Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Pining for a Klipsch RC62 again...

Hello guys. Long time no chat. As most of you know I joined the Axiom family about 9 months ago. I had originally bought a complete Klipsch Refference setup but all the speakers that I bought had been sold to me as new, but were actually returned (and in one case, had a blown tweeter)and resealed. In frustration I returned all of them and looked for an alternative. I bought the Axioms and am VERY happy with them. The only issue I have is that the front sound field isn't as engulfing as the Klipsch RC62 that I had. I'm guessing the soundfield was larger from the Klipsch due to the horn speaker that they use.

I have adjusted and readjusted the settings for the center, but have failed to get it anywhere near.
The Axiom has a very clean, clear, and airy sound to it and is not fatiguing to my ears. The Klipsch is a very bright and crisp sound that draws you into the action but can get tiring to the ears after awhile.

The Klipsch had me clutching the couch and made me feel like I was IN the movie. And as enjoyable as the Axiom center is to listen to, it still feels like I'm only WATCHING a movie.

Im tempted to sell my VP150and buy either the RC62 or 64. Seeing as the center does most of the work for film I'm thinking I should do that. I'll be keeping the rest of my Axioms though.


Any ideas from you guys to increase and expand the sound field other than cranking up the volume ?

How much power do you have? The Klipsch speakers are likely more efficient than the Axioms. Your amp may be clipping at levels that played cleanly with the Klipsch speakers.

I would worry that it would be difficult to blend the Klipsch center with your mains.

Experimented with speaker positioning much? Can make a huge difference.

If you have room to run a vertical center the M22 or another M60 does wonders for the center channel experience.

Thanks guys.
No room for a vertical center. I did try a few different things this morning though.
First, I pulled the center forward about a foot so that it was even with the side towers.
Next I put a book underneath it to elevate the front a bit as it does sit below the screen.
And lastly I took the volume up to -20.

I popped in Black Hawk Down, Master and Commander, and the asteroid chase scene from The Clone Wars.

There definately was a difference in the sound field. Could it be because the VP150 is a 6ohm speaker as opposed to the 'regular' 8ohm rated speakers and needs to be fed more juice?

I know when I was running the Klipsch setup my volume knob didnt need to go louder than -32. But when I had my Energys, and now my Axioms, I really need to crank it up to between -25/-20.

Are you only playing with the 'master volume' control? Have you gone in and adjusted the different speakers individually through your reciever? What size room do you have? In my write-up concerning my Emotiva XPA-3 I specifically mentioned how much better the VP150 sounded once I fed it with a lot of juice. Of coarse I have over 11,000 cubic feet to fill, so I needed it. I don't know how much room you have, but if it's a large area, then pushing it with an external amp like I did might be the solution.

Micah, yes I went in and adjusted the speakers individually. I have a small room compared to yours. I believe its 16'x15.
I may need play around with my sub a little bit more. But I think if i go any higher with that the wife will kill me. Neighbors already hinting that its too loud.....

Do you have your center set to 'large' or 'small' ? Both my 60s and 150 are set to small with a 80hz cross over.

I have my 80's set to large and the 150 set to small. I realize that many recommend setting your mains to small as well, but I wouldn't dream of restricting the M80's from doing what they do best, play EVERYTHING!!! IMO they play the midbass much better than a sub can. And when I say midbass I'm talking 35 - 80 hz. That's why I refuse to set my mains to small, therefore restricting everything below 80 hz on them.

Thanks. I'll try setting those to large then once my daughter goes to bed. Hopefully that extra bass will help fill the front stage a bit better. The dual 8" subs on my old RF82s had to be set to small because it was WAY too much bass out the front.

With Dave Matthews at Radio City, the VP150 shines !!!

35-80hz is really not considered midbass, but that is fine. Setting a speaker to small does not "cut off" at that frequency, there is a gradual slope or hand off to the sub. My 80's are set to small with a 60hz crossover, allowing the sub to do what it does best, move more air with the larger driver.

Ghost, where are the VP150 tweeters in relationship to your ears? Have you tried flipping the VP150 over to make use of the angled side, which might aim it upward to your ears? In reality, the tweeters of your left/center/main should be as close to ear level, when seated, as possible. Have you calibrated all the speakers to the same SPL, normally 75dB's?