planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I'm debating whether to change out my two mis-matched subwoofers for one more powerful one (new) or swap out my RP-600Mii main speakers for a pair of RP-6000Fii floor-standers (B-stock/scratch-n-dent). They would both be about the same price, but the sub would be a bit easier to fit in to the room. Either one would be an improvement. I have a (currently) 7.2.4 system in my ~13x16 bedroom - speakers are on the wide walls. Any opinions?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Your Mom must love you very much!!

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Forget the speakers, no one wants to hear your music. Get a pair of Sennheiser HD820s and get better sound than what you would get from a set of speakers.

BebuLamar

Headphones for the money sounds better than speakers but the stereo image is in your head and it's not the same as the speakers. Besides he is using a surround system so he may need some kind of special processing like Dolby Headphones or something to provide the surround sound effect with headphones.
Any way I say go for the subs because I think the OP just wanna have a lot more bass to shake the house.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

My mom passed away nearly two years ago and my 95 3/4-year-old dad, who I live with in his house is practically deaf even with hearing aids and I already have a set of Bose QC35ii headphones...The Sennheisers cost about as much as my amp (even more than a new sub AND a new pair of speakers)! Anyways I probably wouldn't be able to appreciate any difference in sound between a $500 pair of headphones and a $2K pair with my tinnitus and other issues. Besides, what's wrong with a house-shaking bass? Both the speakers and the sub on different You-tube and written review sites have gotten great reviews. It's not like I'm looking at Triangle or Focal. I'm looking at Klipsch. Maybe after I retire I'll get some fancy stuff.

BebuLamar

That what I guessed that you really want more bass (by they way nothing wrong with that) so upgrade the subs is the better choice. As you said subtle differences in the high frequency range won't make much different to you due to your hearing (mine too) so there it is.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

Not familiar with the model numbers you've listed. What brand?

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Audio speakers are more complex than most people realize. Woofers have a very broad beamwidth. In fact, just one would do because human hearing can't locate the source of very low frequency sounds.

Mid-range speakers have a certain beamwidth of, perhaps 60 degrees and high-range "tweeters" have a beamwidth of 20-30 degrees.

To enjoy the full spectrum of sound emitted by a speaker system you need to imagine an equilateral triangle. you are sitting at one of the angles and the speakers are each of the other angels pointing directly at you. If you do it correctly you should be able to close your eyes and image the band; even picking out the location of individual singers or instruments.

The acoustics of the room have a huge effect on your ability to enjoy the sound. A carpeted room with a lot of stuffed furniture would be best. That reduces the reflected harmonics that corrupt the sound.

Speakers mounted on opposite walls, facing each other will create serious wave distortion as the soundwaves interfere with each other. In such a case, as you move around the room, the sound will seem to change dramatically.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Subwoofers are a good idea. Even if your dad can’t hear the music or explosions, he can feel them.

wbchinook Loc: Everson WA

I went with a Sono’s system. Love it. Control the system with your phone or computer. Place speakers anywhere there is a 110 outlet with no other wires. I have the ARC sound bar, a sub and a couple of ones I think they are called.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Klipsch. One of my subs is a 10" Polk (60W?) and came with my original basic surround system. I still use the surrounds, but I've upgraded the center channel twice - currently an RP-504Cii. The other sub (SPL-120), mains and 4 heights (RP-500SA) are Klipsch. The new sub, if I decide to go that way, will dig down an extra 6 dB. Same size driver,, but different design, bigger cabinet and higher power. My current L/R are bookshelf models (I have them on stands). The subs are stacked one on top of the other.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Ask your neighbors and housemates if the pictures on their walls are rattling enough or not before you change anything.

Stan

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

My heights are on opposite walls, just below the ceiling and angled down at an angle. I only have one seating position and Audyssey (room correction software) on my Denon receiver adjusts everything, and the Atmos effects are, um, effective. I have my speakers in ROUGHLY an equilateral triangle, but sometimes experiment with tow-out or toe-in. Some speakers perform better, soundstage-wise, if they're not pointed directly at the listener, some require it.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

Klipsch has always been “fancy stuff”;
my 40 year old Kg4s still put out great sound. And, before you ask, yes, I have vinyl that were around before the speakers. 💃🏼🕺🏼

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

If they are all housed in the same speaker cabinet, there isn't much choice. There is a technology employing elliptical reflectors that create more mid-range and high range beamwidth. That can deliver exceptional audio imaging. In that case, it is better to have the speakers aligned to 90 degrees from the side walls and specific distances apart relative to the listener. The imaging is so good that it is better to NOT have surround sound. Surround sound is only useful for action movies to make you feel you are immersed in the environment. Since orchestras, bands and singers are in front of you, surround sound is wasted.