Help with adding Side speakers for 7.1

[tasburath]

Hey guys.

I set up my 5.1 System about 6 years ago. It has taken much longer than planned, but I am moving my system downstairs and plan on adding 2 speakers to make it a 7.1 system.

My rears are currently RSX-4 Klipsch bookshelf speakers. They are a discontinued model. While I am waiting on Klipsch to approve my fourm account, I thought I would come over here and ask you guys.

I want to add 2 sides and wondered if anyone here knew what the Klipsch RSX-4 replacement model was. Looking at their site, It looks like it may be the RB-41 series, but the specs are slightly different than the RSX-4.

Or, should I use something like the RS-41 series for my sides?

The room is a 28' x26' rectangle, so it should make quite a nice sound box.

To Give a full understanding of my set up, I currently have the following:

Klipsch 12" Subwofer RW12D
2 floorstanding front speakers RVX-54
1 center RVX-42
2 rears RSX-4

Sony DA5300ES Receiver

 

[jostenmeat]

I suspect you haven't thought of it yet, but IMO the best source for finding the types of answers you're looking for is from the mftr directly. That's what I've always suggested to others who want to match their presently discontinued speakers. Bear in mind though that matching surrounds is much less of a concern, as they're coming from completely different directions (I believe people quote Floyd Toole on this with some frequency).

Klipsch » Help » Contact Us | Klipsch

 

[tasburath]

I've e-mailed the manufacturer and signed up for their forums, but still haven't received the activation e-mail. So I figured I would ask here while waiting.

Is there any consensus as to whether standard bookshelf speakers or the surround speakers are better for the sides?

 

[jostenmeat]

I've e-mailed the manufacturer and signed up for their forums, but still haven't received the activation e-mail. So I figured I would ask here while waiting.

Is there any consensus as to whether standard bookshelf speakers or the surround speakers are better for the sides?

I didn't look up your speakers, but my answer to your question: IMO, No there is not a consensus. This coming from someone with bipoles in his HT. I think monopoles are perfectly fine, particularly for one row of seating (and even with multiple rows, the extra spread is not as noticeable as I would have guessed). Now for sure there are people who like dipole setups, but that require a lot more careful placement, you need to be in the null. Bipole/dipoles might require that you think about how the boundaries interact as well, more than you might with monopoles IMO. Also, Bi/Di are typically more expensive simply because they have double the drivers, and therefore I would never vote for them if that meant you sacrificed on the front three even by just a tiny bit. Again, JMO, and no, no consensus.

Also FWIW, there are some speakers that are switchable between bi and di if you wanted to experiment, and I've even seen double monopole option if you will (two sets of binding posts; get 7.1 with 5 speakers).

 

[fuzz092888]

What you use as surrounds is a matter of personal preference. Some guys like the directionality of a monopole speaker with fairly wide dispersion and some guys like bipoles or dipoles.

Personally I use these

RC-4

Which roughly translates to the RS series surrounds in the klipsch lineup. YMMV. Is there anywhere near you that you could audition some of the RS series Klipsch surrounds?

 

[tasburath]

I'll have to look and see what's around me. I think there is a place if it didn't go out of business.