Are Klipsch and Definitive Tech really #1?

[afpyro22]

So many questions, don't know where to post them. First question is about Klipsch and Definitive Technologies. At the local stereo "boutique" (not quite but close enough for around here) the salesman told me Klipsch is the #1 speaker for HT, with DT third, and DT is #1 for music and Klipsch third. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on that.

Next question is about the Yamaha 2600...seems that receiver is always being talked about. The salesman told me that the receiver will upconvert all video to near HD quality, VHS, SD sattelite, etc. Says there's about a 10% noticible difference between the upconversion and a Blu-Ray DVD. From what I gathered from reviews is that the video abilities of the 2600 really isn't its strong point. I know a lot of people really like the Oppo DVD player for its upconversion, however that will only improve DVDs.

Lastly...the dreaded "what should I buy" question. I want to expand my system, peice by peice, just don't know what first step I should take. Here is a rundown of what I have now.

Samsung HL-R5087W 50" DLP HDTV
Sony DVP-NC80VB DVD Player
Harman Kardon AVI 200 II Receiver
Cerwin Vega LS-15 Front speakers
JBL D38 Bookshelf speakers

The HK receiver is fairly old and doesn't have any of the digital input/outputs, nor DTS or THX, just Dolby Pro Logic. I've tried using the JBLs as rear speakers but don't really notice anything coming from them. I don't have a center channel, but I seem to be able to get around that by running the stereo in Phantom Center mode. I have a lot of trouble with Lyp Sync, can't seem to get the voices right. Is it unwise to keep the Cerwin Vegas if it means mix and match, or do I need to start from scratch on speakers. I haven't seen much written about Cerwin Vega and I can't find the LS-15s for sale anywhere...are they not as good as I thought they were?

I think thats enough for right now. I know I need to listen to the systems and make my own choices, I just need to take a trip to Dallas if I want to listen anywhere other than BB or CC. I want to get as much info as I can before I make the trip. Thanks a lot.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker suggestions

Afpyro,
Speakers are pretty subjective, and no one can tell you what will sound best to year ears in your room with your gear. Your best bet is to listen to several options from different manufacturers. Klipsch and Def Tech are probably the "best" speakers (that that dealer sells) and most consider them good for HT. You should also consider Paradigm, PSB, and B&W from other dealers. Also check out Onix Rocket, Axiom Audio, and Ascend from online dealers.

The Yamaha 2600 is a great receiver, but its upscalling can be bested by DVD players from Oppo and Yamaha. The new 2700 is supposed to have a high end scalling chip from Anchor Bay Tech, However.

I would recommend that you replace all the speakers or at least the front 3 for a good tonal match. Check out the trade in special that av123 is running right now on their Onix rocket speakers.

 

[Bryce_H]

For the speaker question - depends on who you ask. I have had a complete Def Tech set-up for about 10 years now and love them. But their bi-polar design has its plus and minus points. It presents a "broader" soundstage - i.e. it is harder to pin-point the speakers than with a direct radiating speaker (like the Klipsh). This creates a bigger sweet spot in a home theater, but can muffle the clarity of the sound (particularly the center speaker some - hope to treat mine shortyl with absorbtion panels).

so like everything there is a give and take with different set-ups. I agree with jcPanny - you just need to listen to them and determine what you like. Best possiblesituation would be to see if you can take a set home to listen to in your enviroment. Different speakers (or even the same speaker) sound different in different enviroment. For example - if you listen to a set of speakers at the store with wood floors and bare walls, the speakers may sound bright and difficult to isolate individual sounds due to the reflections off the walls, floor, and ceiling. Take the same speakers and play them in a room fully carpets with some drapes on the walls and they will sound much different. It all come to personal preference.

With respect to the upconversion process. The 10% difference between the upconverted signal and blu-ray is a load o'crap in my mind. It is all based on upconversion can't create additional resolution - it can guess what should be in the missing lines of resoultion, but it is still starting with a lower resoultion image. The upconversion "formats" the image to be output at a certain resolution, but doesn't add detail.

Good luck and keep asking questions.

 

[Tex-amp]

Most would consider Def Tech better for HT and Klipsch better for music. There is plenty of good competition for those 2 companies.

3 timbre matching speakers across the front and an a DVD player that upconverts for your HD display is where I would start.