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Audiophile quality collection: Is it a gradual process?

1355 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by cbibbs, Jan 26, 2008

kam1996

Discussion Starter · Jan 25, 2008

Hey guys,

First a quick intro. Even though I have considered myself a videophile for a few years, have a dedicated Projector based Home theater, I am not even a rookie as far as Audio equipment and know how goes.

So, recently I started looking to upgrade my Center and floor standing speakers from Crappy Panasonic HTIB to "something a step better". I have a Pioneer VSX D812 receiver (a few years old but does the job)

I have a budget of about $500-$600 for everything (floor standing speakers) and I narrowed my search to Klipsch RF series floor standing speakers and center.

Also, this may be a rookie mistake but I find myself looking/researching speakers that may not only be good but also good looking. Please tell me if that is not a good idea and if I shoudl be researching based on sound alone. Reason I say that is that no matter how much I research, I keep going back to the Klipsch RF series as I love the way they look.

This is where it gets interesting, the more I read and research, the more my decision gets more and more difficult. I am sure everyone here has been through this before.

I am wondering if most of you "Audiophiles" gradually got to where you are today i-e started off with middle of the road set up and changed one thing at a time while learning what you like etc or did most of you research and then saved all the resources at once and bought the whole package?

So, my question is, if I have budget limitations for now, do I just live with the crappy set up and speakers and wait till I have enough money to do things right OR invest what I can in speakers etc and enjoy the improvement in sound until I can afford a dream Audiophile quality set up,, keeping in mind that I may not get my hands on THAT kind of cash for up to a year or so.

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ClarkeBar

· #2 · Jan 25, 2008

Work your way up to what will eventually make you happy. So long as intermediate purchases don't compromise quality, you will be happier in the long run. Quality speakers reward your ears more than anything else you can buy.

When you go for a particular speaker brand you should like its sound, not just pricing. If you like the Klipsch sound then go for it. Your Pio receiver should work fine for awhile and Klipsch are usually easy to drive.

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g_bartman

· #3 · Jan 25, 2008

A lot of us audio enthusiasts have upgraded equipment over the years.

My kids are grown so I have more money to spend on my hobby now.

It is ok to consider the aesthetics of a speaker, you do have to look at them as well. I would not recommend you buy any speaker on looks alone though. If you have auditioned the klipsch and like the way they sound, fine. You should audition other speakers in your price range as well. Bring familiar music and have at it. That way you will be certain you got the best speakers for you.

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Mason530

· #4 · Jan 25, 2008

It sure it is a progression. Then you have to look at it from different way: purist or non-purist? Purist is 2 channel.

By the way, you keep going back to Klipsh. Is it because budget limits your choices? I agree that there are highend but look awful. Some sound good and look good. If your current budget is $500 - $600, you need some more progression to get to high end.

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kam1996

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 25, 2008

I actually like the way Klipsch look and sound, but I only heard them for a shirt period. Most negative things I hear about Klipsch have to do with long periods of listening.

Yes, my budget is at the most $500-$600 which limits my choices.

Hopefully I can decide on something soon, enjoy it for a while and unload it to move on to better equipment.

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Splicer010

· #6 · Jan 25, 2008

Just like life...one day at a time...

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kam1996

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 25, 2008

How do you guys like the Polk Audio RTi8s.

They are within my budget, from what I read people arent too crazy about the mid range of the Klipsch Rf 15s.

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smileydrug

· #8 · Jan 25, 2008

I can't see the speakers with the lights off, so I definately go by sound. Have had the upgrade bug for several years. As far as the progression, I always start with sound quality first, function and useability next, and appearance last. Imagine the sound you want and then listen to everything you can find. When you find the perfect speaker, amp, etc, set that as your goal. It's not worth dropping 5-600$ for something that's ok, when you could save, double your budget, and get the equipment that elicits an emotional response when you hear it.

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kam1996

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 25, 2008

Well, right or wrong I did it.

I decided against the Klipsch Rf-15s and went with the Polk Audio RTi8s.

At under $300 a pair, I just couldnt pass on the deal.

I hope I am strong when the buyer's remorse hits.

I did what one can do amongst so much information, make the best possible decision based on the information at hand, hopefully it was the right decision.

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ClarkeBar

· #10 · Jan 25, 2008

Hard to go wrong with Polk. Good Luck.

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wgriel

· #11 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by kam1996 /forum/post/12928916

Well, right or wrong I did it.

I decided against the Klipsch Rf-15s and went with the Polk Audio RTi8s.

At under $300 a pair, I just couldnt pass on the deal.

I hope I am strong when the buyer's remorse hits.

I did what one can do amongst so much information, make the best possible decision based on the information at hand, hopefully it was the right decision.

I don't think you could have done better at that price point! That's an excellent price for those speakers and you have no need to feel any remorse.

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kam1996

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 25, 2008

Thank you, I feel much better.

Can't wait to get those and hook them up.

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porsche951

· #13 · Jan 25, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by smileydrug /forum/post/12928466

I can't see the speakers with the lights off, so I definately go by sound. Have had the upgrade bug for several years. As far as the progression, I always start with sound quality first, function and useability next, and appearance last. Imagine the sound you want and then listen to everything you can find. When you find the perfect speaker, amp, etc, set that as your goal. It's not worth dropping 5-600$ for something that's ok, when you could save, double your budget, and get the equipment that elicits an emotional response when you hear it.

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cbibbs

· #14 · Jan 26, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by kam1996 /forum/post/12928916

Well, right or wrong I did it.

I decided against the Klipsch Rf-15s and went with the Polk Audio RTi8s.

At under $300 a pair, I just couldnt pass on the deal.

I hope I am strong when the buyer's remorse hits.

I did what one can do amongst so much information, make the best possible decision based on the information at hand, hopefully it was the right decision.

Congratss. Those are fairly well regarded speakers for the price and unless the upgrade bug bites, you'll have them longer than anything else in your theater.

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