Lost and want to make a Cyber Monday purchase

[LandToSea]

Hi, new member here. I am in the process of rebuilding my entertainment system. I currently have a 65" DLP that is being swapped out with a LG OLED 65". For audio I have 25 year old Klipsh and Adcom setup that was great in it's day. The speakers are still solid, but are too big and fugly for our new renovations. The room setup is an open living area with 20' vaulted ceilings as shown in the photo. I am not a huge audiophile but like to make smart purchases. I want a surround setup that sounds very good to the average guy. It does not need to be extremely loud since my wife has hearing damage and can't stand too much bass anyway. My biggest challenge is wiring. The room setup will not allow for wiring to the rear speakers. There are power outlets on the lower wall available, but no speaker wiring can be routed. The new floors are hardwood and the rear wall is partial free standing so there can't be an attic drop done as it does not connect to the ceiling. I need a full system, receiver, amp, speakers preferably some sort of wireless transmission. My budget is under $2k total. Any input is greatly appreciated!

https://goo.gl/photos/4ufcGZweYJpzCz7M9

 

[cel4145]

What model Klipsch speakers do you have?

 

[LandToSea]

What model Klipsch speakers do you have?

I would have to check tonight since I cant recall, but I have two big fronts, a center, two rears (that I have never used due to the above mentioned wiring dilemma), and an amplified sub from early 90s.

 

[LandToSea]

I need something more compact/streamlined than the existing fronts that are roughly 18W x 12D x 36T

If wireless is not there yet for the rears maybe I need to focus on a front speaker only layout that excels at giving a surround like experience? The ceiling is too high to ceiling mount.

 

[cel4145]

Definitely check. Some of those big old Klipsch are worth some money.

Look up the Rocketfish Wireless kit from Best Buy for your surrounds.

EMP Tek has some really good deals on their speakers right now: http://emptek.com/BlkFri2016.php

KEF has the Q series on discount: https://www.kefdirect.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/q-series.html

Are you forgoing a sub because of the wife? A well integrated sub doesn't have to be super bassy, although it will produce more bass for movies.

 

[LandToSea]

Definitely check. Some of those big old Klipsch are worth some money.

Look up the Rocketfish Wireless kit from Best Buy for your surrounds.

EMP Tek has some really good deals on their speakers right now: http://emptek.com/BlkFri2016.php

KEF has the Q series on discount: https://www.kefdirect.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/q-series.html

Are you forgoing a sub because of the wife? A well integrated sub doesn't have to be super bassy, although it will produce more bass for movies.

Thanks a bunch for giving me a starting point! I will check the Klipsh when I go to sell them. I am not necessarily forgoing a sub. I will buy a sub, it just does not need to be a tremendously powerful one and will have to be setup wireless.

 

[LandToSea]

Definitely check. Some of those big old Klipsch are worth some money.

Look up the Rocketfish Wireless kit from Best Buy for your surrounds.

EMP Tek has some really good deals on their speakers right now: http://emptek.com/BlkFri2016.php

KEF has the Q series on discount: https://www.kefdirect.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/q-series.html

Are you forgoing a sub because of the wife? A well integrated sub doesn't have to be super bassy, although it will produce more bass for movies.

What is the difference in the S and E subs at EMP Tek?
http://emptek.com/theater_build_imp_black.php

IS either KEF or EMP better? They seem to be equally priced.

 

[LandToSea]

Is Rocketfish the best wireless option? I found it strange that they would not have a single sending unit that can connect both rears and a sub.

 

[LandToSea]

What about receiver/amp suggestions?

 

[LandToSea]

What model Klipsch speakers do you have?

The Klipsh are 1989 quartet fronts

 

[cel4145]

I don't know much about the S subs from EMP Tek. The I-12 series is the one I have heard good things about. Other subs to look into are the Rythmik LV12R and the SVS PB-1000.

Here is the wireless subwoofer kit that many people use: http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/OAW4.html.

I like Denon and Marantz receivers because of Audyssey MultEQ which can help to smooth the in room response of the speakers. Basically get the model you want based on the features it has. Differences in wattage between the different models is not that significant.

 

[LandToSea]

I don't know much about the S subs from EMP Tek. The I-12 series is the one I have heard good things about. Other subs to look into are the Rythmik LV12R and the SVS PB-1000.

Here is the wireless subwoofer kit that many people use: http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/OAW4.html.

I like Denon and Marantz receivers because of Audyssey MultEQ which can help to smooth the in room response of the speakers. Basically get the model you want based on the features it has. Differences in wattage between the different models is not that significant.

Thanks! On that note I am looking at the Denon AVR-x4300h and Marantz sr6011 right now.
http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/denon-avr-x6300h-avr-x4300h-preview-1
http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/marantz-sr6011

 

[LandToSea]

http://emptek.com/r55ti.php

OR

https://www.kefdirect.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/q-series/q500-floorstanding-loudspeaker.html

 

[LandToSea]

I guess they were not Cyber Monday sales since pricing is unchanged so I was rushing for nothing. I didn't order since I cant decide between the above.

 

[LandToSea]

After consulting with the wife about decor and placement I think the EmpTek is out due to the glossy veneer finish. So either I go with the KEF suggested or these Klipsch I saw mentioned in another similar thread posted by someone else. Thoughts?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TE8OTRO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATBKBUXFLDT1Y

 

[slipperybidness]

After consulting with the wife about decor and placement I think the EmpTek is out due to the glossy veneer finish. So either I go with the KEF suggested or these Klipsch I saw mentioned in another similar thread posted by someone else. Thoughts?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TE8OTRO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATBKBUXFLDT1Y

I would take Kef of Klipsch any day.

 

[cel4145]

Me too. KEF over Klipsch.

 

[LandToSea]

OK, I will roll with the KEF which is better since they are not as bulky. Should I go with their sub also? I may just see how it sounds with the fronts only since my wife is sensitize to excessive resonance. I haven't even used the existing Klipsch sub in 7-8 years since the fronts give plenty of bass.

I am thinking the Denon AVR-X6300H for a receiver although it is a $3-400 more than I was wanting to spend and likely severe overkill for our needs.

 

[slipperybidness]

OK, I will roll with the KEF which is better since they are not as bulky. Should I go with their sub also? I may just see how it sounds with the fronts only since my wife is sensitize to excessive resonance. I haven't even used the existing Klipsch sub in 7-8 years since the fronts give plenty of bass.

I am thinking the Denon AVR-X6300H for a receiver although it is a $3-400 more than I was wanting to spend and likely severe overkill for our needs.

You can likely do better on the sub for the same $. What's the budget for the sub?

Is it possible that your wife's disdain for the subs is simply that she has never heard a good sub that is properly set up?

Good subs should not call attention to themselves until they are needed (movie explosions for example). They should simply be re-enforcing the low end. I think when most people move away from Boomy crap subs to real, capable subs, they are often underwhelmed at first because they are so used to poor, boomy subs that add the boom to try to cover up the lack of real performance.

 

[LandToSea]

Ok, maybe she would be OK with a clear tight sub instead of our old sloppy Klipsch? The resonance from my Mustang exhaust also hurts her ears, but who knows.

I was trying to keep the whole system under $2k, but am going to see if I can get away without a center and rears. I may later add the rears. So, I think $500 is the most I would want to spend on a sub.