So the guy at the HT store told me to go on...

[Rob.S]

...the forums and run this by you all.

I've finally decided to pony up some coin for real gear for the first time in my adult life. I have a budget of $1500-$1700 for speakers and receiver/amp.
For the cost of a typical B.O.S.E. (Buy Other Sound Equipment) setup, I've learned I can get some REAL audio equipment...so..here I am ready to accept any and all opinions.

The guy at the local store recommended these items:

Marantz SR4002 receiver/amp

Klipsch RF-10 Home Theater System

Can I do better within my budget?
I'm a total noob, so be gentle ;-)

thx, all.

 

[gus6464]

You won't do better, just different. I am guessing you want to spend around $1500 on speakers if the receiver is ~$500 and for that amount of money you have a ton of different options out there. Just go out and audition and see what you like. But if you like the sound of the Klipsch then you won't need to look further.

 

[markw]

You won't do better, just different. I am guessing you want to spend around $1500 on speakers if the receiver is ~$500 and for that amount of money you have a ton of different options out there. Just go out and audition and see what you like. But if you like the sound of the Klipsch then you won't need to look further.

You saved me a lot of typing because this is exactly what I would have said in almost the exact same words.

IOW, the guy in the store was steering you right. For that price (or any price for that matter) there's a plethora of better options out there than a cutesy widdle teenie weenie bose package. (double entendre intended)

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Take a look at this system:

http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-532-Cinema,25.aspx

It's the same money as the Klipsch, but cutting out your middle man. I love my Aperion Audio ! Combine with Marantz or Onkyo, or Denon, or Yamaha, or...

Or in Piano Black.

Ric

 

[MUDSHARK]

Aperion, axiom, and ascend acoustics are all worthy alternatives that permit at-home 30 day trials. This would afford you a basis of comparison at no more than shipping cost. If, after 30 days you still prefer the Klipsch then you will be more comfortable with your decision after doing your due diligence.

 

[gus6464]

Or just go around to different shops and see what they got. For $1500 you could get into some B&W 685, 686, and HTM62 with some discounts. You cold also get into some Monitor Audio RS1 as well. I really like the MA silver line for HT as they are well balanced and really do nothing wrong. The B&W 6xx line are more on the bright side like the klipsch and in your face which people also like for HT.

 

[jinjuku]

You may want to find year end closeouts where new models are going to be introduced. Polk would be one good example and maybe Infinity.

 

[3db]

...the forums and run this by you all.

I've finally decided to pony up some coin for real gear for the first time in my adult life. I have a budget of $1500-$1700 for speakers and receiver/amp.
For the cost of a typical B.O.S.E. (Buy Other Sound Equipment) setup, I've learned I can get some REAL audio equipment...so..here I am ready to accept any and all opinions.

The guy at the local store recommended these items:

Marantz SR4002 receiver/amp

Klipsch RF-10 Home Theater System

Can I do better within my budget?
I'm a total noob, so be gentle ;-)

thx, all.

Can you do better? I don't know. That depends on how much you like the Klipsch. Your best bet is to audition similar priced speakers, side by side if possibe to see which sound you like the best. Thats the only way. Everyone here is a fanboy of their speakers, me included and we'll all give you recommendations for you to audition. But once all the dust settles, you'll have picked a speaker thats sounds best to you.

The best way to pick a speaker is using music. If a speaker can do music well, then it will do HT well also. So arm yourself with some CDs that you are very famiiar with, a pad of paper and a pen and start auditioning speakers. Write down make/model of each speaker and start jotting down notes which describes the way the speaker sounds to you. Are the highs clear? Are they overly bright and tiring after a while or they a little recesses or dark sounding or are they somewhere in the middle? Does the midrange sound natural, open or does it sound hollow recessed? Does the bass sound good and tight or does it sound flabby boosted or exagerated? How well do the speakers image? Is the soundstage big and open? Can you pick out the individual instruments and their location within the soundstage?

By doing this and auditioning other speakers, you'll end up with something thats sounds just right for you. It may or may not be the Klipsch. I hope this helped.

BTW I'm a PSB fanboy and really like their Image series.

 

[mazersteven]

I've never heard this particular Reference series speaker. What concerns me is the 4.5-inch woofers on the RF-10 towers.

Can you do better?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Marantz SR4002 receiver/amp

Klipsch RF-10 Home Theater System

That receiver doesn't even have TrueHD and DTS-MA?

I would get the Onkyo 605 for $400, which has HDMI-1.3/TrueHD/DTS-MA.

Those Klipschs look pretty good to me, although there are always other options like Aperion, AV123, etc.

 

[Soundman]

Do you have a sub? Is that included in this budget?

 

[gus6464]

That receiver doesn't even have TrueHD and DTS-MA?

I would get the Onkyo 605 for $400, which has HDMI-1.3/TrueHD/DTS-MA.

Those Klipschs look pretty good to me, although there are always other options like Aperion, AV123, etc.

Too bad the 605 is made like pure poop.

 

[chadnliz]

If you really want to step up into real gear, save some more money....your gonna get an extra check for $600 in June from Uncle Sam........all I am saying is your current budget isnt gonna get you very far, so save a bit longer and do it right once.

 

[Polygon]

I must say I'm impressed. A sales person with some manner of intelligence. I wish I had a A/V shop like that here.

 

[gus6464]

If you really want to step up into real gear, save some more money....your gonna get an extra check for $600 in June from Uncle Sam........all I am saying is your current budget isnt gonna get you very far, so save a bit longer and do it right once.

I wasn't aware that klipsch didn't make "real gear". Didn't know a speaker company could last for decades by making the "fake" kind.

 

[rnatalli]

Like everyone has already said, speakers are key. Audition some different speakers and go with what your ears prefer.

 

[adwilk]

Assuming that you're getting 2 RB10's an RC10 two RS10's and an RW8...

Pretty darn good system for the price concerning movies... I'm a klipsch fan when it comes to dynamics and "WOW" factor when you're watching movies. THis particular system could be a slight let down when it comes to music. But it was ok at low volume. It had a hard time with some tracks. I've heard this exact setup in a slightly treated room and Gladiator sounded pretty good. Very enjoyable. They are a pretty sensitive speaker so they dont take much to play loud and distortion is almost non existent. The sub could be a cause for concern down the road. It lacks headroom.

for a hundred more, you can upgrade the fronts to the rb51, and then look at a different sub, you might put together a somewhat future proof system for yourself.

 

[pzaur]

Rob S. -
Nothing says you have to buy it all at once. I'm slowly building my home system. It's starting to look like this:

Front L-R: Aperion 533-T - already own
Center: Aperion 533-VAC (ordering this coming week, it's been suggested that the 634-VAC is better and matches great, but, I don't have the space)
Subwoofer: currently the thing listed at the bottom in my signature. I'm planning on replacing it with the AV123 MFW-15
In-ceiling rears: I haven't set myself on anything yet. I may go with the Aperion in-ceiling or something similar to the Jamos
Receiver: currently have a HTiB Sony that "works". I'll be looking at one of the Pioneer Elites or whatever is currently on the market at the time.

Granted, this is going to cost more than $1,500 (The front 3 speakers + sub = $1629). The good news is that it is spread out over a period of time.

My suggestion would be to get a decent 2.1 setup first (two fronts and a sub) and then work your way from there over time. But, if you're set on getting a whole 5.1 system go check out many different options. The bulletin boards have many members who will open up their homes for you to come and listen to their personal setup.
Klipsch
AV123
Ascend Acoustics
Aperion Audio
AVS Forum - you will get more info here than you will ever want on anything and everything! Just like here, but bigger...information overload is a distinct possibility.

Receiver technology is a beautiful thing with all of the trickle-down affect of new technology. The longer I wait, the more goodies the less expensive stuff has.

Some will say get the receiver and two fronts first and then go from there. My view is to get the 2 fronts first, then center or sub (I'm doing center because I already have a sub that works), then the receiver, then the rears.

Happy hunting. Always remember that no matter how good it sounds in the store or somewhere else, it will sound different at your place.

As was said earlier, "You won't do better, just different."

I love my Aperions.

-pat

btw - the new Radiohead album is great!

 

[chadnliz]

Did I touch a nerve by simply saying you can do so much more with a little more money? I never insulted the Klipsch line and I actually like them but with a bit more cash and some financial patience you can purchase gear you will likely be happier with much longer........feel better?

 

[mjfoster77]

I have a Klipsch setup. I love it. It was a total deal for the money. This was my first set of speakers I ever bought. KLipsch makes some quality speakers. I have yet to not enjoy any movie or game on my set up.

But like everyone keeps saying take these ideas (brands) everyone is giving and go try them out. Happy hunting