Pro Audio vs Home Theater

[Impulse]

I am still in the beginning stages of blowing away every penny i have on audio equipment, and i want to make sure than when i do, it will be done right xD. Right now i have a pair of pretty nice Klipsch towers that do the job just fine, however when i upgrade, i would hate to spend 3-4 grand on a pair of speakers that sound marginally better but have exotic wood from the ancient tree elders in the northern fields of Transylvania.. I want something that is accurate, powerful, and loud. Looks are the least of my worries. I notice my klipsches can handle loud, but sound terrible when put to the test at more than 50watts.

I've been told at hi-fi stores that most PA systems are just loud and not good quality, and after being at many concerts, i would agree that they do not sound phenomenal. But then again, you are not blasting your home theater system at 115 dbs 24/7 are you?

So in terms of quality, fidelity, and most of all, price, which is the best way to go? I just want a stereo setup, nothing fancy. Should i go the PA route, or stick to home theater? What is the main difference between the two?

Also, this will be mostly used to music, almost always music, any kind of music.
Thanks!

 

[jcl]

You might find this thread of interest -
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/80160-high-efficient-sensitive-speakers.html

 

[Impulse]

Thanks! ^
Unfortunately, i do not seem to be getting too much information on which system style will perform better..
Perhaps a direct explanation xD

 

[jcl]

I would say that it's not that cut and dry. Definitely the PA type products are not going to have the looks of the home theater speakers. However, the high efficiency home theater speakers the likes of JTR will probably get as loud as most PA products. And, depending on your room, you'll probably (hopefully for your hearings & neighbors sake) not get to the max spl for either.

There are also pro-theater speakers like the JBLs mentioned in the thread I posted that are a cross if you will.

You can easily rent PA speakers so you can take them for a test drive.

 

[Impulse]

I see, i am leaning towards those jbl pro/theater. How much do those Screenarray systems go for?

 

[GranteedEV]

I would avoid JBL PA besides maybe the Control 30. Their horns seem to have their issues with diffraction.

My suggestions for higher sensitivity would be Pi Speakers, Procella, AudioKinesis, Seaton, Soundfield Audio, and Gedlee. These are not inherently PA brands but they use PA fundamentals with home application in mind.

.....Avoid diffraction slots.. they are probably a big contributor to why your Klipsch seem to sound poor at high spls.

 

[Impulse]

Thank you for the reply i will look into those. What are diffraction slots if you dont mind me asking?

 

[gotchaforce]

I would avoid JBL PA besides maybe the Control 30. Their horns seem to have their issues with diffraction.

My suggestions for higher sensitivity would be Pi Speakers, Procella, AudioKinesis, Seaton, Soundfield Audio, and Gedlee. These are not inherently PA brands but they use PA fundamentals with home application in mind.

.....Avoid diffraction slots.. they are probably a big contributor to why your Klipsch seem to sound poor at high spls.

Where have you heard their horns have isssues with diffraction??

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I notice my klipsches can handle loud, but sound terrible when put to the test at more than 50watts.

Can you explain?

How do you know that more than 50 watts was used?

Do you mean they sound bad to you when playing loud music, like 90dB or more?

Just go audition and buy the speakers that sound best to you at the same volume you listen to at home.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

My suggestions for higher sensitivity would be Pi Speakers, Procella, AudioKinesis, Seaton, Soundfield Audio, and Gedlee. These are not inherently PA brands but they use PA fundamentals with home application in mind.

Don't forget JTR Speakers

 

[jdskycaster]

Take a serious look at the CHT SHO 10. No option here for endangered wood on the sides just performance. These can be had now for $350ea. so they will not break the bank and leave a bit of your budget left for some serious woofage - maybe a pair of the SS18.2's with pro amp then add in a capable AVR with XT32 and you are set.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I want something that is accurate, powerful, and loud.

How loud is that ?

Next time you listen to music, take out a SPL meter and measure how loud it is.

To me, 85dBA or 92dBC from 3m is very, very loud.

And most speakers can play those levels just fine.

In other words, do you really need 120dB?

 

[3db]

In other words, do you really need 120dB?

Huh? I can't hear you..got this dam ringing in my ears.

 

[Irvrobinson]

In other words, do you really need 120dB?

Measured where? Regardless, I've found that on anything except a solo recording of my wife's rock drum kit 106db peaks with 85db average levels sounds "live" for most acoustic instruments in the near-field. Rim shots on her drum kit go to at least 110db, but frankly I don't like being in the room with her when she does that. IMO, the peaks are the real issue. I've also found from spectral analysis that these peaks are not in the bass, they're in the midrange and treble, so it just might be that a great tweeter is more important than woofers in achieving live sound levels.

Classical music seems to be a different story. I was at a concert some time ago and took my handheld meter with me. In the tenth row back on Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man the peaks barely touched 92db. I've found my handheld meter (which is analog) responds too slowly to catch really short peaks, and the OmniMic typically finds peaks 5db higher. Nonetheless, that says that even on the most rambunctious classical music monitored close to the orchestra 97db peaks are about the limit, at least in that particular auditorium. On most symphonies I seldom see peaks above 90db.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Measured where? Regardless, I've found that on anything except a solo recording of my wife's rock drum kit 106db peaks with 85db average levels sounds "live" for most acoustic instruments in the near-field. Rim shots on her drum kit go to at least 110db, but frankly I don't like being in the room with her when she does that. IMO, the peaks are the real issue. I've also found from spectral analysis that these peaks are not in the bass, they're in the midrange and treble, so it just might be that a great tweeter is more important than woofers in achieving live sound levels.

Classical music seems to be a different story. I was at a concert some time ago and took my handheld meter with me. In the tenth row back on Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man the peaks barely touched 92db. I've found my handheld meter (which is analog) responds too slowly to catch really short peaks, and the OmniMic typically finds peaks 5db higher. Nonetheless, that says that even on the most rambunctious classical music monitored close to the orchestra 97db peaks are about the limit, at least in that particular auditorium. On most symphonies I seldom see peaks above 90db.

Yeah. In my room 92dBC peak is pretty darn loud and anymore is too much for me.

 

[3db]

Yeah. In my room 92dBC peak is pretty darn loud and anymore is too much for me.

Ditto!! Its too loud for me as well.

 

[Impulse]

Loud, i mean by very filling in sound, my room is around 36x24x12. I know i am pushing fifty because that is the rms on my receiver when i turn it up almost all the way to get to a nice loud level from where im sitting.

 

[Impulse]

Take a serious look at the CHT SHO 10. No option here for endangered wood on the sides just performance. These can be had now for $350ea. so they will not break the bank and leave a bit of your budget left for some serious woofage - maybe a pair of the SS18.2's with pro amp then add in a capable AVR with XT32 and you are set.

i really was looking at those, and am just wondering how they would perform compared to my entry level klipsches in terms of fidelity and sound clarity. Any idea? I have an old carver amp that is 225wpc so i dont think powering them would be a problem xD

 

[3db]

Loud, i mean by very filling in sound, my room is around 36x24x12. I know i am pushing fifty because that is the rms on my receiver when i turn it up almost all the way to get to a nice loud level from where im sitting.

That's not the speakers giving out. What you are hearing is your receiver starting to clip because you are demanding far too much from it. Rule of thumb is never turn the volume much past 12 oclcok position. In your case, you will benefit far more with more powerful amplification.

 

[slipperybidness]

That's not the speakers giving out. What you are hearing is your receiver starting to clip because you are demanding far too much from it. Rule of thumb is never turn the volume much past 12 oclcok position. In your case, you will benefit far more with more powerful amplification.

And he has Klipsh Those are usually very sensitive speakers?