevin Merritt on 07-24-2001 at 08:53 PM

Moving to new house. No big rooms for Belle's to play in. Considering sale. 1976. Good condition. Walnut. I live in SE Michigan. Anyone interested? You name the price. I'm just testing the market. If I can get enough to get some smaller speakers that still kick, I may have to sell... This message has been edited by Kevin Merritt on 07-23-2001 at 10:26 PM

I am the new & proud owner of a pair of Belle Klipsch. I have been looking for a formal review of these bad boys but without any luck. Anyone know where I can find a review?