Should I mix and match Klipsch Reference and Reference Premiere?

[MediaSmurf]

Short introduction. I'm by no means an expert or a true audioholic, but I would consider myself an enthusiastic starter who is taking things quite seriously. I do a lot of research before buying something. Since we are renovating our home I thought it was the right time to upgrade my home theater experience as well. I currently have a 55" Sony OLED TV in the living room with a basic Sony DVD amplifier set and matching 5.1 plastic speaker towers. The sound is actually pretty decent to be honest. But we're growing up, we have more budget now and we want to have something more beautiful in the room. And I would love to have a basic Dolby Atmos experience as well. So the Sony set has to go and make place for something new.

We agreed on purchasing a new set, but we don't want to have speakers on the walls or ceiling. The speakers should compliment our interior without being overwhelming. Looking around at what's possible I started to look at Klipsch for new loudspeakers because of it's good name, beautiful appearance and because they offer built in Dolby Atmos in their towers. Generally I enjoy clear and voluminous sound. I usually appreciate some extra treble. It seemed to me that Klipsch is a good fit.

Initially I looked at the following 5.1.2 combination:

- RP-8060FA front speakers with built in Dolby Atmos
- RP-400C center speaker
- RP-600M surround speakers
- SPL-100SW subwoofer

To clarify, this center speaker would not be my first choice, but it's the only one that physically fits in my TV furniture. I would possibly upgrade it later, but I don't want to buy a new TV furniture right now. I discussed this combination with my local Klipsch dealer and he also came to my house to have a look in person. He was advising against the RP-8060FA because he said this speaker needs a lot more air and distance from the wall than what I can give it in my home. I would be able to give about 20 cm (8 inches) distance from the wall behind the speaker. He advised me to use the R-625FA instead, because it's smaller and should be more forgiving in the space that I have.

I'm just a bit worried about mixing the R-625FA (Reference) with the Reference Premiere elements. I haven't been able to check the speakers out in real life yet. I'm worried about the difference in appearance and perhaps even in sound performance. The woofers are different and frankly the whole front appearance is different. Will I regret buying the R-625FA speakers instead of the RP-8060FA? How much worse will the RP-8060FA perform if I don't give it enough distance from the wall? I'm aware of Speaker Boundary Interference Response, in theory, but is this something only a purist will hear? Maybe I should consider a completely different brand?

I'm hoping to get some insights from my fellow enthusiasts and experts. Thanks in advance!

 

[kini]

First of all the Atmos enabled speakers rarely work well. You need ideal conditions of a flat ceiling 8-10' and a listening position at the correct distance. Even then it's not very effective. But you won't know if its worth it to you unless you try.
IMO these would be better- https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091C826DBK/Focal-Chora-826-D-Black.html?tp=185

Front ported so not so much worry about how close to the wall they are. And again IMO a better overall speaker.

And if you cannot fit a larger center speaker try it first without one. If there are only 2 or 3 seats it might be better than using a too small center speaker.

And skip that sub. It's small, under powered and just not very good. Go with something from SVS, HSU, Monoprice Monolith, Rythmik or if the budget is tight RSL.

 

[WookieGR]

Mixing Klipsch has not been an issue for me at all. I did a video on that exact topic.

My journey towards a Full House of Klipsch Speakers starts here! 34 in total.

I put together a video showing how I ended up having over 30 Klipsch speakers in my home. Let me know how many speakers you have in the comments section!

forums.audioholics.com

 

[shadyJ]

Short introduction. I'm by no means an expert or a true audioholic, but I would consider myself an enthusiastic starter who is taking things quite seriously. I do a lot of research before buying something. Since we are renovating our home I thought it was the right time to upgrade my home theater experience as well. I currently have a 55" Sony OLED TV in the living room with a basic Sony DVD amplifier set and matching 5.1 plastic speaker towers. The sound is actually pretty decent to be honest. But we're growing up, we have more budget now and we want to have something more beautiful in the room. And I would love to have a basic Dolby Atmos experience as well. So the Sony set has to go and make place for something new.

We agreed on purchasing a new set, but we don't want to have speakers on the walls or ceiling. The speakers should compliment our interior without being overwhelming. Looking around at what's possible I started to look at Klipsch for new loudspeakers because of it's good name, beautiful appearance and because they offer built in Dolby Atmos in their towers. Generally I enjoy clear and voluminous sound. I usually appreciate some extra treble. It seemed to me that Klipsch is a good fit.

Initially I looked at the following 5.1.2 combination:

- RP-8060FA front speakers with built in Dolby Atmos
- RP-400C center speaker
- RP-600M surround speakers
- SPL-100SW subwoofer

To clarify, this center speaker would not be my first choice, but it's the only one that physically fits in my TV furniture. I would possibly upgrade it later, but I don't want to buy a new TV furniture right now. I discussed this combination with my local Klipsch dealer and he also came to my house to have a look in person. He was advising against the RP-8060FA because he said this speaker needs a lot more air and distance from the wall than what I can give it in my home. I would be able to give about 20 cm (8 inches) distance from the wall behind the speaker. He advised me to use the R-625FA instead, because it's smaller and should be more forgiving in the space that I have.

I'm just a bit worried about mixing the R-625FA (Reference) with the Reference Premiere elements. I haven't been able to check the speakers out in real life yet. I'm worried about the difference in appearance and perhaps even in sound performance. The woofers are different and frankly the whole front appearance is different. Will I regret buying the R-625FA speakers instead of the RP-8060FA? How much worse will the RP-8060FA perform if I don't give it enough distance from the wall? I'm aware of Speaker Boundary Interference Response, in theory, but is this something only a purist will hear? Maybe I should consider a completely different brand?

I'm hoping to get some insights from my fellow enthusiasts and experts. Thanks in advance!

None of Klipsch's center speakers are a match for their left-right mains. They couldn't be, because the off-axis response is so radically different. If I were you, I would just go with a phantom center speaker instead of a physical one. That is going to be the best match for Klipsch speakers.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

It might cost more, didn’t check. But you might have better success with a normal tower with an add on module. Then you can angle them and raise them or whatever so the sound hits the couch, and it won’t matter as much whether or not you can move your mains. Also as mentioned. A smooth flat ceiling is pretty much a necessity for Atmos enabled speakers to work. And definitely invest in a better subwoofer. You said your growing up! Quality bass is an investment

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd encourage you to go experience something other than this range of Klipsch. And a fixed bouncy house Atmos speaker I'd pass up altogether. Klipsch SPL series is at least their best series of sub but still I'd look elsewhere unless maybe a pair of SPL 120 or 150 were available at a very good discount....agree to look elsewhere for subs (there's no reason to match brand if you're concerned about that), particularly the sub specialists (SVS, Hsu, Power Sound Audio, JTR, et al)

 

[MediaSmurf]

Awesome feedback so far, very much appreciated.

First of all the Atmos enabled speakers rarely work well. You need ideal conditions of a flat ceiling 8-10' and a listening position at the correct distance. Even then it's not very effective. But you won't know if its worth it to you unless you try.

It's a flat painted ceiling of about 3.5 by 3.5 meter (12 by 12 feet) and about 2.6 meter (8.5 feet) high. TV at the front wall and the couch at the back wall. I do realize that upfiring speakers are not as effective as actual speakers mounted on the ceiling. But I know myself and I would regret it if I didn't get Atmos right now. Unfortunately the upfiring speakers are my only option.

IMO these would be better- https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091C826DBK/Focal-Chora-826-D-Black.html?tp=185

Front ported so not so much worry about how close to the wall they are. And again IMO a better overall speaker.

That's great advice. I've seen these before but I just wasn't impressed with their appearance. Or at least for me the Klipsch RP appearance is just spot on. Front ported is indeed much better in my situation.

And if you cannot fit a larger center speaker try it first without one. If there are only 2 or 3 seats it might be better than using a too small center speaker.

And skip that sub. It's small, under powered and just not very good. Go with something from SVS, HSU, Monoprice Monolith, Rythmik or if the budget is tight RSL.

I can always start with just a phantom center and buy a good center speaker later, when I'm upgrading my TV furniture and I will have enough space. The SPL-120 sub would fit as well, but the SPL-150 is too large unfortunately. I will check other brands as well.

I wish it was easier to check out some speakers before making a purchase, but none of the shops in a two hour driving range seem to have these speakers available to check them out.

 

[kini]

Awesome feedback so far, very much appreciated.



It's a flat painted ceiling of about 3.5 by 3.5 meter (12 by 12 feet) and about 2.6 meter (8.5 feet) high. TV at the front wall and the couch at the back wall. I do realize that upfiring speakers are not as effective as actual speakers mounted on the ceiling. But I know myself and I would regret it if I didn't get Atmos right now. Unfortunately the upfiring speakers are my only option.



That's great advice. I've seen these before but I just wasn't impressed with their appearance. Or at least for me the Klipsch RP appearance is just spot on. Front ported is indeed much better in my situation.



I can always start with just a phantom center and buy a good center speaker later, when I'm upgrading my TV furniture and I will have enough space. The SPL-120 sub would fit as well, but the SPL-150 is too large unfortunately. I will check other brands as well.

I wish it was easier to check out some speakers before making a purchase, but none of the shops in a two hour driving range seem to have these speakers available to check them out.

Are you in the US? If so Crutchfield has a very good trial period with reasonable return shipping rates. If not, obviously it will make things more difficult.

As for the Focals, I think they look great and they're just a better speaker.

 

[MediaSmurf]

Are you in the US? If so Crutchfield has a very good trial period with reasonable return shipping rates. If not, obviously it will make things more difficult.

As for the Focals, I think they look great and they're just a better speaker.

Not in the US So I'm using Crutchfield only to look up specs and reviews. I'm in The Netherlands, generally consumers can always try and return anything ordered online within a couple of weeks. So yeah I can return if I need to, but it's still a big hassle to repack and return 60 kg of speakers. I would like to be 99% sure of my purchase before I order.

I will check out the Focals, good advice! And I've been looking at KEF Q series as well. No integrated Atmos, but their Atmos module fits pretty nicely on their towers. The towers don't have a bass reflex port on the back, allowing me to place the towers close to the wall.