GooseChaser Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 I've bought the klipsch promedia 5.1 about 8 months ago and it was a real jump from what my idea of sound reproduction was. recently, I've been focused on getting the best stereo out of these multimedia speakers but they simply can not keep up musically and I feel it is about time to move on to bigger and better things. so, I ventured into my local soundadvice(south florida's tweeters) to find some klipsch bookshelf speakers. with some of my own CD's, I audited the RB-5 II's and they produced some powerful sound effortlessly. now, they are selling for $422 a pair of RB-5 II and as tight as my budget is, that doesn't seem like a bad deal for the speakers I wish to buy. the salesman even offered to have the speakers on hold until the price drops again. what do you guys think? I'd love to drop a nice receiver on these speakers should I buy them, but it's not financially feasible at the moment, so I was thinking maybe a sony STRDE185 stereo receiver($149, 100W @ 8 Ohms) or a onkyo TX8211 stereo receiver($199 50W @ 8 Ohms) or even the higher model, onkyo TX8511 stereo receiver($299 100W @ 8 Ohms and it says 20Hz-30kHz?) my room is small and it's an apartment but I won't be underpowering the RB-5 II with 50Watts, right? I just don't know what to think as far as the receiver goes. any input's greatly appreciated, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 That is an outrageous deal -- are you sure he didn't mean $422 EACH -- because they list for $850 a pair. BTW -- the RB5 is the sleeper in the Reference lineup. A killer little box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GooseChaser Posted June 14, 2003 Author Share Posted June 14, 2003 the guy told me $211 and I read the computer screen as well. I think I'll drop the 20% tomorrow and have them hold the speakers for me until the price drop again. I found another reciever; a harman kardon HK3375 stereo($299, 75W @ 8 Ohms, and most importantly a subwoofer preout which none of the other receivers have) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 Oh my -- if you can afford it -- get two pair! A wonderful speaker -- you will enjoy them immensely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whell Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 Whose the retailer? If you're not getting the last pair in the house, I'd like to ****** another pair at that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 Wonder if that's the going rate at all Sound Advice retailers? There are several stores in both Tampa and Orlando...maybe I should venture out that way and check 'em out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leok Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 I power my RB-5s with either of two home built amps: the P6D or the pp .. both listed below. Both of those amps produce about 8 Watts max. The pp may be able to do a few Watts more. Anyway, I find that to be plenty of power. If you want to get the most out of those RB-5s, look into a very good (not necessarily expensive) ss amp. Poeple on this site know of a few. Or look into tube amplification. 75 to 100 watts of run-of-the-mill ss power on the RB-5s won't come close to letting you hear what those speakers can really do. Get an amp that excells in low distortion AT LOW POWER. leok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whell Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 mdeneen: The difference between the RB-5 and the RB-5II is the internal cabling. The II is cabled with Monster cable (Z cable I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 It is easy to agree with LEOK. I like tubes but in a pinch get a basic integrated amp. An older (in order of preference) Naim Creek Arcam Denon Yamaha Less is more More watts you have on the high end generally means an amp will have the most distortion at 0-10 watts. If you can find a power(watts @ 20 hz to 20,000hz is preferrred test method) vs distortion % graph for an average amp they make the scale funny so it minimizes how the graphic represents the distortion at low power. I have seen some that have almost 8% distortion under one watt. And the % distortion will get lower until power reaches 15 or 20 watts(screaming loud for the most efficient Klipsch speakers). I do not like listening at 20 watts; it hurts allot in a small room. AND....RB-5 is the most underrated Klipsch speaker! I have had mine for almost 3 years; no complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 ---------------- On 6/14/2003 10:08:52 PM mdeneen wrote: I'm pretty interested in RB-5 speakers too. $422 seems a good price. Keep us posted. Last I checked I think they were a bit more money than that, right? mdeneen ---------------- Hi: My local dealer has a trade up (used) pair for $459.95 in black - rb IIs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GooseChaser Posted June 15, 2003 Author Share Posted June 15, 2003 thank you all for responding. about an hour ago, I went back to SoundAdvice and made a partial payment of $50 on the RB-5 II's in black ash. they'll have it in from the warehouse by wednesday and I will most likely pick them up in a month or so when the price goes down(hopefully in a substantial amount). for some reason, they are now $410, another $12 in my pocket this gives me plenty of time to look for the right amplifier, but I am still very much confused on what I should get. could you guys make specific recommendation on some integrated amplifiers. as I've said, my budget is $200-$300. maybe I am not doing just to the speakers but for now it will have to do, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J M O N Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 Have you considered the HK 430, 730 series of receiver. It'll likely be better than anything you can get new for $300 or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 I am realtively suspicious of some of these cheesey little graphs in sound and vision. It may be an embellishment, but if you get a large bump in the beginning of the graph for distortion at 1,000 hz test tone. It implies to me if program material goes in to the amp from 20 -20 khz it will perform even worse. Stereophile Oct 2002 pg 159 Air Tight ATM-211 tube monoblock does not prove the point. But it is a great example of the cheesye graph. This amp had problems of 3 % @ 5 watts and 5 % @ 10 watts(at 8 ohms). Advertised as a 22 watt SET amp into 8 ohms. Only magazine I had nearby tonight. I will have to look more for an example of the SS curve i get concerned about. This years listening comparisssons to the Dennon SS receivers and intergrateds i own; compared to the LK-48 and LEOKS Tripath PWM amp. The midfi SS has considerable poor sonics under 5 watts with the Chorus IIs compared ot the other alternatives. The inference to the graphs is how i try to understand the significant differences. PS You would think the 40 year old RCA connections would doom sound quality on the back of the Scott. I do not think I can hear connectors. The Scott's sure look ugly enough to sound real bad and affect current to some degree, if this amp feature had any bearing on sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GooseChaser Posted June 22, 2003 Author Share Posted June 22, 2003 I have decided on the Yamaha RX-596 stereo reciever for $449.99 at SoundAdvice. but I still have two-three weeks left until I pick up the speakers, so I'd to hear some of your opinions on this receiver. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelShaffer Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 Dunno where u were looking for the onko tx-8511 but i got mine from their website for only $225 shipped with extended warranty. It was refurbished tho.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelShaffer Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 i sorta wish the onkyo had a subwoofer output Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyKubicki Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 You would think the 40 year old RCA connections would doom sound quality on the back of the Scott. I do not think I can hear connectors. The Scott's sure look ugly enough to sound real bad and affect current to some degree, if this amp feature had any bearing on sound. Funny you should mention this...When I first hooked up the TT to my Marantz 2270, I got mostly hum. So I get out the De-Ox-Id and clean the connections and all was fine. This seems to imply that you will know if you are having a problem with an RCA jack...it will either work or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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