Elac Debut F5 vs Klipsch rp-250f

[TommyK]

Im wanting to upgrade my surround sound and I'm debating between the Elac Debut F5 vs Klipsch rp-250f for my LR. My living room is around 400 sq ft and both towers have similar pricing (279$ vs 299$). I can't find anywhere in the Phoenix area to test them side by side so I'm open to recommendations. My receiver supports 100w per channel. I'll select the matching center when I pick the floors. Thanks for the help!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd skip both and go for Ascend CMT340SE. If you insist on "tower" look - get optional stands.
Upgrade center as well. Pair of CMT340SE's with matching 340SE center, matching stands and shipping is nice and round 1k.

 

[TommyK]

Those look nice but the book shelf speakers I have demoed aren't nearly as full sounding as floor speakers (at least to me) so I'm thinking I want to stay with floor standing. Any direct experience with these two Elac and klipsch?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Those look nice but the book shelf speakers I have demoed aren't nearly as full sounding as floor speakers (at least to me) so I'm thinking I want to stay with floor standing. Any direct experience with these two Elac and klipsch?

Tommy, Have you ever seen movie Pulp Fiction? If so, do you remember character Mr. Wolf played impeccably by Harvey Keitel?
This is the situation where I am is Mr. Wolf and you're either Vincent or Jules (pick ether).
For efficiency sake, just trust me - disregard your opinion on mediocre bookshelf speakers you had heard and take the risk free (30 days home trial) offer on Ascend speakers.
We have decent amount of folks sell their stuff here and I've yet to see ONCE someone sell their ascend cmt speakers - people buy them and keep them. Only time to sell is if/then they go to significantly more expensive speakers.

Yes, they are that good. The ultimate goal of true full range speakers is not simply possible at your price point. You'd need to go at the least 2-3k for pair of towers in order to skip the sub.

 

[TommyK]

I literally laughed out loud at your "disregard your opinion"! Hmmmm as I've researched more I think I'm learning if I have a sub, then floor standing speakers aren't necessary? I do have a small Klipsch 8" 100w sub that I plan on using for the time being and upgrading in a year or so and using my current klipsch LR to become my rears. So you think that will be sufficient for decent surround sound for the money? I think I'll have to research your Ascend brand a little more if you think that's optimal for my situation.

 

[Pogre]

Here's another way to look at it too. When you buy floor standing speakers you're paying for more cabinetry, materials and drivers. Take that same money and spend it on bookshelf speakers, your getting fewer, but better parts, materials, drivers and electronics. If you get a good sub(s) and you won't miss much at all.

 

[Bucknekked]

I do have a small Klipsch 8" 100w sub that I plan on using for the time being and upgrading in a year or so and using my current klipsch LR to become my rears. So you think that will be sufficient for decent surround sound for the money? I think I'll have to research your Ascend brand a little more if you think that's optimal for my situation.

I have several Klipsch subwoofers. 8", and 10". YMMV of course, caveat caveat caveat, terms and conditions apply, not valid in Connecticut and Alaska : but I wouldn't choose to rely on my Klipsch subwoofer(s) to be part of any sound upgrade. If I was spending money on speakers, and YEAH in a couple days I will be, I would do everything I could (and I am) to find a solution that did not include them. There are simply way too many really great subwoofers to include the Klipsch in the mix.

Again, I am not knocking any of your selections. I applaud your efforts to upgrade and would love to hear a review of what you end up with. Whether you choose floor standers with no subs or bookshelf speakers with subs, I applaud you for doing your homework. There's lots of ways to properly skin a cat...............not that I've ever skinned a cat.............