Speaker Choice (Rock fan, small room)

[rufas2000]

First off, I know that sound is best evaluated in the ear of the listener. However life would be easier if I had a starting point. I'm thinking I'm going to replace my Klipsch Synergy F-3s. The ones I'm considering are below:

Def Tech BP 7006 (Will I still need a sub if I watch movies but am not a bass fiend)

Klipsch Reference RF-62 (I hear the Reference series is much better than Synergy)

Polk RTI10 (Next week my local Sound Advice / Tweeter is selling these buy one, get one free, I've read wildly differeing opinions on this one)

Boston Acoustics VR2 (not even sure if I can get these anymore, $400 would be a good price if my CC ever gets them back)

KEF IQ9

KEF IQ5

Sony SS-F7000 (well, they're cheap, hidden bargain perhaps?)

I will consider other similar models as well. Mail order is not preferable (being home to take delivery and not seeing before buying are the issues) but possible. Here are my specifics:

I listen to mostly Rock, Metal and Classical (and combos thereof) and other styles of music to a lesser extent. I watch movies occasionally as well.

Right now I only have the front speakers. I may consider the other speakers and/or a sub later but if I don't need them no worries.

Room specifics:

I have approximately a 10 foot square room where the system is located. The walls do not have anything on them aside from two posters (renter's agreement).

There is only a couple of area rugs (where the speakers are), two beanbags (against the wall next to the speakers, they seem to suck up some excess bass vibrations) two small tables and five plastic CD or DVD racks.

The door is on the left on the listener side of the room and a dual doored closet is in the back right.

Other: I have a Denon AVR-987 receiver.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[benolium]

If you like the sound of your Kipsch, than I say get the reference (horns) can be a bit muffled though (IMHO). If your looking for a different sound, the Bostons have a good reputation.

 

[rufas2000]

Thanks for replying. The Klips I have now sizzle, boom and rumble but they dont sparkle, shine or thump as much as I would like. In other words, a mixed bag.

I was wondering if what my current Klipsch speakers lack (for me) has more to do with them being Synergys and not References or is it their size. Or is that the trademark Klipsch sound and therefore I should look elsewhere?

I was thinking (hoping?) that slightly smaller towers would allow more detail, less boom and rumble and more thump (the thump might be difficult). I've manually adjusted the EQ and its helped but I think new speakers would help more.

The listening room is pretty much what it is due to my renter's agreement, not having a better room (living room too big, open ended and too close to my neighbor in the duplex, only other rooms are a kitchen, bathroom and another bedroom just like the one I use for the listening room) and lack of "handymanness".

The Def Techs really intrique me due to the intergrated subwoofers, their skinnyness and mostly the Def Tech rep among audiophiles.

I was hoping to find out more about the Polks (and how they might apply to my listening situation) soon so I can snatch them up at $480 a pair when they arrive next week (per helpful Sound Advice guy I called) if they meet my needs.

Add the Klipsch RF-82s to the list as well but I'm thinking speakers that big might be too much for my room (as the Synergy F-3s appear to be now).

Other suggestions also appreciated. $1,000 budget but I'll pay more for the right product as I can get credit. Don't want to travel too far down that road though.

 

[mazersteven]

I was wondering if what my current Klipsch speakers lack (for me) has more to do with them being Synergys and not References or is it their size. Or is that the trademark Klipsch sound and therefore I should look elsewhere?

The Synergy series isn't even close to the sound quality of the Reference series.

In simple terms the Synergy's sound dead, flat. The References are alive, bright. This is just my opinion.

 

[rufas2000]

Thanks, makes me think the RF62s or the RF82s might be a plan. The $200 price difference is not an issue but I still wonder if the 82s are too much speaker for my room.

But the Polks are half of the RF82s due to the sale. I want to get it right not cheap but I'd hate to spend twice as much and find out the Polks would have been better for my situation. Of course only I'll know for sure since they are my ears but it would be much easier to choose right the first time.

 

[mazersteven]

But the Polks are half of the RF82s due to the sale. I want to get it right not cheap but I'd hate to spend twice as much and find out the Polks would have been better for my situation.

The Klipsch and Polk's will sound totally different. I'm not a fan of how the Klipsch sound. I guess you could contribute it to the horn tweeter. Just not to my liking.

The Polk's on the other hand are to my liking. The RTi10's give full rich sound. Excellent tweeter. Not to forward or harsh, but not neutral either. The low end will surprise you. Excellent low end extension. For the price one of the best bargains out.


I have never auditioned the Bostons so no help there sorry.


The Def Tech's are nice. I have only auditioned the 7000's in that series.

 

[mouettus]

I say Energy is a no brainer for rock music. Try to audition a pair of C-500 or RC-70. I myself am a fan of metal and rock music and have never heard a pair of speakers that wouldn't make my ears bleed on that type of music. I own the Rti series from Polk and they will drive you crazy. No good for music reproduction. Voices are like a screaming baby and guitar just doesn't sound as it should. Great low end though. I just bought the RC-70s anyways haleluia!

p.s. Energy is affilated with Klipsh.

 

[rnatalli]

For rock, I'd have to lean BA or Klipsch. You should be able to audition both at local big box stores.

 

[jaxvon]

I would go for none of the above. Two good monitors from Ascend Acoustics, crossed over to stereo subs. If you do the crossover electronically, you can get optimum integration and gain extra eq control on the speakers, allowing you to tailor the sound just the way you like it. If you want to go one step further, you could add some effective damping and absorption to the inside of the Ascend cabinets.

 

[Seth=L]

You won't see the BA VR2s coming back to CC, but they can still be found online. Someone on eBay purchased a bunch of them new to sell new in box, and has them for pretty reasonable prices. OneCall may still have some as well.

I had a chance to audition the BA VR series speakers, and I loved them. Not long after I had listened to them I found a pair of much older BA speakers (HD10s) and I love those as well. I listen to a wide range of music, including rock, and I enjoy them for most everything.

The Reference series Klipsch are far superior to the Synergy. They have better tweeters, woofers, x-overs, and cabinets. I really like the Reference series Klipsch. One issue with them however, they are hard for most receivers to drive correctly. They are pretty efficient, but they like to dip low in impedance, lab results show down to around 3 ohms, which is dangerous for many receivers. The Denon you have should be able to handle them fine though, and if not it has preouts for additional amplification.

 

[rufas2000]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm leaning toward the Klipsch Reference at this point. I'm wondering which set would be better for my listening room: the 62s or 82s. Will the 62s have enough bass? Will the 82s have too much bass? Right now I have most of the bass settings turned down on the EQ (except 125 Hz; the others: 63, 250 and 500 are down -3 each) with Klips the same size as the 82s (dual 8 inch woofers).

Still considering the Polks, especially considering the price but I do like the sound of my Klips, I just wish they had more detail, especially in the mid high frequencies.

I wish I had jumped on the Bostons when I had the chance but I'm wanting to avoid mail order (see below) and Ebay makes me more concerned.

Any tips on how to take delivery? I'm gone until 4 PM every weekday (teacher), my Mom is gone until 5 PM (different address) and my grandparents (another address) don't need to be bothered with two huge heavy packages. My neighbor is fairly old as well so she shouldn't have to deal with two huge packages either. Will they just leave the speakers at my front door, I'm fairly sure my neighbors would keep an eye on them but theres a slim possibility they won't be there when I get home. I know many of you order speakers on line so any tips in this area would be appreciated.

 

[Seth=L]

I would go for none of the above. Two good monitors from Ascend Acoustics, crossed over to stereo subs. If you do the crossover electronically, you can get optimum integration and gain extra eq control on the speakers, allowing you to tailor the sound just the way you like it. If you want to go one step further, you could add some effective damping and absorption to the inside of the Ascend cabinets.

Sounds complicated.

 

[D.R. Payne]

I think you'll be happy with the choice of Klipsch. If you are used to experiencing amplified music live, then the horn loaded midrange is going to sound closer to live than anything else in my opinion.
Obviously I'm a bit of a Klipsch fanboy, but I'm not the only one to make this observation.

The 82s are flat down to 33hz with a sensitivity of 98db; the 62 38hz/97db. Depending on the size of your room I would get the 82s and deal with any "boomy-ness" with room treatments.

 

[rufas2000]

Yes I think I'll do that as soon as I get the necessary funds. Thanks. I am looking to have a system that recreates live amped music (but without all the reverb of large venues).

I mentioned my room specifics in my initial post. It is a challenging room as it features:

10 by 10 by 10 (approximate): not good to be perfectly square and too small to follow all the speaker placement guidelines. (How far apart from each other and the wall, I almost have it)

Blinds but no curtains. Renter's agreement prohibits putting holes in the walls, I assume installing a curtain rod would not be permitted.

Four small tables, two for display / storage and two around my "Captain's chair for remotes / drinks / CD or DVD case currently in use etc.

Three CD racks and two DVD racks of the plastic / metallic variety

A 32 inch TV on a TV table with the receiver on the second shelf and the DVD player / DirecTv receiver on the bottom.

Three area rugs about 4 feet by two feet, one each next to the speakers (to reduce vibration) and one in the middle of the room.

A dual door closet in the back on my right.

The door is on my left closer to my chair.

I have no handiman skills to speak of. Any advice would be great. It was helpful in deciding on the Klipsch speakers (but I'm still willing to hear why Polks or others might be better).

 

[mazersteven]

(but I'm still willing to hear why Polks or others might be better).

You will be waiting a long time. The only person that can tell if one speaker is better from another is "You".

Get out, and audition these speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...The ones I'm considering are...Def Tech BP 7006, Klipsch Reference RF-62, Polk RTI10, Boston Acoustics VR2, KEF IQ9, KEF IQ5, Sony SS-F7000...

I just want to add that the DefTech Bipolars (BP Series) can sound fantastic, but because they are Bipolars, they require more space than monopoles. If I had the space I would put them 4' from the front walls and 6' from the side walls. But plenty of people say that you need about 12" from the front walls and 24" from the side walls. Also face the Active Subwoofers towards each other and away from the side walls (face the Passive Radiators towards the side walls).

 

[rufas2000]

You will be waiting a long time. The only person that can tell if one speaker is better from another is "You".

True true, I just didn't want posters to stop making a case for Polk due to me saying I was thinking Klipsch.

Looks like I'll start with the RF-82s and go from there.

 

[rufas2000]

Well I got the klips RF-82s

Now I hear and understand.

Gotta go (wonder why?)

 

[dorokusai]

I'd pick KEF out of that bunch for 2CH listening. The IQ series isn't as magical as the vintage KEF series but a nice compromise.

The Polk RTi series is about as classic a Polk as you could get...solid bass, decent midrange but nowadays, forward on the high end.

Klipsch never excites me unless it's a Heritage line. When I hear a better Klipsch than the K-Horn....I'll move on.

Boston Acoustics stopped making magic ages ago.

DefTech is a great HT speaker but I've found no redeeming quality in regards to 2CH listening. VonS does it right for 2CH.

Sony? What are you crazy? Let that leap of faith stay on that side of the ocean. Hype.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[rufas2000]

I'm a firm believer in end-game, meaning that if I asked for advice I should let everyone know what I chose and how it worked out.

As I already said, I decided on the Klipsch RF-82s. The Polks were not going to be on sale due to lack of supply, the KEFs I wasn't sure about and would probably have to be delivered and the Def Techs looked to be too placement sensitive. To top it off, I did like the sound of my Synergy F-3s but I felt that it could be better. Therefore the logical choice would be an improved version.

I already notice a significant improvement and I have made no tweaks to my system that is still set up for the Synergys. I just unboxed them, put them where the F-3s were, hooked them up and started playing music. I didn't even remove the (ultra cool magnetic) grills like I had with the F-3s.

I think they'll sound even better when I tweak the room and receiver to optimize their sound. I'll leave the speaker break in issue alone but I've always noticed my speakers sound better over time, why I don't know but there is that as well.

So thank you all again. I'll be happy to answer any questions about them and I'll post if there is any significant happenings with them. Its been a long day; Mapquest failed me on my journey to the Magnolia store and the credit had some problems and I couldn't see out my back window on the way home but I made it, got them and there you go. Good night.