Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts
SPLC Fails
I am planning on upgrading my dad's current system for Christmas. At the moment, it consists of a Sony STR-DE595 receiver, KLH E12D powered sub, Altec Lansing fronts and rears //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif, and a JBL center without a model # so I took some pics:
The other day, I picked up a Kenwood KS-401HT 5.1 system for $40, which I thought was a pretty good deal. It looks great, and the speakers sound pretty nice, but the sub actually isn't as good as the KLH...Not as clean, or as loud. I credit that for it being a $500 system (with the receiver) from like 1998, but still, I expected more from Kenwood. So, I plan on keeping the sub for myself, which is definitely better than no sub //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif
The JBL center is also waaaay better, louder and clearer, which definitely doesn't surprise me since the JBL has 3 speakers while the Kenwood has a single 4" //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif So...I'm keeping that guy, too.
By the way, I am kind of set on satellite speakers because we don't have room for much else. I may be able to squish some floorstanding speakers between the wall and the shelf that hold the receiver and stuff on one side (no problem on the other side), but I know that would make a ton of rattling noises. I guess I could fit some in the back too, which wouldn't be a hassle. I may change my mind though, If you guys could convince me outside of satellites. If you do, I guess I will just keep the kenwood's for myself //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
So, I'm kind of back to square one and I have maybe 20 days to find a new system under $200 (preferably under $150). Sounds impossible, but I have found some really killer deals on craigslist so nothing is too far out. Here are some examples of what I found today:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/1484241567.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ele/1487688505.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ele/1485966716.html
For the Pioneer/JBL system, do you think the problem with the large speakers is wiring, or something worse? Sounds like wiring to me. I'm sure that they would greatly complement the JBL center, and solve the problem of satellite fronts. Plus, I did some quick research and found that the large ones cost like $500 used...sounds like a good deal to me! But, would the receiver be better or worse than the Sony? I'll probably keep the worst of the two.
With the Klipsch system, I'm kind of wary of the sub. Our center table is much bigger, and we are not gunna move it. At the corner of our two couches is a similarly sized table, but we use it to set our drinks on and I fear that they will bounce right off with a big sub hit. Plus, I have no idea what to search to find the model #'s of the stuff...Can anyone help me out with all of this stuff?
I'm definitely liking the Klipsch KSW15, but he lists it as a 10 so I'm not sure if its the KSW10 or KSW15. They were $500 new, and its 800 watts compared to the 130 watt KLH, so I know its going to make an epic difference.
I just can't decide what to do because I don't have enough experience in the realm of home audio...but now is a good beginning! I only have a vague idea of what is good (Klipsch, JBL, Polk), and bad (altec lansing), so I have a hard to looking for a system outside of my comfort zone. If someone has some time to spare and could answer at least most of the questions I asked, and give some advice/tips on anything, I would greatly appreciate it. Maybe you even would want to do a Craigslist search starting here: http://portland.craigslist.org/ele/ and find an even better setup? Don't go out of your way unless you enjoy using craigslist (like me). Also...I'm only buying from Portland, OR Craigslist, so that should eliminate a lot of variables.
Thanks for any and all help! Every bit counts!
-Dylan
The other day, I picked up a Kenwood KS-401HT 5.1 system for $40, which I thought was a pretty good deal. It looks great, and the speakers sound pretty nice, but the sub actually isn't as good as the KLH...Not as clean, or as loud. I credit that for it being a $500 system (with the receiver) from like 1998, but still, I expected more from Kenwood. So, I plan on keeping the sub for myself, which is definitely better than no sub //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif
The JBL center is also waaaay better, louder and clearer, which definitely doesn't surprise me since the JBL has 3 speakers while the Kenwood has a single 4" //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif So...I'm keeping that guy, too.
By the way, I am kind of set on satellite speakers because we don't have room for much else. I may be able to squish some floorstanding speakers between the wall and the shelf that hold the receiver and stuff on one side (no problem on the other side), but I know that would make a ton of rattling noises. I guess I could fit some in the back too, which wouldn't be a hassle. I may change my mind though, If you guys could convince me outside of satellites. If you do, I guess I will just keep the kenwood's for myself //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
So, I'm kind of back to square one and I have maybe 20 days to find a new system under $200 (preferably under $150). Sounds impossible, but I have found some really killer deals on craigslist so nothing is too far out. Here are some examples of what I found today:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/1484241567.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ele/1487688505.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ele/1485966716.html
For the Pioneer/JBL system, do you think the problem with the large speakers is wiring, or something worse? Sounds like wiring to me. I'm sure that they would greatly complement the JBL center, and solve the problem of satellite fronts. Plus, I did some quick research and found that the large ones cost like $500 used...sounds like a good deal to me! But, would the receiver be better or worse than the Sony? I'll probably keep the worst of the two.
With the Klipsch system, I'm kind of wary of the sub. Our center table is much bigger, and we are not gunna move it. At the corner of our two couches is a similarly sized table, but we use it to set our drinks on and I fear that they will bounce right off with a big sub hit. Plus, I have no idea what to search to find the model #'s of the stuff...Can anyone help me out with all of this stuff?
I'm definitely liking the Klipsch KSW15, but he lists it as a 10 so I'm not sure if its the KSW10 or KSW15. They were $500 new, and its 800 watts compared to the 130 watt KLH, so I know its going to make an epic difference.
I just can't decide what to do because I don't have enough experience in the realm of home audio...but now is a good beginning! I only have a vague idea of what is good (Klipsch, JBL, Polk), and bad (altec lansing), so I have a hard to looking for a system outside of my comfort zone. If someone has some time to spare and could answer at least most of the questions I asked, and give some advice/tips on anything, I would greatly appreciate it. Maybe you even would want to do a Craigslist search starting here: http://portland.craigslist.org/ele/ and find an even better setup? Don't go out of your way unless you enjoy using craigslist (like me). Also...I'm only buying from Portland, OR Craigslist, so that should eliminate a lot of variables.
Thanks for any and all help! Every bit counts!
-Dylan
