Today is the big day, want to get it right.

[adwilk]

So I'm working today on getting all my new gear up and running and in the interest of being thorough I'll let ya'll know what I picked up yesterday...



Klipsch RF-7 Cherry (DeanG upgraded crossovers) x2 for mains

Klipsch RC-64 Cherry Center Channel

Klipsch RB-61 Black x2 for surrounds

Klipsch RW-12D for my sub


This should be a pretty good setup, i'm a little concerned that i skimped on the sub a bit but the digital interface and 116db output was attractive. Worst case i guess i just get another one. I never thought i'd spend more on a center channel than a sub, but oh well...

So, i dont have an SPL meter or anything like that. My systems in the past have never really warranted it so i'm wondering if this is something i need to look into, or if i should just "play it by ear". Just how important is it when you make the jump up to decent stuff?

Anything I should return and maybe look at something different? I'll post some pictures in my Member Systems Gallery Thread...

 

[bandphan]

Enjoy , looks nice.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Meters are nice, but if your receiver or prepro has test tones, just sit in your listening position and do it by ear. Since everything is matched, you my not need to do too much

 

[adwilk]

Meters are nice, but if your receiver or prepro has test tones, just sit in your listening position and do it by ear. Since everything is matched, you my not need to do too much

What am i listening for, just for the volume to be the same from each speaker?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Yes, but you need to have test tones or static (white or Pink noise) so you can hear the tones at the same level. I'll be on awhile, what kind of receiver/prepro do you have? That would help me help you if you will provide make and model.

Ric

 

[Soundman]

So I'm working today on getting all my new gear up and running and in the interest of being thorough I'll let ya'll know what I picked up yesterday...



Klipsch RF-7 Cherry (DeanG upgraded crossovers) x2 for mains

Klipsch RC-64 Cherry Center Channel

Klipsch RB-61 Black x2 for surrounds

Klipsch RW-12D for my sub


This should be a pretty good setup, i'm a little concerned that i skimped on the sub a bit but the digital interface and 116db output was attractive. Worst case i guess i just get another one. I never thought i'd spend more on a center channel than a sub, but oh well...

So, i dont have an SPL meter or anything like that. My systems in the past have never really warranted it so i'm wondering if this is something i need to look into, or if i should just "play it by ear". Just how important is it when you make the jump up to decent stuff?

Anything I should return and maybe look at something different? I'll post some pictures in my Member Systems Gallery Thread...

If it were me, I would take that sub back and get a better one. The last thing you want to do is skimp on the sub. If the budget is a concern, run it without a sub until funds are available. It will be well worth the wait. Now it is fine to get multiple subs, but when setting up multiple subs, remember it is best that both subs are very similar in sonic characteristics. it's ideal to have 2 identical subs, but it's not necessarily a must. What is important is that one of the subs does not draw too much attention too itself. That is what will happen if you have a budget sub paired with a very nice sub. The budget sub just won't blend as well and will do exactly this. Trust me, if you just wait and get a really nice sub, there may not even be a need for dual subs. Also, you didn't mention the size of your room or what you are powering this system with. I hope this helps.

 

[Seth=L]

You may want to upgrade the receiver sometime soon. The Onkyo TX-SR503 may not be adequate to power the Klispch if the impedance dips (the sound may become strained, bass lean). The Harman Kardon AVR-247 would be a good fit for those Klispsch.

 

[Soundman]

Meters are nice, but if your receiver or prepro has test tones, just sit in your listening position and do it by ear. Since everything is matched, you my not need to do too much

I would not recommend doing this. Every room is different. it is impossible to tell what types of level adjustments will need to be made until you set it up. Also, listening to test tones by ear is nearly impossible to get exactly right without an SPL meter. The human ear is not very good at differentiating volume levels, especially when we are talking about test tones/ white noise/ etc. I would recommend picking up an SPL meter. Radio shack has a couple models priced very well in the $40-50 range.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

We set mine up by ear first, then made corrections with an spl meter. We were not to far off, just using the test tones from the LMC-1. But your right soundman, I was thinking of a "perfect world" when I typed that.

I agree about the sub. Either get another one, or take it back and look at SVS or Hsu Research, or this killer Emotiva with 800 watt amp, 2 12's, room calibration, etc. All for $999.95!

Emotiva Website

 

[adwilk]

You may want to upgrade the receiver sometime soon. The Onkyo TX-SR503 may not be adequate to power the Klispch if the impedance dips (the sound may become strained, bass lean). The Harman Kardon AVR-247 would be a good fit for those Klispsch.

Yeah, AVR shopping is now on the list... Reading here i found that you should get the speakers you want and then find an appropriate receiver. I know you recommended that 247 a little while back and that may very well be the direction I go. I like onkyo though and may just upgrade it....

As far as the sub goes, it plays plenty loud and pretty deep.... I'll give it a shot and if it doesnt keep up, i'll buy another identical one. Dont most reference theaters incorporate stereo subs? I'm in an apartment right now while i'm waiting on my house to finish up... so i dont see myself unloading the thing anyways... I'm on a concrete floor and it shook the glass in my coffee table and rattled the plates in my kitchen.. I should be ok.. this thing is very loud.. (116db at 30hz) sorry neighbors... Budget really isnt an issue but i'm not exactly a bass head either...

 

[Cozmo]

If it were me, I would take that sub back and get a better one. The last thing you want to do is skimp on the sub. If the budget is a concern, run it without a sub until funds are available. It will be well worth the wait. Now it is fine to get multiple subs, but when setting up multiple subs, remember it is best that both subs are very similar in sonic characteristics. it's ideal to have 2 identical subs, but it's not necessarily a must. What is important is that one of the subs does not draw too much attention too itself. That is what will happen if you have a budget sub paired with a very nice sub. The budget sub just won't blend as well and will do exactly this. Trust me, if you just wait and get a really nice sub, there may not even be a need for dual subs. Also, you didn't mention the size of your room or what you are powering this system with. I hope this helps.

To second this, I thought I had good bass in my system. I then upgraded my sub to a SVS PC Plus/2. I had never known what I missed...

 

[adwilk]

The room isnt huge, about 14 x 20 being pretty open around it... 9 foot ceilings, for the time being... in my house, it will be a dedicated room, 12 feet wide, 21 feet long 8.5 foot ceilings with room treatment.

I'm headed to radio shack for an spl meter... there's one about a block from here.... i might need it down the road.

Will it have directions? what do i do with it? I have the rives audio CD with all the test tones... I'm assuming i can use it... Do you just graph the volume based on the frequency and spl?

anybody think i could have done better than the klipsch gear i got for HT?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

To second this, I thought I had good bass in my system. I then upgraded my sub to a SVS PC Plus/2. I had never known what I missed...

I went from a Infinity PS-12 to a Hsu VTF-3 HO Turbo. Night and day. $400.00 for the Infinity, $1000.00 for the Hsu. And you really do get what you pay for.

Two of his $700.00 Klipsch subs get us into the area that I've spent since adding my cute MBM-12. The Klipsch are pretty, but I'm confident that my sub system would win in a shootout, using U-571, and the music CD that Hsu supplies with their subs.

A PB-13 Ultra would be awesome. If they could keep up with demand !

 

[adwilk]

To second this, I thought I had good bass in my system. I then upgraded my sub to a SVS PC Plus/2. I had never known what I missed...

I guess i'm trying to justify my purchase a bit but this is the one the guys recommended for the other stuff i got... This thing is no slouch... whats one or two db among friends????

And its not like it wont have help from the 4 10" drivers in the mains.. i'll be running them full range... Bad Idea?

 

[larry7995]

I would run them full range and then probably set the lfe crossover at 80hz
I heard a big Klipsch system demoing at the Vanns display at the home show in Billings a year or so ago and it was very impressive. As I recall they had about a 400 watt per channel amp feeding the mains.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I guess i'm trying to justify my purchase a bit but this is the one the guys recommended for the other stuff i got... This thing is no slouch... whats one or two db among friends????

And its not like it wont have help from the 4 10" drivers in the mains.. i'll be running them full range... Bad Idea?

I would cross over at 60-80 Hz to the sub. This will let it do it's down and dirty work, and then your receiver will not have to work so hard powering your mains. This is also personal preference.

Two identical Klipsch subs are going to put you in the money range for some nice stuff from SVS, HSU Research, Epik, eD, etc. If you want two pretty subs that look like your mains, center and surrounds, go for it, buy two Klipsch.

But... Better performance can be had for the same money...Your call.

Read up on this bad boy, the flagship for SVS

 

[Cozmo]

I guess i'm trying to justify my purchase a bit but this is the one the guys recommended for the other stuff i got... This thing is no slouch... whats one or two db among friends????

And its not like it wont have help from the 4 10" drivers in the mains.. i'll be running them full range... Bad Idea?

My opinion is let the sub do what it does best.....

 

[adwilk]

I would cross over at 60-80 Hz to the sub. This will let it do it's down and dirty work, and then your receiver will not have to work so hard powering your mains. This is also personal preference.

Two identical Klipsch subs are going to put you in the money range for some nice stuff from SVS, HSU Research, Epik, eD, etc. If you want two pretty subs that look like your mains, center and surrounds, go for it, buy two Klipsch.

But... Better performance can be had for the same money...Your call.

Read up on this bad boy, the flagship for SVS

Ok, well the SVS looks plenty impressive... it obviously goes deeper. Is the big difference here SQ. I was looking at output and response and all that and this is a huge upgrade to the current DIY i'm using... I was very impressed with this thing.

What are some real life differences i'll notice? I probably wont use a sub with music at all, well maybe at times. but not much. Isnt bass, bass?

 

[larry7995]

you can also experiment, turn the sub off with speakers set full and play a certain song then turn it back on and notice the change

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Ok, well the SVS looks plenty impressive... it obviously goes deeper. Is the big difference here SQ. I was looking at output and response and all that and this is a huge upgrade to the current DIY i'm using... I was very impressed with this thing.

What are some real life differences i'll notice? I probably wont use a sub with music at all, well maybe at times. but not much. Isnt bass, bass?

SVS will give you a 30 day test period. If get an Ultra, you will not be disappointed! It is big, but to do the job RIGHT it's got to be big.

My Hsu VTF-3 HO with Turbo is huge. But it's a monster at the lower freqs. Then, my MBM-12 sub takes over for 50-80 Hz. Here is a link to my sub setup:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40111

Here are two Hsu Research VTF-3 HO Turbos with an MBM-12 in the middle. These belong to majorloser in his INSANE cinema.