Klipsch soundbar or stereo speakers? (1 Viewer)

[bucktown]

I need to replace a 10 year old Polk RM7 "home-theater-in-a-box" series set, as they're starting to sound worn out and giving out a rattling, tinny quality. We have a small living room setup with a 42" TV and currently using a 2.1 stereo system hooked up to a Yamaha RX-V677 receiver. We sit about 7 feet from the TV. I'm trying to decide right now between the Klipsch RP-140Ds as a stereo system mounted to the side of the TV, or just going all in on their RP-440D sound bar underneath the TV. I've never owned a soundbar before, but like the idea that Klipsch makes a passive one that can connect to my receiver. Which option might you guys recommend?

 

[Dave Upton]

I would pick the soundbar in this case, as it's a better overall solution for dialogue (dedicated center channel). Still better would be to go with a slightly more robust on-wall like these: https://www.axiomaudio.com/in-wall-on-wall-speakers or if you're open to it, some ELAC floorstanding towers like this: https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Floorstanding-Speaker-Black/dp/B07B4V37VV/

 

[Richard V]

I agree with the soundbar recommendation. I have a Klipsch soundbar (don't know if it is the specific model you mentioned) and have been extremely happy with it.

 

[bucktown]

I would pick the soundbar in this case, as it's a better overall solution for dialogue (dedicated center channel). Still better would be to go with a slightly more robust on-wall like these: https://www.axiomaudio.com/in-wall-on-wall-speakers or if you're open to it, some ELAC floorstanding towers like this: https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Floorstanding-Speaker-Black/dp/B07B4V37VV/

Thanks for the recs! I think my wife though would make me "floorstand" out of our bed for awhile if I got the floorstanding speakers. One thing I thought of though, what if I got a pair of the RP-140D's for L and R channels, and then 1 RP-240D for a C channel? Adding the cost of those a la carte is the exact price of the RP-440D soundbar, and I think the 240D has a slightly higher spec than the soundbar.

But I'm still open to getting a soundbar. I'm not a snob with them, and I'm glad you aren't either. But I just want to make the wisest choice, as it's still quite a bit of money.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RP140D/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-140D.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RP240D/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-240D.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-QmCjEqIgK2V/p_714RP440DB/Klipsch-RP-440D-SB.html

 

[gadgtfreek]

I actually went from a 3.2 system to a 2.2 system and the 2.2 sounds better. I’d never go sound bar but that’s my 0.02. Same monitors I just couldn’t fit the center anymore because of my display(they are large powersound LCRs). Real shocked on the improvement. I just put a the monitors on my subs on each side of th stand and tied them in a little.

 

[Dave Upton]

Thanks for the recs! I think my wife though would make me "floorstand" out of our bed for awhile if I got the floorstanding speakers. One thing I thought of though, what if I got a pair of the RP-140D's for L and R channels, and then 1 RP-240D for a C channel? Adding the cost of those a la carte is the exact price of the RP-440D soundbar, and I think the 240D has a slightly higher spec than the soundbar.

But I'm still open to getting a soundbar. I'm not a snob with them, and I'm glad you aren't either. But I just want to make the wisest choice, as it's still quite a bit of money.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RP140D/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-140D.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RP240D/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-240D.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-QmCjEqIgK2V/p_714RP440DB/Klipsch-RP-440D-SB.html

Yes, separating the channels would definitely be better. Ideally you want the tweeter at ear level for the left and right channels to improve imaging.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Here is how mine looks. I saved space vs towers (Used to have Klipsch RF7II's and a RC64II) by buying the PSA monitors instead of the PSA towers and using my subs to make fake towers lol.

Like I said, super surprised how good it sounds, and I then I had Chad B use REW and my Yamaha PEQ to cal the system response, and it sounds even better.