About to give up, please help!!!

[Riv92]

That room looks like a tough nut to crack. I have suckout issues with my stairwells leading down and up from my room. I couldn't imagine fighting all the openings that you have. I really think it be best to take a step back and quit throwing money at the AV gear thinking it will sound better.

Maybe if a whole other dedicated room isn't an option, you could meet with a general contractor about closing off some of those openings or rearranging the way your homes rooms lay out a bit. It would be worth exploring I think more so than investing more in AV gear.

It may very well be a better bang for your buck to look for a home with an existing room that is more conducive for listening in than modifying the one you have.

Well I'm replacing what I currently have since I have 30 days to return or exchange. My original purchase is about the same price of the speaker & subs that I'm looking at. So no, I'm not looking to throw money at it. If I was I would just buy the most expensive stuff my local store has and hope it all works out. I know that it doesn't work like that so I'm looking to make the best educated decision possible for what I have to work with. Went it comes to home audio there aren't many places I can get good advice besides forums like this.

 

[adwilk]

BB has the icon series. I don't know if the reference series sounds about the same as icons but they don't sound good to my ears at all.

Hmm.. While the reference speakers are much more refined than the Icon series, they still present a similar sound overall. The Reference series is a little more open, a little wider, and sound a little more "airy". Those terms can mean something different to everybody, but thats what I hear. The Icon leaves a lot to be desired, especially for music. I honestly think they do a satisfactory job for HT. And, while an exceptional speaker in one arena should serve the purpose for the other, I tend to have preferences for a musical speaker vs HT. For what I'm willing to spend, the reference line is a great compromise...

All that said, if the Icon didn't excite or interest you at all- you should probably move on from the Klipsch option altogether.

 

[Riv92]

I was under the impression that the icon & reference lines were miles apart.

 

[zieglj01]

I was under the impression that the icon & reference lines were miles apart.

No, they are not.

 

[adwilk]

I was under the impression that the icon & reference lines were miles apart.

Well, in some ways they are. But as far as the sonic "signature" or type of sound they produce overall is similar. The quality of the reference line in both build and type of materials used is superior, and Its a better speaker. You can directly compare RF62 to the KF26 and see some key difference in the spec sheet that back that up. The Reference line is a much more refined and smooth sounding speaker compared to the Icon line, but they're centered around a lot of similar concepts.

I've been wrong before, but if the "type" of speaker that the Icon is didn't get you excited- theres no magic in the reference line that will either more than likely. You also mentioned having heard the 62's in a less than ideal environment and was indifferent. Placebo goes a long ways in this hobby- you may never be able to put those in your home.

 

[robc1976]

"as noticable as a fart in a hurricane"

ROFLMAO...I almost have taers I was laughing so hard...I will be using this!

 

[Riv92]

That's disappointing to hear, I'll look more into the deft techs 8060 or 8080. They have a promo of free surrounds when the fronts and centers are bought together. I could do without a sub with those fronts for a bit. If I don't go that route everything would change & I think instead of buying everything at once, I'll start piece by piece. I can probably get good quality fronts for 3k & wait for the center, sub & surrounds in that order.

 

[robc1976]

I was under the impression that the icon & reference lines were miles apart.

Miles aprt mayby not...if you get the flagship RF-7II yes they are but a pair of those are about $2,500 give or take. The diffgerence I see in the reference is bit more detail mainly...move up to the Rf-7II and it is effortless sound.

 

[Riv92]

Aren't those speakers pretty big?

 

[robc1976]

Aren't those speakers pretty big?

RF-7II are pretty big LOL!! 10" drivers. ignotre the price you can get them cheaper than $1,600 a piece. If you "Did" get these keep in mind you would need a RC-64II center to match and that is another $1,300 give or take.

Here you go:

RF - 7 II Floorstanding Speaker | Klipsch

 

[robc1976]

I'll start piece by piece. I can probably get good quality fronts for 3k & wait for the center, sub & surrounds in that order.

Keep in mind must of your vocals come out of the center unless I guess you are doing 2 channel....but getting it piece by piece is what I would do also...alows you to spend more on quality audio instead of the cheapest with in budget all at once.

 

[Riv92]

Just showed my wife a pic and dimensions on the rf-7's. Two words (hell no). I have to admit they're to big for my place. I'll keep looking.

 

[adwilk]

You should have told us you were going to do that... Had you started with the K-Horns, the RF7 is a baby... Little bitty guy. Haha.

Honestly, The RF7 isn't for everybody... The 1.75" horn is a lot of horn. The brightness of that speaker exists more in the midrange. Rob has done the right thing by treating his room.

Without reading this whole thing again- what exactly is it do you feel like you're missing again? Compare your "surround" sound experience with just watching TV. The more I think about this- even though you're far from an ideal setup, Its hard to imagine it being so disappointing. It is possible that its not set up correctly, yes?

 

[Riv92]

No smile on my face or wow effect while listening to bd's or music. I did make sure everything is in phase, checked connections, etc.

 

[adwilk]

Have you tried repeating the Audyssey DSX setup? Whats going to put a smile on your face???? Better or worse than TV volume?

 

[Riv92]

It's better than tv listening but not what I had in mind. The original set was done by a professional installer. He didn't run audessy as he send I could get better overall sound without it. He had a bigger mic, tripod, etc.

 

[Riv92]

Sorry for the typo's. Using the iphone.

 

[adwilk]

Well... If I were you, I'm running Audyssey just to see... Certainly before I start returning stuff. Its VERY possible that the guy that installed it got it wrong. Can't get any worse, right?

 

[robc1976]

Just showed my wife a pic and dimensions on the rf-7's. Two words (hell no). I have to admit they're to big for my place. I'll keep looking.

LOL!!!! The center channel is huge also!! It is the size of a fllorspeaker LOL!!

 

[robc1976]

Have you tried repeating the Audyssey DSX setup? Whats going to put a smile on your face???? Better or worse than TV volume?

I totally agree with tis...make sure you are putting towels down on reflected seating surfaces, the mic is above (not much) seat backs, and the mic is on a tripod...I use a boom mic witch is better even....boom mics are cheap!