MrMcGoo

Dialog normalization is a standard feature of Dolby Digital encoding. All receivers work the same on this point. It's just that Pioneer chooses to display the information. Each DVD will have its own level of boost on the center channel that is encoded on the disk as dialog normalization. Bill

A two channel amp will work, provided the gain structure is similar to the receiver. A three channel amp is a bit better, since the front three get the same exact treatment. It does make a difference. Bill

The Velodyne SMS-1 does require hand tweaking, but a PC is not required. Flat room response is flat regardless of the name of the manufacturer. You can see the results of the Velodyne on your HT display device in real time and watch the results as you tweak. I have flat response on two RSW subs with a Velodyne. As far as port noise goes, when it is "audible" on the THX subs, the SPL is so high that it is generally hidden. It is a trade-off, port noise vs. tuning point issues from the passive radiators. It's like I originally stated, the RT-12d requires a corner for best results while the THX subs are more flexible for placement. Bill

The RF-7s might get by on the Onkyo, provided they are set to small with a crossover at 100 Hz and the master volume control is never set too high. Bass frequencies use the most power. Hence, maximum use of the subwoofer reduces the load on the amp. I finally have taken BobG's recommedation to set my crossover at 50 Hz, but I have the RF-7s on a huge amp that cannot be clipped without destroying my eardrums first. When you get a better amp, you can try 80 Hz instead of 100 Hz. Bill

Klipsch rates the RF-7 as 8 ohm compatible due to high sensitivity. Many 4 ohm speakers do not dip below 3 ohms while the RF-7 dips to 2.8 ohms. The RF-7 also has a difficult phase angle to drive. It is the most difficult to drive speaker that I have purchased from Klipsch, but it is justified by the sound quality. Bill

The Klipsch THX subs are killers. Just add a Velodyne SMS-1 for EQ and you will surpass the RT-12d. The advantage of the RT-12d is that it hides well in a corner and does not use much space. Pick your poison based upon YOUR room, WAF, and personal taste. Bill

Welcome to the forum!!! Klipsch lists the RF-83 as 100 db @ 2.83v @ 1 meter. All current speakers on the Klipsch.com site have "cut sheets" that list specs. Be advised that the impedance curves on Reference speakers are not a easy to drive as Heritage speakers. This is due to the use of triple or dual woofers in parallel on the new series. Bill

Catharsis, You might be surprised at the difference in sound, if you used a better processor and amplifier on your RF-7s. High end receivers typically are not designed drive 4 ohm speakers with impedance dips below 3.2 ohms. Low end receivers may overheat, shut down, clip or produce poor sound on 4 ohm speakers. The manufacturers of low end receivers recommend against their use on 4 ohm speakers. Just because a receiver does not shut down does not mean all is well, especially in terms of sound quality. Use of a $300 receiver to run RF-7s is like running a lawn tractor engine in a spots car. There is sufficient power to move the vehicle, but results are suboptimal. Your experience seems to be contrary to the general experience on this board. Your comment on tube amps leaves out the fact that tube amps generally have 4 ohm taps while receivers have no such capability and that most RF-7 owners with tube amps use more than 5 or 10 watts. Bill PS: Klipsch tech support has recommended for solid state amps 200 wpc separate amps to get the best sound out of RF-7s. B

Congrats to both Klipsch and the soon to be owner. This is an example of customer service at its best. PWK would be very happy with the dedication to quality sound and customer service. Bill

Receiver specifications for power are nearly meaningless. They are measured with one channel driven. H/K is an exception to the general rule. H/K will actually deliver the rated power and will drive most 4 ohm speakers. Bill

Thats kinda why I asked the question....I havent heard any RF-7s yet so I cant really compare the two. The only other Klipsch speaker ive listened to are my dads KLF-10's. As for driving....for budget reasons right now the plan is either a Pioneer VSX-517-K or Yamaha RX-V361BL. The RF-7s require better amplification than the Pioneer VSX-517K. It is a bottom of the barrel receiver that cannot drive such a difficult load. The RF-7s dip down to 2.8 ohms impedance. Your receiver will either shut down or fry the tweeters from clipping. Separate amps with 200 wpc are needed to get the full benefit of RF-7s. Try the used market, but be caereful. Bill

The answer is it depends. The RC-64 is probably the better choice between the two for most people. Why? Because most display devices (TVs) will NOT support a big center channel. Most center channels will need to go UNDER the TV, because most TVs will be some form of flat panel etc. If you do not have to put a center speaker under the TV now or in the future, then go for the RC-7 with Dean's upgrade. It is better to have a center above the TV rather than below it according to published research. It sounds more natural. With the RC-7, the key frequencies produced by the woofers will only come from one driver. Hence, little or no comb filtering. Bill

Well, the motor board came loose from the cabinet. Klipsch had a lot of trouble with this type of problem with the KLF series, but it was fixed with the RF series that followed. Call Klipsch service and ask for advice. They have helped other owners with similar problems. Bill

I'm getting ready to have my counter tops in my kitchen replaced. All the ceramic tile in the backsplash needs to be removed. I'm doing it myself so that I get a smooth, clean wall for the new quartz backsplash. If anyone is having less fun, I'd be surprised. Bill

I run a hard drive on a DVR 6 inches from my RF-7s. It would be a good idea to look inside the cabinets to make certain shipping damage has not dislodged any shielding before you try running your computer next to the 7s. Also, a backup before you start is a good idea. The magnets on the 7s are big; it's better to be safe than sorry. Bill

The RF-7s have an impedance dip to 2.8 ohms which indicates they are a 4 ohm speaker. The 99 db sensitivity is correct for 1 watt and it is very sensitive. Best results are achieved with a high current amp on the RF-7s. Bill

The Sunfire amps are great but the processors have been known to have too high of a noise floor. The Sunfire amps are not overkill for RF-7s. I have two Sunfire signature amps running my system. The impedance dip on the RF-7s isn't ever a problem with the Sunfires. The 5 channel amps are not as desirable as the 7 channel models, so the price should be lower. Bill

Well put! Not only is Klipsch cleaner, it has more punch and is more musical versus the SVS. The SVS has lower output at the expense of total output. The funny thing is that the lower output is in the inaudible range below 30 Hz. Persoanlly, I like the output in the range that I can hear. For lower output, get a Buttkicker. Bill

Doby Digital Surround EX is a matrixed 6.1 format. The sixth channel is matrixed from the other two surround channels. The matrixed channel drives both surround back speakers with different types of processing depending on how far apart the two back speakers are apart as set in the receiver's setup. If you want to set the surround back speakers' level independently, the ONLY way to do so is to use the internal test tones from the receiver. Bill

Some RF-7s were mismarked 150 watts instead of 250 watts. The 250 number applies to all RF-7 voice coils even though it would make you deaf. There was a great deal of discussion on the forum at the time when this was first noticed. Bill

I suspect that Wal-mart wants HD DVD to win because cheap Chinese players will flood the market and hence HD DVD will predominate. Why carry two different formats? DVDs are big business at Wally-world. Hence what is best for Wally will have to do for the public. I hate going into their stores. I also dislike their business practices. Keep your own council. I believe that no clear winner will be apparent in the near term. If either format dies, it will take a long time. Bill

In the past, the Denons always used one pair of MOS-FETs per channel. Space in all receivers is at a premium. The lack of transistor output devices tends to limit current flow in the frequencies where there is an impedance dip. Hence, it affects frequency response etc. I have a Pioneer flagship that I use as a processor. It does ok with the RF-7s, but outboard amplification does better. The processor section is excellent athough it is a bit dated at the moment. Bill

The RF-7s and the RF-83 both have an impedance dip to 2.8 ohms. Most receivers do not handle the low impedance well unless the receiver is set to small with an 80 Hz crossover for the RF-7s. The B&K AVR-307 is an exception. It uses 3 pairs of MOS-FETs per channel while most receivers use a single pair. I currently run my RF-7s as small with a crossover at 50 Hz. This takes a great deal of current to sound good, but you do get stereo bass. A receiver's inability to follow an impedance curve results in poor frequency response and harsh sound. Bill

I appluad the decision of Klipsch to favor quality output over extension. Most folks do not hear much below 30 Hz unless the SPL is extremely high. The Klipsch subs perform well in the audible zone with both music and movies. Many of the subs that go below 20 Hz do not do very well with music. I have 2 Klipsch RSW subs that are solid down to 20 Hz. There is plenty of shake between the two subs and the RF-7s. My system is excellent with both movies and music. Commercial theater subwoofers tend not to do much below 30 Hz. The sound design engineers know this. A pair of Klpsch THX subs will keep up with the vast majority of systems down to 19 Hz. The THX sus will fill big rooms and two subs even out the peaks and nulls to some extent. You can add a Velodyns SMS-1 for equalization. Bill

Neither side is likely to win outright any time soon. Hence, the best strategy is to get a universal player. At present, LG makes a universal player for $1,200. It is not very good with HD DVD as it lacks any HDi support for special features like picture in picture commentary. My best advice is to wait for universal player prices to go down and features to get better. Bill