will i be happy with klipsch? definitive? or self made?

[endserenading81]

i am ready for the next step in speakers, ...really good ones. i bought a cheap klh pack of speakers for home theatre awhile ago, and they have been hooked up to my harmon kardon 225. after being reminded of how much this amp would sing with good speakers, i'm doing a little speaker research. i was gonna build some speakers, or get some definitive audio, or klipsch. my price range is $500. does klipsch, (a brand that that major chains carry), compare to definitive, or speakers i could build myself?
thank you,
rob

[Shadow_Ferret]

Do you have a specific model line in mind?

And for the $500, are you buying the entire surround system (4 corners, a center, and a subwoofer) or just certain pieces?

[Bird]

At your price point and I'm assuming you want a 5.1 set up its going to be tough, but I would suggest you look into Athena. Best Buy currently has these on sale and I would say they will keep up with just about any mid priced speaker system on the market and they will usually be cheaper. They are the "less expensive" line from API who also owns Mirage and Energy, 2 of the more famous Canadian speaker lines. Look around this site and you will get a ton of ideas. A lot of people here like Axiom. I've never heard them, but check them out. They look great.

[endserenading81]

sorry, both with a sub AND without. just kits in general. i realize that the subwoofer that comes with most kits are not the best, so i guess i'd want all that $500 to go the quality of the surround speakers.
i am interested in: klipsch- quintent system
definitive- procinema 60 system
kef- kht1005 system
i want small speakers, around 4"-5" woofers.
thank you,
rob

[endserenading81]

yes, 5.1 only. my harmon kardon 225 is a 5.1.
thank you,
rob

p.s. i love home theatre, AND music. will be using for movies, SACD and DVD-Audio.

[Bird]

Athena Micra 6 - $550 Retail (you can do better). This is straight from this sites Best Pick system $1000.


http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/AthenaTechnologiesMicra6p1.html

[SilverMK3]

These: http://www.athenaspeakers.com/point5tech.htm or the Klipsch Quintets would do nicely for the price. I'm biased towards the Athenas, but listen to them both and I think you'll agree.

[Duffinator]

sorry, both with a sub AND without. just kits in general. i realize that the subwoofer that comes with most kits are not the best, so i guess i'd want all that $500 to go the quality of the surround speakers.
i am interested in: klipsch- quintent system
definitive- procinema 60 system
kef- kht1005 system
i want small speakers, around 4"-5" woofers.
thank you,
robI really like the Def Tech's for that price point. The Athena's aren't bad either but I think the sub is better with the Def Tech's. If you can swing it, the ProCinema 80's are a big step up when listening to music. I'll be installing a system in a friends home and am going to use the Def Tech 100's across the front with the sub and use the 80's as surrounds hanging from the ceiling. I'll let you know how it sounds in a couple of weeks. But this system is going to cost around $1,200. It will have a Denon 1905 driving them which is pretty similar to your HK 225.

[flyv65]

I like the Def Tec Pro-Cinema series alot for affordable HT applications, but if you plan to use them for much music listening, you might find them a bit on the bright side. Have you read the review on the $500 floorstanders that Audioholics just reviewed this week? Depending on your area, that might also be a consideration.

Bryan...I still have my old Pro-Cinema 80's tucked away...

[endserenading81]

yeah, i just want speakers that are a step above JBL and Polk. Not to knock those speakers, but i could imagine that JBLs and Polks bottom of the barrels are worse then Def Techs or Klipshs' bottom. and are about the SAME price!! Keep those comments coming everyone.
take care, thanks,
rob

[NetGeek]

Right now is a great time to save on athena Audition Series speakers; they are being marked down to make way for their new line to be released in May.

I emailed athena asking what was going on with the Audition Series, everyone was marking them down so something is going on and this was there reply:

"The new products are coming in May this year, there’s a new Audition line up, similar to the current one, and an all new series called the WS series. The WS products and the new 10” sub will be available at Best Buy. The Audition however will not. We will have other independent retailers, and web stores retailing it, but at this point that’s all. There is a new 12” sub coming called the AS-P6000. Details will be announced on our website shortly."


You can get a pair of the F-2's for $400 from AudioAdvisor.com and BestPriceAudioVideo.com has the rest of the Audition series at marked-down prices they are likely to drop even further this month. Best Buy only carries a limited Audition line but they are marking them down, I got a pair of the B-1 bookshelf speakers for $125 last week and they are nice.

[zumbo]

Another vote for Athena. :)

[mazersteven]

Definitive Technology
The BP 6B
Leading experts agree that Definitive's revolutionary bipolar loudspeakers are sonically superior to any conventional speaker regardless of size or price. Our least expensive tower, the astonishing BP 6B, brings all the dramatic benefits and sonic superiority of full-range bipolar technology to a new level of affordability.



BP 6B Specifications:
Dimensions: 7" W x 11" D x 35" H
Frequency Response: 25 Hz — 30 kHz
Rec. Assoc. Amplification: 20 —175 Watts/channel
Efficiency: 91 dB
Nominal Impedance: 4 — 8 ohms
Drivers: Two 25 mm pure aluminum dome tweeters blended by a Linkwitz-Riley crossover; two 14 cm mineral-filled homopolymer-coned bass/midranges.
Finish: Jewel-like piano black lacquer or golden cherry.
Weight: 42 lbs. Speakers are supplied with an optional spiking kit.
Retail: $299.00 ea.

Take a look at these.

http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/bipolar/bipolar.html

[zumbo]

Sorry, I am no expert. But, I do not care for Def Tech. You will find many others who agree. But, if you believe what the "experts" tell you, take a close look at Bose. Hell, so many experts like 'em, they even have the auto makers fooled!

[mazersteven]

Klipsch RF-25

The Reference Series continues its legacy of powerful sound and visual elegance with the RF-25 floorstanding loudspeaker. This new model offers the same dynamic quality, superior sound, and cosmetic appeal that made the now legendary RF-3 a best seller for three years in a row. Combining those traits with a smaller package and a more affordable price ensures that the RF-25 will also become a fan favorite.

The RF-25 produces lifelike sound through its dual 6.5-inch, magnetically shielded woofers and a light weight 1-inch titanium diaphragm tweeter loaded with an exclusive Klipsch square Tractrix® Horn. The advanced horn design dramatically increases efficiency and allows the loudspeaker to produce more output using less energy. This improves reliability and minimizes audible distortion.

The woofers still feature Klipsch's distinctive, copper-colored Cerametallic™ cones but are now made with an anodized aluminum that makes them harder and more dent resistant than ever. The anodizing process converts their inner and outer surfaces to ceramic. The outcome is a rigid cone with superb damping characteristics that will not flex or resonate at frequencies within the woofer's operating range. Driving these cones are large, video-shielded magnets and high-temperature, long excursion voice coils, which are highly efficient, and deliver deep, powerful, articulate bass without breakup or distortion. The RF-25 also has a flared rear port to minimize turbulence noise.

The RF-25 is an astonishing performer due to its crossover network that utilizes top-of-the-line internal wiring, polyester film-type capacitors and an air-core inductor all mounted on a high-quality fiberglass epoxy circuit board. These premium components ensure proper driver blending with minimal degradation of the incoming signals.

This attractive model brings a new level of sophistication to the audio world with a low-diffraction sculpted baffle and magnetically attached grille. Unique magnetic posts give the grille an easy-on and easy-off quality. The RF-25 has outrigger feet that can be fitted with adjustable rubber pads for hard wood floors, or leveling spikes for carpets. The spikes have a sonic advantage over the rubber pads because they improve bass response by coupling the loudspeaker to the floor.

The black and light cherry wood grain vinyl finishes on the RF-25 give it a sophisticated appearance that complements any home décor.

This remarkable speaker provides listeners with the ultimate sound experience by delivering the true power, detail and emotion of cinematic spectacles and concert performances.

[zumbo]

Mazersteven: We are all familiar with the copy and paste feature. There is no need to copy information from another website and post it on this one. If you have a recommendation, fine. If you have experience with a product, fine. But, please do not "copy and paste" information you have read and believe to be true. People are looking for REAL advice from people that own, or have owned, certain products. And if you have heard a product that is worthy of a listen, then by all means share the information.

[endserenading81]

yeah, that did kinda sound like an advertisment. i can read that in magazines. has anyone out there owned the above choices of mine? how well will my harmon kardon reveiver sound with great speakers, by the way? any opinions?
thank you,
rob

[krzywica]

I auditioned the klipsch, athena, axiom, and polk lineups about a year ago. With prices ranging from $500 to $2000 (6.1). I ended up with Athena f-2's, B1's, C1, R1, and klipsch ksw 12 sub. In my personal opinion (and this is just my opinion) the athena's were by far the best value and sounded best overall. Not to say the other brands did'nt outshine in some areas, like the axioms were good for dvd and not so much for music, and the klipsch's were a little too bright for my taste. But you MUST AUDITION before you buy, this is more crucial than any review or advice anyone can give. You may like $500 speakers over $1000 speakers, the home audio experience is all relative to your taste and not others.

So what are you waiting for go listen and judge critically!

Good luck

[Monkey Me]

Maybe Monitor Audio or Infinity for clarity.I find Klipschs to have an old school theater sound that I never care for but may be someone else's cup of tea.It is very distinct .Def TEch to me sounded very mediocre.Just my 2cents.I haven't heard Tannoy yet.

[nm2285]

As for your DIY idea...I wouldn't recommend it for the speakers you want. Speakers that small are difficult to design and the enclosures would be also difficult to build so small out of decent materials. If you were to build legitimate bookshelf speakers, I'd highly recommend that option.

Otherwise, Athena gets my vote as well.

[endserenading81]

wow, athenas get alot of votes here. i've considered them too.
plus, yeah, i've never seen build-yourself kits that make speakers that small. always bookshelf size.
take care everyone,
rob

[279BLUE]

I have the micra 6 for my bedroom. Sounds great for movies, but not as good for music. Am real happy with it for the $.