Which AV ampli 5.1/7.1 with just TWO speakers (Klpisch RB-51)?

[fedebro]

Hi guys,

I'm a new entry and I'm pretty inexperienced about HT. I hope you can help me to find a good amplifier AV.
Please, forgive me about my English, but I'm Italian and I'll try to make myself clear as much I can.

The issue:

I have a friend who gave me a pair of Klipsch RB-51 and I'd like to match them with an AV ampli 5.1/7.1. to listen to music and enjoy some movies through the Klipsch. Next year I'm gonna move from my current apartment, so with more space available I'll be able to add center speakers, sub, and surround; but for one year the ampli has to work with just the front speakers. Basically I'd like to buy something good for a future upgrade.

My questions:

1) Do the AV amplifier 5.1 or 7.1 work fine with just the front speakers connected? I mean, I obviously know that I won't be able to listen to the surround effects, but beside this any other issue?

2) How do I have to set the ampli when I listen to the music? On my old Yamaha there was a "pure direct" feature, but on the other ampli brands?

3) More important, how do I have to set the ampli when I watch DVD and cable in order that all the bass frequencies go to the front speakers and not to a missing sub? Does exist some AV ampli which some kind of feature that recreates the dolby effects with just the front speakers?

My requirements:

1) It should match with the Klpisch. I like a lot their clear sound, but sometime it's a little harsh. So I wouldn't like to have my ears tired in one hour listening..

2) I want it with the full iPhone control (iPhone, no Ipod) on the TV screen; this is a must! I'd like to have something which allows me to control the iPhone in a easy, visible and full way. I thought to some Pioneer models which don't even need the optional dock station to control the iPhone, but I'd really like to listen to our opinions about that...

3) I'd like to have (a kind) of easy remote control, if it's possible. Something which doesn't require me to get into thousands of options or hidden menus just to adjust bass/treble or to surf trough the functions just to change the cable channel on TV.

My info:

1) Use: 70% music (mp3, flac, some cd's), 30% movies/TV.

2) Rectangular room, medium/large dimension, with the TV and speakers in the top corner (I apologize, I it's a really bad position but I cannot change the furnishing lay out... now.

3) Budget max $500

I look forward for your advise and your help.
Thanks a lot!!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi guys,

I'm a new entry and I'm pretty inexperienced about HT. I hope you can help me to find a good amplifier AV.
Please, forgive me about my English, but I'm Italian and I'll try to make myself clear as much I can.

The issue:

I have a friend who gave me a pair of Klipsch RB-51 and I'd like to match them with an AV ampli 5.1/7.1. to listen to music and enjoy some movies through the Klipsch. Next year I'm gonna move from my current apartment, so with more space available I'll be able to add center speakers, sub, and surround; but for one year the ampli has to work with just the front speakers. Basically I'd like to buy something good for a future upgrade.

My questions:

1) Do the AV amplifier 5.1 or 7.1 work fine with just the front speakers connected? I mean, I obviously know that I won't be able to listen to the surround effects, but beside this any other issue?

2) How do I have to set the ampli when I listen to the music? On my old Yamaha there was a "pure direct" feature, but on the other ampli brands?

3) More important, how do I have to set the ampli when I watch DVD and cable in order that all the bass frequencies go to the front speakers and not to a missing sub? Does exist some AV ampli which some kind of feature that recreates the dolby effects with just the front speakers?

My requirements:

1) It should match with the Klpisch. I like a lot their clear sound, but sometime it's a little harsh. So I wouldn't like to have my ears tired in one hour listening..

2) I want it with the full iPhone control (iPhone, no Ipod) on the TV screen; this is a must! I'd like to have something which allows me to control the iPhone in a easy, visible and full way. I thought to some Pioneer models which don't even need the optional dock station to control the iPhone, but I'd really like to listen to our opinions about that...

3) I'd like to have (a kind) of easy remote control, if it's possible. Something which doesn't require me to get into thousands of options or hidden menus just to adjust bass/treble or to surf trough the functions just to change the cable channel on TV.

My info:

1) Use: 70% music (mp3, flac, some cd's), 30% movies/TV.

2) Rectangular room, medium/large dimension, with the TV and speakers in the top corner (I apologize, I it's a really bad position but I cannot change the furnishing lay out... now.

3) Budget max $500

I look forward for your advise and your help.
Thanks a lot!!

Welcome to the forums. We have quite a few overseas members.

What receivers are available to you in Italy and what are their price ranges?

You Italians are a civilized lot and I'm surprised they let those Yankee speakers into your country!

Most receivers have pure direct modes.

If you get a an AVR, in the speaker set up menu, you just select right and left front, and no to the rest. Some receivers have a phantom center channel mode to help with dialog.

When you set up your system after you move, you may not want to stay married to those Klipsch speakers.

I would imagine given your location you would find a more civilized speaker easier on your Italian ear.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Luckly Klipsch are very effective speakers, so driving them won't be big issue for any AVR.
While I wont typically Pioneers, it seems it could be a good match for you for the budget/features - aka required Iphone compatibility.
So Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K would be my rec for you.
Once you get it setup, run thru mpacc setup and hopefully it can defeat some of that famous Klipsch harshness (or it could be just room modes)

 

[sholling]

Any 7.1 receiver should work fine with just two speakers. Just set it for two speakers only or use the auto detect function.

I would not buy any Pioneer other than the Elite models - been there and done that and won't do it again! The Klipsch are very easy to drive and I would look at an Onkyo TX-SR607 instead. If you are here in the US (your profile says San Fransisco) I would even consider a refurbished TX-SR707 for it's added features and as a better long term investment.

 

[fedebro]

Thanks to everybody for you advise!

Yes, I live in USA so I buy in the US market.

I'm happy to hear that the AVR's work with just two speakers connected and that almost every model has the "pure direct" feature.

So, if I understood correctly when I set up the new AVR I have just to set it for two speakers only in the speakers set up menu or use the auto detect functions? Which one is better? When I watching a movie does the AVR sets up itself automatically or I have to switch something on the remote?

More important... not many of you like the Klipsch. Why? I'm pretty sure they are good speakers (I'm not an audiophile but I listened to several speakers and the Klipsch sound really good to my hear, but I heard them with a 2channel stereo ampli only), I red a lot of good review on this model and it's specifically build for HT use... so what's you concern?

Should I sell the Klipsch on ebay and buy new speakers too? In this case, please advise me a good speaker model for the use I need (70%music, 30% movies).

If I started from 0, what AVR and speakers with my budget ($500 for the AVR and $400 for the speakers or viceversa) you can advise me with the features I'm looking for (iPhone ready, etc)??

Of course, if you know a model that has a good sound matched with the Klipsch would be better..

Thanks a lot!

 

[Seth=L]

If the iPhone connectivity is a must I can recommend nothing else but Pioneer. Pioneer is rolling out with new models that all have iPhone capability out of the box. No other manufacturer does this out of the box.

Your speakers don't demand lots of power, so virtually any receiver you choose should power them with great ease.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

There's nothing wrong with Maratnz avr sholling mentioned, in fact it'll will more powerful than Pioneer amp (compare total power consumption on both units),
However, I'm not convinced you'd actually need so much power with avr friendly speakers (aka efficient) like Klipsch.
In addition unlike Marantz - were you'd have to buy "optional" ipod doc, with Pioneer avr you just use usb cable to plug-in directly your iphone/ipod.

About Klipsch - You ether love or hate it. I personally love it, but for me tSc was a better match due to better value.
I say if you love your Klipsch - keep them or upgrade to higher models

 

[sholling]

So, if I understood correctly when I set up the new AVR I have just to set it for two speakers only in the speakers set up menu or use the auto detect functions? Which one is better? When I watching a movie does the AVR sets up itself automatically or I have to switch something on the remote?

You will just chose a source for the movie... cable box, DVD player, Blu-Ray. Later when you add more speakers you can choose any audio processing functions that you want the receiver to perform.

More important... not many of you like the Klipsch.

Speakers are a matter of individual taste and hearing. What I may like you may hate. An awful lot of people, including some on here love Klipsch, some others don't. Again that's individual taste and all that matters is what you like. Klipsch speakers tend to be "bright" and some love that and some find it fatiguing - it's all in what you like.

I'm pretty sure they are good speakers (I'm not an audiophile but I listened to several speakers and the Klipsch sound really good to my hear, but I heard them with a 2channel stereo ampli only), I red a lot of good review on this model and it's specifically build for HT use... so what's you concern?

Should I sell the Klipsch on ebay and buy new speakers too? In this case, please advise me a good speaker model for the use I need (70%music, 30% movies).

As long as you like them that's all that matters.

If I started from 0, what AVR and speakers with my budget ($500 for the AVR and $400 for the speakers or viceversa) you can advise me with the features I'm looking for (iPhone ready, etc)??

Of course, if you know a model that has a good sound matched with the Klipsch would be better..

Thanks a lot!

Receivers could not care less what brand of speaker is attached. Those Klipsch are rated for 8ohms so pretty much any receiver will drive them just fine.

 

[sholling]

About Klipsch - You ether love or hate it. I personally love it, but for me tSc was a better match due to better value.
I say if you love your Klipsch - keep them or upgrade to higher models

+1 I had Kilpsch in my bedroom for years. If you like the sound then I would just save up for the matching center and a sub.

 

[fedebro]

Thanks again for the advise..

I'm narrowing my choice between three models:

1) new Pioneer VSX-1020-K (available next month $550)

2) Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH (I found it on line around $500)

3) Maybe I could do something crazy and buying the Marantz SR 6040, which is extremely beyond my budget ($980), but I could do it just because of its performances reproducing music and because I've red everywhere that Marantz sound is pretty warm and it would match perfectly with my harsh Klipsch.

If I go with Pioneer, which one is better for you? Which the differences in features between the two models (i know one is "Elite" but the real differences)?

Thanks again!

 

[fedebro]

Anyone available to give me the last advice?

I excluded the Marantz 6004, would br my first choice but it's too expensive for me.

I think I'll go with one of the two Pioneer.. which one?

I cannot understand the differences between the iPhone on screen support between the two models... is there anyone who can clarify me this issue?

The musical capabilities is better on the Elite model or the ampli section is the same on the two models?

BTW, yesterday I listened to the KEF iQ10 and they are a lot more balanced then the Klipsch, less bright, less harsh... really good sound! Maybe I should really think about start my system from the beginning....

 

[fedebro]

Anyone on this last question? The last advise would be great!
Thanks!!