$1,300 Budget

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by bryce.thompson

Also, within that budget, what other speaker companies should I look at?

Thanks for your help.

"look at" to add to the audition list, or "look at" to consider to purchase within that budget???

I wouldn't buy anything without listening to it first.

[househead]

Originally Posted by bryce.thompson

Like the title says, I have about $1,300 to throw around in the speaker department.


two-RF-82s
one-RC-62
two-RS-52

I had this same exact setup for about a year.

For movies it was awesome. Didn't take much power to get 'em going and the dynamics were out of this world. Those things played loud and clear. When guests came over they were blown away.

Then I got more into music and that's where I felt they were lacking. None of my room treatments or tweaking couldn't get the sound right. Too much top end for me. I know the RF-82 is the most neutral in the reference lineup but it just wasn't getting there.

$1300 sounds like a killer deal on those speakers though and sounds hard to pass up. Heck try 'em out and if you end up not liking them I'm sure you could sell them for a small loss if any.

If you're not already into high quality music I bet those speakers will pique your interest.

[gamebred]

I currently own a set of Klipsch speakers...Quintet SL (a lower end version)but after spending some time with them and hearing them on two different receivers, I found them to have a much better sound on a H/K receiver compared to the Elite. The good thing about the Elite is the MCACC will dial them in pretty good without any serious tweaking involved but they sound a bit brighter and "airy" coming from the ICE amp. IMO, the H/K gave them a richer warmth (haha) that was preferred. They don't sound bad on either but it does make a difference which receiver you pair them with. I like them for gaming and blu-ray viewing but they quite annoying at times when playing certain music. They are a very sensitive speaker that will show all imperfections in tracks, so you get no filtering like you would with say B&W, for example.

You may want to look into Monitor Audios as well.( if you have a dealer close by). These retain detail and clarity but are much easier on the ears when playing music. They are excellent HT speakers too. Nobody mentioned them so I figured I would throw them out there.

Take all the wonderful advice previously given by the others....AUDITION some first. Look into all the suggested brands and go to their website and do a dealer search. You may be suprised how many dealers may be within 60 miles from you.

[Riff Magnum]

To sum up:

1) Audition speakers and see which ones you like. Not everyone likes the same speakers.
2) Klipsch are too bright and will make your ears bleed from shame.
3) Klipsch are harsh and will peel the paint from your receiver.

Rinse and repeat.

oh yeah

[bryce.thompson]

Originally Posted by househead

I had this same exact setup for about a year.

For movies it was awesome. Didn't take much power to get 'em going and the dynamics were out of this world. Those things played loud and clear. When guests came over they were blown away.

Then I got more into music and that's where I felt they were lacking. None of my room treatments or tweaking couldn't get the sound right. Too much top end for me. I know the RF-82 is the most neutral in the reference lineup but it just wasn't getting there.

$1300 sounds like a killer deal on those speakers though and sounds hard to pass up. Heck try 'em out and if you end up not liking them I'm sure you could sell them for a small loss if any.

If you're not already into high quality music I bet those speakers will pique your interest.

For the most part they will be strictly used with movies and some occasional MLBtheShow, with some John Mayer on blu-ray thrown in.

I am in love with the aesthetics of the Elemental Design towers. The only down fall for that system is that I was hoping to get some bi-polar surrounds.

I think a good match for them would be the Emotiva ERD-1 surrounds.

Also, I am still debating whether or not to pull the trigger on an used Elite SC-05, keep my Denon 790, or get something different.

The indecision is killing me.

[dewd]

Keep the Denon and invest more in speakers. The speakers have the biggest impact on your sound.

Plus, your Denon has Audyssey EQ. I'm 99% sure I'll never buy another AVR without it.

[Zman2k2]

Originally Posted by bryce.thompson

For the most part they will be strictly used with movies and some occasional MLBtheShow, with some John Mayer on blu-ray thrown in.

I am in love with the aesthetics of the Elemental Design towers. The only down fall for that system is that I was hoping to get some bi-polar surrounds.

I think a good match for them would be the Emotiva ERD-1 surrounds.

Also, I am still debating whether or not to pull the trigger on an used Elite SC-05, keep my Denon 790, or get something different.

The indecision is killing me.

They are a very nice speaker. Even my wife doesn't mind them too much in the living room. I can tell you that they do well on movies and soundtracks, but they really shine on blu-ray concerts and music. I'm quite happy with the output they have, and the looks that they have as well. Definitely a nicely packaged speaker. They also come with metal spikes for feet if you use them on carpet as well, just so you know.

[Driver_King]

Elemental Designs does sell bi-polar surrounds. Here are some pictures:




They also can make just about anything you want custom wise.

I would choose this as the center to go along with the fronts. If you talk to them tomorrow, they can get your order together to save you even more money (with a 15% combo deal) so you can use the saved money for a subwoofer(s).

[bryce.thompson]

Alrighty, I ordered a pair of ERD-1s from Emotiva!

Next in-line will be the A6-6T6 towers, A6-6T6 center channel, and A2-300 subwoofer.

Once I have all that, the UPA-7 will be ordered and will have pre-outs coming from a VSX-21TXH.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I obviously decided not to go ahead with the Klipsch Reference set up due to so many unhappy experiences with them. I know I'm going to be jacked once I get my eD front sound stage.

[bryce.thompson]

Ordered the ERD-1s on Tuesday afternoon, got them at my door this morning!

Emotiva is amazing!

[househead]

congrats bryce! I don't think you can go wrong with those surrounds. And if you do go with the eD set I think they'll blend well with those. Keep us posted

[Animo]

Originally Posted by bryce.thompson

Alrighty, I ordered a pair of ERD-1s from Emotiva!

Next in-line will be the A6-6T6 towers, A6-6T6 center channel, and A2-300 subwoofer.

Once I have all that, the UPA-7 will be ordered and will have pre-outs coming from a VSX-21TXH.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I obviously decided not to go ahead with the Klipsch Reference set up due to so many unhappy experiences with them. I know I'm going to be jacked once I get my eD front sound stage.

Well done Grasshopper!!
You will be amazed at how well the ERDs will blend seamlessly with other brands of speakers. They even sound great with my home made speakers.

[tbizzle]

Congrats Bryce! Sounds like you've got a sweet setup planned, you won't be disappointed with the A2-300

[bryce.thompson]

My indecision has caught the best of me once again. I found out that I'm able to get some Def Tech stuff dirt cheap, damnit.

BP7006 x 2 - front towers
CLR2002 x 1 - center channel
BP1XB x 1 - bi-polar surrounds
and a SUPERCUBEIII

A system that retails close to $3,200 for about $1,500.

I've already ordered my Emotiva ERD-1s and I have my elite VSX-21TXH already.

Obviously the Def Techs are going to be great speakers, but will they be THAT much better suited for me for watching movies and the occasional video game?

I have a couple weeks before the return policy on my ERDs expires.

[callas01]

I don't know if the emotiva will be better or worse since I have never heard them. They are 4 ohm speakers so you will need that amp to really drive them. I have also never heard the eD speakers you are looking at. I have heard the Def Tech and can say that they are great speakers for both HT and music. I was at Big Daddys and he has some DT 2000s I believe and they were fantastic speakers and with all the bi-pole speakers he has I can say that the sound was completely encompassing. More-so then with regular Direct radiating speakers.

If that helps at all. I have heard the 7006s at BB in their "audition room" and I must say I always listen to them when I am there.

[bryce.thompson]

Finally, everything is put in place (with the exception of Emotiva amp) and I could not be happier. I decided to go with a 5.1 Def Tech set up:

BP7006 Towers
CLR2002 Center
BP1.2X Surrounds
Supercubelll (and with those towers I really have no need for this damn beast)

All running through Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH. I'm heading to the gym and will post some starter pics when I get home.

[callas01]

cool congrats, that is a nice setup.