Jump to content

Upgrade Options for KG x.2 system


frenchie16

Recommended Posts

I currently have a 5-channel surround system:

 

KG5.2 R/L

KG2.2v C

KG2.2 SR/SL

 

I'm curious what people recommend as a next step. I'd like to replace the KG2.2 surrounds with something more wall-mountable and smaller. Did Klipsch make a surround speaker in the KG x.2 line (or designed to pair with it)? Would a more modern Klipsch (or even another brand) surround serve me better?

 

I'm also considering upgrading the center to an Academy at some point. Opinions on how the Academy compares to the KG2.2v would be very welcome.

 

I don't really feel the need for a sub. The 5.2s output plenty of low end for the small apartment I live in. Is one really necessary, in a smaller room and with a decent stereo pair capable of low end?

 

KG x.2

Edited by frenchie16
Link to comment
Share on other sites

True enough. But I'm really not thrilled with the KG2.2 surrounds, really more from a practicality point of view. They sound great, but as they're ported, they need a bit of room behind them, so they're sitting on stands in the middle of the room, taking up space. I'd really like to avoid that.

 

I'm also not so thrilled with the sound of the center. IMO the center needs to be the best speaker in the system, as it's where the vast majority of dialog comes from. The KG2.2v sounds a bit muddy to me.

 

What speakers is the Academy even designed to pair with? It's at least from the same era as the 5.2s, so I figured it would probably match reasonably well, and sound less muddy than the 2.2v?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you answered your own question. You NEED a sub. Keep the mains large but everything else small. Crossover at 80 and your system will sound amazing. Providing you get a good sub. The KG5.2 is a fantastic speaker but mine roll off below 30hz. Still like running them large however because the sound is crisp. Your amp will also be able to send better power to all the speakers because the sub is handling the high power low stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a similar setup with 2 KG 5.5's in the front and I run KSB 1.1's as my surrounds and love them. They have the tractrix horns like your KG 5.2 and are crystal clear. The speakers are front ported as well and have key holes for wall mounting:

 

http://www.klipsch.com/ksb-1-1-bookshelf-speaker/details

 

As for a center, if you have a smaller room try turning the center channel to "off" on your receiver and if you have your L/R's set up properly with the right toe in it will put the voices on the screen. I was actually pretty amazed when I did this after getting rid of my off-brand center.

 

As for actual speaker upgrades, the Bob Crites titanium tweeters are awesome for the KG 5.2 speakers and its pretty cheap too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you answered your own question. You NEED a sub. Keep the mains large but everything else small. Crossover at 80 and your system will sound amazing. Providing you get a good sub. The KG5.2 is a fantastic speaker but mine roll off below 30hz. Still like running them large however because the sound is crisp. Your amp will also be able to send better power to all the speakers because the sub is handling the high power low stuff.

not sure I agree so much with this. Changing mains to small and letting sub handle what it is designed to do is what gives your amp a break and do its jub of providing headroom to other speakers.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are intuitive you can build a center from a single KG 5.5 or something. I have three matching speakers for my mains and center, each built from KG 4's. I removed the passive radiators since I have a nice sub controlling the LFE. I built them slender enough to take up very little footprint with the horn on top and the two woofers under it for my mains and a center comprised of a horn centering the two woofers in a horizontal build. You can sort of see them in my avitar. The KG 4's were fantastic for clarity so they made sense to integrate and handle the front soundstage. Not sure if the KG 5.5 would be too much built into a center but if you are interested in an Academy this may make perfect sense.

 

I have several pair of the KG 2.2 and they are in the garage right now as I do not particularly care for the arrangement and lack of depth. I agree with the KSB series. If you can find some they offer deep bass and good clarity. The KSP-S6 I think it is sounds great for surrounds and the KSB 3.1's make great side or height speakers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice system! I actually just pieced all 5 of the exact same speaker models together for a friend, turned out great for his new apartment. The Academy would be a step up from what you have for a center and should match everything just fine. As far as the rears go I don't think they need to be very far off the wall for the rear port to work, an inch or two at the most? Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you answered your own question. You NEED a sub. Keep the mains large but everything else small. Crossover at 80 and your system will sound amazing. Providing you get a good sub. The KG5.2 is a fantastic speaker but mine roll off below 30hz. Still like running them large however because the sound is crisp. Your amp will also be able to send better power to all the speakers because the sub is handling the high power low stuff.

not sure I agree so much with this. Changing mains to small and letting sub handle what it is designed to do is what gives your amp a break and do its jub of providing headroom to other speakers.
I understand this is the conventional wisdom, I only know what sounds best with my system. For music listening I use an expanded stereo, so the sub gets 80 and below for all speakers except the mains.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love the KG x.x speakers. The center channel is the weak link in your system. I personally don't think the center needs to be the best speaker even though it gets most of the sound. It should be as good at voices as the other speakers, since 99% of the voices come from it.

 

Somebody mentioned building a custom center based on the KG-5.2 mains. That is actually a great idea. What you need to make sure of is that the internal volume of the new enclosure is the exact same as a KG-5.2. You can flank the horn with the woofer and the passive radiator. The question is, do you have room for a 13" tall center? The KG-4.2, on the other hand, could be made 11" tall. It uses the same tweeter and horn as the 5.2, so you would get the same voice or timbre.

 

edit: I drew a center based on a KG-4.2:

 

1a2hiqa.jpg

Edited by mustang guy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...