Looking for speaker/sub help

[Calliesdad]

Hey guys,

First let me thank you in advance for reading this post and any advice you may leave here.

So ill start by saying all I’ve ever owned is a home theater in a box setup. I just recently picked up a brand new Sony STR-ZA1000ES receiver for 250$. I am a complete noob when it comes to matching stuff up to get the correct sound and tone for my living room. So far I have found a lady selling a Klipsch Reference R-25c brand new in the box for 60$, I feel like its a good deal but at the same time I want to build this setup once with no buyers remorse. For the record I am not a Klipsch “fanboy”, but since I am a noob it is all I know lol. I am going to attempt to upload a layout of the house so you guys can see what I’m up against. The entertainment center is 11 foot long by 10 foot high for reference, it also sits on the wall adjacent bedroom two with a sofa (main sitting sofa) on the other side of the kitchen wall a love seat on the other side of the covered patio.

Looking. Forward to hear from the audiophiles from this forum.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K0NCFpBHP28hMc7kzghIGoSK9j8h2d62/view?usp=drivesdk


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SA-jf8YwBSuc0QYRq7fK3U-RVnm8SbC4/view?usp=drivesdk

Edit: I am starting for scratch and now only have the receiver. I am between 5.1 and 7.1, just the thought of adding a second exterior zone is why I’m in between.

Edit 2: budget : not a millionaire, couple hundred on left and right as well as surrounds, if I go with the Klipsch mentioned above I think I would be limited to the Klipsch r-15m. As far as placement, the center, ideally, would be placed where the hdmi is sticking out (below the shelf, there was once a mounted soundbar) left and rights will be mounted on arms on either side of the cabinet work.

 

[Pogre]

What are you wanting? Stereo, 2.1, 5.1, 7.1? Atmos? Home theater? Music? Both? Got a budget?

 

[lovinthehd]

So you're not using any of the HTIB components, starting over completely or using some of the speakers for now? What HTIB was it?

Finding speakers you like the sound of is a pretty personal experience/preference. Get out and listen to as many speakers as you can to get an idea as to what you might like. Your room is the next biggest influence on sound after speakers. The electronics should be fairly neutral, and think that avr will be such (until you start using it's dsp settings, that is where the electronics will start to differ). Did you get the setup microphone with the avr?

 

[Calliesdad]

So you're not using any of the HTIB components, starting over completely or using some of the speakers for now? What HTIB was it?

Finding speakers you like the sound of is a pretty personal experience/preference. Get out and listen to as many speakers as you can to get an idea as to what you might like. Your room is the next biggest influence on sound after speakers. The electronics should be fairly neutral, and think that avr will be such (until you start using it's dsp settings, that is where the electronics will start to differ). Did you get the setup microphone with the avr?

Yes I have the mic

 

[Calliesdad]

EdiTed to reflect missing info

 

[Pogre]

EdiTed to reflect missing info

The absolute most important question is budget. Without that we can't even begin.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes I have the mic

The mic will help you set it up via the DCAC-EX program it has once you have your speakers (or now for your htib speakers).

How about any speakers from the HTIB? No? As mentioned, budget helps.

Just took a look at your entertainment center, the shelf under the tv might work for the center, not crazy about putting speakers in cubby holes, tho....

 

[Pogre]

As mentioned, budget helps.

Well, I s'pose we could begin. Might get pricey tho...

 

[Pogre]

Also, would you want floor standing towers or smaller speakers on stands? I'm also not too big on putting speakers in cubby holes, but there are some made for placement there. They do usually have to make a few compromises in sound quality to make them work tho.

Klipsch make some good speakers in a wide range of prices. They can range from $200/pr on the budget side to $14,000/pr for top of the line. It just depends on how high up the ladder you want to go. Of course there are other companies out there that make great speakers as well. Most of them will have budget speakers, top of the line and something in between.

 

[Calliesdad]

See edit 2

 

[lovinthehd]

By arms you mean mounted to the wall or ? The latest series of Klipsch do get some pretty good reviews. Keep in mind that three identical speakers across the front are the ideal. If you could use three R-15Ms for example....

 

[Calliesdad]

Yea with

By arms you mean mounted to the wall or ? The latest series of Klipsch do get some pretty good reviews. Keep in mind that three identical speakers across the front are the ideal. If you could use three R-15Ms for example....

Yes with arms, that way I can direct the noise towards the primary listening area.

The Klipsch r-25c is the center Chan that goes with the r-15m I do believe, as stated above I found an r-25c brand new in the box for 60$ locally.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yea with


Yes with arms, that way I can direct the noise towards the primary listening area.

The Klipsch r-25c is the center Chan that goes with the r-15m I do believe, as stated above I found an r-25c brand new in the box for 60$ locally.

If you must have a center of that shape is the usual reason for most "center" speaker designs, it's a compromise for the space under/above tvs more than any other reason. Ask @Pogre about using three identical bookshelves across the front.....

 

[Pogre]

Yes with arms, that way I can direct the noise towards the primary listening area.

The Klipsch r-25c is the center Chan that goes with the r-15m I do believe, as stated above I found an r-25c brand new in the box for 60$ locally.

Sounds like you got it figured out then.

 

[Pogre]

If you must have a center of that shape is the usual reason for most "center" speaker designs, it's a compromise for the space under/above tvs more than any other reason. Ask @Pogre about using three identical bookshelves across the front.....

Yeah, 3 matching bookshelves across the front is what I did. I'm still using the bookshelf in the middle and it's a great match. I think op is pretty set on getting that center channel for 60 bucks tho...

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah $60 is appealing I suppose

 

[Calliesdad]

No I’m open to suggestion. I don’t know anything other than Klipsch because that’s all that available locally at Best Buy.

 

[lovinthehd]

BestBuy just usually isn't a good place to even audition a speaker (the ones with Magnolia inside maybe better but still no guarantee). Personally I live far from even the BestBuy nearest me and even the manager agrees their audio setup sucks but due the money involved it isn't likely to get changed by management. There are some wonderful ID (internet direct) companies. RSL and SVS (Pogre has SVS) are companies that even offer free round trip shipping should you not like the speakers/subs. Both I'd go to before Klipsch personally (but I haven't heard the latest in the small Klipsch offerings, supposedly they're much better than the older ones I have had experience with). You could order one from each and send the loser back.

 

[Pogre]

No I’m open to suggestion. I don’t know anything other than Klipsch because that’s all that available locally at Best Buy.

Well at this point all we know is that you're not a millionaire. Neither am I, so we have something in common other than an interest in good sound.

I'm not even sure what you mean when you say "arms". There are speaker mounts you can use, or are you talking about a ledge or shelf or something? Arms on what? The wall? The entertainment center? To the sides? Forward of the center? Speaker placement counts for a lot if you want good sound. A lot of folks tend to overlook that.

 

[Calliesdad]

I’d love to try an SVS subwoofer, I hear the quality is great. Big price tag on those. What size would you recommend for my room size, being that it’s such an open floor plan? For whatever reason I was looking at a 12” and nothing smaller, I couldn’t tell you why thought.