The Armour Archive

Ok, we're thinking of getting a new surround sound system, and have looked at a few different kinds. So far, BY far, the Klipsch system has sounded the best. However, it's a teensy bit pricey, and I didn't really want to spend that much. (The 12" Klipsch subwoofer is more than one 7:1 complete package that we saw - which included the amp).

But, after hearing that system, everything else sounds like crap. Can anyone recommend something with a similar sound, but maybe a little lower in price? I am partial to the tower speakers as opposed to the tiny ones because they seem to have amuch better sound quality, but I would not be opposed to buying a set with small speakers if it sounded just as good, or maybe even almost as good if there is a decent difference in price.

Sorry this is so off topic. I just figured I'd ask before we dropped a bunch of cash.

Cat

Cat.. lemme check with my audiophile friend at work tomorrow.. theres damn little about speakers and components he doesn't know.

However, I _DO_ know Klipsch is pretty far up there, as far as quality and standing goes.

Maeryk, that would be great! Thanks so much! I just did some rough figuring and came up with a cost of $2100 for two towers, one center, 2 rears, and a 12" sub. This is all assumng the center and 2 rears were $300 each, and I can't remember if that's about right or not. If we get a 7:1 system, that will take it up roughly another $600, plus we would still need to get the amp. If I had unlimited funds, I'd buy it all in a heartbeat, but I unfortunately don't. The probelm is that I should never have listened to it in the first place. I won't be happy with anything that doesn't sound as good, which probably means we will end up not getting anything.

So, hopefully he can recommend something, as my little 5:1 is gettin' on in years and needs to be retired. And my sub died a few years ago...not quite the same without the sub.

Thanks again!
Cat

the best sounding of the smaller speakers out there is the Polk audio RM series, excelent sound and dont sound like small speakers Polk also has towers though I have no personal experiance with them. For anything bigger I'd have to argue MB Quart, without going to high end B&W or plannulars they are some of the smoothest most natural sounding speakers out there, they do tend to be a tad lower in there volume compared to others but they more than make up for it in quality.

One thing you really need to consider is the room the speakers are going in.. How "live" (lots of solid surfaces to reflect sounds ie. large windows hardwood flooring etc) or "dead" (full of things that can absorb sounds, ie carpets, thick curtains, sound diffusers in the corners, furniture etc) the room is. While I to personally love the sound of Klipsch speakers I've found there tweeters are a bit bright and become overbearing in "Lively" room.

What referance music are you using when listening to speakers? Make sure to take your own not what any store has, they will pick songs that bring out the speakers they are wanting to sell.

Brian

Thanks for the suggestions!

I looked up MB Quart, but all I found was car audio components. I only checked 2 or 3 places, so maybe I should keep trying. Also, what is B&W, and plannulars?

As for the room, it probably leans more towards the "dead" side of "dead vs. lively". It's not a huge room either, but I don't know the exact dimensions. We currently have an Aiwa system set up, which sounded pretty good when we got it (about 10 years ago), but it never sounded anything near what the Klipsch sounded like.

I checked Ebay, and found some Klipsch floor standing speakers (SF1 I believe) that were like $350 a pair. I'm not sure which ones we listened to at the store, but they were $350 EACH. Are the SF1's decent? Also, what is the difference between "reference" speakers vs. um...non reference?

And the watts...I don't understand any of that. Anybody know where I can get some on line info about watts and how they relate to speakers and amps?

Thanks again!
Cat

EDIT: When we were checking out the systems, we used a DVD to check the sound. The problem is that most of the stuff wasn't hooked up. That's REALLY aggravating! How do they exepect to sell audio equipment when the crap's not hooked up?