Enormous Man Posted November 26, 2001 Share Posted November 26, 2001 I've been reading up on both of these speakers and feel very comfortable in purchasing either of them. Here's my question, with my current configuration as follows... Polk RT800i's for mains Polk CS 400 for center channel Velodyne CT-120 for sub which of these Klipsch speakers is likely to blend in the best? Having bought so many Polk products, it would seem simple to get their RT55i's and be done with it, but I have a feeling that the Klipsch RB series is going to be a better sounding speaker. This purchase is for music and not so much home theater/surround sound. I really need some help here, because this purchase could really make or break this speaker collaboration. I've already got the Polk floorstanders, so I can't just ditch them in favor of an all Klipsch lineup. I guess there are two questions; will the RB-5's (on Sanus floor stands) be too much rear sound (8" woofer) for my Polk (2 6.5" Woofers) mains to deal with? And can either combination of these models of Klipsch and Polk co-exist effectively? Forget what I said about the center speaker, it will be fine regardless. Pretend this is simply a four speaker set-up of fronts and rears. What would you do if you had to keep the Polks, and someone was going to give you either the RB-3's or the RB-5's? Placement tips would be handy as well, I know how important this is to the quality of sound. I know that some of you out there have some helpful suggestions, and may have answered this type of question before. I hope you can help. If you've made it this far, thanks for your time. ------------------ No Signature For Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake2 Posted November 27, 2001 Share Posted November 27, 2001 Hi EM - I guess the first thing I'd ask is, according to your ears, which do you like better for main speakers, the Polk RT800i's or the RB-3/5? I haven't heard the Polks, so I don't know if we're even in the same ballpark with the RB-3/5s. If you like the Klipsch better, and the center channel isn't a concern, I guess I'd put the Klipsch in the front and let the Polk's handle the rear. But I'm curious about the need for front and rear speakers for just music? Also, I think they are going to have a very different sound to them, given the horn tweeters vs the dome tweeters on the Polk. Doug "Random Thoughts" Drake BTW, I have the same sub as you do, and I like it a lot! ------------------ My System Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enormous Man Posted November 27, 2001 Author Share Posted November 27, 2001 Hmmm, well, I thought that having properly positioned speakers both in front of and behind me would be pleasurable. Are you telling me that it would be not so great? I guess I would employ them for television as well as music. I have some surround speakers currently hooked up, but they don't get much use, unless I rent or purchase DVD's. Being disappointed by this, I thought that I would get some true rears for a more complete envelopment. I think that at the end of the day, I'm going to have to get into a showroom and see what works and what doesn't. I was hoping someone could take away some of the work, and say, "Oh, yes I've heard the Polks and RB-3's really hit it off smashingly well together." Nothing is ever easy unfortunately. ------------------ No Signature For Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BobG Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 Enormous Man I've elected to delete the remainder of the post above after a bit of a struggle. We really like to run an open forum here, but we need to be sensitive to the community. Not everybody would appreciate the portion of the post I delieted. I hesitate to censor any posts but felt this was an appropriate decision. For those of you who may have taken offense, I apologize. To those of you offended by the deletion, I apologize. Heck I even apologize to Enormous Man because the joke was kinda funny and I don't want anybody to think it was horrid. BobG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilH Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 Enormous Man: There are several variables here (what else is new?)regarding your question and your own experience with your system in general. First off, it seems that the enjoyment of music through 5 speakers is not only determined by the type of speakers you have, but by the type of receiver you have. GENERALLY (but YOUR ears are the final say)many surround receivers simply tackle 5 channel music derived from a 2 channel source by adding echo and time delay that, many times, sounds unnatural. Examples of these are settings such as "Jazz Club" or "Disco" or something of the like. Many on this forum (including myself) never use those settings, preferring the natural sound of 2 channel music played through 2 speakers only. Exceptions for people like us with these feelings are, for example, a setting available on Denon and other receivers called "5 Channel Stereo". That being said, the other variable here is the speakers in question. Klipsch speakers have a very different sound than many others, including Polk and vice versa. For most people, the combined sounds of two different types (brands) of speakers in a system can have a negative listening effect for both music and, especially, Home Theatre. It is always recommended that, at least, the 3 front channels have the same midrange and high frequency driver (same brand and matching models) and the rear channels be as close as possible (same brand, some different models possibly). Otherwise, differences in dynamics, frequency response, radiation patterns, etc. between the speakers can cause you to "listen to" and notice the speakers only instead of enjoying the music and Home Theatre sounds eminating from them. PhilH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enormous Man Posted November 28, 2001 Author Share Posted November 28, 2001 Phil, That was a very helpful post, that will make things much easier for me to figure out. I have a Denon 2802 arriving within the next day or two. I'm excited to find out that I may be able to use the five channel stereo, but even had I not been able to use that feature, I would still be able to run A and B speakers together for front and rear stereo, right? Anyway, thanks so much for the help, I'll make the appropriate decision based on that information. Monitor, No sweat, I understand your decision ... I'm glad it gave you a chuckle. ------------------ No Signature For Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 BobG's back! And PhilH too! Both in the same thread! Good to hear from you Klipsch guys.Beginning to wonder if y'all had been abducted by Leprechauns! Enormous Man,how's it hangin'? You're gonna like the receiver and if,as you say,you are more interested in da music then I recommend large rear speakers that match the fronts.The 5-channel stereo and a coupla DTS DVD's/CD's and, WOW! Good luck to ya whatever you decide! Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 quote: Originally posted by talktoKeith: Enormous Man, how's it hangin'? Keith, You're too funny! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew2 Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 Polk audio and Klipsch sound VERY diffrent to me. The polk system would sound good as a whole, same with the klipsch as a whole. The klipsch is more effecient as well, and you may need to turn them down, depending on what you liston to. If I were you, I would get Polk matching surround speakers, for your HT. Then I would save and save for some RB-5's, and a nice amp/preamp for music. ------------------ Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovedrummin Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 ENORMOUS MAN, If you have Denon 2802 coming, you're in for loads of fun. It should have Dolby Pro Logic II which has a cinema and music setting. Try your CDs through that and the 5 channel stereo. They're a bit different. I have the 3802 with DPL II. I switch between that & 5 channel stereo depending on my mood. TV also sounds good through DPL II. I haven't gotten around to trying any of my old cassette tapes or video tapes through it yet, but it's just a matter of time. I have Klipsch Reference speakers hooked to the Denon and I'm having a ball. Enjoy your set-up. lovedrummin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enormous Man Posted November 29, 2001 Author Share Posted November 29, 2001 I understand now, must buy similar speakers for best listening experience. 5 channel stereo, this could be fun. You guys are funny and helpful, time for more joke... The Can of Paint... Three couples went in to see the minister to see how to become members of his church. The minister said that they would have to go without sex for two weeks and then come back and tell him how it went. The first couple was retired, the second couple was middle aged and the final couple was newlywed. Two weeks went by, and the couples returned to the minister. The retired couple said it was no problem at all. The middle-aged couple said it was tough for the first week, but after that, it was no problem. The newlyweds said it was fine until she dropped the can of paint. "Can of PAINT!" exclaimed the minister. "Yeah," said the newlywed man. "She dropped the can and when she bent over to pick it up I had to have her right there and then. Lust took over." The minister just shook his head and said that they were not welcome in the church. "That's okay," said the man. "We're not welcome in Home Depot either." ------------------ No Signature For Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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