Klipsch Reference Line Thoughts

[dholovacko]

Ok, So my theater isn't close to being done, its about 18ft by 20 ft. I have an onkyo 606 reveiver going to get the panasonic ae3000 soon, and for Christmas I am getting a few of the speakers I want from my wife. I picked out the Klipsch Reference RF-52 system which is

RF-52 Floorstanders
RC-52 Center
RS-42 Surrounds
RW-10d Subwoofer

Just wondering if anyone had them what their thoughts were. I know people say listen for yourself, I heard some klipsch speakers at best buy but decided to go with the reference hoping it would be an improvment. I used to have a HTIB so I am hoping to hear that this will blow it away. Thanks in advance. I'll post picks after the holidays when its up and running

[BACsader]

Yes, this will indeed be a lot better than you HTIB. For the money, this is an excellent set. I have the RC-52 and not only is it clear, it is a loud speaker. Klipsch are great speakers for music especially rock, and they are solid movie speakers. My only complaint is sometimes they can be a little too bright, but that can all be dependent on the receiver, room, etc. This is definitely a good upgrade. Good Luck.

[Zman2k2]

My only recommendation, and it's one that will be echoed my others here, is to skip the Klipsch sub, and get a Elemental Designs A2-300. I believe they are around the same price, but the performance between the two is totally different. The eD sub is much better. I've done my research and that's the one I'm currently saving for.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

My only recommendation, and it's one that will be echoed my others here, is to skip the Klipsch sub, and get a Elemental Designs A2-300. I believe they are around the same price, but the performance between the two is totally different. The eD sub is much better. I've done my research and that's the one I'm currently saving for.

Besides this site, which reviews have you read?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by dholovacko

Just wondering if anyone had them what their thoughts were. I know people say listen for yourself, I heard some klipsch speakers at best buy but decided to go with the reference hoping it would be an improvment. I used to have a HTIB so I am hoping to hear that this will blow it away. Thanks in advance. I'll post picks after the holidays when its up and running

Almost anything will be an improvment over a HTIB, but I must say that I'm not a fan of Klipsch's sound. To my ears they can be very bright (too much treble energy), and very fatiguing. A bit too much boom and tizz. I would suggest at least listening to other brands in a similar price bracket before buying the Klipsches.

[jomari]

it really boils down to a matter of taste imo,

as a number of other colleagues here can mention, both good and bad, klipsch has a reputation - either you love em or hate em.

horns have that effect on some people, and considering how efficient they are, they may be a little bit too much for some peoples taste.

there are tho things to consider, and as mentioned above, you have variables like
- the receiver
- the room acoustics
- proper placements (they have to be at least 2 feet away from the walls)
- toe-in

and a few more other notes that would vastly improve the sound you get from horns.

the reference series is definitely a good choice to start with, and as noted, is a step up from their synergy line, their entry level series.

in regards to their subwoofer, this part i have to agree upon. yet again, its a matter of preference.

with almost the same amount of investment, you can find a number of people who would encourage you to find alternatives.

as mentioned, elemental design is one of them.

another is svs, and its competitor, hsuresearch.

with time and a lot of research, you can find a number of resources to help you along the way.

right now, you seem to be on the right track.

give us some specs, room size et al, and maybe we can all pitch in to help out.

[Zman2k2]

Originally Posted by HAMP

Besides this site, which reviews have you read?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=914086
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/e...gns_a2-300.htm
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&page=55&pp=30

These are just some of the one's I remember, plus of course, what's been listed in the A2-300 thread here. Now it's just the savings part. I'm thinking of getting my surrounds and the sub in a package deal, to save some green.

*edit* If it looks like all I did was a google search, I did. That's how I did it the first time too.

[ixlegitballinxl]

had mine since march, very pleased with the 52's

[Neo_ZX]

I have a thread on here somewhere trying to decide on a few systems and in the end I got one very similar to yours:

- 2x RF62, 4x RF42, RC52 and a Velodyne 12" DLS4000R sub.

I've been very pleased with the sound despite the poor acoustic environment they are in. After owning them for almost 2 months, the only knock I have against the system is that the bass on the RF62s is not as powerful as I would have expected, but that's what the sub is for anyways.

If possible I would also change the sub as others have mentioned. The 10 or 12" should be at least adequate so I don't think I would necessarily be unhappy with it.

On the whole I've really been enjoying the clean, bright sound and preferred it over the lower end Klipsch series, as well as many other brands. If you are the same then I don't think you will be disappointed.

[ixlegitballinxl]

reference line is phenomenal, i prefer bass from solely my sub

[sandman6662]

once you go Klipsch ,You'll never look back...LOL. Been here sence 1984# ...

[Jello]

I replaced some Cerwin Vegas with a couple of Klipsch and the first thing I did was play the Blu-ray version of Casino Royale. It is just a plain PCM track but I was stunned at the detail. Some people call the sound too bright, I call it amazing.

[ixlegitballinxl]

very bright speaker.. i couldn't imagine listening to anything different now

It's all about the Horn Tweeter!

[househead]

Very efficient speakers and sound incredible with movies/games. They should work well with the Onkyo 606.

For 2 channel music they sound just OK to me. I now want more and would probably check out other brands.

I'm 100% sure they would sound a lot better with more acoustic treatment in my space but that's not an option in our living room.

For movies and lossless BD sound you will love them!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Jello

I replaced some Cerwin Vegas with a couple of Klipsch and the first thing I did was play the Blu-ray version of Casino Royale. It is just a plain PCM track but I was stunned at the detail. Some people call the sound too bright, I call it amazing.

Well...... going for Cerwin Vega to basically ANYTHING is going to be eye opening...... Cerwin Vegas (in general) are so muddied and just terrible sounding in general.... I'm sure the Klipsch was a huge leap for you!!!! (I don't personally care for Horns though)


I had a Cerwin Vega 5.1 setup..... pushed with a Sony ES line receiver.

I had a couple of 12" RE series towers, the 15" downward firing sub, RE 16 (I think) bookshelfs for surrounds, and whatever center channel they sold at the time that matched.....

I went from THAT (junk... that I thought was the bee's knees back in the day ) to B&W 703 fronts, HTM7 Center, 705 rears, DS7 surrounds and a Def Tech 14" reference series sub...... I'd listen to music for hours on end when I first got them..... I jumped into vinyl, and a light just switched on, and I have been a certifiable audio junkie ever since (keep in mind, this was all just one year ago!!!! although the auditioning started earlier than that..... and the saving !!!!!! )

I don't claim to know a lot about audio, but I do know that I audition speakers practically every week.... and love to look for new High-End audio dealers, and I often take trips to audition different speakers.......


I find, that since the big box stores sell Klipsch and Polk, many people get them for either their first system, or first "real" system after some Realistic/Optimus hand-me downs, or HTIB etc etc... so when someone comes here looking for advice, it's "KLIPSCH ARE THE BEST "

When in fact, that person may have never listened to anything else comparable price-wise...... It doesn't mean that the person seeking advice wouldn't be happy with Klipsch, or Polk, or Fluance, or whatever..... it's just that it's hard to get objective advice here, because everyone wants to think that whatever they spent their hard-earned money on, was/is the best you can get for that money..... Like I said, back in the day, I thought my Cerwin Vegas were SWEEEEEEET


Moral of the story.... AUDITION... Ask for opinions on what speakers are available in whatever price range you're looking at, narrow it down to 4 or 5 brands/models that you can hear in your area, and spend some quality time auditioning..... the best part is, auditioning is part of the hobby, and it doesn't cost you any money..... NOT auditioning first, can end up costing you a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Uniquely]

I guess high end dealers must be much more plentiful in Lake Erie than they are in Mobile AL. The only place to listen to speakers here is the Circuit City showroom and everything sounds like warmed over dog crap in there.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

everything sounds like warmed over dog crap in there.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I know...... we southerners are so descriptive, right? My mother would have said...... "now Robin...... that was uglier than a fart in church" when I said something rude like that. And then I'd say..... "but mom..... I haven't had this much fun since the pigs ate my little sister."

It really is just like Steel Magnolia's 24/7 'round here. Seriously

[prerich]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I guess high end dealers must be much more plentiful in Lake Erie than they are in Mobile AL. The only place to listen to speakers here is the Circuit City showroom and everything sounds like warmed over dog crap in there.

I'm right next door to you and you are almost correct - come over to Pcola and audition some B&W 802's or 700 series, Paradigms, and even Klipsch head to head at a place called All Pro Sound.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I find, that since the big box stores sell Klipsch and Polk, many people get them for either their first system, or first "real" system after some Realistic/Optimus hand-me downs, or HTIB etc etc... so when someone comes here looking for advice, it's "KLIPSCH ARE THE BEST "

When in fact, that person may have never listened to anything else comparable price-wise...... It doesn't mean that the person seeking advice wouldn't be happy with Klipsch, or Polk, or Fluance, or whatever..... it's just that it's hard to get objective advice here, because everyone wants to think that whatever they spent their hard-earned money on, was/is the best you can get for that money..... Like I said, back in the day, I thought my Cerwin Vegas were SWEEEEEEET


Moral of the story.... AUDITION... Ask for opinions on what speakers are available in whatever price range you're looking at, narrow it down to 4 or 5 brands/models that you can hear in your area, and spend some quality time auditioning..... the best part is, auditioning is part of the hobby, and it doesn't cost you any money..... NOT auditioning first, can end up costing you a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!

I find what you write here refreshingly accurate, in all respects. Well said, Sir!