ZDoug

I will post this question on several different forums to see if anyone knows the answer(s). I have an SVS Ultra sub. It is rated form 15-100Hz +/-3dB. The driver is about as close as you can get to being bullet proof.The spl at 20 Hz is about 112. The sub has no filter. No one seems to know much about the s/w settings on Ultra2 receivers. This is not an Ultra 2 sub but obviously meets the performance demands. Do I switch the s/w ultra sub to yes or no? If I set it to No does that prevent the full range lfe signal from being sent to the sub? If I set it to No does that activate the bass peak level limiter which I do not want? Finally, If I select boundary gain compensation "Yes" does that merely "attenuate" the frequency below 30Hz as Svs thinks (but is not sure) or does it roll off the frequency below 55 hz which is what I read elsewhere? Thank you for your time. If you don't have time to answer the question does someone have a link that may help me

Ear: Thanks for your response. If you do that test with the Pioneer 49 or 47 let us know the results. The receiver should be asked to drive 7 four ohm speakers in a LOTR type movie at -5 to -10 dB. I know Thx Ultra 2 certified receivers should be able to perform that task but I have heard of several reports where the 47/49 clipped or shut down under those conditions. Also as I noted Pioneer only recommends using 6-16 Ohm speakers. Mr Mc goo was the first to alert me to this situation and when I read the manual there it was!! I hope Klipsch sticks with 95+ sensitivity in this new line.Maybe something about Thx certification prevents it?

I noticed that the new Klipsch THX speakers are advertised in the Jan03 Sound and Vision.I can't find any reference to them on this website. Are they available for sale now? Does anyone know if the sensitivity will be as high as other Klipsch speakers.Aren't Klipsch speakers usually rated in the high 90's.Also will this be an 8 Ohm speaker? I ask because a lot of Thx certified speakers are 4 or 6 Ohms and have a sensitivity of around 90...... These are not typical Klipsch specs. I have a Pioneer 47tx and know that many have had problems trying to drive 7 four Ohm speakers at-10dB.The receiver, as great as it is, clips or shuts down.The Pioneer manual recommends powering only 6-16 Ohm speakers. I am hoping the new Ultra 2's are 8 Ohm and rated in the high 90's and thus easy to drive....a hallmark of Klipsch. Also the photo in the mag makes the front 3 speakers look like each one has 3 vertically aligned dome tweeters in the rear of the large single 6x10" horn.This would be consistent with the THX theory of vertical dispersion of highs and the horn would seem to disperse the highs wider(horizontally). Klipsch has gone away from the WDST design for the surrounds.The ad doesn't say whether they are dipole or bipole. I assume dipole since that is what Thx requires. Has anyone heard any Buzz about how this system sounds? I am looking at it for HT only. And yes I have bought,hook line and sinker, into the THX philosophy for HT ONLY. It took a lot of reading to convince me. The problem is I want dynamic speakers that can easily be driven by my 47tx.Most Thx speakers do not meet this requirement.I am hoping Klipsch has stuck with their philosophy of making dynamic sounding easy to drive speakers.I would not purchase the Sub. I have an Svs Ultra sub and don't believe Klipsch can beat them in that department.Any comments? Any idea of the cost of 3 front and four surounds. The price with 2 subs and an external amp is 8K. Thank you Doug

I know some of you have the Pioneer 47 or 49tx.Mr.Mcgoo(Bill)or someone else who is familiar with these receivers should be able to answer my question,I hope. I am sticking with my Klipsch for music but after extensive listening I am going with POWERED speakers for my front 3.They can't be beaten for dynamic punch and accuracy demanded by action DVD's of the last 7 years(But that's another topic).The people @ Pioneer have been less than helpful with my questions. I think it's because of a lack of technical knowledge. I can't find a picture of the back panel of the 47tx but I have been told that it has unbalanced RCA outputs that could be used to connect to the single RCA input on the 3 front powered speakers. SO.....the 3 powered fronts could be plugged into center and rt/lft outputs in the 7.1 array to get the correct preamp/processor info to the correct speakers? Is that true? I know most people aren't familar with this hookup method but there are some very technically savy people on this forum so that's why I am asking here. My other question is powering the 4 side/rear 4 Ohm speakers with speaker wire going to the proper outputs on the Pioneer. I know Pioneer does not recommend this with all 7 speakers being 4 Ohm,But I'm thinking that the 47tx should be able to drive four 4 OHm rears set to SMALL even at reference levels since No power will be required for the fronts. Does anyone agree or disagree? The reason I would go with 47tx is that I can get it on the internet for about $1750. That allows me to save alot of money Vs buying separates or the B&k507.If the 47 has 7.1 outputs and if it can drive four 4 Ohm surround speakers then why should I overspend. O.K it's like buying a diet coke with a cheese burger and fries but I can't see why it wouldn't work with no noticeable difference in sound quality.. I hope someone can help with this question. I realize after typing this question it probably should have been posted in the tech. forum but you guys are just as smart. Doug

Mr Ear: I trust your opinion.....3,400+ posts Wow....Are you saying that the Sunfire signature Sub is better for Home theater than the M&K 350. I notice they are both about the same price but the Sunfire is considerably smaller,which I like if I'm not giving up performance. I have heard great things about the SVS subs but hey are so big I would again go with the sunfire if I'm not giving up performance. Given their size I could shoot for two..... in time. So One Sunfire is better than 1 M&K 350 and 1 or certainly 2 Sunfire signatures are better than the SVS's. Thanks. Anyone besides Ear agree?

What do you all consider the best Sub for Ht only purposes? The price limit would be 2k. I am trying to decide between the M&K 350 Thx and dual cs-ultra package from SVS. The 2 cs ultra's are about $2100 and the single M&K 350 is about $1800. I like the idea of 2 subs but I know that M&K has been tested over time and is considered one of the best for HT. The 350 has 2 12" woofers, push/pull design. The cs ultra's appear to be one 12" per woofer.The other possibility is 2 M&K 150's with the same size cabinets the same 2-12" push/pull woofer design but only 150 watts. I guess my real question is am I going to get slam with the 2 subs I mentioned above or the one M&K (for HT)?

I live in Sacramento.The only stores of any value in high end are The Good Guys; Paradym; Fx and Magnolias. I am guessing from the lack of response about Magnolias that most of you live somewhere other than in the Western states? There must be some of you who have had experiences with Magnolias. I know they sell Klipsch. Thanks

Justin: Are you talking about the Home theater store in Sacramento? Doug

I am about to make some major purchases on HT gear. I think I will go through a dealer rather than the internet because I can't find what I need on the internet and I'm told IF.......you can find a good dealer and are putting together a system it is best to buy from one dealer. I assume an entire system from one store could be purchased for significantly less than buying a few pieces here and there? Do you agree? Also will most dealers discount if you buy pre/pro/amp/speakers etc all from them. Is there a percentage discount I should shoot for? Say 10-20% off the total retail price? Finally,it was a little disturbing to read the thread about the poor service at Tweeters. Luckily, from what I read here, I don't have one near me. I do have a Magnolias near me. I was considering buying from them. I think they are only in the West.Does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with them? Also are they likely to give reasonable discounts on an entire system. By the way I'm putting together a new Ht/Tv system separate from my Klipsch music system. Thanks

KAiN64: Thanks for your reply.I am talking about the Ultra 2 Cinema mode which according to what I have heard, and listened to with my own hears, effectively converts 5.1 Dvd's into convincing 7.1 sound. Of course you need 2 side and 2 rear speakers. If you are really into watching DVD's I think this is a extremely important feature.I don't believe Rotel has this new processing ability but I hope I am wrong.

I am trying to decide which pre/pro to buy. This is for 100% HT/TV. I am leaning toward the B&K because it is new and has Ultra 2 post processing(turning 5.1 software into 7.1 sound) and balanced inputs. Both are important to me.The problem is I have read some comments about B&K's poor customer service and poor response to upgrading their products. I have read good things about B&K on this forum. (Maybe they were all from the same guy).The 50 is out and I have heard no comments. Does any one else have experience (good or bad) with B&K? I have sent them 2 e-mails and have received 0 responses. Hard to imagine when a 2 sentence answer would have caused me to buy the the 50. My other possible choice is the Anthem AV20. I have heard good things about their service and upgradability. The problem is that unit is well over a year old. I know the DSP board must be replaced by the dealer for it to be Ultra 2 and PL2 capable.Does anyone know if they have or will release a new unit that already has all the new processing? Finally,I like the Rotel, especially the price, but for HT it seems to be lacking important (to me)post processing capabilities. Any suggestions?

The members of this forum seem to be knowledgable about new formats so I have a question for you. Has anyone listened to a well recorded 5.1 DVD in the THX Ultra 2 Cinema mode with the WDST speakers? I'm wondering whether this new post processing mode is actually able to effectively matrix the 5.1 signals into realistic 7.1 sound.I know Lexicon with Logic 7 does this and owners rave. So any first hand experience or rumors about how effective this new proceesing is with turning 5.1 into 7.1 sound. Thank you

I know there is a great deal of controversy about whether side and/or back surround speakers sound be monopole or dipole or even tripole. However, I just read that Thx is now recommending Monopoles for the 2 rear speakers for THX ULTRA 2 listening. Can anyone confirm this? They still recommend 4 dipoles for Dolby EX and dipole sides for Dolby 5.1. This does not make sense does it. If so then you would need a speaker you could switch between Dipole/tripole or monopole depending on whether you were listening in the EX or Ultra 2 mode.

I know the disadvantage of 4 Ohm speakers. They put more strain on amplifiers by drawing more watts.However,there must be advantages to a 4 OHM design vs an 8 OHM one.Does anyone know what they are?I know some expensive speakers have the 4 OHM design so it must not be an expense issue? Also just how good an amplifier do you need to drive 6 or 7, 4 ohm speakers in a HT set up. Will the B&K 507 have a good enough amplifier section to drive all speakers with out problems?

Bill: When you say If I go with The Ultra 2's I should go with the full set do you mean with the WDST's sourrounds on stands? Or do you mean go with the same front 3 speakers all the way around with 2 sides and 0ne back.(all monopole).In the release Klipsch says the package is available with all speakers the same. ie, 5,6 or 7 speakers all like the front 3. I still don't know what I would be missing in rear and back sound if I used the front Ultra 2's as 2 sides and one back vs the new WDST's as 2 sides and 2 backs on stands.

By the way there is a full desciption of the new THX Ultra 2 Klipschs at www.hometoys.com/releases/cedia2002/klipsch_01.htm. There is also a picture some where on the net. I can't remember where.

Mr M: Thanks for the reply but I won't be using my R7's at all. They will used in another room just for music. So I am building a new HT system. I will be buying the entire THX ultra 2 system. My question was really aimed at what I would lose (besides looks) by mounting the 2 WDST sides and the 2 backs on tall stands as opposed to wall mounting them. Or should I just use the new Ultra 2 front lf/cent/rt speakers in the back on stands.In that case I would probably use 2 on the sides and one in the back. All 6 speakers would then be identical and monopoles.What would I lose in that setup vs the stand mounted WDST's.That's why I mentioned you and Horn Ed since you both seem to have different ideas about what type of surrounds are best.The twist I added was stand mounted WDST's vs Monpoles that match the fronts. Thanks again. This is a hard decision. I don't trust designers (in general) because I think they push Their favorite speakers.

it's great to read the strong opinions re surround speakers. I enjoyed reading the comments of Horn Ed and Mr Mcgoo. I have a question and hope you both can comment (as well as others).Iam waiting for the Thx Ultra 2 Klipschs to come out in the Spring. They are pictured on page 29 of the Nov02 Widescreen review Mag. My dilemma,of course is with my room and the surrounds.My room is only 16x16x8 with an open kitchen which results in no wall to my left.In back of the couch is a sliding glass window w/cloth levelors. So......I can't wall mount tomy left or in back. The room is used for HT only.I want to set up a 6.1 or better a 7.1 system. I do have about 5' between the back of my couch and the sliding door.I know the wdst's are designed to be wall mounted. What would I lose in sound stage,effects,imaging etc.if I used the same LCR forthe 3 or 4 speakers in the side and back. The same question if I used 4 of Klipsch's new surrounds on tall stands. The new surrounds are still wdst types but they each have a pair of 5.25" woofers and 5" tweeters.Each woofer and tweeter set is on an angled baffle facing opposite the other ,with the tweeters on a diagonal to one another. Well it's easier to just see picture. Anyway the point is what be the effect of putting these speakers on stands as opposed to walls. I know that this is a technical question but it sounds like Horn Ed and Mr McGoo have enough knowledge to answer the question. Again films only,with an ultra 2 receiver. Sorry for the long question but the A/V sales people I talk to don't know what they are talking about. I trust you guys more. Thanks.

I have a friend who is really into HT.He won't wait to buy the Klipsch Ultra2 speakers due out in late Spring.He wants to buy the M&K S-150 THX Ultra speakers since they are similar to the ones used to mix Star Wars films??? He owns a B&k 307. The problem is I'm not sure about the match between those two pieces of gear. I know the M&K's are rated at 4 ohms.I can't find out their db sensitivity. I assume it's in the mid 80's but am not sure.Does anyone know? Klipsch would sure be easier to drive.what do you all think about the match between B&K and M&K?

After Looking into the question of what receiver or separates to buy for use in my 100% HT I am close to deciding on the new B&k 507 (if it is ever available). My thinking is that the processors must be very similar in quality to the Japanese flagship receivers. I know B&K uses Motorola.I don't know what Denon/Pioneer uses but unless someone tells me otherwise I am assuming the Motorola is as good or better. As far as the post Processing all models I considered are THX ultra 2 so I assume that's a push.I lean toward B&K because of the Amplifier.I have heard that they are more open and less harsh than Japanese amps.Do most agree? I also read a comment from one of you that the B&k has 3 pairs of Mosfet amps while the Pioneer 49tx has only one set(2 vs 6). Can anyone verify that? I can't find the info on Pioneer or B&K web site.Finally I have heard that the power supply(transformer?) is better in the B&K vs Japanese amps. I'm not sure what that means but can someone tell me how I would verify.The only bad thing I heard about B&k is they run very hot.I hope the 507 has dealt with that problem or is that unique to B&k amps? Thanks. This is a major purchase for me and I don't want to make a big mistake.

JM: I thought Boa was saying that a Dolby EX or Dts-es decoder would be better than Logic 7 at decoding those formats. That makes sense.It sounds like you are saying the Lexicon logic7 , which I note is part of your system,is as good or better than the ex and es decoders even with ex and es encoded material.Neither the MC-1 or DC-2 have ex or es decoding as far as I can tell.Do you feel Logic 7 sounds better even with ex and es encoded material? Thanks

Mr Mc: So you would go with the new THX Ultra 2 recievers if you were going to being using it almost exclusively to decode 5.1 and Dolby surround? Again this dealer is telling me that 5.1 and Dolby surround will sound like 7.1 through my 4 rear speakers when I use Lexicon logic 7 and a 5 channel amp. It sounds like you disagree.

Has anyone listened to multichannel material which is processed through the Lexicon logic 7 processor and then listened to the same material using the new THX Ultra 2 (7.1 processing).Both are supposed to take multichannel material and make it sound like they are recorded for 7 channels so alledgedly eventhough you are watching a 5.1 movie it sounds like one recorded in Dolby Ex. Does this really work? Is one system noticeably better than the other? I would use the processor only for HT. The reason I ask is that a local dealer is trying to sell me the Lexicon MC-1 with a Rotel 5 channel amp. He says it will sound better than Pioneer 49txi or equivalent receiver w/ultra 2. Does anyone agree or should I buy the Pioneer or the B&K 507. I will be using 2 sides and 2 rear speakers.Thanks

I keep hearing that B&K is offering a replacement for the 307. Has anyone heard of it. Where can I find info on it.Does any one know if B&K is getting into THX Ultra 2 certification with this new model? Thanks

Sorry accidently posted twice.