Kevin S

I do not know enough about this to be sure of this answer, but why should that stop me! If this is the correct driver, it's specs are when it is attached to one of B&C's horns. Perhaps the Tractrix horn changes the response of the driver? ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Although the origins for multi channel sound may have not started with an altruistic goal for "high fidelity" I think we should all be glad that the technology was and is being developed. The POTENTIAL for a much higher fidelity of music recording now exists. And with the growing acceptance of multi channel set ups (for whatever purpose) in the home of millions of people, the likelyhood that the technology will be used for higher fidelity purposes increases, because the potential market for such recordings increases every time someone purchases a multi channel set up. What we should really be concerned about is the format war taking place in regards to multi channel audio. The confusion that it creates in the public's mind, and the need for multiple playback machines, that the general public would (IMHO) never tolerate, threatens the chance that multi channel high fidelity audio will reach it's full potential. Just my 2 cents. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

As with most things audio, there are a variety of opinions on which type of speaker sounds best as a surround. My RS-3's, with its combination of direct and indirect radiation, mounted just to the rear and to the side of the listening position, do the best job of any speaker I have tried thus far, im my room. Also, even in a home theater environment, your system will be set up to sound best in a "sweet spot" of the listening area. This spot is generally larger than that for stereo only listening, but exists none the less. Therfore, no matter what type of speaker you use, or where you place them, people not in the "sweet spot" will not get the best your set up has to offer. I hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Heresy's have been available all along. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

The volume setting on your powered sub and the channel level control on your receiver intereact with each other. For example, the higher the volume setting on your sub, the lower you will need to set your receiver for a given volume level. The lower the volume setting on your sub, the higher you will need to set the receiver for a given volume level. A combination of the two which results in neither the sub or the receiver being set anywhere near their highest, and most likely to clip levels, is probably best. But if you just can't stand your sub being set at -12, lower your sub volume control and jack up the receiver's channel level! I hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Thanks for the help, but I have that "letter list" printed out and I don't think it applies to these numbers. Besides not having an "O", the serial numbers seem to be several digits longer than the other speakers from the "letter" years. Anyone else have any info? ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

FWIW, my McIntosh pre/pro has a "Music 3" mode that sends a mono signal to the center channel, at a reduced level (I would guess it is about the 6db down described above) and then sends a difference signal to the surrounds. I think this is essentially similar to the old Hafler surround circuit from, I think, the 60's. It is by far the best compromise I have heard between stereo and surround sound for music. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

I thought I had a handle on Klipsch serial numbers and production dates, but I cannot decipher these. Any help would be appreciated. LaScala 300399359 & 300399358. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

jelliott, when you said the sound fell apart when you played it loud, you must have really meant LOUD. It never occured to me that you might be pushing the Denon so close to or completely into clipping. This is the only reason I can think of that would have caused the amp to make such a complete mess of your sound. Unless it is just malfunctioning in general, which is unlikely, I think. With the Heresy's so able to play loudly on 5 or 10 watts, it never occured to me that 90 watts would not be enough. Anyway, sorry for having you chase your tail in circles, so to speak. From now on I'll have to remember to remember that what is now loud for me must not be loud for others. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

jelliott, I think that you are on the right track focusing on speaker placement and listening position relationships. My Heresy II's are about 2 1/2 feet from the front wall, 10 feet apart, 12 feet from the listening position, and toed in directly at the listening position. I have found that all of the Klipsch speakers I have owned sound best toed in this way. I think that maximizing the direct sound and minimizing the room reflections lets you hear more of the recording and less of the room. Mine are on the slant risers just like yours. Lateral imaging is excellent at all volume levels. At least until my ears give out! I did try raising mine on 16 inch stands to see what effect it would have on soundstage height. When a song has info panned hard left or right, it sometimes becomes too speaker specific and sounds lower (in height) than the rest of the image. I found raising the Heresy's cured this problem, but the speakers look quite stupid on stands. Kind of a Mr. Potato Head effect, giant head, puny body. Also, although this is not a problem in my H/T setup, where I roll the bass out of the Heresy's at 80hz to a pair of subs, your bass will probably suffer. The Heresys are designed for floor/corner placement. I put the speakers back on the floor and have found that since I generally listen to music with my eyes closed and/or in a darkened room, the effect largely disappears. I have found that visual clues can ruin the imaging, causing your brain to localize the sound to objects in the room, such as the speakers, or T.V's, or equipment racks placed between the speakers, etc. I use the H/T in the dark, which has the same positive effect. So try closing your eyes when listening to determine the effects of your changes. As for image depth, the music I listen to (rock and pop) generally has very little depth recorded in it. So make sure the lack of depth you are concerned about isn't recording related. Also, any objects placed between the speakers will hurt depth of image, so if yours is a stereo only set up, try to make sure you have nothing between the speakers, if possible. Sorry about the length, but i hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Hey Forrest, Worf 101 said that he didn't like the sound of the speakers when they were his main speakers in his room, as much as he liked them when they were his ex's main speakers in her room. I think this is more than enough info for me to have given the opinion I did. My comments were to be applied to that main vs. main comparison. It is just my opinion that when comparing the sound of these speakers, as main speakers, in two different rooms, with properly operating electronics, that any difference in the apparent sound quality is far more likely to be caused by room and/or placement differences than difference in the electronics. But I've said that 3 times now, so I'll let it be. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Paul, I have piddled around more than one can imagine. In fact I used to own Klipsch and Mac, sold it all off at various times, for various reasons, and have come back. I am now, however, in what I call my "keeper" mode. With a daughter going to college in a few years I decided that now was the time to purchase the equipment that would last me many years and to get off of the upgrade bandwagon. Frankly Paul (and Dougdrake2) I would be lying if I said that my Mac equipment sounded "better" than much of the less expensive stuff I've owned. But the build quality is very high, it does perform to a very high level, I love the look of the stuff, and for me anyway, there is a pride of ownership that comes with both the Mac and Klipsch Heritage brands. Anyway, good luck to you Paul on your quest. And start looking for a new wallet, your going to wear out the old one in a hurry! ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

boa12, for the next couple of days (say thru the weekend), everytime you get the urge to check this board, go listen to a CD instead. By Monday I suspect you'll be back and feeling like new! ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

boa12, I actually didn't mean to single you out for the "flaming arrows" comment. It was meant for everyone in general. Sorry for not making that clearer. My experience in posting to boards such as this is that those of us who are brave (stupid?) enough to post that we do not believe that there is much, if any difference in the sound of properly functioning electronics, is that we are quickly surrounded by the "hear differences in everything" crowd and quickly shot at with "flaming arrows". Perhaps that will not be so this time. But I thought I would take a defensive position just in case! ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Paul, you have "upgradeitis", a very expensive disease to treat. I have had it for over 30 years, and only lately have tried to get it under control. But I live every day with the knowledge that I can never completely control it. So do anything you can to avoid feeding the disease, because once you do, there is no going back! ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

IMHO, speakers are the logical place to spend the upgrade money. BUT, if after auditioning some speakers you do not feel the need to change your speakers (and by the way, it is perfectly acceptable to like what you have), then spend the money on more music! Then try some changes in your speaker placement to see if you can make any improvements that way. The last thing I would do is spend the money on "upgrading" your electronics. It has been my experience that upgrading properly functioning electronics brings about the least amount of improvement (if any), and should only be looked at when you are certain you have optimized your speakers, and their placement in the room. I hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

"This was a sweet sweet set up I was way happy, but for some reason I expected more out of the SB3's when they were my mains. They sounded harsh and unforgiving with the Onkyo and couldn't for the life of me figure out why." The comment above is why I posted the reply that I did. I think it goes without saying that, although placement in the room for surrounds is as important as in the front, you obviously cannot compare the sound of a pair of speakers performing rear surround duties to a pair of speakers performing main duties. In fact, if you place identical speakers around the room in a surround sound setup, even if they are fed an identical full range signal, they will sound different at the listening position due to their differing locations in relation to the listening position. So naturally, if the surrounds are being fed a signal that differs from the mains, as is the case with surround sound processing, there is no way they will sound the same as the mains, even if the speakers are identical. In short, it is has been my experience that the room, and the speaker(s) placement in the room, is the overwhelming determining factor in how a system sounds. Changing those two factors in a positive fashion will generate an improvement far beyond any changes in properly functioning electronics. Now, again, this is my opinion based on my experience, so put those flaming arrows back in your quivers. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Many speakers sound quite different in the same room when moved only a small amount. So, frankly, if you are not happy with the way a speaker sounds in your room, after liking the way it sounded in another room, the problem probably lies in your room and/or how your speaker is placed in the room. IMHO these room/placement differences swamp any other differences, such as differences that people attribute to the electronics. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Well I'm glad the change worked. But don't try to kid yourself into thinking your close to leaving anything alone! ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

If you did not have too much bass prior to inverting the speakers, put them back in their original position. Since the surround speakers are supposed to be positioned so that they are difficult to localize, your original concern about having the tweeters too high and the sound bouncing off the ceiling is probably the lesser of the two evils. This ceiling bounce will serve to diffuse the sound a bit. Also, after switching the speakers back, place something about an inch or so tall under the bottom rear of the speaker to tilt them down somewhat. If your listening position is a reasonable distance from the rear speakers, you will be surprided at how much a difference a one or two inch tilt will make in the sound at the listening position. I hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

If it was me, I would set the center mode to phantom, toss out the old center channel and buy a sub. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

I have been in this hobby for over 30 years. In that time I have owned speakers made by Technics, Ohm, Polk, Klipsch, M&K, B&W, Magnepan, Boston Acoustics, Legacy, Bose and probably some others. Other than the Technics and the Bose, none of my friends had ever heard of any of the others until I purchased them. And just about everyone told me that all of the speakers sounded great, including the Bose. My point is not that the non-Heritage Klipsch speakers don't sound great. My point is that just because no one you know has heard of them, and that they think they sound great, doesn't make them "special". Heritage series speakers have been relatively unchanged in production, and satisfying discriminating listeners, for decades. This point alone does make the Heritage series unique and special, IMHO. I think this speaks to the inherent "rightness" of their sound. On the other hand, Klipsch seems to have to "upgrade" the tweeter horn only models quite frequently, just like all other speaker companies. Please do not take this the wrong way. I am glad that Klipsch is successful and that their speakers have gained a wider audience. I would certainly recommend the non-Heritage models to my friends. I do believe, however, that for whatever reason, Klipsch is leaving behind the "Heritage" that they built their foundation on by abandoning the fully horn loaded, compression driver theory of design. It is my understanding that the Heresy was named as such because the acoustic suspension woofer used in it's design was "heresy" to this premise. So I would think that dropping the mid range horn, especially for the flagship lines, would be an even greater heresy. Sorry again for the length. And remember, these are just my opinions, and I hope I haven't offended all of the "tweeter horn only" Klipsch owners. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Legacy Focus was the speaker I bought to replace my K-horns. It is indeed an excellent speaker. However, neither the Focus, or any other speakers I have owned or heard, have made me want to listen to music like the various Klipsch Heritage speakers I have owned. I certainly cannot explain this, but that is what it is all about as far as I am concerned. And that is why I have come back to Klipsch. The fact that I can achieve that feeling with Heresy's and subs is, I think, a testament to the importance of the midrange and tweeter horn combination, as well as how far quality subwoofer bass reproduction has come in the past 5 years. My $500 HSU VTF-2's do a far better job than the SW-15 series 2 that I owned and paid $1500 for back in the mid 90's. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

Frankly, having owned Heresy's (currently), Cornwalls, LaScala's and Klipschorns, I did not even consider a non-Heritage Klipsch speaker due to their lack of a midrange horn. I came back to Klipsch after about 5 years of trying other brands. I believe that it is the horns that make Klipsch special. Handing over to a horn at 2000 hz or so, as is done with all of the current models I believe, makes too much of the audible range "just another speaker" as far as I am concerned. My experience with my new Heresy's confirms this for me. They have most (if not all) of the mid range and tweeter magic that the other Heritage speakers had, while the advent of quality subwoofers allows me to have bass that is definitely deeper, and subjectively about equal, to the K-horns ( at "normal" listening levels). Besides, in my set up, the bass is rolled off at 80hz anyway. And the fact that the Heresy's do not have to be placed in the corners (as with the K-horns) actually gives them the edge in certain instances as far as imaging is concerned. Obviously, the Heresy's cannot play as loud as the other Heritage speakers. But I listen at levels of 75-85 db most of the time, so even the Heresy's (and my subs)operate well below their maximum capabilities. Sorry about the length. Gee, did I answer the question? ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000

FWIW, my experience has been that room/speaker placement and interaction will have far more impact on yor bass than changing amps. I would suggest buying or borrowing a test disc with the appropriate frequency response signals, as well as the Radio Shack SPL meter. Then use those tools and your ears to figure out where to place your speakers for the smoothest bass response at your listening position. Take the money you save and buy more CD's. Hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Pioneer PD-F908 100 Disc Changer Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000