B & W, Klipsch and Hsu

[ErnieM]

I visited two brick & mortar stores today and was impressed with these two systems:

Klipsch 5.1 for $1900: Two fronts RB 81, Center RC 52, Sides RS 42 and Sub RW 10D.

At another store, more "high end" a B&W system for about $2000: Two fronts B&W 685, Center HTM61, Sides Two 686s, and Sub ASW608.

Between the two I liked the bass better on the Klipsch and the higher and mids better on the B&W.

We played rock, folk, jazz, choral and several movie scenes at both stores.

I'm wondering how these two systems would compare with Hsu Research Enthusiast 2 system for $1400, with four HB-1 MK 2 and a center HC 1 MK 2 and the VFT-2 MK 3 sub.

 

[Mike19]

Hi Ernie,

The only way to tell which system sounds better TO YOU, is to buy the Hsu system and you then have 30 days to return w/ full refund if you don't like them. Or, take a trip to Orange, CA, and Hsu will give you a demonstration.

Mike

 

[m_vanmeter]

or buy the Klipsh 5.0 system and the sub from B&W

since you are doing auditions, the previous poster is correct....no one can judge the sound you hear except you ! The Hsu 30 day trial allows you to audition in your home, using your equipment (the other stores may or may not allow this)....just keep every bit of the shipping material in case you decide to return the Hsu setup.

 

[fast1]

just saw the klipsh 5.1 in amazon, its going at a much cheaper price than the one you saw, you should check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-HD1000-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B001R70ZMI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238679571&sr=8-2

 

[Seth=L]

or buy the Klipsh 5.0 system and the sub from B&W

since you are doing auditions, the previous poster is correct....no one can judge the sound you hear except you ! The Hsu 30 day trial allows you to audition in your home, using your equipment (the other stores may or may not allow this)....just keep every bit of the shipping material in case you decide to return the Hsu setup.

I believe the OP said he liked the bass better from the Klipsch and the highs and mids better from the B&Ws, logically he would by the B&Ws for 5.0 and the Klipsch for the subwoofer.

 

[Exit]

A couple of factors to consider

B & W speakers are highly regarded on this website and I can’t recall seeing any negative comments about them, except maybe that they are relatively expensive. Klipsch speakers are generally regarded as having too much high end, or brightness, attributed to use of horn tweeters, but they are generally higher efficiency, thus requiring less power from the amplifier. (I have Klipsch surrounds and they sound fine for me). The B&W speaker sensitivities run from 84 to 90 dB, while the Klipsch run from 96 to 97 dB which is significantly higher.

Speaker sensitivities and amplifier power are a factor in your speaker selection if you plan to use the system for stereo listening and use full amplifier power into the main (front L & R) speakers. If you are always running 5.1 or 7.1 modes, the subwoofer will handle the power demanding deep bass and the remaining speakers will probably run fine on as low as maybe 80 W/channel (conservatively rated). If you plan to run stereo with the mains, the Klipsch speakers will run with a lower-cost low-power amp while the B & W need a pretty good amp (maybe 120 Watts (conservatively rated) – I am guessing here depending on your room, preferred loudness, etc.

The B $ W subwoofer has an 8” driver which goes down to 32 Hz +/- 3 dB while the Klipsch has a 10” driver and goes down to 25 Hz +/- 3 dB, which helps explain why you liked the Klipsch subwoofer better. You might want to take a look at SVS and HSU 12” subwoofers as they generally produce very good and powerful bass ranging down to 20Hz or below, depending on the model. You can call or e-mail these companies with your room size and get a subwoofer model recommendation which will have enough sound output to fill your particular room. SVS also has a couple of 5.1 and 7.1 speaker systems starting about $1,000 which are well regarded. The advantage here is that you get a very good subwoofer which accounts for about half of the total system cost. Both SVS and HSU are internet direct distributors, but I believe they both have a 30 day return policy if you don’t like the way they sound in your home.

 

[nibhaz]

Yeah, what Exit said

You can do a lot better for less if you look beyond B&W for your subwoofer needs.

SVS, HSU, Epik, eD, just to name a few options...you would need to spend a ton a cash to get similar performance from the B&W offerings.

 

[rnatalli]

To follow the previous posters, it sounds like the B&W speakers combined with a good sub from HSU, SVS, ePik, Rythmik, or eD might be the ticket.

 

[adwilk]

I'm on board with definitely not buying the Klipsch or BW sub...

As far as the speakers go, its a preference thing.. as far as the sub goes, thats a value thing.

If it were me, it would depend on what I used them for primarily. For movies, I like the klipsch, for music, probably the bw. Certainly an ID subwoofer would be ideal paired with either system. You might also consider paradigm for a sound that (to me) fits somewhere in between both of the listed systems. The Klipsch and Bowers and Wilkins stuff is kinda on opposite sides of the spectrum if you ask me...

 

[jamie2112]

B&W's and SVS sub done deal.

 

[mtbound10]

Speaking of B+W... So I went to see Gomez (the band) tonight... on the way we stopped at a "higher" end audio store. I posted a thread a little while back about moving from 5.1 to 7.1 and taking my two emp compacts up front, moving them to the back and replacing them with two better speakers... something with more sound to them! Something much more full...

Anywho... I listened to some B+W 685's priced around 550.00 They sounded wonderful... to my ears anyway. Now I have not heard or listened to to many different speakers but what does everyone thing about adding these as my two fronts.

ALSO... in the back room of this audio shop...... they had some 800 series speakers that the guy set up and played for me... OH MY! He had some 12,000 dollar cd player and some amplifier that takes like 30 to 45 minutes to warm up sending music to these two "dartanian" brand speakers. I can't wait to go back with some of my own music. For what it is worth I don't even know how these rate as speakers besides the fact that they cost about 12,000 dollars a piece!!!!!!!

Let me know what you think about the B+W Idea... They had some paradigms there also that I listened to in the same price range but they were towers and focused way to heavily on the base... two ported woofers, one on top and one on bottom and a couple of smaller tweeters or mid range speakers in between. The B+W's though sounded niiice...

 

[xrodney]

I ordered 2x BW 685 (unfortunately i like chery and they were all sold so waiting 4th week for new shipment), and in 2 months i plan buy 3x 683 and put 685 as surround. (eventualy complete whole 5.1/7.1)
As for listening BW 802, it was 1st realy expensive speaker i heard 2 years ago (Eagles - hotel california on SACD) and i was almost looking for my jaw on floor.
I just closed my eyes and let myself to feel music, it was like if every hair on my boly start tingle in rhyth on music.

 

[mtbound10]

Those 800 series speakers are pretty intense eh!!!

I could not believe my ears. The guy from the store showing me the speakers told me to come back with some of my own music and he would let me hear em!!!

What is the difference between the 683's and the 685????

 

[xrodney]

Those 800 series speakers are pretty intense eh!!!

I could not believe my ears. The guy from the store showing me the speakers told me to come back with some of my own music and he would let me hear em!!!

What is the difference between the 683's and the 685????

683 are floorstanding speakers:
http://assets.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/med/Libraries/3/683_l2_w817_h328_1.jpg?dm=0

685 bookshelfs:
http://assets.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/med/Libraries/3/685GrilleOff_l2_w111_h45.jpg?dm=0

 

[mtbound10]

Rodney~

Let me know how the B+W's work out for you. I am seriously considering two 685's to replace my existing fronts and possibly a matching center channel to go with them. I am going to go test them out again sometime this week with my own music and try to listen to a few more speakers. The guy at the store also told me he would let me play some of my own stuff on what must be at least 100,000$ worth of equipment. Including the BW 800D's YAY

 

[m_vanmeter]

"Seth=L" .... you sir, are absolutely correct.....space/time continuem disconnect between last remaining brain cell and typing fingers.

 

[mtbound10]

Well I went back today to listen to the B+W's again... I also test drove some paradigm studio 10's... wow, liked the studios even more than the B+W 600's.

Much better sound, definitely more balanced between ranges. I am going back next week when they get the Studio 20's in!

 

[xrodney]

Well I went back today to listen to the B+W's again... I also test drove some paradigm studio 10's... wow, liked the studios even more than the B+W 600's.

Much better sound, definitely more balanced between ranges. I am going back next week when they get the Studio 20's in!

Grats that you find something you like even more.
For me i just called my dealer and as they still didnt have my chery 685 (still on way from UK) i canceled order and choose 683 i was planning later. They should come this friday or on beginning of next week.

And I already chosen cable, forgot brand but its decent 4,0 mm2 with dozens tiny strings of pure copper (99.9%) coated with silver (8.5$/meter).