Klipsch VS PolkAudio package opinions?

[T800]

Im going to upgrade my speakers and am deciding on the following, which do you think would be the better set-up. Ill be demoing them next week but would like some opinions on each system. (room is 18ft x 13 ft) It is a dedicated Ht and will be used 95% for HT

Ill be running a 7.1 set up with my Sherwood Newcastle R-965 receiver.

OPTION 1

Klipsch RF-10 system

- 2 x RF-10 FLOORSTANDS

- 1 X RC-10 CENTRE

- 4 X RS-10 SURROUNDS

- 1 X RW-8 SUBWOOFER

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=861

OPTION 2

Polk Audio pack

- 2 X RTI-8 FLOORSTANDS

- 1 X CSI-3 CENTRE

- 4 X FXI-3 SURROUNDS

- 1 X PSW404 SUBWOOFER

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php...=21&speaker=349

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php...=21&speaker=355

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php...y=7&speaker=320

I know i have to listen to them but would like some user opinions or experiences? what are there subs like? If they are that bad, i suppose i could ask for them to be taken out of package and buy spe sub, but will cost too much at moment.

Based on specs alone this is what i like

(+) Klipsch - high efficiency, looks great, better sub

(+) Polk - better surrounds (dipole/bipole switchable) better floorstands, bigger

Let me know what u think of these packages. thanks

[betty boop]

just wondering what speakers you been using till now and whether you've listed to any other speakers before coming to these conclusions.

For the money my honest opinion is you'd do better to buy an australian made speaker package from the like of whatmough, aaron, legend, orpheus, richter, sonique, krix etc.

Still have a good listen to both systems as is. Take your favourite dvd/cd and listen to both systems in rooms around the size theyre going into. Also especially with the klipsch make sure you listen for an extended period (15min plus) as some can tire of their sound in a domestic setup.

For the same money as the packages your looking at I'd highly recommend you have a listen to some australian speaker systems before making the final decision.

I personally would not buy the klipsch or polk subs- again because theres better out there for the money.

I am not familiar with the sherwood amp - I know its their flagship product and I'm not a brand snob but really I'd be testing the speakers systems plugged into your amp that way you know what your getting it removes another variable.

[T800]

its still up in the air as to which brand, but this was a startign point.

I currently have Jamo X series fronts and centre, which are awsome for bass, but trying to get 4 rears which are dipol or bipole to 'timber' match is near on impossible. I also need a new sub, thats why i thought it would be more cost efficient to get a whole new set up with matching speakers all round.

I dont want to spend more than $3000 all up, so what aussie brand packages do u recommend. It had to have dipole rears as speakers are only about 70 cm from listeners ears.

[betty boop]

If looking for dipole/bipole rears(severely restricts the speakers available) I'd check out the systems below:

system with the subsonic pr range of speakers

http://www.subsonic.com.au/audio/

subsonic pr1 bipole/dipole switchable

Sonique SAV system. The sav_db1 is bipolar/dipole switchable

http://www.sonique.com.au/ht/sav_db1.htm

The SAV 5SE is a very nice sounding front/main speaker.

systems built around the mission bipolars

http://www.mission-group.com/index1.htm

mission 78ds

Mission M5ds

I wouldn't buy a mission sub though

OK this is a UK brand but their bipole rears are quite good but not switchable to dipole.

Monitor audios bronze range speakers

Monitor Audio Bronze BFX Loudspeaker(bipole)

OK another UK brand but again their bronze range speaker system sound pretty good.

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/647

Heres two example systems using the mission and monitor audio speakers

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/175

For subs you'd be looking at around $800-$1000. Theres the richter thor, subs from whatmough, subsonic, legend, aaron, krix

With dipole/bipole speakers I honestly would be buying either bipole or dipole/bipole swichable speakers. Dipole only(out of phase drive units) speakers are good for prologic and for using as side speakers but they create quite a large dead zone right in front of them which does not make them great for all setups and all types of listening(discrete 5.1-7.1). Bipole speakers make great side and especially good rear speakers. The switchable units will give you the flexibility of trying both modes to determine which is the best for your setup.

I have richter hydra sides/ rears theyre bipole. Give sufficient directionality for discrete (5.1/7.1) but also are great for diffusing the sound to give an enveloped sound field - like in a movie theatre.

Try some of these systems as an alternative to the klipsch/polk systems your looking at.

By the way I'd also try some of these bipole/dipole speakers with your existing speakers first- you never know you might find yourself a close enough match to save your self a whole lot of money by not having to replace the entire system you have now.

[T800]

Thanks alebonau for ur time in providing all that info. Ill have a look. Yes if i can get the surrounds to match then Ill just buy them and a really good sub

[T800]

If i cant get switchable speakers, am i bette roff getting 4 x bipole spekaers? or what combo would u recoment. (bear in mind, listeners will be about 80 cm from speaker

[betty boop]

bipoles actually have their tweeters usually not firing directly at the listener theyre usually mounted off axis to diffuse the sound.

yes switchable bipole/dipole or bipoles are a better bet than dipole only speakers given proximity to the listener (800mm is close). Keep in mind though typically you mount side & rear speakers no more than 600mm above ear level.

[Adman454]

DAZBUG

both speaker manufacturers are well established companies that have been making good quality products for a number of years. what you have to ask yourself is which speaker best suits your taste.

polks tend to have a more musical mellow sound, where the klipsch tend be be a very bright speaker. bare in mind that klipsch make commercial speakers for large public theatres.

For most installations I tend to use klipsch bookshelf speakers (synergy or reference) with matching surrounds. Klipsch surrounds are also among the best in their price range. Great spatial sound, just macth the size to your room and system. When it comes to the subwoofer both klipsch and polk just dont stand up like they should. Have a look at the M & K V75 Mark II. Bout $1500 and well worth it. M & K is used the world over in professional recording studios where accurate music and movie reproduction is of paramount importance. Take a test drive and you wont look back.

Overall it comes down to what you enjoy listening to the most. Personally I like the klipsch guys. They pionerred the horn tweeter and I've heard stories of 20 year old rain soaked speakers still performing like new.

I hope I have helped. If you would like any more information or if I can help you in any way, please contact me.

Adam Kingston

[T800]

Thanks adam. Ill try and est them next week.

I currently have the Jamo X series front and centre which also have the 'Horm Tweeter" I think for the moment i will buy a new sub and 4 new surrounds, then upgrade front later as they arent affixed to wall.

http://www.jamo.com/consumer/products/products.php3?id=X+550

I like the size of the Rs-10, but but they have only a 4" woofer s apposed to the Rs-25 which has a 5.25" woofer.

My jamo's have 6.5" woofers. Which would be a better blend. The only reason im worried about the RS-25 is that they are bigger, and the left and right listeners will be only 80 cm from the speakers if that (incl surrinds and surround back)

Also, would u reccomend getting Rs-10/25 for all surrounds (x4) do to the close proximity to the listeners heads. (ill be in the middle of the 3 single seater recliners, so wont worry me too much unless the GF beats me to the middle chair)

[hifi007]

If your going to upgrade the Jamo's you need to listen to potential fronts as well rather than letting a rear choice dictate the future match. Althought the front three are vital to match, the rears can't be too different (ie Klipsch & Polk). Seeming as though you have Jamo X series ymmv but Klipsch are an aquired taste. Lots of people including me have found them too tiresome for extended listening.

Little doubt some of the best value is buying Australian made speakers, but have to admit I have never owned much in the way of Australian speakers. You need to head to a dealer and have a look & listen to a few as saving a dollar has to always be a good thing IMO. Of the imports I use Paradigm speakers, but have really liked some speakers from Monitor Audio, Tannoy and PSB.

A nice soundng 5.1 combo I recently heard was the a monitor audio bronze set and a hsu subwoofer.

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/645

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/648

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/647

http://hsuresearch.com.au/stf2.htm

[T800]

hmm ill have to have a demo of them too ! im guessing the 2 speaker connections at the rear are port 1 for dipole and port 2 for bipole?

That hsu sub looks/sounds awsome by the specs. ill havew to look into that as a sub along with surrounds is my #1 priority at moment.

[danadelaide]

Hi Dazbug,

I have a thread titled "Wife wins, Krix Euphonix and KDX M's and C up for sale!" further down the list on this forum which you should take a look at.

I have a boston acoustics 10 inch sub that I am also selling and I am looking at selling the whole 5.1 setup which retails for $6,000 for half that - ie your budget!

They are all as new and I now have photos I can send you if you PM me your email address.

I agree with the posters above that suggest you look very closely at the Aussie made speakers.

My Krix are brilliant, the only reason I am selling is to go for a wife friendly on wall VAF (South Aussie) soundwall system which has just been released.

'May my loss be someone elses gain'

Dan.

[hifi007]

im guessing the 2 speaker connections at the rear are port 1 for dipole and port 2 for bipole?

That hsu sub looks/sounds awsome by the specs. ill havew to look into that as a sub along with surrounds is my #1 priority at moment.

The bass driver on the BFX surrounds always operates in phase, the tweeter section can be configured to operate as a bi-pole or di-pole.

http://www.monitoraudio.com/products/bronze/series/bfx.htm

The stf2 is easy the best sub I have heard at around the $1000 price. The monitor audio speakers really match well with the hsu sub and the system sounds like its worth much more than it was.