drdiaboloco

I'm not quite sure how you can make the comparison you did with the obvious caveats you already mentioned... Not side-by-side, in different stores, with different amps. You can feel free to say the Synergy Series ('cept for the SF-3) sounds like "crap" or whatever, that's certainly your right... But as someone who owned the SF-2 for two years, I would have to strenuously disagree.

Bought this the other day and watched it last night... Great sound, as reported on a thread here, but the picture...!!! Have I lost my vision or is the video quality below-par? Threw on "Rattle and Hum" to make sure I didn't mess up my settings when I moved into a new house last week, and the U2 show looks the same as I remember it. PG's "Secret" is the poor transfer on the DVD. Any input on this?

Amazing that I had to go all the way to the fourth page to find the first (and only!) mention of U2's "Rattle and Hum"!! The non-concert footage is maddening at times but the concert itself is pure, vintage U2. From "Bad" onwards (track 14?), it's some of the best concert footage ever shot. The amazing part is how long they can hold a shot without a cut... I think I timed one portion of "Where the Streets Have No Name" at over two minutes from the same camera! The sound is brilliant, the performances stunning, and the grainy B&W footage on most of the performance tracks is a sight to behold. I recommend it more highly than any other U2 performance. I am equally amazed that more than one person mentioned how amazing "U2 Live in Boston" is. To me, this is a great audio recording of a truly marginal performance (marginal for U2 at least). I don't know why ANYONE likes this disc, as Bono's voice is nowhere near his usual standard. He had lost his voice in a concert a few days prior in Albany, NY and had to have the crowd help him sing the songs, and he was still on the mend for this show. Instrumentally it can't be faulted, and the sound is indeed quite good, but the centerpiece of the band was having an off night and that kills the whole experience. No surprise that they turned around and released: "U2 Go Home". Another concert from the same tour as the Boston show, at least in promotion of the same album, but much better concert footage and Bono's voice is up to his usual standard. Great sound, great performance, and better than average video. Strongly recommended to anyone who wants a recent show but doesn't want to watch (and listen) as Bono's voice deteriorates as the show goes on, as one is subjected to with Live in Boston. BTW... Thanks, y'all, for repeatedly pointing out that Peter Gabriel's "Secret World" is on DVD. Somehow I'd missed that. Guess I will run off to BB and pick up a copy!

Perhaps... But if I HAD walked out with them, the store manager likely would've called the police. You see, I can't afford to PAY for them or anything!

My my my! So many replies! And thankfully not a one saying "you bought crap". I can't vouch for the break-in status of the speaks in question, but they were definitely playing from an equivalent source player and an almost identical HT receiver (again, a 3803 to my 3802... Neither of which offer any bass or treble adjustment when using the "ext. in" jacks, if I am not too much mistaken). The switching equipment had been set up to volume-match the speakers, though I didn't bring my Rat Shack SPL meter to confirm this. Even if they hadn't been matched, as in straight-through with no attenuation when applicable, I'd think that this would actually FAVOR the Klipsch as they are more efficient speakers and would thusly play louder with the same volume setting. I don't think my objection to the RF-5's had anything to do with a break-in problem, as the things I liked more about the Bostons went up and down the frequency range...The "problems" with the -5 included thinner mid-bass, seemingly muffled highs, and a roughly equivalent bottom end that seemed "tighter" to me with the VR3. Male voices, especially (and that's all I used as far as music is concerned, aside from a few tracks off of No Doubt's last CD), seemed more "honky" than with the Bostons. The soundstage, too, in terms of "airiness" seemed to totally collapse when switching from the VR3s to the RF-5's (and the -35's, too). I assume this is a matter of tweeter dispersion, and the Bostons seemed less directional, which nicely suits my soon-to-be-set-up listening space. A single "sweet spot" won't do me any favors when moving a couple of feet left or right down the couch disturbs the experience. The center channel (VRC) definitely suffers by comparison when the bass output is considered, but I'll just set that to "small" and let the sub take up the slack. The rest of the frequency range is a nice match to the VR3's and the front three speakers sound simply fabulous together. Not to mention the VR3 was a useful bit cheaper than the RF-5. And as the RF-7 goes, well, there's no way I could afford those even if I waited (or wanted to). Simply too much money. My hearing, as well, has suffered from 10 years and 5000 hours of prop-plane flying. Perhaps it's messed up my ears to the point that I don't prefer Klipsch anymore? Anyhoo... I'll leave my Bose listening to the car. At home, I'll always feel like I'm in Boston.

Bose??? Give me a LITTLE bit of credit!!! I didn't listen to the Rf-7's as they are a little bit too dear for my 7-spkr budget. Besides, if I found the RF-5's lacking (again, to MY ears), I think it is likely that I simply have an aversion to the Klipsch "sound" when compared to the non-horn sound of the Bostons. I don't think I will abandon this forum entirely, there is way too much helpful info here to do that. Just... I will feel like an outcast! Not that I didn't feel that way already for having "only" the Synergy Series... Pre-Best Buy, mind you!!!

True, the only way is to listen in my own room with my own equipment. However, to listen in their room with the speaks literally side-by-side with a similar player and amp, there was simply no comparison to MY ears. Please, Klipsch fans, don't take this as a knock on Klipsch equipment. It's just that my auditory apparatus found much more to like in the Boston VR3 over the RF-35 and RF-5. I admit that I was shocked to find that I liked another speaker more... When I went into the dealer I literally said "SHOW ME YOUR KLIPSCH!!! BUAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" No joke. That is precisely what I said. Imagine my befuddlement to find that I liked another speaker better... But my ears didn't lie, I listened on three occasions with my favorite tunes, 3 Peter Gabriel SACD's (PG3, Security, Us... Almost three hours of the preceding in total), Pink Floyd DSOTM on SACD (all the way through), Rush "Chronicles" (Disc 2),the DVD's of U2's "Rattle and Hum" and "U2 Go Home", Eagles "Hell Freezes Over", "U-571", "The Matrix", and assorted other music. I hate to admit to a Klipsch forum that I found something I like more, but I can't deny it. Luckily it appears a friend will buy my 6-ch Synergy series setup for a steal (for him!), which will defray the cost of the new setup (over 2 grand). I like my Klipsch, but I found something that THESE ears liked more. I enjoyed the journey, though. Best of luck to you all!!

So... To make a long story short, I went to my local Klipsch dealer to give the RF-5's a listen before buying, and the dealer suggested that I listen to more of their stock (Boston, Definitive, & Klipsch are their primary lines). I am now going to buy Boston Acoustics. After extended listening with material of my choosing, and using equipment on shelf that almost exactly approximated my own (f'rinstance, a Denon 3803 when I have a 3802), and I was simply blown away by the Boston Acoustics VR3. Side-by-side, volume matched, the RF-35 and the RF-5 simply fell short. The absolute truth is that I went there to buy the RF-5 and was underwhelmed whem the comparison was made with the Bostons. I guess I am just not a Klipsch guy, though I thought I was until last week. Just spent two hours listening to the equipment again today, and the deal is done. Believe you me that I didn't make this decision lightly... I thought I was a lock for more and better Klipsch, but... Boston, here I come.

Eeeek.... I've heard advice that directly contradicts your view of rear center channels... That dipole speakers are appropriate for the "regular" surrounds, but not rear centers. What's a boy to do???

Cool. Now all I have to do is figure out how to pay for all this and a PB-2+ besides! Anyone want a pilot? WILL WORK FOR KLIPSCH!!

Well, I'm sitting here listening to Peter Gabriel "Security" on SACD, so I guess yes, 5.1 Muzak is important. Of course having said that, the PG catalog is only 2-channel, but I do have DSOTM and will probably buy more 5.1 discs as they are released. If what you're getting at is that I should really have tower rear speakers, my listening room will not really support having ear-level rear channels or surrounds. They're gonna be up on the wall over 7 feet because of the layout of the room....

Seriously considering the following... RF-5 mains, RC-7 center. Old Reference series, of course. How about using the RS-35 surrounds and either dual RC-25's or RB-25's for the rear center channels? All for a 7.1 setup, of course.

I found a way to get around my annoying search for platform-type wall-mounts for my existing Synergy series surrounds... Just get the new Reference Series and use the keyhole mounts! Anyone actually used these mounts, and have suggestions for which speaker mounts would be most appropriate? I see the RS and RB speaks have them, but strangely enough, not the RC-35... So what to use for rear center(s)?? RB's?

Well it's 8ft up or not placing them correctly front-to-back. Heck, if they're supposed to be "at least 24-36inches above your ear level when seated", as I've read before from more than one source, then 5-6ft up is the minimum anyway. Minimum for "proper" placement, at least. Currently I have all my surrounds AT ear level, just because I had to in my current situation. Keep in mind that in my room, 8ft high is still nearly three feet from the ceiling, and these speaks can be angled down to improve the imaging... To the seating position in the room's center, which is nearly 10ft from either wall. The REARS, however, could be lower. And for that matter, I could use in-wall speakers. I guess my most important question is whether or not I will muss up my "soundstage" if I have the L/R surrounds a couple of feet higher than the rear center channel.

Another thing... Considering the RF-5 and an RC-7 instead for the front three channels, primarily because of aesthetics and perceived sound. How would these compare to the RF-35/RC-35 in general terms? Keep in mind that I live nowhere near a Klipsch Dealer that carries the full line and I would just like general info before I make the trip to go listen in person. In any case, I imagine the RF-5 and RC-7 are about to be replaced just like the lower-end Ref's. Any info on THAT front?

I'm considering upgrading to the new Reference Series, probably the -35 series. I am moving into a new house and I'm obviously going to use my existing equipment (Synergy) until things settle down and I know how much money I really have left to spend (after I get the SVS sub that is my housewarming present to self, heh heh heh). Now... here's the first question. Listening room is 15X20 with 10' ceiling. Due to the placement of windows, I need to have my surrounds abeam to the listening position at a height of approximately 8'. Does this create any imaging problems that anyone can think of? I know the "ideal" height is around 5' but I can't place a speaker in the window opening. Should my rear surround (s) be at this height as well? If I mount them platform-type wall mounts this will keep ALL the surrounds above the height of normal adults so they can stick out into the room a little, so that's actually a nice thing... Does anyone have any experience with platform or cradle-type wall mounts for speakers? I don't want to drill holes into the speakers so I am still in the market for something that supports them like a wall-mount TV bracket. Second question... If I upgrade to Ref's, clearly I'd use the RS-35's for the surrounds that go abeam the listening position. For the rear surrounds, isn't it preferable to use a conventional speaker? Like RB-35's for instance? Or would I go for TWO pair of RS-35's? I have a 7-channel Denon so I would like to go for a pair of rear speakers, but I don't want to get a total of three center channels, preferring instead to use either conventional speaks or surrounds for the rear. Any input would be appreciated.

Perhaps so. Just can't afford it. I've heard mixed reviews of the new Reference Series.... Esp. the center channel. I have yet to see the new Ref series at my local dealer, which has been going through some "are we in business or aren't we" troubles, so I can't go hear for myself. Mebbe a pair o' RF5's and an RC7 center off the internet? Hmmmm...

Outclass the other speakers, sure, I can see that. But "overpower"? Are your levels set correctly? IMHO the SC-1 is simply too small when compared with the other speakers I already have. The cabinet is perhaps 1/3 the size of the SF-2's, and as we all know, the center channel is the most important in an HT system. The RC-3II, if I can still find one, is what I would be most likely to get... But I don't really understand the "overpowering" comment. The RC-7 may have a more authoritative sound and may (and in fact probably does) have better sound, so it may stick (sonically) out by comparison, but I don't feel that it would overpower the mains. Ahhhh, heck, what I really want is the "old" Reference series all 'round, but I won't be able to find the kinds of buys that I've been reading about on here. Heck, sounds like now you can get the discontinued Reference Series, 5 channels worth, for under a grand. If only I'd waited two or three years from when I started assembling my current setup.

I'm pondering the purchase of a new center channel speaker, and wanted to run the following by y'all. The idea is to relegate my present front center to the back and finally run this system as a true 7.1, but in the process get a completely different center channel. I was thinking of the RC-7... Or an RC-3II. Either of which of course is totally different from the Synergy series. I started by looking at the SC-3, but that thing is perilously close in price to the more upmarket Reference series, so why no step up to Reference? Might end up doing this with the WHOLE system at some point, and this would be a good place to start. I just don't know how much this will change the tonal balance of the system. Any thoughts?

Bose home audio is rightly criticized on this forum... But the Bose CAR systems? I'm on my second car now with a factory Bose system, and they were both excellent... This one even more than the first. Tight, clean, and impressive, though not nearly as fun as sitting home listening to the same music on my Klipsch system.

Having compared the SB-1's and SB-2's almost back-to-back, I can wholeheartedly recommend the SB-2's. Heck, you can probably get 'em for around $250 these days, well within the reach of almost any audio fan. They've been relegated to rear-surround duty in my setup, but they sound fabulous on their own... Especially in a small listening space.

I just picked up a 51" Sony HDTV rear-projection set (KP-51WS500) on clearance from Best Buy for under $1600. Good set, and a darn sight better than my ten year-old 27" RCA, I'll tell ya! Good set, good deal, good luck getting one before they're gone.

Well I take it back, it DOES do it when listening to the CD player after all. *sigh* Dunno, perhaps I just never noticed it before.

I know this isn't a Denon help site, but since so many of you have Denons, thought I'd ask here. Okay... So I chuck in the DVD of "Reign of Fire" so I can enjoy a mindless action flick on my first afternoon off in a week, and I noticed something that I hadn't before. As I turned up the volume after hitting "play" on the DVD player, I heard a faint popping sound as the volume spooled up... one pop for each step in volume. After fiddling with it for a while, I've determined that: -It mostly happens in the stereo speakers (front main), but it's also faintly audible on the other speakers (I have a six-channel setup). -It happens (to MY ears, at least) at volume settings of "-25" and above, and is more noticeable as the volume goes up... And at settings above "OO" it is very noticeable indeed. It is most noticeable during quiet passages with a lot of low-freq material (such as during the credits of "Reign of Fire", which is how this whole thing started), and is not noticeable as the volume of the source material is louder. It also doesn't happen at all when there is no signal being amplified, like while the movie is paused. -It happens whether listening to DTS or DD, and in stereo mode as well. -It does NOT happen when listening to other program sources, such as the VCR or the CD player. -After experimentation, it even appears that it doesn't happen on all movies!! Casino? No. Princess Bride? No. Reign of Fire and the also-rented Minority Report? Yes. -There is even a popping sound when hitting pause, stop, chapter skip, or eject while the movie is playing. Strangely, not EVERY step of volume change is always registered audibly, and it doesn't seem "centered", in that the popping sound can shift left-to-right or anywhere across the sound stage from side to side. Is it possible it's always done this and I just didn't notice it? Seems unlikely as I would've noticed it by NOW, six months after buying it. Does anyone have a similar experience or a possible explanation? BTW I am using the optical input, if this could possibly be the source of the problem... And it doesn't matter if I use the remote or the knob on the unit itself to change the volume.

I figured as much. Guess I will have to save my pennies... Dunno if I will actually make this jump, but hey, anything's possible. Feel like that $700 or so would be better spent added to the down payment on a new car.