Help me choose some speakers (specific question!!!) (1 Viewer)

[Kenneth Harden]

This is a X-post from the Klipsch forum:

OK, now that I have my 2-channel dreams fufilled (Klipsch Chorus II's), I want to think about a smaller HT rig for my 13' X 13'6 bedroom. While I will listen to SOME music, it will be mostly a cinema system. So here is the deal:

-Because of where I work, I will be getting the new Synergy stuff, so do NOT recommend Reference or anything like that, mkay?
-Before, I was going to go with monster mains, but my Chorus II's take care of my 110 dB. music desires
-I already have a pair of VERY nice 30" floor stands that are all steel and filled with sand (refer to this later)
-When I move on in life (first pad), this system will go with me, so I want it flexable
-I have my JBL E250P subwoofer, so bass is not an issue. I will want to have these speakers running as satellites at about 80Hz. high-pass.

So:

-I will get a C-3, that is a given: http://www.klipsch.com/product/produ...=840§ion=specs - I want a large center.

-What should I do for surrounds? I will probably go with the S-3's - http://www.klipsch.com/product/produ...=843§ion=specs - as there really isn't a reason not to!!!

-The real question is what to do for the mains. I am seriously thinking of getting the B-3's and using my stands. Down the road, I could put them on a shelf, in a cabinet, etc. and they would be fine for HOME THEATER (not music) - as the L/R speakers are kinda along for the ride. This would give me the same woofer and tweeter as the center, further inproving the system. However, I could get rid of the stands and get a F-1 (same drivers as the B-3 and C-3), but they are floorstanders and have more bass. Only downside (cost isn't a big issue, but not irrelivant) is they need to go on the floor and that kills flexability. The F-2's are larger with their dual woofers. The F-3's might be overkill for a small system and the cost compared to the B-3's is starting to be more than 2X.

So, what would you do? C-3 center, PROBABLY S-3's for surrounds, and what mains? Because of the goal of this system, it is probably down to the B-3's or F-1's. What to choose. Remember, I have some Chorus II's 20 steps away if I want to listen to music. This is a cute little home theater system, not a 2-channel death machine.

Thanks!!!

 

[mackie]

It's late and I'm a little slow. I'm not sure about the question. Please clarify. Thanks.

 

[Kenneth Harden]

Ummm, OK.

I have a pair of Klipsch Chorus II's for music. They rock. I use them if I want to listen to music.

However, I want to build a cinema rig. Do I:

-Get smaller bookshelf speakers?
-Get floorstanders?

I know the mains don't too too much in a HT system (I am still talking about what will be MASSIVE speakers at the least), and if I should save money and space by getting some Klipsch B-3's.

 

[mackie]

I had a pair of Klipsch Synergy SB-1? as surrounds with my last HT setup. They worked fine as surrounds, but I don't think I'd use them for my mains. They really were really lacking in the midrange area. The SB-3 I think would be a better choice. If you're got a good subwoofer, you don't have to have floor standers.

 

[Kenneth Harden]

Well, these are the new Synergies. The B-3's are like the old SB-2's, but the new ones have a lot more output than the old ones.

 

[mackie]

Choose what you think sounds best....

 

[Kenneth Harden]

Seriously, they all sound good.

However, this is one of those times where sound needs to take a back seat to specs and space.

 

[Joey_V]

Go either B3 or F3 for mains. Try them both out and see which one you prefer better. If you were going to do more near-field listening, you may prefer the better resolving power of the bookshelf. However, if HT is your desire, then there is no reason not to get the F-3.

The F-1 has no midrange... the F-2 is night-day improvement over the F-1 regarding the mids. However, the F-3 improve over the F-2 with two things:

1. Larger horn = larger dispersion and technically a larger, wider soundstage.
2. Larger woofers = lower extension and greater output.

 

[mackie]

You just answered your question. They all sound good and space is a consideration. Go with what works for you. I you won't make a mistake going with the Klipsch bookshelf. It seems that there are always trade-offs in this hobby since I don't have enough cash to buy everything I want... When I last upgraded I went with a small sub -Velodyne SPL 1000 II, because I didn't want to have another large piece of furniture in my living room. Some might say it doesn't go deep enough and others might say it cost to much, but the fact is it meets my needs and I like the way it sounds.

 

[Kenneth Harden]

So I am thinking the B-3's.

Also, people are trying to convince me to get two pairs and use one as surrounds.

 

[Joey_V]

Surrounds are better done by surrounds and not bookshelves when considering HT purposes. However, for music (multichannel audio), matching the mains with the rears will present the best timbre-matched system.

 

[Kenneth Harden]

Yeah, so for an all HT system, should I go with the S-3's?

 

[Joey_V]

Exactly.