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Post by elkman99 on Jan 19, 2017 12:06:09 GMT -5
No offense taken. It tends to be a bit echoeee without the room being finished lol. I figure lots of area rugs, furniture wall pictures and window treatments will go a long way in taming the beast. Plus there is a little offset in the room where the kitchen starts because of a bathroom and pantry, so the room isn't completely square. It's no acoustical dream, but I love the openness and spacial freedom the room provides.
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Post by elkman99 on Jan 19, 2017 12:24:00 GMT -5
Also, I do plan to hook my TV up to surround sound as it's against the same wall as my stereo. But I will just be getting some separate speakers to mount in the corners. That's kinda why I was looking at getting the marantz. Not to mention the USB/wifi capabilities. However, I'm open to whatever will provide the best system as a whole.
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 19, 2017 12:33:52 GMT -5
Why are you going for a multichannel receiver for a 2 channel system? How about for movies - connectivity - versatility - and room correction? There are other reasons as well. Try to get a zone II set up and functioning well with 2 channel gear - it isn't as easy as it might seem. IME sound quality is on-par with two channel equipment and cost less. I've been very happy with multi-channel gear used for 2 channel. I'm 95% two channel but do like a good movie once in a while and no two channel setup is ever going to match a well balanced multi-channel setup. JMHO. |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 19, 2017 12:41:43 GMT -5
Also, I do plan to hook my TV up to surround sound as it's against the same wall as my stereo. But I will just be getting some separate speakers to mount in the corners. That's kinda why I was looking at getting the marantz. Not to mention the USB/wifi capabilities. However, I'm open to whatever will provide the best system as a whole. Surround and two channel make for different budgets depending on what type of sound quality you are looking for. Both bring different things to the table. But the things you can buy with the same amount of money is different depending on which type of system you choose. You decide which one best fits your needs. I am a two channel enthusiast because I believe in concentrating my investment to maximise two channel quality. But that's me. It fits my needs well. But I can see why many people would choose a surround sound system. |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 19, 2017 12:50:21 GMT -5
Why are you going for a multichannel receiver for a 2 channel system? How about for movies - connectivity - versatility - and room correction? There are other reasons as well. Try to get a zone II set up and functioning well with 2 channel gear - it isn't as easy as it might seem. IME sound quality is on-par with two channel equipment and cost less. I've been very happy with multi-channel gear used for 2 channel. I'm 95% two channel but do like a good movie once in a while and no two channel setup is ever going to match a well balanced multi-channel setup. JMHO. I've heard a few good surround sound implementations and for movies they were pretty great. Gravity was a great example of this. The scene when Sandra Bullock descended to earth in a small space vehicle shook the place. I felt like I was in there feeling just as cramped as the walls of the vehicle shook and creaked. A wild ride for sure. The same goes for a lot of action movies. |
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 19, 2017 13:15:58 GMT -5
With the description the OP gave for his listening space a multi-channel AVR/AVP with room correction sounds like a good match. Room treatments can only get you so far. Same for room correction software. I'd take a little of each over simply placing a 2 channel setup in an untreated room with odd angles and many hard surfaces. Room correction isn't magic either. At some point bass traps and sound absorbing panels would be advised regardless of whether the setup ends up being strictly 2 channel or multi-channel. I get the idea from the OP's posts that multi-channel might be an option at some point. That's easier to convince the SO to buy into than bass traps and sound absorbing panels.
My main objection to something like the XSP-1 is versatility - for the past 10 years I've had maybe 5-6 2 channel preamps. I've never been happy with the mess of cables and juggling of remotes necessary to get everything operating like a symphony. Easiest piece of gear to use is a TOTL AVR - and a good multi-channel AVP comes in a close second. A few more cables but not nearly like having an AVR/AVP with a 2 channel preamp (with HT bypass) and the requisite 1 2 or more external amps that come with it. IMO the sound quality of my system is pretty damned good. Very little difference between using the Cx-A5000 or a USP-1/XSP-1 preamps.
As for recommending mono-blocks right out of the gate without knowing what the OP is attempting to set up is not good advice IMO. Especially if the OP is buying highly efficient speakers.
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Post by Wideawake on Jan 19, 2017 13:59:06 GMT -5
I would consider one of the following options:
Option 1 - (slightly over budget)
Emotiva T2
XPA -2 (Gen 3)
Yamaha RX-A860
2 x Goldenear Supersub XXL
Option 2 - (well within budget)
Emotiva Stealth 8
Yamaha RX-A860
2 x Goldenear Supersub XXL
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Post by The History Kid on Jan 19, 2017 15:03:11 GMT -5
I'd argue against the RF-7 II and the 12" subs. You'd be better off waiting for the RF-7 III's OR getting a single 15" sub. If you are only going to be doing 2-channel audio, why not get a good 2-channel pre-amp instead of a home theater pre-amp? What is your reasoning for waiting for the RF-7 III? To see how they perform? I'm just asking because I haven't found any specs let alone reviews so far just the one vid from CES. I can't see the III being much of an improvement over the II (although I hope they are so I get to upgrade  ). Visually it's a downgrade for me. Edit: Regarding the thread, I've owned 3 Klipsch subs and they have never really impressed me. There are better companies to look at for subs imho (depending on where you live, the US being ideal in this case). Purely cosmetic. They're apparently only updated somewhat - the main updates were to cosmetics to make them match the RP line and the R-1xxSW series. If the OP was going to go for a decent pair of speakers, I'd assume he might be interested in them all matching. That being said, I'm still trying to understand the justification of the RF-7 III's when the Forte III seems like it's going to be at a lower price point. |
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Post by teaman on Jan 19, 2017 16:00:07 GMT -5
What is your reasoning for waiting for the RF-7 III? To see how they perform? I'm just asking because I haven't found any specs let alone reviews so far just the one vid from CES. I can't see the III being much of an improvement over the II (although I hope they are so I get to upgrade ). Visually it's a downgrade for me. Edit: Regarding the thread, I've owned 3 Klipsch subs and they have never really impressed me. There are better companies to look at for subs imho (depending on where you live, the US being ideal in this case). Purely cosmetic. They're apparently only updated somewhat - the main updates were to cosmetics to make them match the RP line and the R-1xxSW series. If the OP was going to go for a decent pair of speakers, I'd assume he might be interested in them all matching. That being said, I'm still trying to understand the justification of the RF-7 III's when the Forte III seems like it's going to be at a lower price point. I would totally go for the Forte III if it were in the same price range. Something that I find over and over again is that I enjoy the Heritage speakers by far over the Reference lines. I don't think you could go wrong with either the Forte III or the Heresy III and subs. I have heard both and there is not much difference when the subs are added to the Heresy III's in comparison to the Forte's. |
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Post by elkman99 on Jan 19, 2017 16:40:15 GMT -5
My two cents is if you want easy to push speakers that get extremely loud...go Klipsch. For Rock music there are very few speakers that play louder and clearer...and Magnepan's are not really rock speakers to begin with. If it were my money, here is how I would spend it. Emotiva XSP-1 or DC-1 preamp. 2 x Emotiva XPA-1 mono block amps Klipsch Heresy III's Pair of RSW-12 Klipsch Subs I don't think I could have spent it better. Nearly 100db sensitivity means the Heresies will scream at you, the fact they are three way and full range means you won't miss any detail and the pair of subs which could tuck easily under end tables with the Heresy III's on top means the foot print is no larger than your original options. Tim This option really intrigues me. Do the Heresy's sound good and have the top end like the RF-II ? They would definitely allow me to go mono. |
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Post by The History Kid on Jan 19, 2017 16:51:28 GMT -5
My two cents is if you want easy to push speakers that get extremely loud...go Klipsch. For Rock music there are very few speakers that play louder and clearer...and Magnepan's are not really rock speakers to begin with. If it were my money, here is how I would spend it. Emotiva XSP-1 or DC-1 preamp. 2 x Emotiva XPA-1 mono block amps Klipsch Heresy III's Pair of RSW-12 Klipsch Subs I don't think I could have spent it better. Nearly 100db sensitivity means the Heresies will scream at you, the fact they are three way and full range means you won't miss any detail and the pair of subs which could tuck easily under end tables with the Heresy III's on top means the foot print is no larger than your original options. Tim This option really intrigues me. Do the Heresy's sound good and have the top end like the RF-II ? They would definitely allow me to go mono. Heritage speakers will kick Reference's butt any day of the week when it comes to music. They'll have similar clarity with a huge improvement in midrange. |
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Post by teaman on Jan 19, 2017 16:55:10 GMT -5
My two cents is if you want easy to push speakers that get extremely loud...go Klipsch. For Rock music there are very few speakers that play louder and clearer...and Magnepan's are not really rock speakers to begin with. If it were my money, here is how I would spend it. Emotiva XSP-1 or DC-1 preamp. 2 x Emotiva XPA-1 mono block amps Klipsch Heresy III's Pair of RSW-12 Klipsch Subs I don't think I could have spent it better. Nearly 100db sensitivity means the Heresies will scream at you, the fact they are three way and full range means you won't miss any detail and the pair of subs which could tuck easily under end tables with the Heresy III's on top means the foot print is no larger than your original options. Tim This option really intrigues me. Do the Heresy's sound good and have the top end like the RF-II ? They would definitely allow me to go mono. Personally I prefer the balanced sound with the midrange in the mix. I think too much is expected out of a single horn in the RF series. The poly woofers put forth much more bass than the copper woofers do also. The Heresies have been in production 60 years now and have very little change outside of obvious technological advances. I have seen a lot of bars using the Heresies since they can fill a room to ear piercing levels and the speakers are small enough to be flown in corners, etc. I have Heresy I's, KP-250's, Slant Heresies plus I have auditioned Heresy II's and III's. With the 99db sensitivity these speakers can reach well beyond most others with very little power. My buddy used to run his Heresy II's off a small tube amp and I run mine off both the XPA-2's and the XPA-1 mono blocks. They handle 400 wpc@ 8 Ohms and allow you flexibility on where you put them. The small footprint takes up very little space and the latest models have beautiful wood finishes. www.klipsch.com/products/heresy-iii-floorstanding-speakerassets.klipsch.com/product-specsheets/Heresy-III-Spec-Sheet.pdfI cannot imagine anyone needing anything more. Coupled with a pair of subs (I have mine paired with 10 inch subs) even more so with a pair of twelves you will probably overwhelm that large room. They sound way better than most pro speakers yet they scream at you with clarity from these horns and specific crossovers. You honestly can't go wrong. I linked the Klipsch page and specs for them above. Tim PS....editing to add if you are in the US many stores offer open box or B stock at huge discounts. OneCall and others on Ebay often offer new open box Heresy III's for $1400 a pair which is unbeatable. That would not only save you money but allow you to spend more on preamp/DAC/source or whatever. There is a seller on the Klipsch forum selling a mint pair for a drastic discount as well. If you need anything feel free to PM me, happy to help! |
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Post by elkman99 on Jan 19, 2017 17:04:11 GMT -5
Thanks Tim. I'll try to find some to listen to. I see on their website they are about 2k a pair. What can one expect to pay at a store or online? How do they do with non-rock music? Female voices like Adele?
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Post by teaman on Jan 19, 2017 17:12:50 GMT -5
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Post by The History Kid on Jan 19, 2017 17:13:56 GMT -5
I have a pair of HOO I's as well in the living room. Almost all that they put out (because my mom uses them) is jazz and piano. They do a wonderful job. I don't think you'd have any issue regardless of what you listen to. New III's go for about $2K - but you can still find a good amount of NOS in the II's on eBay.
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Post by elkman99 on Jan 20, 2017 0:06:23 GMT -5
Would I notice much of a difference between the XPA-1's and the gen 3 XPA-2 with sound quality?
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Post by RichGuy on Jan 20, 2017 2:29:38 GMT -5
I think you will be very happy with the RF-7 ii's excellent sounding speakers, when set up well with good mating sources they are hard to beat.
I would look for a used RSW-15 sub, one will do, you can always add a second later if you still feel it's needed.
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Post by teaman on Jan 20, 2017 2:47:16 GMT -5
Would I notice much of a difference between the XPA-1's and the gen 3 XPA-2 with sound quality? I don't own a Gen 3 X series amp but the last Gen amps all have the same sound signature. Just a reserve power in the XPA-1's that won't be available in the XPA-2. If you end up with Klipsch it really won't matter as either is more than sufficient. |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 20, 2017 9:10:33 GMT -5
Would I notice much of a difference between the XPA-1's and the gen 3 XPA-2 with sound quality? I found the XPA-1's to sound different than the other Emo amps. For me, the old u-series had one sound signature. The XPA-,3,5 had another. The XPA-2 another one and the XPA-1. The XPA-1 sounded the best to me with the XPA-2 close behind. I haven't heard the gen 3 products. The XPA-1 brings not just a huge 1.2 KVA torroidal transformer, it brings fully balanced architecture (which the XPA gen 3 does not have) and also 60 watts of class A power. None of which the gen 3 have. I think the combination brings the performance up a notch. It's the amp I would pick because of those things and the quality it can produce. Dan Laufman feels the XPA-1 gen 2 is the amp he prefers. However, your mileage may vary. |
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Post by bluemeanies on Jan 20, 2017 9:40:00 GMT -5
Gar has some good input on this thread.
I myself enjoy tubes for 2channel listening. tubes4hifi is a good resource.
I agree with gar about your choice of subs.
At a $6000.00 price point limit you should be able to pick something nice.
Speakers I would consider TEKTON or SALK depending on whether you want monitors or floorstanding.
A nice 2channel pre with a dac and good cables...nothing esoteric.
PS if you enjoy streaming I recommend purchasing APPLE TV and subscribe to TIDAL (hi-Fi)
If you are a veteran there is a nice discount from TIDAL.
30 day free trial
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). Visually it's a downgrade for me.
