Please help me, I'm overwhelmed

[afterlife2]

I just bought a new pair Klipsch VB-15 Bookshelf speakers (should be here next week) after hearing my new Klipsch iGroove SXT. I had a friend who had some Klipsch 5.1 hooked up to his computer like 15 yrs ago and I loved the sound quality, but never got around to getting some till now. That said If you like them go for them. Take your own CD's/DVD's to the store and see what you like and decide on a brand. Good Luck.

 

[zieglj01]

I just bought a new pair Klipsch VB-15 Bookshelf speakers (should be here next week)

Did you audition the VB-15?

 

[afterlife2]

No I didn't they are discontinued. I just took a chance on them. I got them on ebay for a decent price. I did read they are on the warm side which I like + I've always wanted a horn speaker. Well see...

 

[zieglj01]

No I didn't they are discontinued. I just took a chance on them. I got them on ebay for a decent price. I did read they are on the warm side which I like + I've always wanted a horn speaker. Well see...

I have owned them, and they were not warm to me. However they
are different, and you may like them. Have Fun!

 

[afterlife2]

I have owned them, and they were not warm to me. However they
are different, and you may like them. Have Fun!

So I guess they weren't your bag?

 

[zieglj01]

So I guess they weren't your bag?

Not for me - maybe for you.

 

[runswithscisors]

So NHT, Aperion, and EMP are 3 companies that offer free 30-day trial (including shipping).

Good thing I have a decent credit limit on my card!!!

I heard some things I liked better than the Klipschs, but they were out of my budget, like the Martin Logan Ethos. and B&W Diamonds for example. I'm wanting to listen to everything I can before I buy.

 

[fuzz092888]

Well, I'll just put in my .02 cents and say that there are people who've heard the the B&W 803D's (at least I think it was the Ds it might have just been the 803s) and the Revel Salon 2s and preferred the Revels. They have also heard the philharmonic 3s and have said the philharmonics are very similar, albeit with a less substantial low end.

If you can find someone near you to audition some phils I would recommend it, I believe the Philarmonic 2s would be in your price range of $2000. Then again if the aesthetics are something you can't get past then soldier on, personally if my choice was between the three you've picked I'd go with the ascends, but with the RAAL upgrade.

Best of luck and keep searching for more speakers to listen to.

 

[runswithscisors]

One would think that Memphis TN (about 60 mi away) would have some better AV retailers, but BB Magnolia is about all they have. They have lots of installers that can "get that for ya" but don't have a showroom or even demo units. SO, the search goes on.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[fuzz092888]

Well the Philharmonics aren't distributed by a retailer, you would have to email Dennis to see if he's shipped any near you. Then Dennis would contact the owner and ask if they would be willing to let you into their house so that you could audition them.

Other than GTGs or shows, that's how people have been auditioning the Philharmonics, unless of course you happen to live close enough to Dennis. I'm right on the edge, Dennis is about a 4 hour drive away, but I've been thinking of making a trip down to meet him. IMO, the Philharmonics are worth a few hour drive to go audition them.

Just a thought, I'm sure you'll be happy with any of the speakers you end up with, especially since you're being thorough enough to go audition some speakers. Thats more than a lot of people do, plus you're here asking questions, so you should be golden

 

[runswithscisors]

Looks like Danny DeVito

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

I wonder what center and surrounds you would pair with those... Would you have to go with a RAAL tweeter center to get good transitioning across the front sound stage?

 

[fuzz092888]

Now now be gentle, those are my speakers you're talking about

You wouldn't necessarily have to go with a RAAL center to get good imaging. The Ascend sierra tower center (with RAAL) or a center from salk should image well with these. Salk would image well because the owner/builder of the philharmonics helped design the crossovers for a few Salk speakers.

There are also the Philharmonitor speakers you could use as surrounds also made by philharmonic audio, or the song surrounds or the MBOWs or the CAOWS which are on the salk website would be fine.

 

[runswithscisors]

I would love to hear a pair of those, I was expecting to see the RAAL tweeter to be an upgrade on top of the $2000 pair of speakers. Looks like a nice set from the specs and reviews. Honestly, when you first linked to them, I took a look and passed on. After reading deeper, I got the itch, I want to hear them!

Also, looks like there is a Revel dealer in Memphis, I might have to get up there next week.

 

[runswithscisors]

I got side tracked on speakers and forgot to keep you guys updated. I chose the Denon 2311CI receiver, it arrived on Wed. Also, the latest piece of my new system arrived today in the mail, my 24' Monster Cable subwoofer cable so I can do the "subwoofer crawl".

 

[fuzz092888]

You should go over to AVSforum and read a bit over there on the philharmonic thread if you haven't already. Theres a little bit more information.

Good choice in receiver, and for future reference don't waste your money on stuff like monster cable.

For only $6.49 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 25ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - Black | Premium Analog RCA Cables

I don't know what you paid, but it probably wasn't what these cost and it will work equally as well.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Looks like Danny DeVito

You mean they are only 43" tall?

Of course, a lot of towers are around 43" tall and have similar shapes. Some are rounder like B&W 802D. I think DeVito is a lot rounder like the B&W:

And some are more square and triangle shaped the Wilson Audio Sophia:

I guess they don't want to look like the traditional "box" speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, I'll just put in my .02 cents and say that there are people who've heard the the B&W 803D's (at least I think it was the Ds it might have just been the 803s) and the Revel Salon 2s and preferred the Revels. They have also heard the philharmonic 3s and have said the philharmonics are very similar, albeit with a less substantial low end.

I've auditioned the $25K 800D twice. I've also auditioned the 802D & 803D.

IMO, the Philharmonic 3 sounds so much better than all 3 B&W in every way - bass, midrange, & tweeter.

The Phil3 sounds so much more detailed and crystal clear, and the soundstage of the Phil's are larger.

 

[runswithscisors]

You should go over to AVSforum and read a bit over there on the philharmonic thread if you haven't already. Theres a little bit more information.

Good choice in receiver, and for future reference don't waste your money on stuff like monster cable.

For only $6.49 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 25ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - Black | Premium Analog RCA Cables

I don't know what you paid, but it probably wasn't what these cost and it will work equally as well.

$15 shipped, 24' cable, T splitter and 6" jumper cable packed together, and its white so it blends in with the wall. $115 discount.

 

[runswithscisors]

I've auditioned the $25K 800D twice. I've also auditioned the 802D & 803D.

IMO, the Philharmonic 3 sounds so much better than all 3 B&W in every way - bass, midrange, & tweeter.

The Phil3 sounds so much more detailed and crystal clear, and the soundstage of the Phil's are larger.

Its posts like this that are going to have me end up driving half way across the country to listen to a pair of speakers.

 

[fuzz092888]

$15 shipped, 24' cable, T splitter and 6" jumper cable packed together, and its white so it blends in with the wall. $115 discount.

well judging by your responses to your question over on the other thread you started idk if you should be smiling

Or you could be like me and buy sight unseen, err hear unheard? Something like that.