Center Channel Help, Which should i choose ? Klipsch or ML

[mauriceproductions]

Good morning my new online family   So I have run into a road block and need your help. Looking to see what center channel you would go with or recommend. I currently have a Martin Logan Motion 8 for my Center channel. Thinking of going with either the Klipsch RC-64 ll or Klipsch new RP-450C.  Will going to either one of theses two make a difference in my front sound stage from the Martin Logan I am currently using? Or should I just keep the Martin Logan. Reason I am thinking about switching is because I would like all of my speakers to be Klipsch. (Sounds corny I know) But I have now mounted my tv higher up and off my av stand and can now go with a different center channel. So what do you ladies and Gents think ? Is it worth it ?

[selkec]

If all your other speakers are klipsch then definately get a klipsch center... that's very important to be timbre matched

[novisnick]

Definitely match your other speakers,
The front sound stage should be matched, timbre is very important. So, unless your changing your speakers, and I do really like Klipsch if I were being surveyed, I'd match them.

OK, just reread your post, go with the best and most $$$ you feel comfortable spending. If you plan on keeping the 28s and or someday upgrading in the Klipsch line purchase the largest center you can afford and place in your room. And be done with the center channel.

What's next?? 8)

[mauriceproductions]

Later down the road I plan on upgrading the KF28 to the RP-280 or the RF-7 if it is not discontinued.This probably won't happen till late next year as I really like my KF28. My XPA-2 really brings the best out of them. Money won't be an issue at this point. its go big or go home. Planing on buying one this Friday. So now that I am going to stay with Klipsch, How would the RC-64 ll compare to the new RP-450C I see one is ported and the other has a bigger driver and sealed. I want the best sound stage I can get out of the Klipsch line up.

Thanks guys

[sonicseeker]

The front speakers are the most critical to get timbre matched. Go all Klipsch for sure. There are a lot of RF-7II's out there and you can get some good deals on them so if you think that is the direction you will go eventually than get the RC-64II, otherwise get the rp-450c.

[indyscammer]

The other difference I see is the 64 uses 6.5" cones while the 450 uses 5.25". Honestly both would be fine. The 64 is barely more efficient (99 v 97 dB)...both go below 60 Hz although just barely. I'd go with the less expensive from what I see on the spec sheets and without listening (IMHO).

[sonicseeker]

I have not heard the new RP's but I used to own the RC-64II and it matched well with the RF-7II's and it is a very good center channel speaker.

[mauriceproductions]

Thanks for all the updates this will be a verry hard decision. Going to take a Hard look at the 450 since it is a newer model. But the looks of the RC64 just looks so beautiful and bold. Dang me (center channel money is burning in my pocket). Def an expensive hobby.

[novisnick]

May 12, 2015 14:29:41 GMT -5 mauriceproductions said:

Thanks for all the updates this will be a verry hard decision. Going to take a Hard look at the 450 since it is a newer model. But the looks of the RC64 just looks so beautiful and bold. Dang me (center channel money is burning in my pocket). Def an expensive hobby.

Here's a little help for my friend!

                                                                                

[ttocs]

+1 on matching fronts. Everything becomes very cohesive, a joy to behold, comes into focus, a sight to see, a thing of beauty, a Festivus Miracle!

[mauriceproductions]

Thanks Nick but I think we may need a fire hose for this one. If the wife could not tell the difference id be picking up a pair of SVS this Friday as well lol

[LCSeminole]

If you are going to go with RF-7II's in the future, then the RC-64II is a no-brainer choice here. The Refernce II series are timbre matched as a front stage, and while mixing and matching Klipsch series speakers might get you a great sounding outcome, the outcome will most likely be those that are made to be paired together. I've not demoed the new Reference Premiere series but I just don't see this series being as good materials-wise, I could be wrong but the RC-64II retails for $1399 where the RP-450C retails for $650. Maybe it's just me and RC-64II is overpriced but there must be some materials and build improvement somewhere over the RP-450C. Then again you'll never know until you get them into your home theater and demo them.

[teaman]

I agree with LC, the 64 is the way to go. Great sounding speaker and it will pair perfectly with the RF's. Check some online stores before you buy for the best prices. Lots of sellers carry that one for much lower than MSRP!

[novisnick]

May 12, 2015 18:26:07 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

If you are going to go with RF-7II's in the future, then the RC-64II is a no-brainer choice here. The Refernce II series are timbre matched as a front stage, and while mixing and matching Klipsch series speakers might get you a great sounding outcome, the outcome will most likely be those that are made to be paired together. I've not demoed the new Reference Premiere series but I just don't see this series being as good materials-wise, I could be wrong but the RC-64II retails for $1399 where the RP-450C retails for $650. Maybe it's just me and RC-64II is overpriced but there must be some materials and build improvement somewhere over the RP-450C. Then again you'll never know until you get them into your home theater and demo them.

I agree mostly with you LCS, and as I've stated earlier, the largest best matching center is the way to go. In this case, it would be the RC-64 II but if you eventually upgrade the towers the OP will have to come to terms with what the room will need. I've been told many times ( the RF-7 II I considered strongly ) that you need a very very large room to get satisfaction from those speakers. I've been told that they will blow you out of a room and are not that controllable in a smaller environment. Maybe a little smaller Klipsch tower would suffice and give the OP much better control of the sound.

They need to be a few feet from rear and side walls, I had a guy that almost refused to sell me a set because of the room size I was going to put them in. He actually talked me out of " making the same I that he mad ", his words not mine.
side note, the room I was going to put them into was/is 18' X 21' X 9'

[mauriceproductions]

I love this form, But you guys are trouble seriously. lol RC-64 ll it is. I actually thought hard on this last night. Looking for one now, Maybe I can catch a good deal on Crutchfield, Amazon,or World wide stereo. Ill probably never have a big enough room for the RF-7 ll but ill still pick them up just because I have been lusting over them lol Hell my KF28 are already to powerful for the wife and we live in a condo.

[vcautokid]

+2 on timbre matching your front stage. Ideally all channels should be matched, but the front stage is most critical. Future planning to Klipsch you want is a great idea, so going with a Center channel that will be as close as possible if identical is not possible, to maintain timbre matching. Auto room correction or manual setup can wrap it up. Allot speakers have their house sound if you, but no guarantees.

[mfeust]

Something not mentioned yet was NO center channel. The left and right speakers I have now are by far the best speakers I have ever owned. If your L/R speakers are set up optimally the center fill is great and no center channel is needed. I must add that now that it is just me and the misses we sit in the sweet spot so all is well with no center channel. Your situation may be different. But it is easy to try out and see if it would work for you and your setup.

Mark

[Boomzilla]

I vote ML.

[macromicroman]

I have the RF-7ii and RC-64. My room is not that big although I do have a slanted ceiling the goes to about 15ft in the rear. The RF-7iis made a huge difference over the RF-82iis. I have not heard the new series so can not say anything about them. Usually as the saying goes you get what you pay for. If you do not need all black speakers you can usually find some B stock (not Klipsch usual grain of wood) on E-bay for a good price.

[The History Kid]

I'll be "that one guy in the room" and say that if you can find one...do an RC-7 instead of the 64. That is one center channel speaker to be reckoned with and spits fire instead of ember.