Matching Center Dilemma (and other HT ???)

[rufas2000]

I own Klipsch RF-82 Fronts. This is all I have because I have a very small room. I'm happy with them and would like to keep them. However in two months I will probably be moving to a place where I can set up my home theater.

Unfortunately I live in the Tampa, FL area (well its only unfortunate in this regard and the weather in the summer is a bit crappy). Tampa has many wonderful things but one thing I'm having trouble finding is a good audio shop (I bought the 82s at a Magnolia but they no longer carry the series). When I previously checked the Reference series was not available online. So here are my questions:

Is there an audio shop in Tampa that carries the Klipsch Reference line (specifically the matches to the RF-82s)?

Is there an authorized dealer online that sells those speakers?

Will that really short, thin reference center channel work?

Since I'm not as fussy about movies as music will a center and surrounds from the Synergy or Icon lines work well enough (easily available at my local Best Buy). More conveience, less coin.

How do I line up a center channel to be as high as the mains without making the TV too high. If I wall mount the center (not something I want to do, may not even be allowed at the new place) then the fronts will have to be a couple of feet in front (ungood for the panning image) or against the wall (exaggerates bass right?).

Finally something offbeat: what if I put two bookshelf speakers, one on each side of the TV (just one side would make the center sound come from center-right or center-left), and wired them both into the center terminal (twisting the two + together into one quick loc banana plug and the two - into a second banana plug). Then they could be the same height as the mains and the TV (at least more or less). BTW: I have a Denon AVR-987 if it matters about power or handling the halved ohms.

Thanks for reading.

 

[CraigV]

You should check the online retailers for the matching speaker, they may have some stock. Or, Ebay or Amazon are also good places. You may end up with used, but you may also still find new.

As to the two speakers for the center, keep in mind that wiring as you describe will drop the 2 speakers from 8 ohms each to 4 ohms for both. You would want to check the receivers documentation to see if it can handle the load. Also, the spacing may leave something to be desired because they’ll be so close to the side/front speakers. You will also have some of the same effect as a “phantom” center, whereas the prime listening spot will be centered from the two speakers, and being off center/axis will likely create drop-outs in some frequencies, and disturb the imaging.

Just doing a quick search showed Cruthchfield, Amazon, Vanns & Onecall all have the RC62 & RC52 in stock.

 

[MatthewB.]

Using two speakers as a center is a big no-no, because it introduces severe lobing issues. Best to use just one center. I would contact Klipsch and see if you can special order a matching center, or have them recommend a center that closely matches your mains. Basically you want the same tweeter and mid range sizes. I am positive that Klipsch will be able to recommend something. But again avoid dual centers.

 

[greggp2]

Center Channel

You should definitely try to purchase a speaker from the same manufacturer in the same audio line that your mains are. You want the speakers to be timbre matched. Otherwise, you will be very unhappy and won't create a true surround sound field.

As far as heights, why don't you try to angle the center speaker up so that by the time it reaches your ears, it sounds like it's coming from the same height as the mains. My center is slightly lower than my mains and it sounds fine. Try buying some felt fabric in black that you put under chairs to raise the center channel angle up a little. This will direct the sound up, as opposed to straight ahead and may help...

 

[greggp2]

Another option may be to just not use a Center Channel and run a Phantom Center Channel. This will allow your mains to reproduce the information that your Center Channel would produce. Not as good as having a Center in my opinion, but there are others here that claim they like it better if they have good imaging speakers with a solid amp pushing them..

 

[rufas2000]

Thanks for the replies. Now that I know that the center and surrounds are available online (I could never find the RF-82s for sale online by an official e-tailer online) I think I'll go with those and try to angle the center upward. I want to have true 5.1 channel options (as opposed to a phantom).

Thanks everybody.

 

[rufas2000]

How about these Klipsch models:

Center RCX-4
Surround RSX-4

The base allows me to point them up or down as needed. The price and small size appeal to me. They are from the same Reference series but I'm not sure if they are designed to match. Since they are quite a bit smaller would it just be a matter of turning down the mains (or turning up the center and surrounds) or would the sound be too much of a mismatch.. Keep in mind that movies are secondary to music for me.

Suggestions and insight appreciated.

 

[greggp2]

Since they are smaller, just set your Pre/Pro or receiver to a higher cross over point for your bass to go to your Sub. Check the speaker specs. THX standards says 80hz is an ideal cross over. Smaller speaker just can't produce bass. That's not a big deal though. I have a monster sized center channel speaker and decent size rears and have set my cross over for them to 80 hz and set the speaker size to small.

If you have a Pre/Pro or receiver with a sound EQ system, it will do a good job of adjusting volume levels for you. If not, go to Radio Shack and purchase an SPL meter. They are about $50. Set it to 70 - 80 decibles, C weighting with a slow response. Check the levels of each speaker with your volume levels turned up to reference level. Then just adjust your volumes so they all match.

Depending on you main speakers, you'll want to either set them to large or small, depending on how low the bass extends.

 

[codexp3]

Unfortunately I live in the Tampa, FL area (well its only unfortunate in this regard and the weather in the summer is a bit crappy). Tampa has many wonderful things but one thing I'm having trouble finding is a good audio shop (I bought the 82s at a Magnolia but they no longer carry the series). When I previously checked the Reference series was not available online. So here are my questions:

Tampa has some of the best audio shops in the entire country! Audio Visions south is one of the nation’s premier dealers! They have beautiful listening rooms and one of the few stores that actually stock and demo 180k speakers. When I was there a dude flew in from Michigan to demo the Wilson Alexandria 2s. There’s also Sensuous Sound (my favorite), Maximum home theater, and Sounds Terrific. You’d be hard pressed to find a city with more audio dealers. -x

 

[greggp2]

I just did a search on Klipsch's website for the speakers you are thinking about purchasing. The Main speakers look to be pretty good in terms of specifications. I would however, and this my opinion, look to buy a better Center and Rears. The Center Channel you picked only dips down to 92hz and the rears are over 110 hz. You are going to have to set your cross over on your Pre/Pro or Receiver to over 100 hz as roll off starts to happen above these numbers. I wouldn't buy speakers that have more than a 80 hz cross over point. If you do, you are going to be sending higher bass frequencies to your sub that your speakers should handle.

I know you said you like smaller speakers, but there is a real trade off when you do this. Look at Bose speakers, they are super small, but there are holes in the audio spectrum that are created when using such small speakers. Lucas THX sets their standards at 80 hz for a reason, it is the best cross over for Home Theatre.

Also, if you are planning on listening to anything but 2 channel stereo, I think you will be unhappy with your Center and Rears if they don't dip down lower in the Audio spectrum. Again, this is just my opinion and others may differ, but if you are going to invest in new speakers, you might as well pick up the best you can afford that will give you the frequency response and sound you are looking for...

 

[greggp2]

Those Wilson speakers sound really good I've heard them here in South Florida at Sound Components. They aren't the prettiest speakers in the World, but in terms of SQ, they are top notch!

 

[greggp2]

This is the Center and Surrounds that Klipsch recommends for your main speakers. I'd stick with this or as close as possible, if you want a true timbre match.

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rc-62.aspx

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rs-52.aspx

 

[rufas2000]

Tampa has some of the best audio shops in the entire country! Audio Visions south is one of the nation’s premier dealers! They have beautiful listening rooms and one of the few stores that actually stock and demo 180k speakers. When I was there a dude flew in from Michigan to demo the Wilson Alexandria 2s. There’s also Sensuous Sound (my favorite), Maximum home theater, and Sounds Terrific. You’d be hard pressed to find a city with more audio dealers. -x

Wow, OK I didn't know. I've seen Maximum Home Theater as a Klipsch dealer but didn't find much info. I thought they might be more of a custom installer. I based my comment on that I hadn't read much about Tampa audio shops on forums like these, when I searched for dealers for certain manufacturers I found places in Orlando or if I did find Tampa details were sketchy and I hadn't seen any (although when I've been to Tampa it was usually at night and finding audio shops wasn't a focus).

Looks like a future field trip, thanks.

 

[codexp3]

All of the shops I listed have multiple demo rooms. I moved from Tampa to Scottsdale last year. Talk about a city with no showrooms.

 

[MatthewB.]

Codex, I love in Chandler (work in Phoenix) and Tempe has a real high end store that deals alot of McIntosh gear. Also there are still a few "Showcase Electronics" that have higher end showrooms than Ultimate or Magnolia poor attempt at show rooms.

 

[codexp3]

Codex, I love in Chandler (work in Phoenix) and Tempe has a real high end store that deals alot of McIntosh gear. Also there are still a few "Showcase Electronics" that have higher end showrooms than Ultimate or Magnolia poor attempt at show rooms.

Thanks. I'll have to check it out. I’ve had my gear stuffed in a closet for the past year (apartment life). I’ve been doing the waiting game to see how low home prices actually fall in Central Arizona. I’m betting another 30%. When I do buy maybe I can talk you into helping me haul the Fathoms to the new pad. I’m never moving those things alone again!