Klipsch, Polk, Bose or JBL?

[[email protected]]

I have been checking out bookshelf speakers on eBay. I saw a few
pairs of Klipsch RB series speakers which seem to get a lot of
attention. Do the Cerametallic cones they feature buy any benefit?

I used to have a pair of Polk R or RS 40 speakers - can't remember but
I think it is R40. They sound great but I had to use an equalizer to
bring out the bass. Right now, I don't have much space, so I am
primarily focusing on bookshelf style speakers. I will be using a
Nakamichi RE-10 for a receiver.

Any advice on the Klipschs or any other brands / models / would be
greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance ...

[end_is_near1]

I had the Klipsch RB-81's and sold them off. Eight-inch of woofer or not,
they were very bass-shy. I do have a sub, but would prefer
not to run it all the time. If you can stretch the budget a bit, the Polk
LSi9 is a superb bookshelf that stands on its on, bass-wise, and there are
deals
galore out there now.

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have been checking out bookshelf speakers on eBay. I saw a few
> pairs of Klipsch RB series speakers which seem to get a lot of
> attention. Do the Cerametallic cones they feature buy any benefit?
>
> I used to have a pair of Polk R or RS 40 speakers - can't remember but
> I think it is R40. They sound great but I had to use an equalizer to
> bring out the bass. Right now, I don't have much space, so I am
> primarily focusing on bookshelf style speakers. I will be using a
> Nakamichi RE-10 for a receiver.
>
> Any advice on the Klipschs or any other brands / models / would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you in advance ...
>

[[email protected]]

On Jun 23, 12:21 am, "end_is_near1" >
wrote:
> I had the Klipsch RB-81's and sold them off. Eight-inch of woofer or not,
> they were very bass-shy. I do have a sub, but would prefer
> not to run it all the time. If you can stretch the budget a bit, the Polk
> LSi9 is a superb bookshelf that stands on its on, bass-wise, and there are
> deals
> galore out there now.
>

I am more into simple music reproduction but not much into home
theater stuff. I don't like to use a sub either, if I don't have to,
for some reason that I can't explain.

The reviews at polkaudio sounds great, but according to the specs,
nominal impedance is 4 ohms. The Nak is 8 ohms I believe. I have a
spotty knowledge when it comes to electronics, but just wondering if
that's going to be an issue?

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/individual/bookshelf/lsi9/

[end_is_near1]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Jun 23, 12:21 am, "end_is_near1" >
> wrote:
>> I had the Klipsch RB-81's and sold them off. Eight-inch of woofer or not,
>> they were very bass-shy. I do have a sub, but would prefer
>> not to run it all the time. If you can stretch the budget a bit, the
>> Polk
>> LSi9 is a superb bookshelf that stands on its on, bass-wise, and there
>> are
>> deals
>> galore out there now.
>>
>
> I am more into simple music reproduction but not much into home
> theater stuff. I don't like to use a sub either, if I don't have to,
> for some reason that I can't explain.
>
> The reviews at polkaudio sounds great, but according to the specs,
> nominal impedance is 4 ohms. The Nak is 8 ohms I believe. I have a
> spotty knowledge when it comes to electronics, but just wondering if
> that's going to be an issue?
>
> http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/individual/bookshelf/lsi9/
>

That's a nice receiver. Does the manual give it a rating at 4 ohms? You
might be OK
if it's well-ventilated and you watch the volume. But you're right, the LSi
9's are
not an easy load.

[ScottW]

On Jun 26, 10:06 pm, Bret Ludwig > wrote:
>
> Bookshelf speakers with 6 or 8 inch cone woofers and dome or
> affordable alternate tweeters and in bookshelf like boxes can only
> have so much difference. And they do a good job with many kinds of
> music, although a sub is needed for orchestral or film music or prog
> rock. But, they are not the overall solution for wide dynamic range
> and wideband music reproduction bigger speakers are, sub or no sub.

I completely disagree with this premise. They may not be the
solution if
one desires high (as in near live) SPLs but for those of us that
rarely
want to experience those levels in our home listening,
a pair of bookshelfs with a sub can be exraordinarily satisfying.
In fact, IMO, large box speakers ofthen won't come close to the
coherent
soundstage a pair of bookshelfs with a sub can provide.
However, these gross generalizations are not without numerous
exceptions.

> You use them where their size and low cost makes them feasible, not
> where you could as well buy big efficient speakers.

There is no substance behind this assertion. Why?

ScottW

[ScottW]

On Jun 27, 3:37 pm, "Soundhaspriority" > wrote:
> "Bret Ludwig" > wrote in message
>
> ps.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> [snip]
>
> >> I reject your assertion that booshelfs tend to be the same. What, are
> >> you
> >> trying to sound like Arny? You?
>
> > Bookshelf speakers with 6 or 8 inch cone woofers and dome or
> > affordable alternate tweeters and in bookshelf like boxes can only
> > have so much difference. And they do a good job with many kinds of
> > music, although a sub is needed for orchestral or film music or prog
> > rock. But, they are not the overall solution for wide dynamic range
> > and wideband music reproduction bigger speakers are, sub or no sub.
> > You use them where their size and low cost makes them feasible, not
> > where you could as well buy big efficient speakers.
>
> [snip reasonable remarks about Genelec]
>
> Bret, I have a collection of speakers. A subset of these are bookshelf
> speakers. The majority of all speakers are have Linkwitz-Reilly crossovers,
> with two drivers, generally a teeny one mounted above a bigger one, in boxes
> with thoughtlessly sharply angular corners.
>
> But you are characterizing the universe of thoughtful choices as above.
> There is plenty of diversity, and plenty of difference. In my little
> bookshelf collection, I have:
> Wharfedale Diamond 7, a high Q design with plump bass and silky highs
> provided by a silk dome.
> Kef Reference RDM-1, sealed, with concentric drivers and active bass boost
> Spica TC-50 (sealed), TC-60 (ported), 1st order on a sloped baffle
> Radio Shack Linaeum
> Some old Polks with passive radiators and thin bass.
> An old local brand with 10" Microacoustic woofers and Morel tweeters
>
> The above comprise an incredible diversity of sound. None with the overall
> perfection of Genelec or other active speakers,

Maybe not...but I would have to say that their performance makes this
a
subjective decision depending on preference as much as absolute
objective
performance, particularly if you allow the benefit of a sub.
I also tend to think that in a price/performance comparison,
the bookshelf & sub combo can be extremely attractive.
But I have heard bookshelf sub combos that I found very difficult
to say were lacking in any performance area save max SPL
which isn't in my list of priorities.

ScottW

[[email protected]]

On Jun 23, 12:21 am, "end_is_near1" >
wrote:
> I had the Klipsch RB-81's and sold them off. Eight-inch of woofer or not,
> they were very bass-shy. I do have a sub, but would prefer
> not to run it all the time. If you can stretch the budget a bit, the Polk
> LSi9 is a superb bookshelf that stands on its on, bass-wise, and there are
> deals
> galore out there now.
>
I took your advice. The LSi9 Speakers rock. Thanks a lot.

[[email protected]]

On Jun 24, 1:44 pm, "Soundhaspriority" > wrote:
>
> Polk makes one series of speakers, the LSi, that incorporate the most
> advanced concepts of current design:http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/floorstanding/ andhttp://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/bookshelf/The other
> companies you mention do not have that distinction. The Klipsch horn has
> always been of suspect fidelity, except to the tube crowd who seem to go for
> very high efficiency designs.
>
> If you can, go with LSi bookshelfs.
>
> Bob Morein
> Dresher, PA
> (215) 646-4894

I think the reviews on LSi9s on Polk Audio's site have a lot of
truth. The are outstanding. Thank you very much for your
recommendation.