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Klipsch Quartet: Suggestions for Setup & Pairing

I picked up a pair of the above-referenced Quartets this weekend and actively solicit their afficionados' input on how to maximize their sound quality. Specifically, I'm having trouble tightening and controlling the bass--it sounds loose and wild (tho quite deep). I've struggled with the bass with both very good MacIntosh tube amp/pre and a 70s-era 60-wattish Pioneer integrated, although turning done the bass tone control on the Pioneer helped somewhat. I dig the looks and massiveness of these things; any ideas on how to get 'em to sound right would be appreciated.
loomisjohnson

Showing 3 responses by loomisjohnson

loomisjohnson OP
1,906 posts
 
guys, thanks for the good advise. i've toyed with placement/height per your suggestions and found the following:
1. raising 'em off the gorund does indeed tighten the bass--i've got 'em on 18" stands and will try raising 'em further;
2. they really don't work well in the middle of the room (too diffuse)--curiously, they do sound better and more focused near the corners;
3. the grills are least acoustically transparent i've encountered--removing them makes the highs and mids much airier, but also causes the woofers to lose some grip.
I'll experiment further--please keep the suggestions coming.
loomisjohnson OP
1,906 posts
 
again, thanks for the input. i will experiment with different amps (i don't have a t-amp, but will try an arcam integrated and/or adcom separates). subject thereto, i have reached some tentative conclusions:
a. placement is critical for the klipsches;
b. type of recording is also critical; jazz and heavy instrumental stuff sounds very natural, while more refined and vocal music doesn't fare as well;
c. soundstage is surprisingly narrow; highs are somewhat constrained and boxy;
d. perhaps as a function of the horns (with which i don't have much experience), driver integration isn't as seamless as conventional speakers; woofer still sounds somewhat disconnected from mids and tweeter.
not sold yet, though I'm still intrigued by 'em and will soldier on. happy xmas to all.
loomisjohnson OP
1,906 posts
 
blkadr:
1.actually, the soundstage was wider with the mac tubes than with the pio solid state, though the pio (about 60 old fashioned watts) had better grip on that wild bass;
2. the predecessor to the quartets in the same room (a large, low ceilinged basement with lots of reflecting surfaces) were late 70s pioneer hpm-100s; i'm also running some spica t50s in the same room. neither the hpms or the spicas posed the same challenge of boomy low end (tho in fairness the spicas don't purport to have much low end in the first place); and
3. compared to the quartets, the hpm100s are less refined at the high end, but throw a much larger soundstage and are better integrated throughout the spectrum; the low end on the hpm100s is tighter, though not as deep.
much to ponder. thanks again.
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