New speakers, new receiver?

[shnikey]

After hearing about reliableaudiovideo.com I checked out the speaker packages. I really want to buy this Klipsch package:

http://www.reliableaudiovideo.com/kliprefrf3rc.html

I have a couple of questions. My first is has anyone had any experience with these? Also, I have a Kenwood VR-507, it is really cheap, would I need to upgrade to take adnvantage of the new speakers? Lastly, my current speakers are just home theater in a box Kenwood HTB-504's, how much of a difference would I notice with this upgrade? Thanks.

-Shnikey

[octopus1256]

I have a similar receiver, but have no experience with those speakers or their brand. IMO you should spend less on the speakers, going half for a new receiver and half for speakers. If you're heading to paying over $1500 total, at least demo Dynaudio, B&W or KEF, which I recommend. Go for Pioneer, Sony, Denon receivers.

You may also want to upgrade your DVD player too, the rest of the guys will tell you about Prog scan, HDTV - I don't know about that here in Europe.

[Jellodyne]

If you've not listened to the Klipsch don't buy them! Some people LOVE Klipsch speakers, and others can't stand them. Personally I think the horn tweeters they use sound harsh and overly bright, but obviously that is a matter of taste. In any case they do tend to split people into love/hate camps, so make sure you'll be in the right camp before you buy!

Also, while I understand the idea of splitting costs between speakers and receivers, if you're on a limited budget you might go 'too cheap' on both rather than doing one at a time. I upgraded from a Sony HTIAB in three steps. First I went up to a SAWM40 subwoofer, which was a big improvement in the low end, then almost a year later, I got my DA4ES receiver, which was a HUGE improvement, even on the crappy HTIAB speakers, and finally, almost another year later, I bought some Polk RTi28 mains and a matching center, which was another HUGE improvement in sound quality. I'm still using my HTIAB speaks as surrounds, which is fine for directional cues. In any case I could have gotten the speaker package and a much cheaper receiver all at once and I would have had a much improved system all at once, but I'd still have the upgrade bug. Better for me to be patient. And you may want to consider keeping your rears from the Kenwood system and invest more into your front soundstage.

[chlngr1970]

I agree with Jellodyne. If you haven't heard Klipsch, LISTEN to them before you buy, or make sure you have a good return window. You should also try listening to some Boston Acoustics speakers. I personally LOVE them and you could probably piece together a good system in that same price range.

j

[snipsnapsappy]

If you feel you have to buy from reliable, then try out the Pinnacle speakers, if you want the best speakers for you money, then check out www.axiomaudio.com. There will be no better purchase for the under $3000 for 7.1 territory. Even if you only spend $1000-1500 on speakers, Axiom is leagues better than Klipsch or anytthing else remotely close to their price bracket. Boston and Polks are still much better than Klipsch. I would put their brand down with Bose on the scale of worst bang for your buck.

[shnikey]

I had no idea Klipsch had this reputation. I think I am going to do more research. If I do upgrade piece-wise should I get a new receiver first or speakers?

-Shnikey

[Jellodyne]

Even though I did it the other way around, I'd say speakers first would probably be the biggest improvement. I did mine the way I did because I needed the onboard decoding and video switching functionality. But in terms of pure sound quality gain, speakers were the bigger jump for less money. Plus, your Kenwood probably has better amps than my super low end Sony did. But there's definately a quality gain to be had on that front as well.

Edit: and keep in mind, I know of perfectly rational folks who love their Klipsch speaks more than I hate them, so it is ultimately a matter of preference, I'm not saying "Klipsch Sux, Dude!!", I'm just saying just head over to an Ultimate Electronics or wherever local and take a listen if you can. The make a good, well built product, but their horn tweets just rub some of us wrong is all.

[downhuman]

This is funny because I too have the Kenwood HTB-504 (which is the best system to start out with IMO) with the VR-507 and had eventually planned on upgrading to the Klipsch Reference series of speakers. I do a lot of research and came to the same conclusions. I'm also as surprised as shnikey is with the negative response you guys have had to them considering the high marks they get in most of their reviews.

I upgraded my speakers to some old Boston Acoustics stuff (which I got for free) but other than that I'm nowhere near upgrading anything else yet. It's good to know some of these things beforehand.

[jonathan_little]

What's wrong with the VR-507?

[Iguana Man]

I own B&W's, which some will say sound a bit "bright" in the upper end. Personally, I find them "revealing", not so much "bright". When auditioning speakers prior to my actual purchase, I heard (briefly) a pair of floorstanding Klipsch's (don't remember the model). I came away not liking the uppper end at all. However, that's just my opinon, and since you don't go walking around with my ears , follow the cardinal rule of speaker shopping......Listen, listen, listen some more.

As far as upgrading, I'd agree with Jellodyne; get the best speakers you can afford. Then move towards upgrading the amp/pre-pro.

[shnikey]

I am having trouble finding a place to demo speakers (why must I go to school in Terre Haute, IN). Anyway, I have the Klipsch pro media 2.1 speakers. Would the Reference series sound similar? I really like the way they sound. Buying speakers seems to be the hardest choice for my home theater.

-Shnikey

[Jellodyne]

Hmmm, Terre Haute, IN. You really are in the boonies. Looks like you've got a CCity, but they have no Klipsch, though, I am really happy with my Polks I got from CCity. 4 RTi28s plus a CSi30 center and a really good sub, say an SVS PB1-ISD or 20-39PCi would be a nice home theater system and would cost you less than the Klipsch package. Best Buy has the Klipsch synergy series, but the nearest Best Buy is almost to Indy, which isn't too far. Damn, I didn't know there was anyone that far from a Best Buy these days! In any case the synergy series is more low end and is not really going to be a fair comparison to the reference series. Ultimate Electronics has the Reference series, but the nearest Ultimate is all the way across IL in Fairview Heights, though at least its accross it the narrow way. Maybe you need to make a road trip...

[snipsnapsappy]

Comparing a computer speaker system to a real one is night and day, The Reference series will sound twenty times better than the pro media any day. But I would really stress not going with Klipsch. I also would stress against trying out speakers in stores. Best Buy uses tape quality sources for their speakers that sound awful and is not a way to audition any speaker. Good Guys or Tweeter have higher end speakers but they cost way too much. They also use exceptionally recorded material that will sound good to any ear, especially one that is not trained to listen for problems with speakers.

I find the best thing to do is to learn from members on this forum and other forums like www.avsforum.com and www.hometheaterforum.com. At these places their is an overwhelming positive response for speakers from Axiom (www.axiomaudio.com) and Rocket Loudspeakers (www.rocketloudspeakers.com) as well as subwoofers from SVS (www.svsubwoofers.com) and HSU (www.hsuresearch.com). Most people believe these speakers outperform most at anywhere near their price point and they almost all offer free shipping and no sales tax. And their customer service, knowledge support and warranties are miles better than brick and mortar stores.

Also check out www.outlawaudio.com as a possibility for your processor and amp.

So I would truly stress going this route, internet word of mouth and internet shopping has revolutionized the industry.

At least check some of these sites out.

[shnikey]

Answers breed questions. I think I am going to go with those Axiom speakers. I have heard good things and they are in my price range. My question now is. Do I really need to get floor standing, or will the bookshelves be more than enough. My "theater room" is not very big (14x10), so I was thinking of getting the M22ti speakers. To accompany those I was going to get the VP150 center and the QS4 surrounds. I have not decided on what sub to get, but that is a different story.

-Shnikey

[snipsnapsappy]

I own the M22 and would highly recommend them unless you can afford the M60's. Otherwise the M22's paired with a sub sounds amazing. An M22 with a sub sounds better than M40 or M50 because the M22 has better mid range and the sub produces better bass. An M60 has great midrange and great bass. You will eventually need a sub anyways, but if you get the M60's, a sub is not neccessary until you need really deep bass.

I also would stress getting the QS8's, I owned a pair of QS4's and I sent them back when I found out they use a hybrid tweeter and not the regular tweeter that all the other speakers in Axioms line have. It still is a great speaker, but if you can wait to spend the extra $150 or so for the QS8. I would recommend that. But I promise that the QS4 is a great little surround speaker.

[snipsnapsappy]

Oh I forgot to tell you, email customer service at Axiom or give them a call. They are extremely knowledgeable and can help you with which speakers to buy for your size room and even give you info on what type of amp to get and what power rating is good for your room.