$1k for Center/Mains.

[alkemyst]

Friend has a 19xx Denon (90WRMS), older Definitive Tech PF12, and some Bose? surrounds behind the listening couch hanging from the ceiling. Last time I was there is sounded good except his mains and center were definitely limiting him in that room. The surrounds are very close, but the mains/center were a little too far away and undersized for their job.

He had Definitive BP6's and the matching center until this week when somehow lost a midrange in the BP6 and the center is totally dead.

I am pushing his budget a bit recommending the Klipsch RF-62 II in Cherry at Crutchfield for $399 each and the RC-62 for $549. He wants Cherry wood or similar (not black except for the center since that is a black base). This is about $1350. He could afford the $350 easily, but I am trying to respect his budget. Those RF-62 II's are $200 off and I feel a steal at that price.

It stinks he missed the Polk RSi12 Deal (if anyone knows if this can be had anywhere for that $299/each price let me know).

 

[gar655]

I have the RF62 in cherry from Crutchfield. The cherry finish looks much nicer in person than it does in pictures. They sound really nice.

I saved a bunch of money and got the RC-500 center instead of the RC-52 or 62. I don't have the setup to be able to use a center as large as the 62 and the RC-500 is nearly identical to the RC-52 but $90 less.

They all sound perfect together.

 

[purbeast0]

i would definitely listen to those speakers before you purchase them. before i started doing my research, everyone said that klipsch had a distinct sound to them, and you will either love it or hate it.

when i went and demo'd a system of the ones i was looking at (RF-7 II's and RC-64 II center) i definitely understood what people said about them. they are "brighter" sounding and some people either love them or hate them. i heard them at 2 different places, once a shop, and once at someones home theater. at the home theater is when i could really push them where i wanted to, and i can see what people mean about how they sound.

i definitely felt that if i listened to them at my normal movie watching volumes, that i would get fatigued by them. they just had a distinct high pitch to them. again, it's not necessarily a bad thing, just a personal preference. i ended up not going with klipsch speakers in the end.

that said, had i got them, i probably would have been perfectly happy with them. however the guy who demo'd them to me in his theater even told me that if he could do it again, he wouldn't have gone with the klipsch and would have probably gone with either DIY speakers or the ones i ended up getting.

also, depending on his setup, if he's doing a projector, and has room for an acoustically transparent screen, getting 3 same speakers for LCR is better than 2 for LR and a different speaker for center. it would also be cheaper in the case you go with those speakers.

 

[alkemyst]

i would definitely listen to those speakers before you purchase them. before i started doing my research, everyone said that klipsch had a distinct sound to them, and you will either love it or hate it.

when i went and demo'd a system of the ones i was looking at (RF-7 II's and RC-64 II center) i definitely understood what people said about them. they are "brighter" sounding and some people either love them or hate them. i heard them at 2 different places, once a shop, and once at someones home theater. at the home theater is when i could really push them where i wanted to, and i can see what people mean about how they sound.

i definitely felt that if i listened to them at my normal movie watching volumes, that i would get fatigued by them. they just had a distinct high pitch to them. again, it's not necessarily a bad thing, just a personal preference. i ended up not going with klipsch speakers in the end.

that said, had i got them, i probably would have been perfectly happy with them. however the guy who demo'd them to me in his theater even told me that if he could do it again, he wouldn't have gone with the klipsch and would have probably gone with either DIY speakers or the ones i ended up getting.

also, depending on his setup, if he's doing a projector, and has room for an acoustically transparent screen, getting 3 same speakers for LCR is better than 2 for LR and a different speaker for center. it would also be cheaper in the case you go with those speakers.

This dogma.

Sounds like you wanted to talk yourself out of a $5000 main purchase.

What did you end up getting that was better than Klipsch top of the line reference setup?

 

[Anubis]

he has JTR T12s


which i actually think cost more than the Klipsch, but IIRC beast got them used

is he really stuck on cherry? the klipsch are a solid buy if you like their sound, the ARX A3s and A5s are great speakers for what they cost but only come in black, there is a matching center as well

 

[s44]

How much of the Klipsch signature survives Audyssey? I suspect with modern correction it's just a nicely efficient speaker, which is the important thing with this budget/use.

 

[JackBurton]

he has JTR

Yeah, it's pretty tough to beat JTR's for a dedicated home theater. Seaton would be another good choice.

 

[purbeast0]

This dogma.

Sounds like you wanted to talk yourself out of a $5000 main purchase.

What did you end up getting that was better than Klipsch top of the line reference setup?

my speakers used cost me more than the 3 klipsch would have cost me brand new. it wasn't talking myself out of anything, it was making a decision on the best speakers i could realistically get. and i'm pretty sure if you asked 10 people who have heard both a JTR T12 setup and an RF7/RC64 setup, that the majority of them, if not all of them, would say the JTR setup sounds better. but that isn't to say that the klipsch wouldn't sound good.

if you are spending $5k on the RF-7 II and RC-64 II then you are doing it wrong. you can find the 3 speakers pretty easily for around $3k - $3.5k.

 

[alkemyst]

my speakers used cost me more than the 3 klipsch would have cost me brand new. it wasn't talking myself out of anything, it was making a decision on the best speakers i could realistically get. and i'm pretty sure if you asked 10 people who have heard both a JTR T12 setup and an RF7/RC64 setup, that the majority of them, if not all of them, would say the JTR setup sounds better. but that isn't to say that the klipsch wouldn't sound good.

if you are spending $5k on the RF-7 II and RC-64 II then you are doing it wrong. you can find the 3 speakers pretty easily for around $3k - $3.5k.

The JTR and Klipsch philosophy are different. The JTR T12 and Klipsch RF-7 II have nearly identical 'street pricing'. JTR inflates their MSRP's oddly.

 

[JackBurton]

I know you said you are currently pushing his budget with your recommendation, but does he have room for just a tad bit more? The KEF LS50's are some great bang for your buck speakers that I'd bet he'd be extremely happy with. And I BELIEVE you can buy a single speaker from KEF for the center so you can actually have the same speakers for the front stage. He'll just need a sub, which he may or may not have currently.

 

[alkemyst]

I know you said you are currently pushing his budget with your recommendation, but does he have room for just a tad bit more? The KEF LS50's are some great bang for your buck speakers that I'd bet he'd be extremely happy with. And I BELIEVE you can buy a single speaker from KEF for the center so you can actually have the same speakers for the front stage. He'll just need a sub, which he may or may not have currently.

A mini-monitor/bookshelf is not the same application as a floor stander usually.

He has a sub, those would be under capable in the room. Also would take a town of power to come close to filling it at 85db sensitivity.

They are great monitors though.

 

[JackBurton]

A mini-monitor/bookshelf is not the same application as a floor stander usually.

He has a sub, those would be under capable in the room. Also would take a town of power to come close to filling it at 85db sensitivity.

They are great monitors though.

Unless he has a crazy huge room, those speakers have a surprisingly big sound output. And since he has a sub, you should be able to cross it over at 60 or 80hz which should cut down on the power requirements. If he can push full range Klipsch he should be able to power these little guys.

Just a suggestion though. I'd say they are at least worth trying them out to see what he thinks, that is if it even fits in his budget.

 

[alkemyst]

Unless he has a crazy huge room, those speakers have a surprisingly big sound output. And since he has a sub, you should be able to cross it over at 60 or 80hz which should cut down on the power requirements. If he can push full range Klipsch he should be able to power these little guys.

Just a suggestion though. I'd say they are at least worth trying them out to see what he thinks, that is if it even fits in his budget.

I understand, but a speaker rated at 85db/1w is not going to keep up at all with one 100db/1w or more. It's 15db we are talking about. Not so important for near listening, but that is a 5 fold volume difference.

They are great speakers, it's the wrong application for them.

 

[JackBurton]

I understand, but a speaker rated at 85db/1w is not going to keep up at all with one 100db/1w or more. It's 15db we are talking about. Not so important for near listening, but that is a 5 fold volume difference.

They are great speakers, it's the wrong application for them.

Definitely disagree.

 

[Anubis]

will he buy used. some good deals on the AVS audio forums right now

Monitor Audio RX8s and Rocket RS450s for really good prices

also these are unfinished but an amazing value
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1503392/3-seos-fusion-10-pures-600-shipped-for-all-3/0_100

its this kit
http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/fusion-series-kits/fusion10-pure-kit.html

 

[alkemyst]

Definitely disagree.

Wow, so for $1500 a pair these are the giant slayers?

They are great, they aren't going to replace floorstanders in most places with a simple AVR.

Feed them a major amp, maybe. But then you are into a higher budget.

Do you own these yet?

 

[alkemyst]

Definitely disagree.

will he buy used. some good deals on the AVS audio forums right now

Monitor Audio RX8s and Rocket RS450s for really good prices

also these are unfinished but an amazing value
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1503392/3-seos-fusion-10-pures-600-shipped-for-all-3/0_100

its this kit
http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/fusion-series-kits/fusion10-pure-kit.html

He is not interested in used nor speakers he can't listen too.

He doesn't watch TV everyday. He wants to watch one movie or so a week.

He could easily drop $20k on this. That is not his budget.

 

[Anubis]

he can listen to those ones i linked, they just arent painted, i simply linked the kit because it has more of the details about what they are

 

[JackBurton]

Wow, so for $1500 a pair these are the giant slayers?

They are great, they aren't going to replace floorstanders in most places with a simple AVR.

Feed them a major amp, maybe. But then you are into a higher budget.

Do you own these yet?

You'd be surprised. I have two bookshelf speakers (not KEF's) and would put them up against any Klipsch floor standing speakers. Obviously they'd need a sub, but you'd be surprised what some quality bookshelf speakers can do. And I drive them with a simple AVR. They sound great for movies and amazing for music. They definitely have no problems filling the room either. All I'm saying is don't rule out the LS50's because of their size. Let your friend audition them, and if he comes back unimpressed, you didn't lose anything. You can also check out the KEF R300 if he has a monster size room.

And no, I don't own these. I have a different set of bookshelf speakers. These have just gotten rave reviews and are real gems. Definitely a surprise hit from KEF and definitely worth at least an audition. If you choose not to, no problem. Just giving you some suggestions.

If you want to read up on them, of course AVS has a thread for it:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/724103/kef-owners-thread/6420

 

[EvilYoda]

That's a pretty decent budget, there are way too many choices out there. Your friend needs to figure out what he likes out of a speaker (sound characteristics).

If he really likes his old DefTechs, maybe find a local GoldenEar dealer. Started by 2 of the guys behind DefTech, they're using some more modern speaker technology and garnering some really good reviews. He'd only be able to afford the Aon line, but might still be worth the time.

 

[alkemyst]

That's a pretty decent budget, there are way too many choices out there. Your friend needs to figure out what he likes out of a speaker (sound characteristics).

If he really likes his old DefTechs, maybe find a local GoldenEar dealer. Started by 2 of the guys behind DefTech, they're using some more modern speaker technology and garnering some really good reviews. He'd only be able to afford the Aon line, but might still be worth the time.

It's more a budget he put on it. I was trying to push him higher end as he could easily afford it.

He doesn't watch much TV/Movies.

 

[tential]

The thing with spending 1k+ on center/Mains is that you probably are going to want an amplifier to power them. After not having an amplifier and blowing out three sets of tweeters and just seeing the difference an amplifier makes, there is ZERO chance I'd get a new set without an amplifier. If you don't mind, Pro Amps don't look pretty but they get the job done. I use a Crown XLS1500 and will never go back now.

From what OP is saying though, it doesn't seem worth it to get this whole system for something he'll use maybe once a week.
I'd step down, get the Polk Monitor 70s, the center piece too, and a Crown XLS1500 all for around $800(or swap the Crown XLS1500 for a pretty Home Theater Amp and spend around $1k). Then if he wants to upgrade later, it won't be hard to just use the Monitor 70s as surrounds and just sell the center piece or give it away. But that's just me personally.

I think an amplifier is a must though. Having had to RMA multiple speakers due to not having one, I realize letting your receiver push your TOWER speakers just doesn't always last.

I just have a hard time justifying spending that on a person who doesn't watch much TV/Movies. I watch TV pretty much all day long and am a TV whore so my dream system is the Klipsch RF 7 IIs, 4 Handbuild 15 inch subs, etc. but for a person who just won't use it much at all? I don't see a good reason to spend it "just because he has the money." There are other things he probably would enjoy more than a sound setup he'll rarely use.

 

[alkemyst]

The thing with spending 1k+ on center/Mains is that you probably are going to want an amplifier to power them. After not having an amplifier and blowing out three sets of tweeters and just seeing the difference an amplifier makes, there is ZERO chance I'd get a new set without an amplifier. If you don't mind, Pro Amps don't look pretty but they get the job done. I use a Crown XLS1500 and will never go back now.

From what OP is saying though, it doesn't seem worth it to get this whole system for something he'll use maybe once a week.
I'd step down, get the Polk Monitor 70s, the center piece too, and a Crown XLS1500 all for around $800(or swap the Crown XLS1500 for a pretty Home Theater Amp and spend around $1k). Then if he wants to upgrade later, it won't be hard to just use the Monitor 70s as surrounds and just sell the center piece or give it away. But that's just me personally.

I think an amplifier is a must though. Having had to RMA multiple speakers due to not having one, I realize letting your receiver push your TOWER speakers just doesn't always last.

I just have a hard time justifying spending that on a person who doesn't watch much TV/Movies. I watch TV pretty much all day long and am a TV whore so my dream system is the Klipsch RF 7 IIs, 4 Handbuild 15 inch subs, etc. but for a person who just won't use it much at all? I don't see a good reason to spend it "just because he has the money." There are other things he probably would enjoy more than a sound setup he'll rarely use.

There is no need for a separate amplifier in this. I had Rotel separates in the 90's. My system was in five figures.

I have been using Yamaha Receivers since with 90-125WRMS and never had a speaker screw up due to power issues.

I think you are turning the stuff up too much.

 

[s44]

This thread is going to end up with him getting JTR, isn't it...

OK, I did a bit of looking. Those DefTech BP6s he had are 91db. If those were underpowered, you definitely are limited in options with any kind of budget. The Klipsch towers are 97db, though I'd probably suggest 3x RF81 II (same sensitivity, and he has subs anyway). Either get those and let Audyssey clean up the top or make him buy those JTRs.

 

[DAGTA]

I've had the Klipsch RF-82 II towers and RC-62 II center for a bit over a year now and have been very happy with them. I did take the high end down a bit in the config. I stayed in the series but dropped down a bit on the surrounds. For a sub I went with Hsu Research.