what can i do to improve what i have? any suggestions?

[Lexanikid22's]

Onkyo Tx NR636
center klipsch RP-450C
Fronts 2 klipsch senergy B3's
surrounds 2 klipsch reference 5 1/4 bookshelves
backs 2 klipsch reference 5 1/4 bookshelves
everything i have has been acquired randomly over the years
i am aware i am under powering my center speaker but what can i do or add to improve what i already have and to make sure im not under powering my speakers? im willing to start from scratch at this point. it is loud but not as loud as id like it to be.

 

[slipperybidness]

You did not mention a sub woofer?

That would be my first suggestion--Add a Sub Woofer!

And, NOT a Klipsch SW!

 

[fmw]

A subwoofer will represent more impact on your sound than the rest of the system combined.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Agreed, you need a sub first. Forget about so called "underpowering"
Bigger issue is your center is much better than you lower series L/R
I'd move klipsch reference 5 to front and B3's to back

 

[Lexanikid22's]

Lol I did forget to mention a subwoofer but I do have a 12inch Klipsch smh
It's decent but I want something better

 

[slipperybidness]

Also, have you run any Room Correction on the AVR yet?

That may help, but may be hit or miss.

 

[Lexanikid22's]

Agreed, you need a sub first. Forget about so called "underpowering"
Bigger issue is your center is much better than you lower series L/R
I'd move klipsch reference 5 to front and B3's to back

I had the b3s for the fronts because the woofer is bigger and the frequency response is better than the newer Klipsch I have. I will give that a try tho. I wanted atmos towers for fronts or ceiling speakers for atmos. Unfortunately limited space where my fronts are doesn't allow me to

 

[Lexanikid22's]

I can't add anymore power to my receiver some how? Not sure on how all that works but I was told the receiver I have is only pushing 90 watts a channel. And thanks guys for the input I appreciate it.
What's so wrong with Klipsch by the way?lol

 

[Seth=L]

Onkyo Tx NR636

That's fine.

center klipsch RP-450C

That's very nice.

Fronts 2 klipsch senergy B3's

I agree with BSA, move those to the back and put the Reference up front. It costs nothing and they should match better with the Premiere center speaker.

surrounds 2 klipsch reference 5 1/4 bookshelves

Leave these here.

backs 2 klipsch reference 5 1/4 bookshelves

Move to front, see above.

everything i have has been acquired randomly over the years

I am much the same. You're not doing shabby so far.

i am aware i am under powering my center speaker

No you aren't. That speaker is tremendously efficient and I can't imagine you've ever under powered it unless you had it hooked up to a 2 watt integrated circuit chip amplifier.

but what can i do or add to improve what i already have and to make sure im not under powering my speakers?

Well the subwoofer recommendations aren't a bad place to start, but that only gets you so far. Right now you have an awesome center speaker and a bunch of very small bookshelf speakers that have limitations that just cannot be fixed by adding more or better subwoofers.

im willing to start from scratch at this point. it is loud but not as loud as id like it to be.

I don't think you need to start from scratch. You have the basis of a solid sound system. A budget would help.

Lol I did forget to mention a subwoofer but I do have a 12inch Klipsch smh
It's decent but I want something better

What's the model number of this subwoofer?

---------------------------------------------------------------

OK. So here's my suggestion (sans the subwoofer recommendations, I'll let the rest of the forum advise you there and believe me, they will advise you). Take a look at Klipsch's Premiere line of towers and see what fits your budget. Even their smaller tower with 2 5.25" woofers and the nice horn for $600 a pair (on sale right now) will bring your front stage to life. Dynamics is what you're currently missing and the front 3 speakers play a huge part in the delivery of dynamics. The surrounds only never need to be big dynamic wielding speakers when you're doing multichannel music, and even then it's not absolutely necessary.

http://www.klipsch.com/floorstanding-speakers

 

[Seth=L]

I can't add anymore power to my receiver some how? Not sure on how all that works but I was told the receiver I have is only pushing 90 watts a channel. And thanks guys for the input I appreciate it.
What's so wrong with Klipsch by the way?lol

Klipsch subwoofers are not particularly well regarded, they certainly leave something to be desired compared to many of their competitors at similar prices. I don't think they're bad, but a little overpriced.

As to the rest of their speakers, they catch a lot of flack for not being tonally accurate, or less than ideal off axis response, but they are voiced a certain way and a lot of people like them (myself included). I think they are an exciting sounding speaker.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Klipsch subwoofers are not particularly well regarded, they certainly leave something to be desired compared to many of their competitors at similar prices. I don't think they're bad, but a little overpriced.

As to the rest of their speakers, they catch a lot of flack for not being tonally accurate, or less than ideal off axis response, but they are voiced a certain way and a lot of people like them (myself included). I think they are an exciting sounding speaker.

My personal theory about Klipsch preferences: Due to inevitable loss of hearing with age, high frequencies go first and with Klipsch's sound signature typically for elevated high frequencies possibly balance out to end result sound better to such LARGE group of people over 30-40.

It it's not granted that you're over 30 and your hearing is damaged, but it's very likely to genetic and environmental factors (aka rock concerts in youth and loud headphones)

 

[slipperybidness]

My personal theory about Klipsch preferences: Due to inevitable loss of hearing with age, high frequencies go first and with Klipsch's sound signature typically for elevated high frequencies possibly balance out to end result sound better to such LARGE group of people over 30-40.

It it's not granted that you're over 30 and your hearing is damaged, but it's very likely to genetic and environmental factors (aka rock concerts in youth and loud headphones)

My GE Triton 2 measurements seem to show elevated highs too, but I certainly never actually hear that.

 

[fmw]

I can't add anymore power to my receiver some how? Not sure on how all that works but I was told the receiver I have is only pushing 90 watts a channel. And thanks guys for the input I appreciate it.
What's so wrong with Klipsch by the way?lol

What makes you think you need more power?

 

[Seth=L]

What makes you think you need more power?

He is mistaking the need for more power to gain more output. Unfortunately his speakers can probably reach their maximum output with the current receiver. He needs larger more dynamic speakers.

 

[Lexanikid22's]

Model number is R-12sw.
It's not the exact one I wanted but it's better than what I had. As far as my center channel when I watch action packed movies it begins to distort a little when the action seen goes on for a while.
My preference and love for the Klipsch brand started when I was around 18 and I have yet to hit 30 years old haha

 

[Seth=L]

Model number is R-12sw.
It's not the exact one I wanted but it's better than what I had. As far as my center channel when I watch action packed movies it begins to distort a little when the action seen goes on for a while.
My preference and love for the Klipsch brand started when I was around 18 and I have yet to hit 30 years old haha

Odd, do you have the center set to small? Maybe it's throwing your receiver's amplifier a haywire phase angle.

Do you feel the subwoofer is lacking in certain ways?

 

[bonejob]

Klipsch subwoofers are not particularly well regarded, they certainly leave something to be desired compared to many of their competitors at similar prices. I don't think they're bad, but a little overpriced.

As to the rest of their speakers, they catch a lot of flack for not being tonally accurate, or less than ideal off axis response, but they are voiced a certain way and a lot of people like them (myself included). I think they are an exciting sounding speaker.

I agree. But I DON'T like them. Lots of "bang and sizzle." More charitably, lots of what many people perceive as "impact" and "presence." Sounds artificial, fatiguing to listen to for any length of time.

Keep them if you like them. But if your system magically became mine - like maybe you left it to me in your will - the first thing I would do is replace the speakers - ALL of them - with just about anything else (except for maybe Bose - or JBL).