2. home-theater
  3. 1432250620

Are Klipsch or Usher and Upgrade for Me?

I've been rolling with a 15 year-old HT speaker system consisting of Infinity speakers: CC-3 center, Overture 2 L/R, and RS-3 bookshelves for surrounds. At the moment I'm using an ACI Titan II sub in the HT setup, but it may move to the two-channel system.

I've been considering upgrading. I happen to live near a Crutchfield store (for now) and heard both the Klipsch Reference II series and the new Reference Premier series as well as a PSB setup.

I've also heard great things over the years about Usher Audio's speakers, but it looks like their floorstanders are more than what I'm willing to pay for my HT right now, and the bookshelves might not be up to performing L/R duty in a HT. The Be-616 DMD looks intriguing, though.

I am a tad concerned that the Klipsch will not be a huge upgrade over my Infinity system. The Klipsch setup I'm looking at would be the RC-64 II, RF-7, and whatever the matching bookshelves are.

Any thoughts on whether the Klipsch will be a substantial upgrade over what I have now, and how it would compare to an Usher setup at the same price point? What alternatives should I consider for crystal clear dialog, good off-axis response, neutral and accurate tonality, and capable of easily handling the dynamic range necessary for HT duty?

It has been quite a while since I last posted; I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the hobby!

Best,
HC
aggielaw

Showing 7 responses by zd542

zd542
5,339 posts
 
Before you buy horn speakers, you should spend some time with them. They're not for everyone. If you're not used to them, it may be a difficult transition.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"One of the reasons I'm looking to upgrade is I need speakers that sound good in a variety of rooms because I move every couple years. For some reason I assumed the horn would have superior horizontal dispersion. If it's inferior to a dome that would give me less flexibility rather than more."

Its not really better or worse, as much as it is different. Horns just have a sound that not everyone likes. Its not room dependent either. Its no different than any other design. If you like them you can usually make them work, and if you don't no amount of tweaking will make it right.

If you're not sure about horns and you can't afford to take a loss, its worth mentioning that very few audiophiles actually use them. The largest subgroup, by far, are people that are into low output tube amps. They use horns because they're so efficient. Also, those amps are usually rolled off quite a bit in the highs, making horns much more listenable.

That said, you could be part of the group that loves horn speakers. Nothing wrong with that. My only caution would be to make sure before you buy a pair so you don't loose money on a mistake.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I wasn't trying to talk him out of anything, I was just being realistic. Not everyone likes horns. Also, I don't see an equal comparison with a movie theater. Its just a different application. A movie theater needs to fill a huge space at very high volumes. Its really not feasible to use something other than a multi channel PA system. If conventional speakers were used, you would need a lot more of them. But the real problem would be driving them. Amps for less efficient speakers would cost a lot more. A movie theater is forced to use the equipment that it does. Someone putting together a home theater has more options.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I am currently(8:41pm ET) watching(listening) to the first Transformers(plain vanilla DVD) movie as I type on my PC which is off axis and 25 feet from the front soundstage(Klipsch RF-63's/RC-64), and the dynamics are rediculous in my 6000ft3 room."

You definately have the right speakers. I'm not questioning that at all. But like I said in my other post, I'm just trying to give the OP some info that may help in his search. He may find that Klipsch is the right speaker, and there's nothing wrong with that.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"..not a big deal folks!. You try a pair of $100 used Klipshies, and compare to your fav budget (or better) monitor at the house! then you can know something you didn't already. HEY, IT'S A HOBBY FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD! THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND, I SAY! lol."

Have no fear. If he does what you suggest, he will be throwing caution in the wind. Does it really make sense to buy a different pair of speakers and demo them instead of the ones you're actually going to buy?

""My only caution would be to make sure before you buy a pair so you don't loose money on a mistake." Zd524 (we wouldn't want that to happen..might drive em right out of the hobby al together! -Stick with Lotto tickets, maybe??)"

Correct. Why wouldn't that be the case? Do you think people leave the hobby because of all the good choices they make, or the bad ones?

Aggielaw,

The only reason I responded to Avgoround's post was for your benefit. He hates anyone who doesn't have the same opinion as him. If you've never seen any of his posts, you should know that the only reason he enters a thread is to ruin the experience for everyone. If you want to see what I'm talking about, you can read some of his other posts, but from this point on, I won't be responding to anything else he says. He can't be reasoned with under any circumstances.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Our group of people are, music listeners, first. Anyone not knowing what I am talking about, will just not " get it "."

So, in order to get it right, we have to think just like you and use the same equipment. Thanks for clearing that one up.

Something tells me that you would be good friends with Avgoround (See the post right before yours). You 2 think alike.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Avgoround, here's your new best friend. You guys already have 1 thing in common. You both have an extreme dislike for me. Although, and I can't believe I'm even saying this, but you have better taste in audio equipment.
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