B&W vs. Klipsch

[thephatp]

Which is better, B&W or Klipsch?

I'm not too knowledgable of home audio--pretty much a newbie. I'm looking to piece together a decent system, but within a budget. For a receiver, I'm trying to choose between the Denon 2805 and the Onkyo SR-702 (planning on 7.1). What is the best match for these two receivers as far as B&W or Klipsch speakers go? Is there any other brand of speakers I should look at that might sound good with one/both of the receivers listed above?

I'm shooting for around $1500 or so. I've entertained the though of the 2805 with the B&W 300 series. Also, I've seen someone on this forum (I think) who has the 2805 and the B&W 600 series. How does this sound? Will the 2805 push the 600 series in 7.1?

I've also heard Klipsch is really good as well. There website isn't so clear about the matching systems (like B&W 300, or 600, etc). What could I push with the 2805 in Klipsch?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Lincoln]

Both B&W and Klipsch make good quality speakers, you just need to listen to both and determine which ones in your budget you like better. I have a pair of B&W DM601S3 and they are good but I'm not in love with them. I don't know about Klipsch but with B&W placement too close to a side or rear wall will destroy the sound. That's why I don't love my set b/c I have no choice but to place them too close to a rear wall (9" is as far as I can get them away from the wall). Without the port plug they are muddy and have a terrible image...pull them out to 18" and they sound great. I tried the port plug and it fixes the boomy bass but overall makes the setup sound worse. I tried my slightly more expensive NHT SB3's in the same location and they sounded much better...so you room and placement limitations should have an effect on what speakers you choose. Find a dealer with a good return policy so you can try the speakers at home and return if the results are not to your liking. The dealer that sold me my B&Ws has ordered me a pair of DynAudio Audience 52s to try next, once they arrive I they will take back the B&Ws and credit me toward the Dyns...If I don't like the Dyns in this location I will get another set of NHTs.

[shokhead]

Which is better, B&W or Klipsch?

I'm not too knowledgable of home audio--pretty much a newbie. I'm looking to piece together a decent system, but within a budget. For a receiver, I'm trying to choose between the Denon 2805 and the Onkyo SR-702 (planning on 7.1). What is the best match for these two receivers as far as B&W or Klipsch speakers go? Is there any other brand of speakers I should look at that might sound good with one/both of the receivers listed above?

I'm shooting for around $1500 or so. I've entertained the though of the 2805 with the B&W 300 series. Also, I've seen someone on this forum (I think) who has the 2805 and the B&W 600 series. How does this sound? Will the 2805 push the 600 series in 7.1?

I've also heard Klipsch is really good as well. There website isn't so clear about the matching systems (like B&W 300, or 600, etc). What could I push with the 2805 in Klipsch?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

2805 and 602's for mains and surrounds with a sub would be nice. Dont care for Klipsch horns as tweeters.

[MacManNM]

You are way better off going with the B&W setup. The Klipsh are very bright, almost to the point of painful. They have good bass, but I think it’s boomy. If you like a brighter speaker, I would recommend the BIC acoustec setup. I believe it sounds better than the Klipsh products for about 1/2 the price. It's all about your personal taste. Also an important consideration is the room acoustics (hard floors, wall treatment etc.) This will have a drastic effect on how any of these sound in your house. The 2805 will drive about anything. I wouldn’t recommend it for any of the Polks though.

[thephatp]

You are way better off going with the B&W setup. The Klipsh are very bright, almost to the point of painful. They have good bass, but I think it’s boomy. If you like a brighter speaker, I would recommend the BIC acoustec setup. I believe it sounds better than the Klipsh products for about 1/2 the price. It's all about your personal taste. Also an important consideration is the room acoustics (hard floors, wall treatment etc.) This will have a drastic effect on how any of these sound in your house. The 2805 will drive about anything. I wouldn’t recommend it for any of the Polks though.

Hey MacMan, thanks for the advice. I haven't been in this long enough to really know much of a difference between what's "bright" sounding and what's not. In fact, I haven't listened to much at all. But that's why I'm asking for advice from people that have!

I've searched the forum for more info on the Acoustech speakers, and it sounds like they really are good bang for the buck! And if they do sound really great, I might be better off going that way first and saving some money to start piecing together a really nice system in the future (replacing one pair at a time).

Do you know of any places that have Acoustech speakers to audition? I would like to hear them and experience it for myself. Is there anything else I should know about them? How do they fare in terms of music? My wife and I listen to a lot of music, so I'd like our speakers to compliment that as well.

Also, what about surround (middle) speakers? It looks like the Acoustech set is 5.1 and doesn't include middle surround (at least from what I've seen on the net). Does Acoustech make a good surround to go with this system? If not, what should I look for to make up the middle surrounds?

One more thing, do you know of any places online where I can find the Acoustechs for the best price? I'll do some searching, but sometimes recommendations say more than searches.

Ok, and the last thing! (I almost forgot.) My area make-up. My house is fairly open floor plan. It's about 16x18, with a front wall (TV, fronts, etc), a side wall (exterior), other side half-wall (looking in dining), and open back (open to breakfast area and kitchen bar). The flooring is 100% ceramic tile (I'm sure we'll put a large rug down, though).

So what do you think about the sound in this type of room? Will the Acoustechs be enough to fill the room, or do I need to look at something with more power?

Thanks so much for all the help! I really appreciate it!

[RLA]

The Klipsh are very bright, almost to the point of painful. They have good bass, but I think it’s boomy.

Hello
I would disagree with this statement Listen to the Klipsch RF-7 series on some good equipment and let your own ears be the judge

[thephatp]

Hello
I would disagree with this statement Listen to the Klipsch RF-7 series on some good equipment and let your own ears be the judge

Isn't the RF-7 Series quite expensive? I need to stay around $1500-$1700 MAX, so I'm trying to find the best for my money. Trying to balance what I can afford now vs. piecing together really nice in the future. So if that means I get something not quite as nice, almost as comparable, then it might be worth doing that and saving the difference to go higher than the 25 series (like RB-25, RS-25, RC-25, etc.), because I think that's all I can afford right now.

What do you think?

Thanks!

[MacManNM]

Hello
I would disagree with this statement Listen to the Klipsch RF-7 series on some good equipment and let your own ears be the judge

RLA, have you actually listened to the Klipsch Synergy III ? If you have and say they sound good, I can't beleive you are still in buisness. Those things are junk. That is my opinion. In his price range he can do way better. Lets keep things in perspective. Some of the higher priced klipsh are really good, but for us bottom feeders, we cant get there.

[Mort Corey]

FWIW, the Synergy series Klipsch speakers are NOT in the same league as the reference series. To my ears, even the reference series of 35 on down are pretty "bright" and not to my liking either. The RF5 and RF7 series are an entirely different animal.....but probably way out of the price range you're looking at. The RF7's would be better served with more horsepower than the 2805 can produce as well. JMO

Mort

[RLA]

Yes lets do keep things in perspective
The Klipsch Series from the RVX line all the way up to the R-7 series are fine speakers and he can find the Reference series in his price range.
18 years of experience in the Audio industry I have heard and installed just about every speaker combo you can think of. That’s not to say I have golden ears but I think I know value when I hear it.

The Klipsch speaker is a high bang for the buck speaker that Excel’s in dynamics this is one of the most important aspects for high-end high performance home theater what you convey as bright to the point of painful other may think revealing. I think the B&W 's are dull, lack luster, uninspiring and way over priced. That’s my opinion and what my ears hear, others love them
I carry and install many lines and the Klipsch belongs right up there with the mega dollar brands Bottom line, take your own material and demo all the ones you are interested in.

One more thing I am a BIC and Klipsch dealer the Acoustech speakers
are decent entry level speaker's but They are out totaly out classed by the Reference speaker IMOHO