Klipsch Chrous Speakers - Help with Subwoofer selection

[ImpalaSS99]

Hi Everyone,

My brother gave me his old Klipsch Chorus II speakers:
http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=116

these speakers look great, and he tells me they are awesome. I have a Denon 3806 waiting for me (My 3805 broke, so my HT shop replaced it with the 3806).

I have a few questions (pardon my ignorance).

These Klipsch speakers have a Subwoofer, but i rarely hear them fire.

So i guess im wondering, should I purchase a new subwoofer?

My room is an audio nightmare. its a 20/22 room, with vaulted ceilings. The floor is marble tile, and the walls are normal dry wall. The ceilings start at about 10 feet and go all the way to the top of the second floor. I also have skylights.

When i hook these speakers up (using my old Denon 3805), I rarely heard the subwoofers fire.

Any suggestions? What size SVS would you recommend? the PB10 or PB12?

I mostly watch Tv/Movies, but i also listen to music from time to time. Mainly, i want the room to shake when i watch good movies. Right now, i just dont feel it :(.

Do any of you guys know much about these Klipsch Speakers? Any Thoughts on them?

thanks again!

[GmanAVS]

hey, I have the Chorus II too !!

am a big fan (but they are a lilttle maligned in AVS land).... I bought them because I like to listen to "live" concert music and small venue Jazz & blues bands

In stereo conf. they are powered by a McIntosh 275 (Klipsh luv tubes :) )

In surround conf. they a paired with 2 Quartets (ok, overkill) and powered by a Yamaha 2600

>>These Klipsch speakers have a Subwoofer, but i rarely hear them fire.

no they don't. you must be confusing the 15" woofer with a subwoofer, 2 different things.


I am in the market for a <$1k subwoofer myself, anyone have a recommendation or opinion (cough, cough do AVSers have an opinion.... hehehe :p )

[ssabripo]

ask JohnLarson....I think he will recommend the SVS

[ImpalaSS99]

GmanAVS

ssabripo is correct, everyone i have talked to so far have recommended SVS.

I am looking at the PB12 Plus/2 right now because my room is gigantic. I will keep you informed.

Any tips on these speakers in conjunction with the 3806?

[WolfsBane]

Hi Everyone,

My brother gave me his old Klipsch Chorus II speakers:
http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=116

these speakers look great, and he tells me they are awesome. I have a Denon 3806 waiting for me (My 3805 broke, so my HT shop replaced it with the 3806).

I have a few questions (pardon my ignorance).

These Klipsch speakers have a Subwoofer, but i rarely hear them fire.

So i guess im wondering, should I purchase a new subwoofer?

My room is an audio nightmare. its a 20/22 room, with vaulted ceilings. The floor is marble tile, and the walls are normal dry wall. The ceilings start at about 10 feet and go all the way to the top of the second floor. I also have skylights.

When i hook these speakers up (using my old Denon 3805), I rarely heard the subwoofers fire.

Any suggestions? What size SVS would you recommend? the PB10 or PB12?

I mostly watch Tv/Movies, but i also listen to music from time to time. Mainly, i want the room to shake when i watch good movies. Right now, i just dont feel it :(.

Do any of you guys know much about these Klipsch Speakers? Any Thoughts on them?

thanks again!


Actually, the challenge will be to find a sub that will match the dynamic range and impact of your Chorus II, (specially in the 40 to 70hz range), linearly and still go down lower with authority. SVS, HSU, Velodyne, and JL will do that. And of course, there are the new line of Klipsch subs which are a substantial improvement over the old line. Each sub manufacturer designs and markets products along their respective implementation philosophy and price target. Which one you pick depends on your budget and personal preference.

Just my opinion, but those 15" woofers have a distinct open sound and substantial dynamic range of their own. I would try as much as possible to match them to a sub with a comparable driver and cabinet size, (at least a 12" quality driver). You want the sub to "disappear" and integrate seamlessly with your mains. I can't offer an opinion on the customer service from JL and Velo, but HSU and SVS have developed an almost cult following with their fantastic customer service. Just my opinion.

[ImpalaSS99]

wolfsbane, thank you so much for your input. What would you think about the SVS PB12 Plus/2 do you think that would get the job done?

thank you again!

[WolfsBane]

wolfsbane, thank you so much for your input. What would you think about the SVS PB12 Plus/2 do you think that would get the job done?

thank you again!

It will really depend on your room dimensions, (and you will need to factor other rooms open to the listening area). My advise would be to drop Eric at SVS an email or phone call. They are eager to help and will provide you a recommendation that will suite your needs.

[GmanAVS]

WolfsBane, ssabripo and ImpalaSS99

TY for the info, the room is approx 2800 cu. ft. and was looking at the SVS SB12+ (placing it right next to the couch). Will call them and pick thier brains.

ohh, yes, he SVS's seem to have a hard core following around here and I just can't resist "cult" stuff.... am always looking to be opinionated and for more ammo on AVS... :p

[Soundood]

I'd vote for saving a bit and getting the newer Klipsch RT-12D sub. The auto room EQ will be an absolute must with your space. That sub WILL keep up with the midbass your Chorus' have. Consider doing some serious acoustic treatment as well. Chances are you have some giant nulls and that is possibly why you are hearing zero bass from the speakers (either that or make sure your reciever is set to NO subwoofer and the mains are set to large so you aren't crossing the bass out to a currently non-existant sub).

[ImpalaSS99]

I'd vote for saving a bit and getting the newer Klipsch RT-12D sub. The auto room EQ will be an absolute must with your space. That sub WILL keep up with the midbass your Chorus' have. Consider doing some serious acoustic treatment as well. Chances are you have some giant nulls and that is possibly why you are hearing zero bass from the speakers (either that or make sure your reciever is set to NO subwoofer and the mains are set to large so you aren't crossing the bass out to a currently non-existant sub).


Could you elaborate on the acoustic Treatment?

[Soundood]

You said the room is an acoustic nightmare...I tend to agree. 20 x 22 will create some pretty strong standing wave problems...with a 10' ceiling that slopes up, it will be exacerbated. I'd start with bass traps to help on the low end. The Klipsch RT-12d does a good job at helping smooth things out...but it has limits! You might check the custom home theater construction forum and look at the room acoustics sticky.

[ImpalaSS99]

You said the room is an acoustic nightmare...I tend to agree. 20 x 22 will create some pretty strong standing wave problems...with a 10' ceiling that slopes up, it will be exacerbated. I'd start with bass traps to help on the low end. The Klipsch RT-12d does a good job at helping smooth things out...but it has limits! You might check the custom home theater construction forum and look at the room acoustics sticky.

Ahh, thank you very much. I will check that sticky asap.

[sivadselim]

These Klipsch speakers have a Subwoofer, but i rarely hear them fire.

They have a 15" passive radiator on the back, not a subwoofer.

[ImpalaSS99]

They have a 15" passive radiator on the back, not a subwoofer.

Right, but they also have a woofer on the front. What does that do?

thanks :)

[sivadselim]

Right, but they also have a woofer on the front. What does that do?

It woofs down to 39Hz according to Klipsch. But it doesn't subwoof.

If you're saying your rarely hear the woofers, then maybe there is something wrong with the speakers. Those 15" woofers should have quite a bit of output.

[ImpalaSS99]

Hey guys,

what do you think would be better (bang for buck), two of these:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635&AID=1482627&PID=361116&SID=0-0-0-0-4kew5d

or one SVS PB12Plus/2

the SVS is almost 3x the price of the two dayton's combined.

[ImpalaSS99]

It woofs down to 39Hz according to Klipsch. But it doesn't subwoof.

If you're saying your rarely hear the woofers, then maybe there is something wrong with the speakers. Those 15" woofers should have quite a bit of output.

Do they need more amplification? They are being driven by only my denon 3805.

Also, i do hear them hit sometimes. During movies I will feel them, but again, only rarely, and the volume needs to be pretty loud!

thanks!

[bob243]

I was digging through some stuff and found this thread, sorry for the really late reply.

I also have a set of Chorus IIs.. It is probably not that the woofers are not firing, it is the horns are much more efficient and get pretty loud before you really hear any bass. Placement is a big deal with these as well too close or too far from the wall has a big impact on your bass response. Corners would usually be best with these, but I dont have that option or else they would be buried behind the couches. Ive found that about 12" from the wall seems to be a decent spot. I am also finding that I tweak the loudness or bass knobs on quite a bit of my music.

I picked mine up on the used marked about 4 year ago and love'em. I also played around with different amps and recievers and finally a Mcintosh MC352 and a C41 preamp was the combo to knock my socks off. Many will argue that this is a disgusting overkill for these speakers, and in alot of cases I agree, but when I really want to play it, the mac has the current to drive the woofers quite well, and still sound laid back. Most of the time I listen to them at normal levals I am only about 35 watts into them and its pretty loud. Before that I was using them with my old vintage Hitachi SR-2004 reciever and it was loud and not too abbrasive but it was a bit light on the current side. I also had an NAD2400 on them at one point, but it didnt take much to make that scream for mercy it was a good sounding amp but didnt have anything to back it up. I would avoid any amps that are really high gain. They tend to get way too harsh and not fun to listen too.. I had a McCormack DNA-2 on them for a few weeks. This was by far the most in your face with the mucsle to back it up amp I have ever owned, It was loud and threw those 15s around like a rag doll but the problem was the highs were just too bright and would give you a headache even at moderate volume.

If your going to use them with HT I would definately use a sub. Probably a Velodyne or an M&K push-pull sub would be where I would start.

[GmanAVS]

I ended up going with the SVS SB12+ and am happy as a clam :D

My HT surround system with the Chorus II as front mains rocks (ok, it took me a weekend to calibrate). ;)

Now I have to figure out a way to get the SVS into my stereo system and blend in with the the MC275.... I may need a new pre-amp :)

My Klipsch love tubes :D

My plasma loves the XA2 :D