Trouble with my stereo setup

[leedog]

First off im not really a newbie and have always had audio gear.Im having some issues with the sound from my stereo.I have an older onkyo amp made in the late seventies and an onkyo eq with a pair of klipsch reference rf-82II speakers and it just doesn't sound right.My buddy has a cheapo teac receiver and an old pair of floor standers with a 12 and mids with a tweeter and his setup sounds better.My amp is 65 per channel and his is 100.I am suspecting my wire may be an issue as its aluminum with a copper jacket#12.Any input on this will be helpful.It may be my older amp that is not working right.Speakers are less than a year old.

 

[rojo]

Heya lee, and welcome to the forum!

Those speakers seem to measure pretty well. They've got a pretty high sensitivity rating, so I'd think a 65wpc amp would drive them OK. I'm running 16 gauge copper-clad aluminum wire on my Quart bookshelfs, which aren't nearly as sensitive as your Klipsch towers. Mine sound great. I think your 12 gauge CCA is more than fine, unless your speakers are hundreds of feet from your amp?

On the other hand, I've read that the RF82 II have a pretty aggressive sound, perhaps lacking in subtlety and refined transparency. Is that how you would characterize yours? Is that what's not right about the sound? If so, then maybe they're just not the right speakers for your room.

Could be a few other things, though. Would you say you've got your system in a bright room? If you clap your hands once, loudly, does the clap ring for a half second or more? Is your buddy's room with his Teac receiver and old floor standers in a room that you'd consider to be more damped? Have you ever had your 70's amp rebuilt, bulging caps replaced and so forth? Are you EQing based on measured room response, or are you just going by what feels right? Are you boosting frequencies, or are you attenuating?

 

[ImcLoud]

Them Klipsch speakers never sound rite to me, super sensitive, and they don't need much power, unless your dog chewed your cables up that is not an issue, try stretching a piece of paper towel over the tweeter, maybe that will help, if its a step in the rite direction you are just hearing what the klipsch tend to sound like.. BRIGHT, aggressive, and fatiguing.., Some people love them, they kill me since I am sensitive to bright highs...

I would send the amp in for a checkup if it has never been, or ask some of the guys here how to check it all out your self, keep in mind that guy is 35+ years old who knows how many songs she has pumped out by now... But I honestly don't think its an issue with your wire or amp, I think you get a warmer pair of speakers in that room or treat the room if its is a problematic setup and you will get better sound... sometimes its easy, curtains, throw rugs, placement moves, ect...

 

[markw]

Speakers have the greatest influence on what your system sounds like and, like women, are a preference that you can't really judge by age, price, or specifications. The heart wants what heart wants.

I honestly think you simply prefer the sound of his old school speakers over your newer speakers. Many do There's no shame in that.

 

[ImcLoud]

Mark is on the right path here, if there is not a room or placement issue, I think you may just not like Klipsch sound, I know I borderline hate it... and I bought a set a while back, loved them in the store, they stood out, they sounded intricate and detailed, then I got home and after 30 minutes I wanted to drill holes in my ear drums...

 

[zieglj01]

First off im not really a newbie and have always had audio gear.Im having some issues with the sound from my stereo.I have an older onkyo amp made in the late seventies and an onkyo eq with a pair of klipsch reference rf-82II speakers and it just doesn't sound right.My buddy has a cheapo teac receiver and an old pair of floor standers with a 12 and mids with a tweeter and his setup sounds better.My amp is 65 per channel and his is 100.I am suspecting my wire may be an issue as its aluminum with a copper jacket#12.Any input on this will be helpful.It may be my older amp that is not working right.Speakers are less than a year old.

CCA wires can be OK/fine if you use a bigger guage compared to average sizes - I do not mess with CCA.

However, your wire size is OK - It could be that Klipsch is not right for you - their horn is too aggressive
for me, and their midrange is thin - it lacks detail and definition, and the horn does not make up for it.

At least in your room - make sure there is no echo-flutter, as that for sure can cause problems. Plus it
would not hurt to get your receiver/amp checked out.

On a side note, make sure the wire is connected properly at both ends (positive to positive and negative
to negative).

 

[JohnnieB]

What are your buddy's old pair of floorstanders? Brand? Model?