welcome to the forum jason,
to be honest, ive answered this inquiry in a thread a long time ago...it shows you the benefits of going to the reference series, instead of the synergies. again, to no disrepect to the synergies, its a matter of personal preference...
here we go...
heres a little bit of a comparison of both lines...
There are a few differences other than the obvious styling.
Synergy
- Aluminum dome tweeters
Reference
- Titanium diaphragm compression drivers. Titanium is considered better by a general amount of people.
Aluminum has a tendency of ringing at certain frequencies, it bothers some people, most don't notice it. (thus the notion that horns in general are 'too bright')
Synergy
- IMG (injection modeled graphite) polymer woofers
Reference
- Klipsch's own patented Cerametallic (ceramic coated aluminum) technology
Synergy's efficiency levels are a tad less than the Reference
Floorstanders and a couple of Bookshelves
Synergy
- Front ported
Reference
- Rear ported (i like em at the back. no pun intended of course you sickos)
Frequency responses differ in both lines, even with the same speaker diameter.
As mentioned before, the synergy series is their entry level into their line of speakers (lets keep the satellites in a different discussion shall we?), and starts off pretty hefty nowadays, considering the 3rd generation models are based on the reference series back then. Klipsch has always been a great company that produces excellent speakers, no matter which line.
Age old saying i keep on mentioning here, INVEST. the last thing you want is purchasing an HTIB for 200 clams, then shoot up to a full line of speakers. Might as well put that 200 into the newer set and toss out dealing with selling the HTIB with depreciation value, and headaches.
Of course, its a matter of diminishing returns.
plop