Klipsch: Smaller surround suggestions at expense for larger fronts

Imo, the Quintet III would work nicely for surrounds with the RB-61s. There may be a slight tonal difference but it probably won't be noticeable....Keep your receipt in case I am wrong. ;-)

How about a second opinion from the same dude?

The RB-10s would work as well and have the same tonal quality as your RB-61s, but you probably couldn't tell the difference between them and the Quintet IIIs in surround duty. If there isn't much difference in price I would go with the RB-10s so you could resell the package as a Klipsch Reference HT, when you upgrade.

Fwiw and depending on placement, the RS-42s could add depth to your rear soundstage for movies, although I would stick with a direct firing speaker for multichannel music. Good luck.

sirwoogie -- Personally, I would recommend getting the RB-81s for your front L/R channel mains. They are much better than the RB-61s, for that purpose (and they match the RC-62 much better, as well). The front L/R speakers are the focal points of your surround sound system, and the better speakers you use, the better the overall sound will be. The RB-81s are more capable of handling the dynamics of music and movies movies than the RB-61s (which would be great for the Rear Back channels in a 7.1 system, BTW).

Also, you do not have to get all 7.1 channels of speakers at once. Setting up a good 5.1 configuration is much more important (even just the front sound stage, R,L, & C), to start with. Most movies only have 5.1 channel audio anyway, and all HDTV movies are also 5.1 channel, at best. You can always use a pair of low cost direct radiator speakers (under $50 each) as temporary surrounds, if necessary.

I know that you said that you prefer direct radiator speakers, but they are just not designed for correct surround (side) speaker use in homes. They do work in movie theaters where there are multiple surround sound speakers along each side wall, but in the smaller HT room, they don't. The side surrounds are supposed to provide ambiance, and direct radiator speakers don't do that correctly. You did say that you have a surround sound speaker mounting challenge, but you really should try to (creatively) figure out how to mount a pair of RS-42s (as a minimum) for the side surrounds (they should be mounted up high (more than 2' above the listeners heads) -- they could even be hung from the ceiling, definitely not optimum.

My suggestions may bust your budget (which you didn't mention), but will give you a better surround sound experience. Personally, I currently am using direct radiator speakers for my surround sound speakers (they don't do the job, even when angled for diffuse sound), and I'm planning on getting the RS-62s for my surrounds (when my budget allows).

The Quintet III speakers are not that bad, but using a full set of matched Reference series speakers would do a much better job. BTW, some Klipsch owners use RS-62s for both side and rear surrounds, with some success. However, a better cost trade-off, IMHO, would be a pair of RB-61s for the rears.

Depending on the size (width) of your room, I'm not sure if the height/width channels really are of any benefit (they aren't in my relatively narrow room - 13' wide). The Quintet III's might be OK for that use (a pure guess on my part).

If he is placing these against a wall the RB-10's will not work since they are rear ported.

Good Point. Then I would consider CT's advice if he can raise the budget...If not, go with my original opinion.

from the Klipsch web site on the RB-10:

The RB-10 has both a back-panel keyhole for on-wall mounting and a threaded insert for attachment to popular adjustable wall and ceiling brackets.


why would they build a keyhole mount if it cant be flush mounted on the wall? I understand they are rear ported- is there an option to plug the port?

It is not that you can't mount them on the wall. It is that you should not mount them on the wall.