Speaker Decision Help for Home Theatre (Paradigm vs Klipsch)

[Java Doc]

Hey all, first time posting here though I've been lurking for some time.

The time has come to finally take the plunge and buy some hardware, and I'm needing some input. I've attached a rough layout of the listening area. Subs #1 and #2 haven't been purchased yet, but I'm leaning toward either 2x Hsu ULS-15 or 1x Hsu ULS-15 with 1x Hsu MBM (feel free to comment on these as well).

Right now I'm trying to decide on towers and have it narrowed down to the following.

Paradigm Studio 60 ($1,600- $1,700)
Klipsch RF-7 ii (B-stock, new, $2000)

Also considering if the jump to Studio 100's ($2,500ish) would be worthwhile, though it may delay the sub purchases. My wife and I have listened to the 60s and RF-7's and both sound really good to our (unexperienced) ears. We also listened to the Monitor RX-8s, and the B&W CM8 and CM9s, as well as a few other, but preferred the sound of the Paradigm and Klipsch.

Our use will be 90% home theatre. I was able to pick up a Marantz 5005 for $320, so that's what will be powering them until future amps are purchased.

What would you choose given the above options? What is the break-even point for choosing one over the other?

Thanks for the help!

(I would post a pic I made, but can't seem to. The room is our living room, which is approx 14 ft x 14ft x 9ft)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Have you listened to them for a few hours to see if they sound fatiguing after a while?

As far as Paradigm goes, I don't think it's worth the increase to the Studio 100. A good subwoofer is a lot more significant.

Some people like Klipsch, some people don't.

Some people like Paradigm, some people don't.

If you like them both equally, then I say buy the one with the lower price.

 

[PENG]

I am sure many people would prefer the RF-7 especially those who listen at very loud level but I am also sure I can listen to the Studio 60 all day long without getting fatigue. The 5005 can drive the RF-7 to ear bleeding level but may be barely adequate for the Studio 60 if the room is larger than say 2500 cu.ft.

 

[LAB3]

If you have not spent time with both, I bet the RF7 horns are "Out Front" and brighter then the Paradigm. Both are great speakers. I like the "Horn" sound
and find adjusting them sometimes takes some time but worth it. I have only listened to the 100 series...... I liked them.......... with Big amps. tuff pic.
AcuDefTechGuy has the right idea, if you like both...save the money.

 

[GranteedEV]

Hey all, first time posting here though I've been lurking for some time.

The time has come to finally take the plunge and buy some hardware, and I'm needing some input. I've attached a rough layout of the listening area. Subs #1 and #2 haven't been purchased yet, but I'm leaning toward either 2x Hsu ULS-15 or 1x Hsu ULS-15 with 1x Hsu MBM (feel free to comment on these as well).

The MBM is a convoluted waste of money. The dual ULS-15s are a great choice. They use a sweet driver.

Right now I'm trying to decide on towers and have it narrowed down to the following.

Paradigm Studio 60 ($1,600- $1,700)
Klipsch RF-7 ii (B-stock, new, $2000)

I don't think either is worth that kind of big money

With $2000 i'd be looking at other options - JTR Quintuples, Salk Songtowers, Revel F12s, Aperion Verus Grand Tower, and especially the Philharmonic Audio 1 for $1600 or the Philharmonic Audio 2 with the RAAL tweeter (one of the best tweeters in the world) for $2000.

I'm not a fan of Klipsch OR paradigm, and I'm not really interested in B&W either, especially not anything below the 800 series speakers. If I had to choose, I would go for the Paradigms since they've got a seemingly better matching center, but I really wouldn't choose either. You can do better with your money

Definitely consider opening up your options. It's easy to get what's in front of your eyes, but you might be able to get something that's "that much" better.

Our use will be 90% home theatre. I was able to pick up a Marantz 5005 for $320, so that's what will be powering them until future amps are purchased.

Nice!

 

[LAB3]

I am sure many people would prefer the RF-7 especially those who listen at very loud level but I am also sure I can listen to the Studio 60 all day long without getting fatigue. The 5005 can drive the RF-7 to ear bleeding level but may be barely adequate for the Studio 60 if the room is larger than say 2500 cu.ft.

Yep........... it and Kipsch is my pick if you can swing the $$. Horns are a Love/Hate thing as the other member posted his dislike for them. Most people that have really good hearing seem to dislike a horn if not tuned correctly. Great for my old deaf ears I can hear what I see on music videos with the RF7II. Without expensive amps.

 

[GranteedEV]

Most people that have really good hearing seem to dislike a horn if not tuned correctly.

The problem with a horn is that it's got a ton of internal reflections and diffractions for the soundwave. A wave might bend and bounce back and forth as many as 10 or more times before it finally exits some horns. That reflected wave is then sent straight to your ears as a somewhat delayed phantom version of the original soundwave. It leads you to hear many things too close together and that is what leads to ear fatigue and a lack of soundstage depth.

With horns, it's always a tradeoff between higher efficiency and better control over the soundwave exiting the mouth. I'm not against horns, but I don't like Klipsch speakers. A horn speaker around the same price that I think would outperform the Klipsch would be the Audiokinesis Rhythm Prism

The JTR speakers I suggested do in fact use a horn loading as well, btw. My number one issue with klipsch is the general weak midrange resolution and bloated bass.

 

[LAB3]

The JTR speakers I suggested do in fact use a horn loading as well, btw. My number one issue with klipsch is the general weak midrange resolution and bloated bass.

In your opinion, my old Cornwalls sound "Accurate" to me. Pop had Khorns
back in the late 60's when I was a kid and used a Cornwall for a center speaker.

 

[GranteedEV]

In your opinion, my old Cornwalls sound "Accurate" to me. Pop had Khorns
back in the late 60's when I was a kid and used a Cornwall for a center speaker.

I was refering to the more modern commercial klipsch speakers, not the vintage stuff

 

[zieglj01]

Right now I'm trying to decide on towers and have it narrowed down to the following.

Paradigm Studio 60 ($1,600- $1,700)
Klipsch RF-7 ii (B-stock, new, $2000

The room is our living room, which is approx 14 ft x 14ft x 9ft)

I would look beyond the 2 choices - the horns may overwhelm you
in that room. If you can not decide, then take a quarter and flip it.

 

[Java Doc]

With $2000 i'd be looking at other options - JTR Quintuples, Salk Songtowers, Revel F12s, Aperion Verus Grand Tower, and especially the Philharmonic Audio 1 for $1600 or the Philharmonic Audio 2 with the RAAL tweeter (one of the best tweeters in the world) for $2000.

Those prices were for the pair, not sure if that was clear or not.

The JTR's look nice, but cost $3k+. I've seen talk about the Salk's go both ways, just like Paradigm and Klipsch. I like the possibility of Aperion, though I'd like to hear them before dropping the cash, even though they do have a nice return policy. Same problem for the Revel's, I can't find anyone around that carries them. The Philharmonics...just aren't my cup of tea looks-wise. Another problem I have with ribbons is that they are so clear, if the mids aren't as crisp there is a much more noticeable transition with the x-over.

Any others to consider? I'm not stuck on just those 2, they are just the one's we've liked the most out of the offerings from B&W, Monitor, Def Tech, Martin Logan, PSB, and maybe a few others I can't remember off hand. Basically, the ones that can actually be fairly easily found at a local audio shop.

 

[GranteedEV]

Another problem I have with ribbons is that they are so clear, if the mids aren't as crisp there is a much more noticeable transition with the x-over.

You won't find this issue with the Philharmonics. I guess if looks are the selling factor then it is what it is, although the black finish doesn't look bad IMO. But driver integration will not be an issue.

I've seen talk about the Salk's go both ways, just like Paradigm and Klipsch

really?

 

[zieglj01]

Do you have a Focal dealer in your area?
http://www.spearitsound.com/focal/focal_826v.asp
http://www.spearitsound.com/focal/focal_800_series.htm

 

[LAB3]

Those prices were for the pair, not sure if that was clear or not.

The JTR's look nice, but cost $3k+. I've seen talk about the Salk's go both ways, just like Paradigm and Klipsch. I like the possibility of Aperion, though I'd like to hear them before dropping the cash, even though they do have a nice return policy. Same problem for the Revel's, I can't find anyone around that carries them. The Philharmonics...just aren't my cup of tea looks-wise. Another problem I have with ribbons is that they are so clear, if the mids aren't as crisp there is a much more noticeable transition with the x-over.

Any others to consider? I'm not stuck on just those 2, they are just the one's we've liked the most out of the offerings from B&W, Monitor, Def Tech, Martin Logan, PSB, and maybe a few others I can't remember off hand. Basically, the ones that can actually be fairly easily found at a local audio shop.

Aperion has a rear surround with a switch to change it from Diopole to Biopole, interersting, I would give them a listen session. One is better for music and the other for surround
singals for movies. I read about the "brightness" of the RF7.......... as you know this can be tuned out in the Eq. and a hand held SPL meter.I have mixed Klipsch Cornwalls front L&R with Reference series RC-62 center with RS3-II rears and two Klipsch Sub 12"s in very small den.It took some "Tweaking" in the Advanced Set Up in my HD AVR to get all of these "Horns"(7) to blend in such a small space lots of good speakers to think about. Have Fun.