Replacing Cerwin Vega V-12F with Klipsch Icon Home Theatre Setup (5.0 package $950)

[CyberAthlete]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and a search on Google for the Klipsch Icon VF-36 brought me here. Needless to say I appreciate the indepth review. However at the time of the review, the system had a MSRP of $1570 without the sub. And now it can be bought for $950 brand new for the following components:

2x VF-36
2x VS-14
1x KC-25

I'm looking to replace my V-F series Cerwin Vega 5.0 setup. Fronts are V-12F, Rear V-6F, center is the V-F center channel.

I had a few questions about the Klipsch Icon.

1) Given the new selling price, how would your opinion or ratings change for the system?

2) Any other home theatre setup in the <$1000 that competes with the Klipsch Icon series?

3) I know sound quality is relative but any idea on how these compare to the Cerwin Vega V-12F? Those are good for music, not the best but good enough and pack enough punch for movies and games as well...

4) How is the bass on the VF-36? Is a sub necessary?

5)I was thinking of forgoing a sub and investing in a pair of KB-15 (for a 7.0 setup) Or should i get the VS-14 for Surround Rears as well?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

 

[BMXTRIX]

It seems to me like you are taking a huge step sideways and wasting a lot of cash instead of just making a slow upgrade process with quality speakers.

A good subwoofer is a must. You don't have it now and you need it now. So, perhaps that's a good way to go if you have $1,000 to spend. For that money you can get a sub which can really fill in the lows with control and power which you are currently missing.

Also, at $1,000, you will get a subwoofer which will last you for years and years without you really wanting to, or needing to, replace it.

If that's not at all your interest, then a good set of replacement towers may make sense, but I certainly wouldn't recommend replacing several hundred dollar speakers with several hundred dollar speakers. You just aren't going to get an improvement with that type of cross platform jump.

I would suggest, that since you have a surround setup that is decent, that your goal for quality audio isn't going to be served with replacing everything at once, but by now focussing on high quality upgrades as your budget allows for it.

I think the number one spot people cheap out on is the subwoofer quite often, and systems easily reflect it with boomy bass or with a lack of the low end which is necessary to add a presence to the room.

Hold onto your money and get some more input, but that's my $.02.

 

[sholling]

+1 I would start with a great subwoofer sized to comfortably fill your room. Measure your room - including any spaces that are open to your room and contact Hsu Research, SVSounds, and Elemental Designs and have them recommend a subwoofer for your room.

Only later would I address the speakers and then only when you're ready to do a substantial upgrade rather than just take an expensive step sideways. BMXTRIX's suggestion of doing that a piece at a time as money allows is excellent, i.e. the best mains and center that you can afford in the first bite to be followed by the surrounds when money once again allows.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I will add, something like this is a heck of a deal...
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1315004169&/Velodyne-HGS-18-18-inch-Subwoo

It will blow you away, quite honestly, and in 5+ years you will have no interest in upgrading because of the power of that unit.

 

[CyberAthlete]

Thanks for the response guys. It makes sense, not to replace couple hundred dollars with couple hundred dollar speakers.

I thought that since all 4 of my mains have 12" subs built in, and the room gets bassy enough I don't have to get a subwoofer. If I do go that route, then I am assuming to set the main and surround speakers from Large -> Small and just the sub for everything. I have to admit I do like my music using subs in the speakers, I guess I can set that up under a different input on the receiver where it will use the front and rears as Large.

Also my $1000 budget was going to come from the selling of my current setup. I was hoping to get a few hundred for those and then use that towards the purchase of new speakers.

I think prior to a sub I may want to get a new receiver first. I am currently using the HK AVR225 I bought back then with the Cerwin Vegas. I am eyeing the Onkyo TX-NR709. Wish it had a nicer LCD display though, but really good set of features otherwise.

If I have to go out of pocket with a sub then my budget is restricted to $500 for that, and $600 for the receiver. New speakers will come out of sales of my current speakers...

Thanks everyone for your valuable input.