Will I ever need/want to buy HT speakers again?

[SeanCJ]

Hello all,

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a set of Klipsch Ultra II's for my HT upgrade, but as usual, I'm getting a bit trigger shy the closer I get to full committment.

My home theater has upgraded a few times over the past 6 years and now I'm going pretty much all out and hoping this will be the last upgrade for many years to come. My wife is also hoping, well, pretty adamant, that this be the last upgrade for a long long while.

I guess I'm trying to justify the cost of these Klipsch speakers over the number of years I would plan on keeping them. I've always limited myself to under $3000 for speakers, so this is quite a bit more.

My room is very large, 24x26 with 12 foot ceilings, and I desperately want to 'fill' this room with sound during movies and games. My last two speaker systems, started with Bose AM15's (yes, I know ) now using Magnepan (but I can't justify a $1500 amp just to power them, plus their size and placement is a real distractor and I'm always moving them out for movies and back against the wall when not in use). They seem to lack the dynamics needed for full immersive movie sound, so I think they need to go to someone that will use them for their true purpose of 2 channel music.

From what I've been able to read, and through my own auditioning of them, the Klipsch Ultra II's appear to be able to handle my room requirements and the front 3, and the subs, are designed to be hidden (which also helps with the WAF).

So, give me all the encouragement you can on this purchase. Tell me 50% off retail is a steal and I'd be crazy to pass that up!

Help me find other ways to justify this expensive purchase! If you've had this system, please let me know if you think its the one to hold onto.

Oh, I'll be pairing these speakers with my Onkyo 805, a 110" to 120" AT screen, and the Sony Black Pearl VW 60.

Please tell me I won't have 'upgraditis' for at least a decade!

[Frzninvt]

If you are getting the entire Ultra II system with dual subwoofers for 50% off retail I would say its a no brainer.

However, with a room that size I would go to the top of the line Heritage models for no holes barred performance. That said they are big and boxy and tough to hide but once you hear them they just disappear, it will also be more expensive more than likely.

I think you are making the right choice with the Ultra II system especially with the discount, if you weren't getting the discount I would encourage the Heritage line.

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy!

[Islander]

However, with a room that size I would go to the top of the line Heritage models for no holes barred performance.

Er, Frzninvt, I think you meant the wrestling term "no holds barred". "No holes barred" is a porno term...

At any rate, I'd concur with Frzninvt that Heritage is the way to go if you want to be finished trading up. If you have the room and the budget, they are the best. With the addition last weekend of a Heresy II center to go along with my Heritage II surrounds and La Scala mains, my HT/2-channel system is everything I need or want. A number of forum members have more ambitious (and likely great-sounding) Heritage systems, but my system suits my room and listening preferences really well.

From Heresy to Jubilee, there are enough different Heritage speakers to mix and match so you can have the system that works just great for you.

If the Ultra II system is everything you need, you could be totally happy with it. The deep discount makes it really attractive. As for upgrading, it's easy to say, "This is all I'll ever need." I've said it a number of times, two paragraphs ago, for example. Then you see or hear of the inevitable bargain upgrade. Now I just say, "This is the system in its current configuration." A year from now, who knows? Don't fight the future before it arrives.

[Frzninvt]

I recently watched "Meet the Robinsons" with my little girl in DD-EX with the Velo's engaged talk about bringing you into the experiencce. The realism, dynamics, and overall impact is tough to describe it seems more accurate and detailed over some of the newer theaters in my area. Like you said Islander when I switch over to 2-channel mode running just the Klipschorn Mains it literally sounds like the center La Scala is playing but it isn't that is how well they project the image in front of you.

The Ultra II system is incredible and yeah it is geared with the HT lover in mind but is it as timeless as a Heritage speaker? I have had 1962 Cornwalls with all original components that functioned flawlessly, if you are thinking of investing for the long haul you may want to consider Heritage speakers. You could use the Ultra 2 subwoofer system to accompany it.

I know, I know we are a bad influence. [6] It is the progression that has brought me to where I am today, started with Heresy's many years ago and seeing and hearing my first pair of Belle Klipsch in like 1978 at a friends party where he had a Denon turntable and Luxman receiver. Amazing how they are equally at home they are when playing outdoors.

[IndyKlipschFan]

Black

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• Overview
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Onkyo's
TX-SR805 carries Lucasfilm Ltd.'s prestigious THX Ultra2 certification
for guaranteed home theater excellence. Top-notch THX processing plus
130 watts x 7 channels of high-current Onkyo power give you intense,
high-impact surround sound for your movies, music, TV shows, and video
games. You also get decoding for the latest surround sound formats,
including Dolby® True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio two upcoming
high-resolution surround sound formats planned for future high-def
video discs and players.

Price

$999.99

-------------------------------------------------------

I was going to at least suggest you go with a THX Ultra 2 pre amp amp combo.. You have, so good for you!!

We have discussed Heritage in here.. if this is a Concert DVD and Movies...In a dedictaed room... It is very hard to beat the THX system as is.. I say go for it.. Especially if you have never heard the older Heritage system speakers.

That said.. and I want to be careful, too, not to knock the THX system... But if you could... I would say come over n listen to the 7 scalas with the THX sides and subs...

It is awesome.. REALLY awesome. Then we might confuse you even more!


But if your asking is 3- 650's for the sides 2- 525's either 2- 650's or 2- 550's in the rears with 2 ksw 120 thx subs along with the KA 1000 amp.... Is it worth it.....???? RUN do not hesitate..... It is...

If your asking me.. could there be, (maybe if you like that BIG Heritage sound a step up from this) .... well ....maybe... hehehehehehehehe But let your own ears decide..

[IndyKlipschFan]

10 years is a long time though... Some things will change!

What did you and your wife look like 10 years ago... What was your lifestyle......????? Nuff said...

[Chris Robinson]

10 years is a long time though... Some things will change!

What did you and your wife look like 10 years ago... What was your lifestyle......????? Nuff said...

Roger, just about spit out my drink reading that ... So true ... The stuff that happens when you hit 50 is often not pretty [:'(]

Given his room dimensions, I would think an Ultra system is a good choice. The reflections in the room will be the next challenge, i.e., damping the primary and secondary reflections. We all know the square room is a nightmare. The Ultra will give him a little placement flexibility and the size of the speakers is a help.

Personally, I'm a Heritage fan but having never heard the Ultra, I can't make an honest recommendation. I designed the room I have now around Klpschorns but that may not happen again -- ever ... unless I am supremely lucky in having the "room" to work with.

Chris

[IndyKlipschFan]

Roger, just about spit out my drink reading that ... So true ...

hahahahahahaha

I have heard the THX system... it is really good too...

I turn 46 on Nov 4th.. Tell me about it...

[dtel]

[]

10 years is a long time though... Some things will change!

What did you and your wife look like 10 years ago... What was your lifestyle......????? Nuff said...

[] You guys are bad, now after talking to both of the wives in question here [:-*] they said both of y'all have made some changes also. []

OK OK my wife reads here, that's the difference []

[oldbuckster]

Seems though for $1000. you can do better than an ONKYO Receiver ...................

[Guest srobak]

Yep. HK 745 comes to mind.

The Ultra setup is extremely nice... would certainly be a 10+ year system... and by then, I would sure think you would have gotten plenty out of it, so an upgrade wouldn't get you too bent out of shape. Besides - by then we should all be listening to 14.4 systems in our homes.

[psg]

I have not heard the Ultra but have heard great things about it. Still, I would recommend finding someone in your parts of the world with a La Scala or Klipschorn based system to audition it. If you went used, you could end up spending less than for the Ultra and be done for a long time. As a bonus, Klipschorns are easier to drive than Ultra's and won<t require a separate amp.

Good luck! Either way, you should be very happy with it.

[IndyKlipschFan]

Your gonna be fine..what did you do? How do you like it?

[Professor Thump]

Sean,

As I had mentioned in another thread...I have a similar size room with lower ceilings. 28 x 24 x 9 feet. I am using the THX Ultra II system with the inclusion of 3 RS-62's to make it a 10.2 setup. I rarely run a movie above -15 dB. If I run it at 0 to +10 dB it will part your hair. I am sitting 14 feet back from the 130 " screen.

You can't go wrong with this system. I am pretty picky and I haven't been dissappointed yet.

Features

KL-650-THX LCRs (3)

KL-525-THX LCRs (2)

KS-525-THX surrounds (2)

RS-62 (3)

KW-120-THX subwoofers (2)

KA-1000-THX subwoofer amplifier

Don't forget to kiss your wife after she lets you pull the trigger to buy that system. You are getting a great deal with your wife's approval. In ten years who know where you will be or what your requirments are. If you move you can sell it with the house and make money. "Home Theater Inside"

[IndyKlipschFan]

professor thump is??

Good to see that system in Indy too. We should compare!

[IndyKlipschFan]

Klipsch THX Ultra2 Conclusion

by Mark Sanfilipo

last modified February 19, 2007 10:40

?

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The THX Ultra2 is simply amazing in terms of sheer musicalness, its ability

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Klipsch THX Ultra2 Home Theater Loudspeaker

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MSRP: $10,750 Complete 7.1 System

For more Information, visit:

Klipsch

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[DTLongo]

"Please tell me I won't have 'upgraditis' for at least a decade! "

For timeless longevity like a Steinway piano I think large Heritage is the way to go, especially for a room your size. Klipschorn mains of you have the corners, paired with a top-quality subwoofer or two for the below-35-hz. range for movie LFE's. Khorns would love a room your size and, tucked into their corners, would be visually unobtrusive, but boy would they fill the space sonically. A Belle Klipsch ideally for the center channel but I believe Klipsch no longer makes those new.

With such an array handling the proceedings up front, you would already have awesome room-filling sound. The sides and rear surrounds can be of less expensive quality since they have less demanding chores to perform.

Most people don't know what Klipschorns are. But believe me, for people who do know, the instant they would step into your room and spot those babies, well, you would enjoy seeing their reactions.

[synthfreek]

An Onkyo receiver is what fried my tweets at low volume years ago. Don't see too much about them having good synergy with Klipsch. I remember it being very screechy like the cheap Sony receivers.

[IndyKlipschFan]

Onkyo makes some great gear at the upper end of the line up. They make some gear we never see in Japan that is really nice!!

Sadly, like a lot of companies, they also have consumer "cost friendly" lower end stuff that is not quite as good too.

You move up the gravy train of products, and hopefully get better results that you want as well.

[SeanCJ]

Hello Again all.

Well, I lost out on the great deal on this Ultra II system. I waited one day too long and someone else grabbed them.

I'm back to looking again as I can't afford their retail price and street price is still over $7500.

I'm going to check out the RF-83 system and give it a good audition. I wish I could hear some Klipschhorns that some have mentioned.

Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions.