Speaker Questions...HELP, Please!

I am starting to get into Home Theater but also want to listen to music. I am champing at the bit to get either a 950/7100 combo or if I can wait (yeah, right!) a 1070 receiver...looking at speakers and thinking of the following and would like to know your thoughts, likes and dislikes...thanks,

Klipsch F-3 Synergy system...Best Buy Klipschs

Klipsch Reference RF-35 system...Better Klipschs?!

Ascend Acoustic CBM-170 system...Better Buy!

Magneppan MMGW system...Great buy but I am not sure my room (weird wall, half walls, not perfect set up) will be able to take full advantage of these speakers.

Your thoughts???
Thanks,
Bill

Speakers are often a very personal preference. As such, it is always good for the speaker shopping process to include some time listening to each speaker. I would recommend taking some of your own music - CD's that you are familiar with - and using them to demo each set. There are folks around here using all three brands that you are considering, so they can probably offer you some more suggestions.

I agree with Gonk about the subjective nature of speaker preferences, but as an owner of Ascend Acoustics speakers, I will say that they are a tremendous speaker at a great price. I have the CMT-340's for L,C,R and CBM-170's for surrounds, and don't think I could have done any better for the price. In fact, after listening to many other speakers, I would have had to spend quite a bit more.

I agree about the subjectiveness but...I have listened to the 2 Klipsch speakers and liked them...that said, I canno listen to the ascends unless I order them...same goes for the maggies...my thoughts are that perhaps some of you may have this combo and know if these speakers sound good with the Outlaw stuff.
I apologize for my ignorance but I was under the impression that some speakers don't match well with certain amps, receivers and processors...I have asked similar questions over on the Klipsch Forum but have gotten little to no feedback.
When I checked the thread on what speakers are you using...I thought I saw Klipsch, Ascend Acoustics and Magnepan...so for this, I guess I feel a bit better.
Problem is, of the speakers I can listen to, I can never hear these speakers driven by Outlaw Audio stuff since I don't have it...YET! ;-)
I hope to very soon as the only thing I am pretty locked on is the 950/7100/LFM-1 combo unless I get more positive feedback on the upcoming 1070.
Thanks for your help.
Bill

I personally think the biggest impact in a system is the speakers and the subwoofer. All the other components will only colour a sound system slightly. Ahh, but the speakers. That is the heart and soul of your sound.
As mentioned, speakers are very subjective. I found my sweet spot in a complete diy package, including subwoofer. I was fortunate.
I say true.

Gonk is on the money!!!

Speaker's are strictly a preference thing. It really is what kind of sound you personally are looking for and what you are willing to spend to attain as close to that sound as possible. If I were you I would check out the reviews for as many models in your price range as possible and audition as many of them as you can. For the internet models, Axiom and Onix in particular, I would try to find someone that has a pair or do the home audition.

I would then narrow it down to 3-5 models that really made an impression on me and then bring 3 music based discs and one DVD film that I am familiar with.

The CD/SACD/DVD-A disc's would be 1 live music, 1 acoustic/Jazz and 1 piano based. The film should be an Action film with lots of effects, explosions and dialogue intermingled in between.

For live, my test disc has always been Xanadu by Rush (track 9 on exit stage left) this paricular track will really test a speakers transperency and its ability to throw a soundstage. It will also give you a good idea of how this speaker will do with voice reproduction, especially with a voice as unique as Geddy Lee's.

For acoustic/jazz I recommend Blue Notes "The Definitive John Coltrane." If you can hear Coltrane actually take a breath before his notes and work the reed on the sax, than your speakers are revealing and the system is clean.

A piano disc is another good way to test a speakers clarity, but more importantly its tonal balance. "For Elise" by Beethoven is a good one for this, also almost any Billy Joel and/or Elton John piano heavy tune will work pretty well.

For the DVD the more Dialogue during explosions the better. I recomend X2 (X Men United), Master and Commander, SW Episode II, Saving Private Ryan, you get the picture.

Have fun my friend and take your time!!!

Thanks for the responses! I have my work cut out for me.
Bill

If you want your system to play music well, you may want to spend more on the LR then the Surrounds. Even in multi channel music, bulk of the music is still in LR. And of course, you still have stereo music. C is also critical for dialogs in movies. I would spend more on LRC and "skimp" a little on the surrounds (2 or 4).

Thanks!
Bill

...A problem I keep running into is that I find speakers that I can buy, perhaps just above my "pain threshold" pricewise but then I say..."for JUST a bit more...I can get these!" It is driving me nuts...As there is not a Klipsch Reference store very close to me and I DO have to work ;-)...I rely on the "experts" and they come in many faces...just when I think I have something wrapped up...another thing clouds it.
I need help!
Bill

Bill,

There is always something better (or should I say there is alway something more expensive) You just have to set a budget and stick with it. Also consider that 950/7100 is a "mid fi" equipment with great value. No need to get super duper fancy speakers. $15k speakers are not going to sound any better than a good $2k set of speakers with the 950/7100. You also have to think about wires, cables, speaker stands, equipment rack and other accessories to consider.

You are, of course, correct...I need to stop one upping myself and stick to the budget I have set for myself.
Thanks VERY MUCH for you

I think I will be going with Klipsch Synergy F-3s...the system...I know it's from BB and that these get no love from the elitists but...the price seems right, clean and efficient Klipsch speakers and some of the best audio from the Outlaws!
Thanks for all your help!
Bill

...by the way...admit it...gonk is a machine! No way can he have the answer to everything! (...and yet...he DOES! ;-)
When I do a search I have not found a thread that did not have his help all over it.
Thanks!
Bill

maybe he has the ability to have his thoughts plucked from his head and posted on the net subconsciously...

Gonk is actually HAL disquised as Gonk.

..."what are you doing, Dave..." If he starts singing "Daisy", I'm outta here!
;-)
Happy New Year,
Bill

Bill, you do not have your work cut out for you when buying speakers. This is the fun in audio, don't miss this opportunity, it doesn't come around often. I have posted this in the past, but when auditioning speakers describe them to yourself in terms that generate emotion for you. Such as different types of coffee, or perfumes (or the women that wear them), etc. Because I live where it is cold, I like to use hot chocolate. Speaker "A" is like a cup of rich hot chocolate, speaker "B" has whipped cream added, but speaker "C" is in a mug with marshmellows. All taste pretty good, but I'll chose "C" because I can hold it close to me, smell its aroma, and love its taste. Now apply this to speakers. You see, no sales person can talk you into a set of speakers because you are not listening to their "speaker terms," you are getting lost in your own emotions with the sounds different speakers produce with the CDs you brought along. This is a wonderful time, close your eyes when auditioning and feel the impact of the speakers. Did sad melodies bring tears to your eyes, did happy ones cause you to laugh or smile. Trust me, you will fall in love with some speakers and despise others because of the way they supported or betrayed your emotions. When I was searching for speakers I narrowed it down to two, both costing the same. During one track I could picture myself rocking my daughter to sleep, the other speaker irritated me because its reproduction was not faithful to my hearing. Guess which one I bought? Bottom line, have fun!