Terrible System

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Onkyo 702 is good/decent receiver. Speakers will have to be replaced. If you would like to keep Klipsch center channel, you can stay with Klipsch synergy line and get the front speakers from same line. Give them an audition and see how you like them. Perhaps sub also will have to go, but it might work for you for at least some time.

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Uh, no. The horn drivers do NOT make the Klipsch sound "poor". Many of the earlier Klipsch speakers were more forward sounding...meaning they had more high frequency energy than many other speakers. This is partially a function of earlier horn design and partially a function of preference (put those older horn speakers into a highly acoustically treated theater and all of a sudden the light will go on). The latest Klipsch speakers are considerably smoother and better balanced. I would challenge anybody to come listen to our THX Ultra 2 demo package (with horns) and call it bright. If anything it is on the mellow side.


Back to your question...you have a large amount of cubic space (3200 ft3 plus your kitchen area...remember the speakers don't know the difference) to fill and a smaller reciever. Using higher efficiency speakers will give you far more bang for the buck and increase the dynamic capability of the system (i.e. the power and dramatic feeling). I'd look at the Klipsch Reference in-ceiling speakers if you want to stick with in-ceiling. The new larger CDT5800's are excellent. Very dynamic, and they allow you to pivot the entire speaker in the frame for good directional control. You'll unquestionably want to upgrade your JBL sub since it is woefully inadequate to fill that size room (the VTF-3 is a good choice but you'll need sats that can run flat down into the 50hz range to really take advantage of that subs' strengths). If you want to go satellite, look at the Klipsch RSX-5. They are pretty substantial and one of the few smaller speakers that don't give out dynamically and can handle a large space at higher volumes without giving up.

If you decide on a lower efficiency speaker, you will need an amp with a far more substantial power supply.

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These are all solid suggestions that can help you make some improvements quickly. A $50K system can sound like garbage in an acoustically poor room (I've heard this happen myself) while a reasonably good system in an excellent room can sound amazing.


If you have time, look for some online articles about inexpensive DIY room treatments and techniques, or look at some commercially available products. www.Audioholics.com has a whole section of excellent articles about room treatments. You don't have to go nuts or spend a fortune if you don't want to... I treated my 11' x 11'9" x 7'6" bedroom (where I have my 5.1 HT system and studio mixing gear) with a combination of some panels I bought from a company on eBay plus some big 4" thick panels I made using rockwool insulation and burlap from www.atsacoustics.com . Works beautifully and didn't cost much. Hanging heavy drapes, adding carpets, etc. will help tame your mid and high frequencies (if you're having issues there, which you quite likely are) but won't do much or anything for bass problems. The bigger panels I made are for both broadband absorption and bass trapping, which evened out my bass response beautifully. Treatments don't have to be ugly, like those popular rippled egg-carton looking foam products you often see in studios. They can be covered in fabrics or made to look like artwork or part of the room decor. I used two colors of burlap and it looks great (at least to my somewhat meager sense of visual style ).


Having said all that, I agree that you should keep the receiver unless you get deep enough into this hobby that you feel the need to upgrade it. I have the same one and it's quite nice, and easy to use as well. MSRP is around $800 so it's not cheap garbage at all, and it did a fine job powering my old B&W DM602 S2s (large bookshelf speakers) and my Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SEs. In fact the Ascends sounded outstanding powered by the Onkyo. The only time I felt the need to upgrade was after I purchased my Swans Classics 5.2s towers, which presented a more difficult load at higher volumes so I added a 2-channel power amp just for the mains.


I also owned the same sub you have until it died (LOUDLY and violently) on me one night while I was sleeping. Scared the bejeebies outta me. Was advised afterwards by the well-known speaker designer Ed Frias not to use the auto-on feature on future subs but rather turn it on and off manually. The sub was OK for a 2.1 system in a TINY room but will NOT, seriously NOT, do the job in your big room, especially for home theater purposes. Lose it and get something nice like the Hsu, or an SVS. (Unlike the receiver, it is cheap... I think I paid about $200 new for it.) Personally I love both brands but prefer the SVS for value, pure power output and great sound for the money. Can't go wrong either way though.


Also I don't know those speakers but they sound like they're probably junk so definitely look at either a bookshelf system or better, unless as a previous poster suggested you really want to stay with an in-ceiling solution. I doubt you'd get the same good results with an all-in-ceiling system, though I suppose anything's possible.


Definitely figure out what your budget is and spend time in shops listening to various speakers and take notes about what you do and don't like. Only your ears can dictate how much you need to spend and what brands you need to consider for your tastes.


And don't forget to consider Internet Direct brands. PLENTY of info about the popular ones on here like Ascend Acoustics (a personal favorite of mine, www.ascendacoustics.com ), Swans (love those too, www.theaudioinsider.com ), Axiom ( www.axiomaudio.com ), Rocket/Onix ( www.********** ), ACI ( www.audioc.com ), tons more. You could pick up a really nice 5.1 or 7.1 system from SVS for between $1K and $1500 depending on the sub you include, or for a nice step up Ascend offers amazing speakers at very good prices. Well you get the idea.


Oh and one last thought... Whoever installed that system likely used too-thin, cheap speaker wires. While upgrading your speakers and whatnot, the debate rages on but my experience is that it's a waste of money to spend a lot on speaker wires or esoteric interconnects. However you do need at least good basic oxygen-free copper speaker wires, preferably 16 or 14 gauge or better. I'm using good inexpensive Sound King 12 gauge from www.partsexpress.com with great results. The longer your wire runs, the thicker gauge you should use. PartsExpress also sells nice quality interconnects under their Dayton brand for great prices. I'm using a bunch of that stuff and really like it.


Have fun then.

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Buddy, saying that you're thinking of going with "small bookshelf speakers" and asking for suggestions is like saying you're thinking of buying a small car and asking for suggestions. Bit wide open, that is. Actually it would be easier to guide you towards buying a small car than small speakers!


What's your budget for the front 3 speakers? What are your listening habits? What percentage music/movies do you listen to? What brands and models have you listened to and liked or didn't like? Do you prefer a full, warm sound, a bright/detailed sound, a very neutral sound, etc.? And what are your aesthetic needs or preferences? Meaning do you have to have wood grain, beautiful finishes, etc. or is plain black perfectly ok? The more info you give the better suggestions you'll get. (But of course going out and LISTENING is the best suggestion.)


You'll love the Hsu subs, they're wonderful.

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I would like to stay around $750.00 for front three speakers then the sub around another $750.00 (HSU). I use the setup for mostly HT 80%, with some music in the evenings and at dinner. I want crisp detail but not too harsh. The speakers have to have wood grain to match the Entertainment center (walnt, cherry, or rosemont color) size has to be around 12" high to fit in the center. Thanks again.