Klipsch owner thread - Page 620

Originally Posted by Chuck Miller

I'm planning my home theater and have pretty much decided on the THX Ultra2 system. A couple of questions. First, I see that Klipsch recommends locating the two subs next to each other. Their diagram shows them together at the front of the theater. Have you THX U2 owners experienced an advantage with this setup? Or, do you recommend something else? I realize a lot has to do with room dynamics, just looking for general experience here.

Second, I like the idea of buying a system that's been designed to optimally work together. However, I also read a lot about the great capabilities of many other subwoofers. That would seem to be about the only place that I would think about substituting another brand in the system. Any experience with this? Using maybe a couple of Hsu's instead of the KW-120s? Or are the 120s simply that good that one wouldn't consider other approaches?

Thanks for your advice.

Chuck

Originally Posted by Chuck Miller

Thanks for the replies.

Tony, this will be a dedicated theater room in my basement. Rough dimensions are 19'Wx21'L with 8' ceiling. The length dimension assumes that I build a screen wall in the front of the room and plan to locate the front speakers behind that wall, presumably including the subs. I hope to put my equipment room behind the screen wall as well, but need to study that more to see where it would fit and how I would make it not be distracting during movies. It will be a bat cave, so any lights will definitely show up. Currently planning 133" diagonal 16:9 AT screen. Usage will be about 90% movies and 10% music.

Marty, the interesting part of your reply is "you can get a much better sub". I know you are talking about value, but for the price that I believe I can buy the KW-120s for, I think they would be roughly in the same neighborhood as the best Hsus, for example. So the real question for me is would I get better LF performance from the other brands you mentioned? If so, I'd get the THX U2 system without the subs and amp.

My current audio plan is KL-650 LCRs behind the screen or screen wall. Then I'd like to go in-wall for the rest. So KS-7800 side surrounds, KL-7800 rear surrounds and KL-6502 front effects or "heights". I plan to drive this will a Yamaha RX-A3010 AVR with the idea that I can upgrade if necessary to add an Emotiva 3-channel amp for the LCRs. I would try it with just the Yammy first though. My last home theater that got sold with the last house had a Yamaha DSP-A1 and Klipsch Reference speakers. Don't remember the models. So I'm a fan of the Klipsch/Yamaha connection. I loved the sound in my old theater.

Of course, this leaves open the debate on direct vs. indirect surround speakers. Is there a consensus among this board as to the merits of one over the other and in what positions? The THX U2 system comes with indirect sides and direct rears. I presume that at least Klipsch thinks this is the best sound. Do others agree or disagree?

Probably TMI and if so, I apologize. Thanks again for your replies.

Chuck

Originally Posted by tony123

Pineville, La. I used to go to a Knights of Columbus summer camp at "Camp Maryhill" that was in Pineville. This was back in the late 70's early 80's. Fun place.

Originally Posted by Jeffer65

Need some advice. I'm using a pair of Athena SCT S3s for L/R, but my center & rears don't match. I am considering upgrading the whole thing. i want to stick with bookshelf speakers. My listening is about 75% movies, 25% music.

living room is 10 x 14 x 8, carpeted. Open to the kitchen/dinette that has a ceramic tile floor.
Equipment I want keep includes a Parasound HCA1000 (110 watts/channel) for the mains, Yamaha 965 AVR powers the center & rears.
Velodyne CT 100 sub (10 inch front firing 100 watt)
20" sand filled stands

Klipsch is on my list of brands to audition. Would the RB 61s on the 20" stands with the matching center be enough for this room? The RB 81 is quite a bit more $ so I don't if I could justify that.
Would my existing sub be able to keep with the 61s?
Does anyone use the Synergy surrounds with the Reference fronts?

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by MCF34

I have a 5.1 system and am pretty happy with it except my surrounds. I have Klipsch RB-25 left and right speakers, matching center channel and surround speakers. The problem is the placement of the surround speakers. I have them hanging from the 10' ceiling and all the surround sound goes 'over' the listening position (couch in pics). Relocating the surround speakers is not really an option. I have my reciever (HK AVR 635) calibrated by manually using a SPL meter to adjust gain to each channel and have measured distance from listening position to each speaker. I have actually increased the gain to the surround speakers in an effort to get more of a surround sensation. What do you guys think of the position and orientation of the surround speakers (see pics)?

Is this location (hanging from the ceiling) just a no go for these speakers or can their orientation (angle, tilt, rotation) be adjusted to improve surround or should I just dump them and go with something else? If something else, any suggestions?

Originally Posted by brandonnash

From the glare in the photo I can't tell how they are pointed right now. Are the drivers angled down at the couch or are they pointed forward? If they're pointed forward you're not going to get good sound no matter what sort of speakers they are. Make sure they're angled at the couch.

You should explore more placement options though. Those speakers are meant to be beside the listener and not necessarily that far above. Have a look at the dolby website and they have a placement guide. Either way, its not a kllipsch issue.

Originally Posted by MCF34

I have a 5.1 system and am pretty happy with it except my surrounds. I have Klipsch RB-25 left and right speakers, matching center channel and surround speakers. The problem is the placement of the surround speakers. I have them hanging from the 10' ceiling and all the surround sound goes 'over' the listening position (couch in pics). Relocating the surround speakers is not really an option. I have my reciever (HK AVR 635) calibrated by manually using a SPL meter to adjust gain to each channel and have measured distance from listening position to each speaker. I have actually increased the gain to the surround speakers in an effort to get more of a surround sensation. What do you guys think of the position and orientation of the surround speakers (see pics)?

Is this location (hanging from the ceiling) just a no go for these speakers or can their orientation (angle, tilt, rotation) be adjusted to improve surround or should I just dump them and go with something else? If something else, any suggestions?

Originally Posted by MCF34

I have a 5.1 system and am pretty happy with it except my surrounds. I have Klipsch RB-25 left and right speakers, matching center channel and surround speakers. The problem is the placement of the surround speakers. I have them hanging from the 10' ceiling and all the surround sound goes 'over' the listening position (couch in pics). Relocating the surround speakers is not really an option. I have my reciever (HK AVR 635) calibrated by manually using a SPL meter to adjust gain to each channel and have measured distance from listening position to each speaker. I have actually increased the gain to the surround speakers in an effort to get more of a surround sensation. What do you guys think of the position and orientation of the surround speakers (see pics)?

Is this location (hanging from the ceiling) just a no go for these speakers or can their orientation (angle, tilt, rotation) be adjusted to improve surround or should I just dump them and go with something else? If something else, any suggestions?

Originally Posted by MCF34


Thanks. The woofers are pointed slightly down and slightly inward toward the front of the room. The woofers are definetly more pointed forward toward the front of the room than toward the listening position. If I rotated them almost 90 degrees so that the two speakers almost point inward towards each other and angled them down more towards the ground do you think that would help??

Even if it does sound better with that positioning, it will probably look like sh*t because the speakers are so large. If these speakers can't work in this position what do you think about Klipsch in-ceiling surround speakers located in the ceiling between the can light and the current speaker position? I understand the Klipsch in-ceiling speaker has a woofer than can be angled so it would direct sound and be inward toward listening position. Thoughts??

Originally Posted by MSchu18

^I just ordered a 115 SW for my sub work... let me know how you like the sw-112.
I'm going to be running my 115 with the heritage line mains.

Originally Posted by brandonnash

The in ceiling speakers would get more sound to the seat if you can't mount them on the wall. The way you have the speakers now and even angled in is just like putting your front speakers on 7 foot tall speaker stands. The sound flies over your head. Horns are very directional and if you aren't in the direction of the horn you won't hear them as they should be.

Originally Posted by MCF34

Thanks. Any good suggestions for in ceiling speakers that would go well with the RB-25 left and right and center channel?

And actually my left and right channels are in built-ins that are about 6' from the ground and my center channel is on a floating shelf below the plasma and that shelf is about 5' high. Lastly my SV Sub (2x12" subs) is located in the back left corner of the room (u can see the cherry enclosure in one of the pics in post above). Looks like my system is pretty much screwed up all around.