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
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.
avgoround
287 posts
 
"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. Zd542 (LOL!- can't afford to take a lose!! ..BIG BUCK EXPENDITURE HERE!!!.. how does one survive the resell process, I ask!?!! DOH!)

"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??)

..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.
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.
avgoround
287 posts
 
Lol! Zd542, .I dont hate anyone. I poke fun in jest at you, Zd542! Its fun and, besides, you deserve your torment based on past postings, even to present! And still, I even agreed with u that this guy should audition first to see if its for him, silly!
Besides, its fun to disagree n be controversial, don't u think? ...otherwise no one is hardly posting responses in the HT section any more! No really. Its getting sparse. Don't u agree? (Everyone posts on the amp\preamp section of gon, it appears -Like 2xs more than next closest section -loudspeakers?- and 5xs as many threads than HT sec!!) Cause apparently amps are far more important to sound quality than even the loud speakers themselves!.. which isn't true. ..see the people here are silly! I just proved it.
mrdecibel
3,067 posts
 
My 2 cents. There are many Klipsch owners (horn owners) that are, audiophiles, in so many ways. However, being one, and knowing many, one thing comes to mind. Our group of people are, music listeners, first. Anyone not knowing what I am talking about, will just not " get it ". Horns, especially properly designed and executed ones, do one thing correctly, or, more correctly, than other designs. They present dynamics, in a way, that other designs cannot. My reference, for over 40 years, has been live, unamplified music. Many speakers, of every design, have passed through my living quarters, and all have failed in this regard. Horns do have a " projection ", that does require proper room set up, proper ancillary equipment, and proper listener distance, no different than other designs. I can easily say, many mega buck systems I have heard (some owned ), sound dull and lifeless, even though, other audio parameters have been met. After so many years of designing, and owning, a plethora of equipment, and sound systems, I have been lucky enough to find "what I am looking for ". Thank you all, for your time. MrD.
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