DENON 3805 and KLIPSCH SF-3

[KENDOMUSIC]

I have recently setup my new system with a Denon 3805 receiver and SF-3 front speakers. I also have Synergy series surround, center, and sub woofer. However, I am not quite happy with the sound of my system. It seems my old Bose 601 series had a warmer sound than the Klipsch. The setup sounds great with movies, but listening to music makes me wonder if I have incorrect setup.
Also"DOLBY DIGITAL" sounds much better when the signal is from the digital cable. It does not sound as good when using my SAMSUNG up conversion DVD.
The only decent sound I get is from multi-channel SACD via the DVD player. Any recommendation will help. Thanks.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

SF-3's? I dont know them.....are they from the synergy line as well? IMO Klipsch's really are made for HT....they can be perticularly bright! Im guessing they have the tweeter horns as well? If so, definitely on the bright side! What are the price points on those sf-3's? You have a great receiver so Id say if anything change the speakers....

You could always change the eq settings on the receiver but some guys dont recommend that....you said "it makes me wonder if I have the right setup"....why? be more specific...what dont you like about it?

DD should sound better from dig. cable...its a dig. signal

Let you Denon do the work, not your Samsung

 

[gmichael]

Did you run your auto-setup routine?

 

[KENDOMUSIC]

3805 Autosetup

Yes I did run the 3805 auto setup with the Denon mic. I have Klipsch SF-3s which has dual 8 " woofers and a aluminum horn tweeter. The SF-3s sound really bright I have to set the treble tone to -2 to reduce the harshness on the hi side.
Should I try to biamp, get more juice to the woofers but less on the tweeter. The SF-3 are bi-wire capable.
To hear the details of music(Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms -SACD) i really have to bringup the volume to around -18. But my ears get fatigued after a couple of songs.
I think I have a descent system but dont know where to begin making adjustments. Maybe a better SACD/CD player than my Samsung DVD player?

 

[gmichael]

How did you have the mic? Was it on a tripod at the same height you listen from? The auto setup really should take out much of the brightness of your speakers.
I would think that adjusting the internal EQ's would be better than using the tone controls. Also, you may need room treatments. Do you have carpets or hard flooring? What are on your walls?

Edit: How new are your speakers? Some need a breakin period. You may want to leave them on low a few days while you're at work.

 

[jcPanny]

Klipsch tweaters.

The Klipsch Horn loaded tweaters are not for everyone and their synergy line is not that great. Their more expensive reference line, however, has better built quality and components and is less bright. Consider a speaker return or upgrade. If this is not feasable, try to use your receiver's PEQ capabilities to roll off the highs so that the Klipsch are tolerable.

Also note, Klipsch and their horn loaded tweaters are very efficient so they require less power to play loud. Thus, your Denon is more then adequate to power these speakers. A highly reflective room can also contribute to the brightness problem.

 

[KENDOMUSIC]

I did not have the mic on a tripod. I will try that and redo my setup. Unfortunately I cannot return the SF-3s. I will have to roll-off the highs using the amp.
Do you think biwiring and biamping should give me more control?
Thanks for your help.

 

[KENDOMUSIC]

The listening room I have is about 15 x 20 with tile floors. The walls are of gypsum board. I have carpeting in fron of the fron speakers. The surround speakers(bi-directional) are 7 ft above the floor. The center speaker is 2 ft above the floor.
I hooked the speakers to an Onkyo 602 and they sound much brighter. I guess I am stuck with the speakers.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

yeah I have the Kilpsch ref 35's with a carpet living room 20x18x9 and they're still bright (paired also with a denon 3805).....dont bother bi-wiring but bi-amping the woofers may help....hummm .......thats a tuffy because the tile is a killer....even hardwood would be better than the tile. Add more furniture maybe....lol.

yeah place the mic at listening level (use books stacked on top of your coffee table if you have too. And just turn the highs down until you're more comfortable with the sound and your ears aren't tired after a few songs.

 

[indcrimdefense]

i have rf-7 front & rf-5 rear, & a pair of synergy mini towers in my office (i think sf-1). after nearly a year of demos, i dropped my 2805 for an anthem avm 30 & krell kav 2250 amp for the fronts, still looking for a reasonably priced kav 3250 for center & rears. denon & klipsch are not a good mix in my opinion. i have the 3805 sound fantastic with a set of vienna accoustic bach grand speakers, and i have heard my speakers with the denon receiver & without, & much better without. this is not to knock either denon or klipsch, i personally don't like the sound they produce together. unfortunately i don't have a cost effective solution for you.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The listening room I have is about 15 x 20 with tile floors. The walls are of gypsum board. I have carpeting in fron of the fron speakers. The surround speakers(bi-directional) are 7 ft above the floor. The center speaker is 2 ft above the floor.
I hooked the speakers to an Onkyo 602 and they sound much brighter. I guess I am stuck with the speakers.

Tile floors and Klipsch speakers don't bode well together. The horn tweeters are efficient, but very forward. I would highly recommend treating the walls opposite where the speakers fire. The more treatments you can install, the less reflection. A large oriental rug for the floor would do wonders, as well as tapestries hung on the walls. You can also make wall treatments using fabric, polyfil, a staple gun, and an inexpensive frame made from 1x2's.