I've seen a lot of people saying they could build a better sound setup using Home Theater Speakers than Klipsch's Pro-Media Ultras. I'd like to see you prove it. 
To all audiophiles
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Well, around $350.... Or if they are considerably better than Klipschs or other major marketed high-end PC 5.1 Systems you can spend more...
- Aug 23, 2003
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Anubis
No Lifer
RussianSensation
Elite Member
- Sep 5, 2003
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For $350 you're not going to be able to assemble a new retail (not do it yourself) 5.1 HT setup with receiver that is clearly better than the Ultra's. You will find various HTIB setups that will be in the same quality range and personal preference would be the deciding factor of which is better. You probably would have to spend around $1000 or so to build a setup that pretty much everyone, even non-audio enthusiasts, would agree sounded better than the Ultra's (or Gigaworks).
Have we gotten so lazy that we can't even make it to the topic summary (which states a 5.1 setup) before responding? For home theater usage, a cheaper 5.1 setup is definitely superior to a higher quality stereo setup.
Have we gotten so lazy that we can't even make it to the topic summary (which states a 5.1 setup) before responding? For home theater usage, a cheaper 5.1 setup is definitely superior to a higher quality stereo setup.
Anubis
No Lifer
Are you talking about power or sound clarity? -- clarity will be limited by the sound card mainly, while power can be obtained easily by a big pair of front speakers like these http://www.mission.co.uk/index1.htm and a big sub...... any nice brand thx 5.1 reciever could do -- you're only limited by $$$
For a little more money ($550) you could get the Magnepan MMG http://www.magnepan.com/ not worth it unless you have a decent amp though. A better solution that's also cheaper and require less power would be to make your own speakers using Fostex full range driver, check them out here: http://www.madisound.com/ There are kits and plans all over the web, some good bass-reflex designs using the FX series. Most of the other plans/kits are back-loaded horns which are beyond the skill level and not worth the trouble for anyone here. Also check out the small 1"-2" Aurasound drivers on the madisound page listed above, cheap and cool looking, and pretty much full range.
-Joshua S.
-Joshua S.
Maybe you should state that as your own opinion, personally I have experienced the exact opposite once I moved up to separates. Quality over quantity.
RussianSensation
Elite Member
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Is this your wild imagination speaking?
Samsung HT-SK6 (Basically Klipsch - Score 7.6)
This is what beats it:
Pioneer HTD-630DV - 8.0
Onkyo HT-S760 - 8.3
Panasonic SC-HT05 - 8.0
JVC TH-M65 - 8.0
Samsung HT-DB600 - 8.0
Yamaha YHT-940 - 7.7
I am sure there are plenty more. Even if some of these aren't as good as the Klipsch due to reviewer's opinion, at least 1 or more of these is better.
Klipsch are way way overrated. If you go and listen to them at Bestbuy, in a large environment (room), they sound real bad, not powerful. If you turn on almost any good quality home theatre system for $500 US, it'll blow them out of the water due to overwhelming volume (it's like you feel the sound all around you, as opposed to the Klipsch). Of course this is my opinion. I can tell you my friend works at futureshop, and we crank speakers all the time at the end of his shift to see what we like. Computer speakers arent as good for large rooms. Maybe for a computer room they are amazing at shaking walls, but put them in a larger room, and the quality of sound is severely diminished to the ears. Basically, the sound is less "involving" and you really don't "feel it" with computer speakers. I even find my 280 Watt Sony 5.1 HTIB a much better balanced system with a much clearer sound reproduction.
I was actually looking at some high quality 2.1s (I've heard great things about Swans) 2.0s or a good comfortable pair of phones. I just want to get rid of these muddy Logitech Z-5300s
Klipsch are way way overrated. If you go and listen to them at Bestbuy, in a large environment (room), they sound real bad, not powerful. If you turn on almost any good quality home theatre system for $500 US, it'll blow them out of the water due to overwhelming volume (it's like you feel the sound all around you, as opposed to the Klipsch). Of course this is my opinion. I can tell you my friend works at futureshop, and we crank speakers all the time at the end of his shift to see what we like. Computer speakers arent as good for large rooms. Maybe for a computer room they are amazing at shaking walls, but put them in a larger room, and the quality of sound is severely diminished to the ears. Basically, the sound is less "involving" and you really don't "feel it" with computer speakers. I even find my 280 Watt Sony 5.1 HTIB a much better balanced system with a much clearer sound reproduction.
May I ask how many people agree with the part about the sound diminishing in a big room for MM speakers?
May I ask how many people agree with the part about the sound diminishing in a big room for MM speakers?
Shamrock
Golden Member
- Oct 11, 1999
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I do, at best buy, I cannot tell the difference between the PM5.1 Ultras, over the cheap Altec lansing 2.1! in huge rooms the Klipch does not have good volume and sound "travel" Now, I have never heard them in a small room (say 10' x 10'), this is why I went with the Logitech Z-5300, coz at best buy, they didnt sound any different, except Logitech's had bass, and the Klipch had little to none.
again, my opinion. I have no idea how they sound in a small room
again, my opinion. I have no idea how they sound in a small room
CNET? Who gives a crap what they think? The overall rating which you posted is worthless as well, since we're talking about audio quality. What does design and features have to do with that? Features for a set of speakers? What does that mean? Those Samsung's aren't a valid replacement for Klipsch either, since what drives the speakers can have a major impact on their performance. A $100 M-Audio card is likely significantly cleaner than what ever bargain basement "receiver" is driving that Samsung set.
Performance rating:
Samsung: 8.0
Pioneer: 8.0
Onkyo: 9.0
Panasonic: 8.0
JVC: 8.0
Samsung: 8.0
Yamaha: 8.0
Looks like a dead heat to me based on sound quality with a slight edge to the Onkyo. How exactly do you come to the conclusion that all these sets are clearly better sounding than the Klipsch based on the above performance ratings? I don't even like Klipsch speakers, not their HT speakers, definitely not the Promedia's, but to claim that the Ultra's don't offer excellent bang for the buck is to simply ignore the facts.
No who knows anything about audio would recommend you go to Best Buy to judge the quality of speakers. Give me a break. Ignoring the beating those demo units take and who knows how poorly they were setup, one of the biggest factors affecting sound quality is the environment they are placed. While a set may sound great in one setting it may sound awful in another. I have never seen a room in anyone's house that is even a quarter the volume of your typical Best Buy sales floor, making quality judgement a complete waste of time.
RussianSensation
Elite Member
- Sep 5, 2003
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That is the whole point I am trying to make. When I listen to quality Home-Theatre Systems, the volume seems to take up the space more effectively, resonating throughout. I simply do not get this type of feeling with PC speakers at Best Buy. Since I am comparing the speakers sets in a large environment, but it is the same environment, the comparison is fair in my eyes. If one system provides a more "involving" sound, it sounds much better to me. For that reason, I think Home Theatre systems are much better than PC speakers since they are created for larger environments and I dont listen to quality speakers in a 6 feet x 10 feet room. What is the point of getting a 500 watt sound system and have it on your computer desk 30 cms in front of you; to blow your ears? Therefore, I would want a system that is able to fill most of the space in the room with sound. In fact when I go into the "speakers dedicated room at futureshop," I can simply set up the best sounding system by varying speakers and feeling what sounds better. Then I am not swayed by brand names or pricing. And believe me it is not always that more expensive speakers are necessarily better.
Yes I agree Klipsch are a great bang for the buck, but to my ears HT systems sound better for $300US anyways.
Pretty much any Onkyo or Yamaha HTIB system for $300+ will sound equal to if not better than any "PC speakers" Klipsch's included, if you get into the 500+ HTIB systems from either of these 2 makers I will say they definitly sound better than any "PC speakers" period.
The Klipsch Ultras are NOT "Home Theater" Speakers. They are simply the best multimedia speakers you can find. They wouldnt sound good ina big room since they are designed for close placement. They dont have a huge amplifier like the 100 watt/ channel receivers do. I wouldnt recommend someone who wants to use their PC for hometheater use because simply its not for like a big room. If you watch movies on your PC this is simply the best sound out of the box setup you can get. You can always hook a HT in a box with speakers and receiver but thats going to cost you lot more if you want to compare to the klipsch speaker quality. If you want Klipsch Home theater speakers look into their Heritage or reference line.
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