Synergy B-20's or RB-41 II's?

[mprice33]

Hi everybody,

I'm upgrading my rear surrounds. Which would you choose, Synergy B-20's or RB-41 II's?

Thanks,

Signed

Mprice33 (The Noob)

[Pintoracer]

I'd go with the RB-41 II's.

[willland]

Mprice33,

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

What are your fronts and center speakers?  That answer will determine which pair to recommend.

 

Bill

[mprice33]

Bill,

Thanks for the welcome. Here is my current setup.

 

My Current Setup
Front L/R: Klipsch KLF 20’s
Center: Klipsch KSF-C5
Surrounds: Vandersteen 1’s
Rear L/R: Boston Acoustics Micro 120X ç I know, I know, sorry. These are what I'm replacing.
Subwoofers : 1 Dayton Sub-120 HT + 1 Boston Acoustics PV700 12” sub
Receiver: Denon 3311CI

 

I was also a little vexed when I recently swapped the C5 with a KEF IQ60c. I bought the KEF at a garage sale for a steal and put it in place of the Klipsch.

I put the Klipsch back as my center channel after several AB tests against the KEF IQ60 center. The KEF is much better in the low to mid ranges. Using Rambo - The Fight Continues as a reference, you can feel the thump thump of the jeep mounted high caliber machine gun with the KEF, but it barely registers with the Klipsch C5. By contrast, the Klipsch outperforms in the high frequency ranges which was highlighted in House of Flying Daggers.

It starts in scene 3 when the heroine has to prove she's blind. Before the "Blind Woman Drum Circle Challenge", her "madame" takes a breath standing behind a curtain of beads. The breath she takes is so clear with the Klipsch C5, I can almost smell what she ate for breakfast. Same scene with the KEF and the breath the madame takes is barely there.

I believe the high frequency difference is due to the 6inch horn tweeter in the Klipsch. Which Klipsch center can deliver the great mid's along with the high's.

 

-mprice33
 

[Scrappydue]

I've owned just about every newer center channel with the exception of a rc-7. I don't reccomend swapping centers unless your changing front three completely.

But here would be my order on center performance.

P-27c

Kl-650

Rc-64

Rc-62

Which is really right on track with their price points. 62 is the best bang for your buck. Kl-650 is a fantastic center channel for dedicated home theaters. Palladium takes the cake. They make me happier and happier every time I listen to them.

Edited April 10, 2015 by Scrappydue

[The History Kid]

My vote on the original OP would be for the RB-41's with that setup, but you might see if you can find something better used. There were a pair of RB-3's around on the bay for $217 shipped, that'd spank the RB-41's.