For my first post: a challenge!

[mcbr1]

The problem you pose is that you want to sell off your system and buy another (presumably new) for the money you sold your used speakers for. Speakers, unless rare or exotic, usually loose 50% of their value as soon as you take them out of the box. So, I would say that your going to come up short finding a better system with this concept in mind.

Well I did call it a challenge!

What got me thinking along these lines was actually the arrival of the latest Crutchfield (danger, danger!) with the Infinity Primus line on sale. Assuming I keep my sub, I could get fronts, center, and surrounds for a couple of hundred less than 50% of the original cost of my current speakers. Then I read the Stereophile review of the P162 and the wheels really started turning!

[Geoffcin]

Well I did call it a challenge!

What got me thinking along these lines was actually the arrival of the latest Crutchfield (danger, danger!) with the Infinity Primus line on sale. Assuming I keep my sub, I could get fronts, center, and surrounds for a couple of hundred less than 50% of the original cost of my current speakers. Then I read the Stereophile review of the P162 and the wheels really started turning!

Infinity Primus are well regarded speakers. They are also much less efficiant than your Klipsch, and will not play nearly as loud with your rig. They are also going to sound a bit different than the Klipsch, which have a distictive sonic signature. If your used to the "Klipsch sound" there may be a bit a shock going to the Infinity's. Who knows though, you might like them better?

[mcbr1]

Infinity Primus are well regarded speakers. They are also much less efficiant than your Klipsch, and will not play nearly as loud with your rig. They are also going to sound a bit different than the Klipsch, which have a distictive sonic signature. If your used to the "Klipsch sound" there may be a bit a shock going to the Infinity's. Who knows though, you might like them better?

I'm not averse to different - change is good. In any case, I think the idea of a "Klipsch sound" isn't particularly accurate any more. When Stereophile reviewed the RB-15 a few years ago they didn't note that it was overly forward or bright or "in your face." in fact they noted a bit of a lack of upper end shimmer. They thought it a worthy peer to the Atoms and the Alphas of the world. And I think our little (and old) Boston HD 5s sound reaaly nice for what they are, so I don't think my ears have been "tainted."

I am also fully aware that none of these smallish bookshelves can match Klipsch in the efficiency department, but I suspect that the same volume can be attained but the receiver will just have to work a little harder. Efficiency is one of the main reasons I'm not really thinking about a power hog like Aperion - I just don't have the power to do them justice.

[Geoffcin]

I'm not averse to different - change is good. In any case, I think the idea of a "Klipsch sound" isn't particularly accurate any more. When Stereophile reviewed the RB-15 a few years ago they didn't note that it was overly forward or bright or "in your face." in fact they noted a bit of a lack of upper end shimmer. They thought it a worthy peer to the Atoms and the Alphas of the world. And I think our little (and old) Boston HD 5s sound reaaly nice for what they are, so I don't think my ears have been "tainted."

I am also fully aware that none of these smallish bookshelves can match Klipsch in the efficiency department, but I suspect that the same volume can be attained but the receiver will just have to work a little harder. Efficiency is one of the main reasons I'm not really thinking about a power hog like Aperion - I just don't have the power to do them justice.

I've always thought of Klipsch as having a distinct sound. I've also thought of them as one of the few consumer grade speakers that can "rock out" (i.e. continous SPL's over 100dB) without either falling apart, or causing your gear to fall apart. They sold the heck out of them at BestBuy several year ago and I did get to hear them, if not in a properly setup HT though.

I hate to say it but I'm pretty sure your going to miss them, especially if you go to a small bookshelf and don't upgrade your sub.

[mcbr1]

I've always thought of Klipsch as having a distinct sound. I've also thought of them as one of the few consumer grade speakers that can "rock out" (i.e. continous SPL's over 100dB) without either falling apart, or causing your gear to fall apart. They sold the heck out of them at BestBuy several year ago and I did get to hear them, if not in a properly setup HT though.

I hate to say it but I'm pretty sure your going to miss them, especially if you go to a small bookshelf and don't upgrade your sub.

The line available at BB was the the Synergy line and that may well have had more of the horn (horny?) character. I always thought that the Reference line sounded quite a bit better and more refined. Which is why I got what I did, I suppose. I certainly don't want to make a decision I regret making. Good point about the sub.