Newby Considering Klipsch system

[Kfox1970]

I currently have a Yamaha system bought at Best Buy. Basically plug and play. I have no understanding how to set up a system and tune it. I can certainly hook a receiver up and run all the wires to the speakers and all that but tuning it and getting the speakers in the right places, I have no idea how to do that. My mom and step dad have a really nice Klipsch system that they paid like $5,000 for and had professionally set up but I can’t afford that. I’m looking at a Klipsch system that Costco sell for $899 that has the 2 front speakers, 2 rear speakers with 2 speakers built into the top on an angle to bounce sound off the cealing and the front center speaker. Then I’d have to get a sub, or subs and the receiver. I guess my first question is what receiver would you guys recommend? Second question would be how hard would this be for me to set up and get it to sound right?

 

[lovinthehd]

Modern avrs make setup rather simple with automated processes to keep it simple (like Denon & Marantz' Audyssey, or Yamaha's YPAO, etc). I personally wouldn't look at Klipsch in that price range and wouldn't spend money on speakers with the faux Atmos bouncy house speakers built in either. Better to start off with the best two or three speakers you can afford rather than trying to get everything at once, and keep in mind most of audio quality lies in the speakers and your room's influence. What specific system is it you're looking at (model numbers)? A sub(s) does not need to be the same brand but making the subs identical can make setup a bit easier. How much can you spend on the avr?

 

[Kfox1970]

The system I was looking at includes 2 R-625FA towers, 2 R-41M bookshelves and 1 R-52C center speaker. I can’t afford more than around $1,500 for the set up, maybe $2,000 if I do it over time instead of all at once. What would you recommend if not the Klipsch?

 

[lovinthehd]

And your current Yamaha system is what particularly? I'm just not much of a Klipsch fan, altho I understand their RP series is pretty good. Part of it is simply doing some research, there's plenty of articles under the AV Research tab to consider, and simply not rush out and buy everything at once. The used market is another option to save some money with, particularly for speakers. Best Buy has limited choices, particularly the one nearest me (which isn't exactly close, I prefer using the internet/shipping); do you have any other stores you can listen to other speakers at? Internet direct outfits like SVS and RSL will even allow in-home trial periods with free return on shipping, both have some well priced speakers/subs.

I'd look around the various reviews and articles about speakers here at Audioholics to start.

 

[Kfox1970]

There’s a Crutchfield store around an hour from me. That’s the only store I know of that I might be able to listen to speakers at. Not even sure they do that. I’ll see if I can find the articles and reviews you’re referring to.

 

[lovinthehd]

There’s a Crutchfield store around an hour from me. That’s the only store I know of that I might be able to listen to speakers at. Not even sure they do that. I’ll see if I can find the articles and reviews you’re referring to.

Look under the tabs at the top of the page for product reviews and av research etc

 

[Kfox1970]

Could use a little direction on these reviews. I don’t know enough about this technical stuff to understand what I’m reading. Is there a review that compares some of the different brands? Or can you just recommend a brand or two for me to consider?

 

[lovinthehd]

Could use a little direction on these reviews. I don’t know enough about this technical stuff to understand what I’m reading. Is there a review that compares some of the different brands? Or can you just recommend a brand or two for me to consider?

LOL it can be a lot to absorb for sure but if you want best value I think it's a necessary evil so to speak . I'd recommend both RSL and SVS as mentioned for a start, and especially since you can do an in-home trial. You would need to settle on an avr first, tho. I'd still see what else you might be able to experience at Crutchfield particularly (have no idea of what they have in-store, only familiar with them as a catalog supplier).

 

[Kfox1970]

Ok. I’ll try to get to crutchfield soon and see what they have. You mentioned faux atmos speakers. I assume that means you prefer in ceiling speakers versus the ones that bounce the sound off the ceiling? That isn’t an option for me. My house is a log home and literally everything is wood. No Sheetrock to cut into to mount speakers. What avrs would you recommend for say around $500 give or take?

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok. I’ll try to get to crutchfield soon and see what they have. You mentioned faux atmos speakers. I assume that means you prefer in ceiling speakers versus the ones that bounce the sound off the ceiling? That isn’t an option for me. My house is a log home and literally everything is wood. No Sheetrock to cut into to mount speakers. What avrs would you recommend for say around $500 give or take?

I haven't bothered with Atmos myself due the difficulty in the ceilings I've got. Don't need sheetrock necesarily, you can mount box speakers if you get creative. $500 is a fairly low price point for features/amps sections, I generally aim higher for a full set of pre-outs as well as multi sub bass management myself. These days its more difficult due shortages, too.

 

[Kfox1970]

Ok. What avrs do you recommend then for someone who can’t spend a fortune on one?

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok. What avrs do you recommend then for someone who can’t spend a fortune on one?

First you need to determine what features and amp section is most appropriate for your use/speakers....one possible advantage of Klipsch speakers is they tend to be on the higher side of sensitivity (altho they futz with the type of measurements they compare), which would make amp concerns a bit less important. I'd look at both used and refurb options at accessories4less.com to start. If you just want a quick and easy suggestion I'm not the guy for that.

 

[Danzilla31]

Ok. What avrs do you recommend then for someone who can’t spend a fortune on one?

Hmmmmmm Lovin has given you some great advice to start off with I've played around with a lot of speakers and can maybe give some tips I'm gonna sleep tho and I'll get back in the morning when I wake up. I'm too tired right now to think straight to give you my best advice

Welcome to audioholics and I'm excited to see you getting into your first system. It's a lot of fun! Looking forward to this conversation in the morning

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok. What avrs do you recommend then for someone who can’t spend a fortune on one?

Might take a somewhat risk on refurb units at accessories4less.com (A4L as we often refer to it).

 

[Kleinst]

The Infinity R263 Towers are on sale for $199 I believe at Harmonaudio.com right now.

The RC263 center is really amazing at it's sale price but they don't have it right now. I have it in 2 of my setups and it's really clear. No problem understanding vocals on TV and Movies at all.

Granted these aren't the best speakers on earth but it would allow you to then invest in a real sub (something up to $1000) and that you won't regret.

Could buy the towers now and then wait on the center when it comes around.

I'd also try to buy Dan's 590s if you are anywhere near San Antonio and have the room. They are GREAT but big for the $.

But there are a lot of other options and the crew here will have even better ideas.

 

[Kfox1970]

Tried to go to Harmonaudio.com and it keeps sending me to something else. Almost like harmonaudio doesn’t exist anymore or something. I did find the Infinity 263 center on Amazon for $166 but they don’t seem to have the Towers.

 

[Kfox1970]

Never mind, I found it. Was spelling it wrong. So if I did the R 263 towers for the rear and the 263 center, would you do the 253 bookshelves I saw there for the fronts? What sub and what avrs? I’m no where near San Antonio.

 

[NINaudio]

Do towers up front and bookshelves in the rear. If you can't fit towers up front, I'd just go bookshelves all around. The front 3 are going to be your main speakers, doesn't make sense to go small up front and large for surrounds.

This for an AVR.

For a sub, I'd say go with the SVS pb-1000 pro. If that is out of your budget for now, then I'd say choose between that and surrounds. Get the other later when you've got a few more bucks.

 

[EthicalEar]

KFox, I started with Klipsch speakers and wrote one of the first reviews of the R52 Center. I know it sounds good. I priced the costco package against Crutchfield at 2073 and it seems like a great deal but really it's not. Here's why. I agree with Lovin the HD that these are faux Atmos/height speakers.

When I first wanted Atmos I bought an earlier model of R41SA and placed them on my front speakers. Essentially the same set up as the R625fa concept. Today’s standard ceiling height is 9 feet. So the sound had to bounce off the ceiling and reach my chair. I cranked them and pointed them so the angles would reach me but hearing any effect was frustratingly difficult. So I moved them to the top of the wall where their downward speaker angle now goes directly at my ears. Then I got the Height effect. Bouncing sound off the ceiling. It isn’t so good.

For a similar cost as your Costco package you could do the following with Way Better results.
Klipsch is fine and you have heard your mom’s and like them. So if you want Klipsh, get them.
RP 280F 399 = 800.
R52C 319
R41 254
Sub: R10 SWi 249.
Price 1622
This set up gets you stared with surround sound. The Subwoofer is essential.
Save your money to save for a second sub and R41 height speakers and add them later.
Again the Costco system R625fa your paying for a failed experiment. A gimmick. The RP280Fs are nice, basic.
Hope this gives you some answers and Ideas.
This site is full of people who measure speakers and know how great they are. I am just a Nube on measuring the science of sound but thought my Klipsch experience could help. I still have all my Klipsch just use them in different rooms now. The R52C is in front of me all day in my office. It is still great when I need surround in my office.

 

[Kfox1970]

Thanks for the advice guys. I figured there was a reason the Klipsch seemed so cheap when my parents spent over$5k 15 years ago on their setup that looks similar. I guess I was hoping prices had come down over the years like some things do. I’m not dead set on Klipsch by any means. I just want something that is significantly better than the $500 setup I got from Best Buy. It’s ok but when you hear my parents setup there’s no comparison. Any other suggestions I’m open to looking at a few different things and deciding from there.

I actually just looked up the setup ethicalear suggested. I found the R52C for $189 and the R41’s for $119 on Amazon. The others were listed at same price you said. That would bring that setup down to $1357. Then the Denon for $489 that NiNaudio suggested. Does that sound like a good way to go?