LRC Speakers upgrade advice for 7.1 system

[Top-Tier-Tech]

So, first off I'm new here I googled "best speaker brands" so that I could widen my search for front speakers and that led me to this forum so here we go...

I used to have 2 Klipsch XF-48's as fronts but recently sold them used on ebay at a $300 profit so I'm looking for some good front speakers that are better than the XF-48's to go with the Klipsch WF-34's I have as side and rear speakers. I'll buy a center channel to match whatever mains I go with.

My budget is $600-$800 (each or a bit higher if the performance justifies it) for the speakers themselves and I can afford whatever amp it takes to fuel them. The WF-34's I'm using are fully amped at 125 watts per channel.

I was looking at the Polk Rti-a9 as I definitely would like to have two midrange drivers and I want something that looks decent (lots of cones ) . I have no idea if the Polk speakers would blend well with my surrounds or what if any other speakers would so your more experienced suggestions are most welcome! I have no experience with any other brands outside of Klipsch and Polk.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

DenPureSound has the Klispch RF82s, and he thinks they sound better than the Infinity Classia C336 towers he just bought, even though it seems the Infinity speakers measure more accurately on HT Magazine than the Klipsch.

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RF-82-Floorstanding-Speaker-Each/dp/B00414N2OC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1310926281&sr=8-3

You can buy the Klipsch at Sound Distributors directly for a cheaper price.

Amazon has the BIC PL200 for $329, but Sound Distributors sold me one for $279.

But since the RF82s are fullfilled by Amazon, I would pay the extra $$ and get it from Amazon in case I need to return them.

 

[Top-Tier-Tech]

I'm almost positive the RF82 would be a step down from the XF-48 however... it's retail value is less than half and it's from the same manufacturer which is something I definitely don't want to do.

I'm looking for something with at least 2 midrange and 2 woofers if at all possible that can utilize a fairly beefy amp to outperform my previous XF-48's.

 

[zieglj01]

I'm almost positive the RF82 would be a step down from the XF-48 however... it's retail value is less than half and it's from the same manufacturer which is something I definitely don't want to do.

How much did the XF-48 cost per pair - and did it have a built in
active amp?

 

[Top-Tier-Tech]

How much did the XF-48 cost per pair - and did it have a built in
active amp?

Retail on the XF-48's was $2,500/pair product page here:

(Fourm prevents me from linking due to post count so never mind)

But I bought them for $800/pair through Vanns when they were discontinued which allowed me to sell them at a profit several months later like this.

The XF-48's had built-in amps that supplied somewhere right around 100 watts and caused them to produce a pink noise which drives my ears crazy, hence my desire to sell them and amp something else that can utilize more power with an external emotiva amp.

I've always understood that audio is generally going to sound more realistic/natural when there is more current being fed to a speaker that can handle it. 100 watts is pretty low even compared to my much smaller WF-34's.

 

[DD66000]

There are a couple of systems I can think of, in that price range.

JBL L890 towers, that have twin 8" bass drivers and one very good 4" midrange, and two tweeters. Then the matching LC2 center.

Or if you can find them, JBL PT800 three ways, 1" Ti tweeter, 4" Ti mid and 8" Ti midbass. Sorry only one driver for each, and you need sub(s), but they are superb. Also the matching PC600 center. I use 5 PT800s all around, with two 15"/540w subs.

 

[zieglj01]

Retail on the XF-48's was $2,500/pair product page here:
But I bought them for $800/pair through Vanns when they were discontinued which allowed me to sell them at a profit several months later like this.

The built in active amp, played a part in the price.

I would check into the Wharfedale Evo speakers - they can handle
power and play loud. I look for quality over driver parts. MusicDirect
has a 30 day return policy. Your surround channels will sound a little
different - just try to blend your front 3 channels, where most of the
information is.
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15538-wharfedale-evo2-50-black-pr.aspx

 

[GranteedEV]

Forget the polks

I would be looking at 3x JTR Triple 8 or something

 

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Forget the polks

But, but, but, but but!!! lol

I should specify that I want two floorstanding L&R's. I said LRC in my title just referring to the channels that I need to replace not meaning I was looking at LRC speakers my bad.

 

[GranteedEV]

But, but, but, but but!!! lol

I should specify that I want two floorstanding L&R's. I said LRC in my title just referring to the channels that I need to replace not meaning I was looking at LRC speakers my bad.

Okay, two JTR Quintuples plus a Triple 8 center

 

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Okay, two JTR Quintuples plus a Triple 8 center

MSRP (each)
$1699.00

That's about more than double my budget.

 

[GranteedEV]

Well, the actual price is 1499.

Get two and scrap a center channel.



Okay fine, how about two EMP e55tis.

 

[zieglj01]

I should specify that I want two floorstanding L&R's. I said LRC in my title just referring to the channels that I need to replace not meaning I was looking at LRC speakers my bad.

This is the EVO center
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15541-wharfedale-evo2-ctr-center-channel-ea.aspx

 

[Top-Tier-Tech]

This is the EVO center
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15541-wharfedale-evo2-ctr-center-channel-ea.aspx

I'd never even heard of WHARFEDALE and they aren't listed in the stickied thread covering the "best" speaker brands so I'm assuming it's a lesser known company... do you have experience with their speakers in comparison to other brands?

 

[AVRat]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0048LOELI/ref=asc_df_B0048LOELI1631449?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealt1-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0048LOELI

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

KEF Q900 system:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/kef-q900-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFQ900CH/KEF-Q900-Q-Series-8-inch-Cherry-Floorstanding-Speakers-Each/1.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd never even heard of WHARFEDALE and they aren't listed in the stickied thread covering the "best" speaker brands so I'm assuming it's a lesser known company... do you have experience with their speakers in comparison to other brands?

WHARFEDALE is top notch value brand from UK. I heard several models in the past and was very impressed...
It'll be hard to find them in Americas region

 

[zieglj01]

I'd never even heard of WHARFEDALE and they aren't listed in the stickied thread covering the "best" speaker brands so I'm assuming it's a lesser known company... do you have experience with their speakers in comparison to other brands?

A sticky thread, is not a qualification for a good speaker. I have listened
to other Wharfedale speakers in the past, and they were good. I was
looking at these before I bought my recent speakers. I could not pass
up the deal on the speakers I bought. MusicDirect, has a 30 day return
policy. Wharfedale is a good speaker company, with good reviews - they
are a well known British company.

http://www.soundimport.com/evo2.html

EVO 40 measurements
The Evolution 40's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial
and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.40/–1.22
decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 39 Hz, and the
–6dB point is at 33 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.07 ohms at 150 Hz
and a phase angle of –58.77 degrees at 2.5 kHz.

 

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I really appreciate it.

I'm going to go through and compare every suggestion now and see what looks like it would work best for me, I have a couple weeks wherein I'll be remodeling my HT room so I have time to make a good decision.

Cheers!