HT Recommendations

[Cody_Mack]

A friend of mine is doing his research for a new HT system. I have introduced him to Klipsch because that it what I use in my two-channel music system. I know the Klipsch reputation for quality, and I am very pleased with my Heresies I bought in 1983. However, I know nothing of the HT line. I would appreciate suggestions and comments from you users.

He is looking for a speaker package around $1K or less. I think size is going to be an important factor. The fronts and center will probably be placed in an entertainment center. I tried to talk him out of this but I don't think he is going to be able to use the corners of the room.

He saw the Cinema 6 system on the Klipsch site and is interested in that one. Searching for places to buy, however, it looks like it may be discontinued. What else do you guys and gals recommend with the credentials above?

He is also looking at receivers; in fact he will probably buy the receiver first. He is looking for most of the recent video capabilities (conversion, HDMI switching, etc.), and plenty of power to drive the selected speaker package. I recommended Denon; again, I am a 2-channel audio guy so what do I know. He is looking in the $500 to $1K range on the receiver; probably more like $700. More important is he is doing his homework and having patience.

Rick

[Cody_Mack]

Hmmmm....no replies....maybe I should not have mentioned 2-channel? Come on, gang, chime in here!

Rick

[DrWho]

how big is his room?

For that price, he's probably best off
going with the Synergy line which can be found at Best Buy. The Synergy
B-2 system retails for about $1k:

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/b-2-home-theater-system.aspx

But if he can swing funds, I would highly recommend upgrading to the $1.5k B-3 system:

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/b-3-home-theater-system.aspx

The
Klipsch Sub-12 subwoofer is infinitely better than the Sub-10. If he
decides to go with the B-2, then I would highly recommend upgrading to
the Sub-12 instead of the Sub-10. It really makes a world of difference.

I
would not, however, recommend the smaller Cinema series (the RSX's).
The only downside to going with the bigger bookshelf speakers is that
they're rear ported - which will require sufficient space around the
speaker for the port to work properly. Putting speakers in the EC isn't
really a good idea to begin with, but the magnitude of this compromise
will depend upon the type of shelves he is using and plans to put the
speakers on.

I'm not sure if Best Buy is still doing this, but I
know I've seen speaker system package deals, where you get large
discounts for purchasing a whole surround system at once. It often
comes with discounts on a receiver as well. I believe Yamaha is the
brand receiver included within the package. At that price point,
purchasing a receiver should be centered around the feature sets he
requires as they are all going to sound pretty much the same (blasphemy
I know). I'm personally a Denon fan myself, but Yamaha and HK both make
fine receivers.

It sounds like your friend is more into the video
than the audio so I would put high priority on a receiver that will
up-sample all his video inputs (that way he doesn't have to change the
video mode on the TV every time he changes the source).

[mikesp1]

First buy speakers then a receiver that melt with them.........

[Cody_Mack]

Thanks Doc. All good comments. I know your opinion arguably is well regarded around here. Room size? I am not sure but I will get back with him on that.

Sounds like you rate the Synergy line a little better than what I had visioned. Guess I just have a hard time relating hi-fi with Best Buy. But the B-2 and B-3 systems do look nice with very good specs. But the drawback, as you mentioned, is the larger enclosures with the rear ports not living up to their potential placed in the EC. The system efficiency is also very good. Too bad he can't get these out into the room. Maybe after he reads this he will rethink the placement options. I am sure WAF will play a big part.

Why do you not recommend the Cinema series? I am guessing the size of the drivers and enclosures just will not produce the 'big' sound required for a true home theatre. That's what I tried to tell him; that the satellites do not have the frequency range, therefore the subwoofer has to fill in most of the mid-bass. I am a bass purist, so to speak, so to me that means a very hollow and boomy sound. Definately not desirable to my ears. That is what the Bose and others (with those tiny satellites) suffer from, right?

On the receiver, he is doing his homework. He has talked about the video conversions that you mention above. He probably will buy the receiver first, simply because his other one has just about crapped out. Again, thanks for the comments.

Rick

[Arky]

Dakmart carries refurb Denon & Harmanaudio has refurb H/K...usually at bargain prices. Either mates well with Klipsch imo.

[DrWho]

The Synergy line really is impressive and I think it often gets overlooked simply because it's sold in Best Buy.

Obviously
your friend isn't entirely obsessed with the absolute in sound quality
(or he wouldn't be considering tiny girl speakers) [] But at the same
time, I'm sure he can appreciate the difference between crap sound and
good sound. Maybe it's a bit harsh to call them crap (when they're
better than most similar sized speaker systems out there), but when it
comes to audio all the science points to "bigger is better" - it's not
just a manly testosterone mid-life crisis thing [] But seriously, as
you mentioned the tiny speakers simply aren't going to project that big
movie sound. Who wants a dinky small sound when they've got a huge
great looking picture? At the very least, shouldn't the sound
supplement the picture, not detract from it? []

Are you looking
for a list of technical reasons not to go with smaller? I could
certainly rattle off a few things, but would it even matter? Ultimately
it comes down to your friend's ears, budget, and aesthetic constraints
so I would push him to hear a demonstration for himself and let his own
ears decide. If he's happy with the smaller speakers, then chalk it up
to "ignorance is bliss". For example, my dad always tells me he can't
hear a difference between his Bose and my Chorus II's. Now I'm sure
(perhaps hopeful) that he can hear at least some difference, but the
difference doesn't improve his understanding of the words in the
music/movies. Improving the sound quality doesn't change the content
anymore than a fancy TV does. A while ago my dad came to me seeking advice for a surround sound system - similar budget
so of course I was pointing him to the Synergy series. In pursuit
of getting something that best fit his needs (not my own), I ended up
talking him out of the purchase altogether! [] (sorry Klipsch).
Ultimately he decided that the improvement in sound (which he heard
for himself) wouldn't result in an improvement of his enjoyment of the
movies...and he watches a crap load of movies. All that to say, try to
keep your friend's interests in mind. Will he really appreciate the
improvement? That's not to say that he shouldn't make an educated
decision and be corrected when he makes judgments based on wrong
information, but somewhere you gotta draw the line and agree that
something short of '7 Jubilees in a dedicated addition to the house' is
still acceptable.

Nevertheless, I can't fathom that there is much
of an aesthetic difference between the RSX and the Synergy line, the
price is about the same, yet the Synergy is going to sound much better.
So even in light of someone that isn't adamantly interested in the
utmost sound quality, I still think the Synergy line is the better
purchase. Better dynamics, smoother frequency response, larger sound,
louder, less frequency intermodulation distortion, less harmonic
distortion, less power compression, better off-axis response, stronger
mid-bass, more presence, better imaging - every description for a
speaker the Synergy line does it better.

So...what does your friend think of throwing out the EC and going with the reference, ultra2, or heritage series? [][A]

[bismarck]

I actually own the Synergy B-3 system and am a big fan of it. I also work for Best Buy . If size is a problem and the 1000 dollar mark is good, I have a plan. Currently Best Buy is still offering an unadvertised deal with Klipsch and Yamaha. You get the quintents, sub-10, Yamaha HTR-5940 and Yamaha upconvert dvd player(not sure the model, but we sell it for 180) for a grand. I would check to see if it is available at your BB store. I sell alot of thsoe systems and also install them in peoples houses and am very impressed with them for HT.  For music they are not as solid. Like Isaid, I own the b-3 system and Ilike it alot. Although, I plan on upgrading to reference in a few weeks.

[Arky]

Great post Doc.

[Cody_Mack]

Obviously your friend isn't entirely obsessed with the absolute in sound quality (or he wouldn't be considering tiny girl speakers)

ROFL.....tiny girl speakers......Brian, are you listening???

Great post, Doc. Thanks again!

Rick