1st post, some questions and Klipsch vs Athena

[Amechwarrior]

Hi, this is my 1st post here after lurking for a bit and searching for some stuff and I got some questions and a speaker set vs. speaker set matchup and am wondering which would be better. The equipment I am looking at is more of the consumer grade stuff, as I do not have the cash to amass such a costly setup yet.


1. In a surround sound enviroment, is the sub cross over set to the capabilites of the mains, or the usually weaker surrounds? Say the mains go to 40Hz and the surr. go down to 60, where should the sub start at and does that same setting apply for music listening?

2. I have a Onkyo HT-S780, the reciever is a SR-530, which I think is a 503 model with some more power, if you check the published stats between the two they differ here, under thier power handeling:
the 503 has 75w/ch with "Power Output* (8 ohm, 20 Hz-20 kHz, FTC)"
the 530 has 110w/c with "Power Output (8 ohm, 1 kHz, FTC)"

What is the difference in the 1kHz rating vs. a 20Hz-20kHz rating, to me it looks like the 503 was tested and rated across the human hearing spectrum while the 530 is just tested at just 1kHz. Is one rating method better then the other and does the FTC at the end have meaning?

3. If my crossover setting in the reciever is set to 60Hz, but say I get floorstanding fronts that can go to 40, if I set the front speaker size to large on the reciever will that bypass the crossover so I can get lows from the mains? Also, if I activate the double bass option it says "boost bass by feeding the left and right chennels to the sub..." does this send the signals to both the L/R AND sub for does it steal the signals and ONLY sends them to the sub?
3a. The large/small speaker size settings, it tells me how to set it, but it does not tell me why, or what it actually does.

4. I am looking at 2 different speaker packages for a total of 7.1 speakers, the price difference not being an issue and they will be used with the Onkyo reviever above mainly for 5.1 video games and movies with strait music listening comming in 3rd but still very important, I am looking at:

Klipsch Synergy series
F3 pair
C3
B3 2x pair
SUB-12

VS.

Athena Audition series
F2.2 pair
C1.2
B2.2 2x pair
AS-P6000

I am just interested in comparing these two, I know there may be some other kits and companies with better setups or subs in that price range, but I am not buying soon and if I can knock 1 set out of the list of contenders now, all the easier later.

 

[MDS]

1. Generally you would set the xover based on the least capable speaker, so if the surrounds only go down to 60 Hz, you would want to start there. Usually you want the xover 1/2 to 1 octave above the least capable speaker (90-120 Hz in your case), but the surrounds don't get much action and you could probably use the standard 80 Hz xover for all speakers and be fine.

2. The 20-20kHz rating is preferred as it represents power across the whole spectrum of human hearing. The 1 kHz rating is the DIN standard. It will always be higher because it is easier to amplify 1 single frequency than it is to amplify wide bandwidth pink noise from 20-20kHz.

3. If you set the front speakers to Large, they will get a full range signal; ie the xover will be ignored for those speakers. Double Bass will send the bass to the front speakers (if set to Large) AND the sub. The bass from any speakers set to Small will still go to the sub.

4. Klipsch are horn speakers and some people love them and some hate them. They are super sensitive and will play very loudly with little power but you really must listen to them to see if you like the horn sound. Either Klipsch or Athena will work in your system but you really need to audition them yourself to see which one you prefer.

 

[krzywica]

I have athena stuff almost all round, f2's, b1's, c1, and r1. I have 2 klipsch ksw12's.


1. the xover should be at 80hz as per THX specs (but my setup sounds best at 60hz).
2. the full frequ range is a better test but still worthless. Factory amp ratings are usually pretty bs anyway.
3 Yes if you activate the db option you will feed sub and mains with full range frequ.

I would opt for the Athena's, I love mine, but get a good quality sub like SVS or Outlaw, or HSU