vandec54 Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Please look at my profile below. I previously purchased what my bank roll allowed me to. Now after a few years of not buying anything I am ready to give the system a tweak or two. After reading reviews, I have formed the opinion that my Reference II system should be enough speaker for me. There are also many klipsch posters that are very happy with them. However, I am just not hearing results. When I listen to them I am just mildly impressed. Is this due to the lack of power my receiver is putting out or due to the crappy dvd player I have? What tweaks would you do to my system to make my (censored) tingle when I listen to it? Change my receiver, add an amp, upgrade speakers? I could spend as much as $1500 or maybe $2000 depending on what I get. Thank you very much for your thoughts. I don't care about my 25 inch tv, that doesn't need upgrading quite yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddvj Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 You could definitely stand to upgrade your receiver. Your sub is another weak link. If you bought a $1000 receiver and a $1000 sub, your system would be way better. If you were only going to upgrade one, I don't know what I'd reccomend, probably the receiver. And don't fool yourself, your 25" TV needs upgrading, too.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandec54 Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 would you upgrade the receiver or add an amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddvj Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Well, does the 520 even have pre-outs for all channels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 If you're going Reference, get a bigger center than the RC3II, most guys end of trading up after a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandec54 Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 It does not have outputs to all channels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 The Yammie 695 is a killer receiver, how much more $$ is it that the 520? Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddvj Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 It does not have outputs to all channels Then a seperate amp isn't the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Well I've never heard your reciever, but I looked it up and it doesn't look too awful... What kind of budget do you have? I would recommend spending at least $500 on a new sub (that KSW just isn't going to cut it) and then there are very nice used recievers for around $300 that I know will sound real nice. And what kind of source material are you using and how are those units connected to the reciever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandec54 Posted June 27, 2006 Author Share Posted June 27, 2006 I have all my components hooked up with monster cabling, does that answer your question?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I have never heard the reference series subs, what would be the difference I could expect over my ksw-12? Maybe I am naive, but I thought my sub was okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Is your dvd player connected with a single digital cable (coax or optical) or 6 analog cables or just a single stereo pair? What about your CD player? And describe what kind of listening you are doing that makes you feel like you have a lackluster system. Watching movies? listening to music? the radio? And what do you find lacking? The reason for these questions is trying to probe into possible setup / connection issues with your reciever. The speakers you have are great, and the sub and reciever are adequate (certainly not sucky by any means). But when not configured correctly it will quickly start sounding less than pleasant - which possibily sounds like at least part of the problem. Could you provide a sketch of your room layout? Like where all the windows and doors and furniture and speakers are located? Is everything in an optimum position, aimed the right way, and volume matched? Just trying to throw out some things to think about that may or may not be the issue. As far as your sub...I know many people that are more than satisfied with that particular unit - one of whom always thought I was crazy when I kept recommending that he upgrade. He recently got the Klipsch THX Ultra2 subwoofer system and he has now entered a whole new world of music and movie enjoyment. I'm not saying you have to go that extreme, but once you hear something better there is no going back. Though if even after hearing something better you are still satisfied with your KSW, then by all means keep it and spend your money elsewhere - like more movies and music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandec54 Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 Currently I am set-up in a 17x12 room, I believe all my speakers are posistioned correctly. I do most of my listening watching dvd's. All my connections are digital and should be adequate. I play around with the settings everytime I watch a movie, so while I may not have perfect setting I am adjusting weekly. Thanks again for your response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgarib Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Hey there, Just checked up the specs on your receiver. There's no reason that you shouldn't be getting a significant "wowing" experience. Might be unlikely, but even the best of us overlook the slightest, smallest things. A quick list off the top of my head tto check: - Phase correct on all speaker connections? - Sounds like an HT setup, so are the speaker distances / levels calibrated? - You CAN hear the test tones in all the speakers, right? - Center / mains are timbre matched? - Receiver calibration is geared towards your listening position? - All modes from your receiver sound bad? If there's even a single mode that sounds good and has the punch and results that you desire, all hope may not yet be lost. - This is a tougher one, but from what you can tell, is is possible that the room is just not meant for HT? Numerous reflective surfaces, too dead / too live, etc.? - Are the mains broken in yet? Since these are new, and since you're running mainly on HT (where the mains are on reduced duty), it may take longer to open them up, should they so require. The reason that I'm mentioning the above is because the worst possible thing that you can do is spend money on it and still be disappointed. I've been through it and I know the terrible terrible feeling you get. Let me know about the above, and perhaps we can move a little further. -Fauzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 ...since Fauzi and I have admitted (Home Theater...Where's the Beef?) to having this problem before...what are your crossovers set at??? Your speakers are "good enuough" that you should be enjoying your HT... Keep giving us information and we can continue to try and help...it WILL make a difference... Hope this helps and good luck... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandec54 Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 Yes, I have sound coming out of all speakers. It is not that they sound bad, it is that I am really not satisfied. The speakers are timbre matched. It is a work in progress calibrating them to my listening position. Every movie I watch, I try to make little adjustments. Like I said in my earlier post, I end up watching my movies in 5 channel mode because in the DTS or Digital mode I get very little from my rears and the rest don't really have the crystal clear and crisp sound (during musical dvd's) I am after. Is this because I do not have enough power to drive my rears? Could I really be wanting a bigger center? Thanks for all your time and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgarib Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Vande, Check out my post on this forum titled "I didn't know what I had!" Take my advice, run out get an SPL meter, and calibrate your speakers using that. It took me literally 5 minutes (well, 3 months and 5 minutes, if you count the time between when I started looking for an SPL and when I finally picked one up! ), and you're already on your way to getting HUGE improvements out of your setup. Keep in mind, if your speakers are all timbre matched, then you are already half way there... And most receivers out there today, no matter what price range, can give a VERY decent illusion of being immersed in the sound... so, to answer your question, no I don't think your rears are being under powered. Get an SPL meter... best 50 bucks you'll ever spend. And order Avia's Guide to Home Theather online from Amazon. I have not yet used the DVD though I have it... but the reviews you get from people about it, might be worth the investment. Good luck, Fauzi EDIT: You may want to look in a nicer center, if it comes down to it. I think you can pick up an old Ref series RC-3 for within 200 bucks if I'm not mistaken... though I can't comment on how good or bad a match it'll be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 He already has the matching RC-3 II center channel [] I do agree that if you find yourself tweaking the levels all the time that you need to bust out a meter. Once set, don't mess with it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 And here's another thread that you might find helpful: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/742693.aspx (It's got that subwoofer pdf that I mentioned in the email as well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgarib Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Doc, "He already has the matching RC-3 II center channel " Eeps! My momma always told me read the entire thread carefully, BEFORE blathering off my mouth! -Fauzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgarib Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Vande, The AVIA Guide is available on Amazon under: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/630551982X/qid=1151646432/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5157002-2236061?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=130 Check it out. Some people swear by it. Some claim that it's not as helpful for 7 channels as it is for 5... But it can't hurt to check it out. Good luck! Fauzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.