THX Speaker System - JBL or Klipsch

It would be worth talking to MKTheater or searching for his posts. I think he's using those (or similar model) as surrounds and has made a few comments using them as fronts.

He also has experience with some of the Klipsch and MK THX products

The specifications are almost identical on the Klipsch and the JBL surrounds. Both speakers weigh the same, both are 96 dB sensitivity (well, neither one is when measured on-axis due to the null), and the cloudy power handling specs indicate they'll both handle gobs of power. I can't tell you how either one sounds, but they'll both play loud. Both good choices.

They weight the same?
The JBL is 19 lbs.
The Klipsch KL-525-THX is 32 lbs.
The Klipsch KL-650-THX is 39 lbs.

Of all the specs available for those speakers, I wouldn't rank the weight as being too important. I'd rather have a heavier speaker that sounds awesome than a light speaker that sounds like poo.

BTW I'm not trying to say anything about either of the products mentioned or imply anything about either of the speakers.

If it were me, I'd go after the JBL's before the Klipsch's, just because I'm not a fan of Klipsch speakers, but JBL has some nice products. FWIW, the Harman reference theater uses 7 LSR6332's http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/Genera...x?PId=26&MId=5

Which Klipsch main are you considering? The KL-650 or KL-550? The JBL was designed to be light because it mounts to walls without studs or anchors. I have owned both(I still own the JBL's). Both speakers will make you think differently about horns(not bright at all). The JBL's might play slighly louder but we are talking 3 db's max. The JBL is more sensitive in reality(when hooked to the same amp). I never used my 8340A's for mains. They angle down so you will have to mount them up higher than expected so the compression driver aims towards your ears.

Funny, I just talked to MKtheater about using the JBLs as mains as well. His response was the same to me, it's still a thought, however, I'm wondering about using a tilted plank behind them so they are straight up and down, or, just a mounting bracket that has some swivel, perhaps a small LCD TV mount like I have my current center channel mounted on. They'll be behind a screen so WAF matters not...

They are very inexpensive and you could do a 100% matching 6.1 system for well under $1500. Looks like they also have a bracket that should give you the proper tilt

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/288437.html

I was comparing the surround weights which were listed at 19 and 20 lbs.

Oh, I see.

Yeah, I wouldn't place surrounds like that in the front.

You guys are right, they have brackets to make them straighter. I have a pair that I am not using. They have to be ordered separately. After thinking about it I bet these would work well for a main. 2 way speaker that plays 120 db's and very sensitive. It uses a 1 inch compression driver and 10 inch woofer. It measures 18 inch by 18 inch and not deep at all. I will run mine in 2 channel tonight to hear how they sound. For the price they should be fantastic. Again, I never used them as mains but as surrounds they kick butt.

130db 30hz output for a pair of the Klipsch subs is pretty damn impressive.

hide the children.

James

Do let us know, this could be the low budget door into the big show!

Why?

You could be right, sorry for the confusion, I was thinking of the 8320s that are sold in pairs for under $450

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Surround.html

They step down to an 8" driver

Frequency Response 50Hz to 20kHz
Power Capacity 150 watts continuous pink noise
600 watts peak Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) 122dB /1m Nominal Sensitivity 94dB SPL half-space / wall-mounted
91dB SPL free-field Impedance 8 ohms Crossover 3kHz Low Frequency Driver 8" (200mm) High Frequency Driver 1" (25.4mm)

Considering they are 18 X 18 X 10 (at their deepest), and have a +/-3db from 75hz to 16 hz, and were designed for venues much larger than most of our home theaters, I would think the only thing that makes them "surrounds" is the fact that JBL calls them that for commercial theater use.

Spec-wise, they show potential as a main in a home theater, IMO. Hopefully MK can shed some more light on this for us.

I don't believe that 130 db's at 30 hz, I owned those subs as well.

When they were talking about the surround not good for mains they were talking about the Klipsch KS-525 not the JBL.

Oh, thanks.

I've been looking at those Klipsch 650's myself for the front three speakers, as well as a couple of the JBL 8340's for surrounds. I'm really curious about how those JBL's would sound being run as mains, though, since they're considerably cheaper than the Klipsch. I've read a lot of good things about the 650's though.

I'm in the same boat, thinking about selling my Rockets which I love for real Theater speakers. I'm curious to see what you think of the JBL surrounds as mains, primarily how they compare to the JTRs you owned.

I'll be ordering either the surrounds or or a single JBL 3677 to see how it compares to the Rocket Bigfoot in A/B head to head comparison used as a center.

I know you didn't ask about them, but another option is Atlantic Technology THX Ultra2 speakers:
http://www.atlantictechnology.com/de...asp?NodeId=127
and
http://www.atlantictechnology.com/de...asp?NodeId=128

I have the 8200e's, (3 LR's across the front and the SR's as surrounds, set to bipole mode), alog with a pair of Seaton Submersives. I have a friend with a full Klipsch Ultra2 system including 4 of the subs and 2 of the sub amps. The two systems have similar output capabilities. I prefer the sound of my AT's, but the Klipsch system sounds fantastic as well.

The AT speakers are available through the AVS Forum. I bought mine through Jason Turk. He gave me *excellent* pricing, much better than I got from any dealer. More importantly, AVS has a 30-day no-hassel return policy. If they don't meet your needs, ship 'em back! Also, you are supporting the forum by buying from them.

Here's the "official" thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=696856
In the last few pages, I've posted pic's of my system as well as FR graphs.

Good luck and enjoy the process. It's almost as much fun as the final result.

Craig

These speakers have that cinema sound. Big dynamic sound. They let all the details in which for some can be too much.

What is your price range?

If you are looking for dynamic sound/high spl for HT, I would also look at JTR and Seaton Sound.

The JTRs cost more than the JBL speakers mentioned here and MkTheater has owned JTRs and stated that the JBLs he owns were at another level.

I just ordered 2 JBL 8340A surrounds. I'll be putting them against Rocket RSC200 Bigfoot in a few days.

Super cool! I have a cruise to pay for before I can buy any new toys but I can't wait to hear how they sound. For reference, I currently have ELT towers / center / monitors. I'll be keeping them in the living room and doing a dedicated space for home theater. I've got a (used) Emotiva 3 channel amp coming next month for the front stage and if I end up with 3 pairs of these JBLs I'll get another 3 channel amp for the surrounds and just do 6.1. The room is narrow and long so 1 rear should suffice.

The Bigfoot is a great center so if it can top it that'll say a lot. With the horn design I suspect it will.

I got a Emotiva XPA-3 B-stock a few weeks ago... Great Amp.

...except that not too many people have space for the massive monsters that are the JBLs.

It won't take very much to top the Bigfoot. For a matching center to Rockets, it is alright...

Think man cave.

With a dedicated HT room and a little Handyman skill it shouldn't be a problem, just a little work, and an acoustic projector screen for the "HUGE" cabinets. Of course the JBL 8340A is only 18"x18" and 10" deep at the top so It can easily fit in many rooms with ease, and can be installed over the screen as I plan to do if It performs well.