Denon AVR-S760H Review (Awesome 7.2 Channel Receiver)

The Denon AVR-S760H receiver’s user-friendly interface simplified setup & use. Besides powering a surround sound speaker system with 75 watts of crystal-clear audio performance, it also has Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support, bluetooth for wireless music streaming, 4K/8K resolutions, 6 HDMI inputs, and other helpful features.

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If the receiver or amp that powers your speakers is under powered, then the full potential of your system won’t be utilized.

That’s why it’s better to choose an avr that not only has the most amount of power within your budget, but also one that actually meets your needs with features.

So in this review of the Denon AVR-S760H, we’ll take a look at what I feel is one of the best 7.2 channel receivers for quality audio.

It has support for 75 watts of power per channel; meaning it’ll have adequate power to suit one’s needs in a variety of rooms.

It’s also a successor to one of the most popular avr lines from Denon.

It’s an excellent AV receiver for home theater speakers in my opinion but let’s see why in this full review.

Its Features

7.2 Or 5.2.2 Channel

With support for up to 7 speakers and 2 subwoofers, (75 Watts 2 Channel driven) & 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos surround sound, you’ll be able to enjoy your content with great sound quality.

Denon Audyssey MultEQ Calibration

The AVR-S760H has a capability called Audyssey MultEQ.

MultEQ allows it to measure acoustics in the room and tailor the sound to best suit your content through its advanced calibration system & the included microphone.

Plus it’s also able to utilize the MultEQ-X software format for additional customization.

HEOS Wireless Audio Streaming

Denon’s HEOS app support allows you to connect your speakers to the local wifi network and stream your music wirelessly.

Auto Low Latency Mode & Variable Refresh Rate

The Denon AVR-S760H’s Auto Low Latency & Variable Refresh Rate features minimize screen tearing and reduce judder from frame rate drops; ensuring a smooth picture quality from movie watching to gaming

Multi Room Support

Using the HEOS system, enjoy the ability to build a wireless multi room system to play your content in multiple rooms over Bluetooth simultaneously.

6 HDMI Inputs (3 HDMI 2.1)

6 HDMI inputs, (3 of which are version 2.1) as well as a 2.1 output, gives you plenty of options when connecting your devices and audio components to the S760H.

There’s also 8K upscaling support for all inputs if used with an 8K TV.

Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology

With Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, enjoy an immersive surround sound that simulates sound effects coming from every direction.

Voice Assistant Compatible

Compatibility with popular voice assistants provide the ability to control the AVR-S760H receiver hands free, giving you a greater sense of convenience with voice control.

Bluetooth & Wifi Enabled

Connect any of your Bluetooth/wifi enabled devices to the S760H receiver and enjoy your content wirelessly.

Support For Latest Formats

Support for many of the latest AV formats is present with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X, Dolby Vision, 8K UHD, HDR10+, 4K 120Hz, VRR, eARC, & HDCP 2.3 support being present.

Turntable Input

The receiver also has an input for use with a turntable, meaning it’s possible to enjoy vinyl sound as well.

Various Connection Options

With a front facing USB port, 2 composite inputs & output, 2 digital inputs & output, and even a coaxial digital input, there’s a variety of connection options

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How The Device Is Set Up

The process of setting up the Denon AVR-S760H depends on what you plan to use with it, so we’ll quickly go over how to connect a few common devices to it.

Though before connecting anything, the first thing you’ll have to do is connect an HDMI cable from the slot on the back of the TV that says ARC or eARC.

HDMI is what basically allow passthrough of both sound and video.

If you see an ARC label, that means it can do 1080p with audio, while eARC supports up to 4K & 8K resolutions with higher resolution audio.

If not, then a combination of an HDMI and optical cable may be needed for receiving audio and video.

Projectors may not always include an ARC slot, so using the Denon AVR S760H with one could be slightly different than with a TV.

For example, if you wanted to use a projector, the HDMI would go from the HDMI output of the receiver into the input of the projector.

Then from there, whether using a TV or projector, any additional devices you planned to use would use additional HDMI cables plugged into each input on the receiver per device.

The speakers would plug into the receiver via speaker wire.

Setting Up The Receiver With A Cablebox

Say for example you wanted to connect your cable box to your brand new Denon receiver.

Well the way you would do that is by taking an additional HDMI cable, plugging it into the HDMI slot next to the HDMI ARC slot on the TV, and connecting the other end into the output of the cable box.

Then you’d have to set your input on your remote to match the slot the HDMI cable was in.

So for example if it was in slot 1, you’d have to set the receiver’s input to either HDMI 1, or AV 1 if you’re using an optical cable.

Connecting It With A Video Game Console

Modern day video game consoles mostly use HDMI technology, (Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch) so the way you’ll hook those up will be similar to the way you would with a cable box.

Plug the cable into the HDMI output on the back of the console, and plug the other end of the cable into the input of the receiver.

The only difference here is since these newer devices support things like high dynamic range & Ultra HD, if your TV doesn’t support eARC to display these new formats, you’ll need to use an optical cable in addition to an HDMI cable.

After connecting the optical cable from the console and the receiver, you’ll also need to make sure you use the correct input so that sound comes through.

Getting it Connected With Speakers

Connecting your speakers isn’t hard, and really only takes a few minutes since you just need to strip the speaker wire and connect it to the speakers and the receiver.

Here’s how to do that if curious.

https://easyhometheater.net/how-to-set-up-a-home-theater

I’d also recommend using the Denon’s Audyssey speaker calibration since it only takes a few minutes, and makes noticeable difference sound quality wise.

To do that, simply plug the included microphone into the receiver, place it on a level surface, and then let the test tones play.

It’ll also label your inputs which you can then change later.

Performance Of The Denon S760H AVR

Initial Impressions

Okay long story short, would I say that the Denon AVR-S760H is actually a good receiver for a home theater?

Yes, to put it simply.

In my review of it, considering both its performance and just how feature rich it is, it’s a fantastic receiver in my opinion.

When testing various speakers with it, I’d notice they would have no problem playing loudly without me even having to crank the volume much.

It was definitely reassuring, because it meant the receiver was more than capable of handling a variety of home speakers, including tower speakers.

It handled a 7.2 surround system with ease from my testing, so no worries in that regard.

Performance With The TV

The fact that it supports up to 8K resolutions, and 4K/120Hz due to the capabilities of HDMI 2.1, means that while some TVs may not be able to fully take advantage, the receiver is still future proof in that regard.

Its overall performance with my television was solid, and I didn’t experience any issues with connectivity or anything like that.

The receiver simply worked how it should.

I’ve had rare instances with past receivers where there’d be visual glitches that’d show on my screen, but there wasn’t anything similar to that here luckily.

The actual HDMI 2.1 input’s connection was firm too, and it didn’t feel like the HDMI cable would wiggle loose or anything.

Higher resolutions like ultra-hd looked crisp on my TV.

Ease Of Setup

Like I mentioned earlier, setting up the Denon AVR-S760H is luckily pretty simple

Using the device’s built in speaker calibration, I was able to adjust how things sounded.

Simply connect the included mic to the receiver, start the prompt, and it begins to optimize the sound.

To my ears, the difference the sound calibration made was massive, and I could easily tell the improvement in audio quality doing the calibration provided.

What’s nice is it’s really beginner friendly too, and even has visual prompts on screen to customize things further.

For example if you’re someone who prefers a lot of bass and don’t like the level the calibration placed the subwoofer at, you could simply go into the menu and adjust it individually.

The settings & UI are really streamlined, making it easy to understand and navigate.

It’s definitely one of many things Denon overall does really well I feel.

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Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Performance

After adjusting each of the home theater speakers, the level of clarity they had when watching movies was incredible.

The depth of the surround sound effect was immersive, and made watching content a treat.

Voices also sounded great when coming through my center speaker, and I didn’t notice any distortion when turning the volume up.

What really made things fun too was testing the different sound modes since each one would alter the sound in different ways.

It reminded me of the Onkyo TX-NR6050 receiver, since both the Denon and the Onkyo had various ways to customize the sound signature.

For example the Dolby Height Virtualization feature, which basically emulates surround sound without the external height channels, I felt added an extra layer to the content that made the sound experience enjoyable.

As for Atmos and DTS:X performance, those were incredible, and weren’t hard to setup in the receiver.

Though keep in mind the movie you watch has to specify that it uses Atmos or DTS:X formats for it to actually work.

What I especially liked though, was being able to adjust each surround and height speaker’s settings individually since it really allowed for a more custom sound.

How The Multi Zone Audio Feature Worked

Another really cool feature is the multi zone feature.

It basically allows you to have multiple sets of speakers, with separate audio/video signals simultaneously from the same receiver — using the 7 available channels.

So for example, if there were members of the family that wanted to watch different things, you could have 5 speakers playing a movie in one room, and have the other 2 speakers playing something entirely different somewhere else.

Or have 2 sets of speakers playing a different movie per room.

There’s support for up to 3 zones so you can mix and match how you see fit.

It’s a really helpful feature that actually has a lot of utility.

Testing it, it functioned properly, and I didn’t experience any disconnection issues or anything.

There’s even a dedicated smartphone app for controlling the unit from a mobile device, and an app for the audio called the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app.

Both are available on IOS & Android, and allow for further customization of the receiver’s audio and functions.

The Audyssey MultEQ Editor app was easy to use, and it allowed me to further calibrate my audio for an even better experience.

Quality Of Streaming, Bluetooth, & HEOS Connectivity

Being that this receiver has a dual-antenna transceiver for better connections through its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, I was pleased with how well it fared in this area.

I felt it was excellent for smart home integration due to its compatibility with other smart devices and products.

Bluetooth worked really well, and it only took a few seconds to seamlessly connect to my phone.

Moving around the room, and even into the next on a didn’t result in any drops in signal.

I think the dual-antenna transceiver helped with maintaining that solid connection which made content sound great through bluetooth.

HEOS Wi-Fi streaming was also simple to setup, and produced a similar result — with music sounding clear through my speakers.

This remained true even when using an additional set of HEOS speakers which provided an awesome listening experience.

Using my HEOS account, I was able to use different music streaming services which I noticed were consistent in their quality audio playback with my speakers.

The quality of the wired connections via HDMI and optical was also solid when using different electronics with it.

How It Fared With Gaming

For the people out there that are gamers, Denon even had the foresight to include an Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

Long story short, these features help reduce latency so content on screen feels more responsive without stuttering or screen tearing should the frame rate drop.

Playing various games, there wasn’t any frame drops or lag, even in fast paced multiplayer games.

Everything simply remained smooth and snappy.

Performance of HDR & HDR10 with it was also beautiful, and the resolutions were pristine even in game menus.

Thoughts On The Unit’s Appearance

Given that the main job of a receiver is to power the speakers it’s connected to, the appearance of the receiver isn’t always as important.

Typically it’s things like performance, price, reviews, budget, etc that often takes more precedence.

That said, the Denon AVR-S760H still gave an amazing first impression, with its quality design language.

I felt it had a subtle, yet premium look that looked really nice in person.

I noticed the brushed aluminum cabinet did a pretty good job at mitigating fingerprints too which I appreciated.

The large black & white digital display up front showed all of the functions of the receiver like the different sound modes and inputs.

There’s also metallic volume control knobs on the left & right, and the power button & source select button which is pretty convenient.

Under them is a quick select section with buttons for HEOS Music, Blu-ray, and so on.

Beneath that is the jack for using a pair of headphones with it, an optimization microphone port on the left side, and a USB port on the right.

What’s cool about this model is it’s a simple design, but there’s also nuance with the differentiating details like the metallic accents, and small antennas on the back.

With a more boxy look, it retains that traditional Denon aesthetic that their receivers are typically known and respected for.

The bottom line is that it’s a design that blends in rather than calling attention to itself, and I think it’s better for it — something that’ll supplement your room, rather than distract from it.

That said, you’ll want adequate room for it since it’s pretty hefty at 18.95 pounds, and 17.1 x 8.5 x 13.3 inches in size when including the antenna.

That means you’ll want some clearance between the bottom of the TV and the AVR as not to block your view.

Luckily, you can lay the antennas down horizontally without it impacting its wireless quality which is pretty awesome.

Also make sure there’s enough clearance from the wall so it has enough breathing room.

All in all though, it looks nice to put it simply.

Overall Thoughts

So with all of this being said, there’s nothing I really outright dislike about this unit being honest.

It really seems like everything just works.

I mean if I were to really nitpick, additional language support would be nice since it only supports English, Spanish, & French.

Or maybe the fact the included remote isn’t a universal remote and is pretty basic.

But other than that, there really isn’t a whole lot to critique.

It’s similar to the smaller AVR-S650H in that sense, just with support for more speakers.

I mean if you want an avr for use with more than 7 main speakers you’ll need a 9.2 channel receiver or higher; but anything less, this one handles surround sound beautifully.

To put it simply, if you just want a solid 7.2 channel receiver that’s easy to setup, and has solid audio and video quality, then the Denon AVR-S760H is an awesome choice to go with.

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Pros/Likes

• Great Audio Output
• Abundant power for a 7.2 channel system
• Support for all the latest formats like 4k, 8k, HDR10+, Dolby, Vision/Atmos,etc.
• 40Gps HDMI 2.1 slots; 6 in total
• Audyssey calibration optimizes your speakers for your room automatically with included mic
• Bluetooth & wifi support
• Multi zone feature allows you to use multiple sets of speakers with different sources of content simultaneously
• Looks really nice

Cons/Dislikes

• Remote isn’t universal
• Language support only supports English, Spanish, & French
• No Front HDMI ports
• Heavy at 18 pounds

Final Thoughts & Who This Is For

In my opinion, the Denon AVR-S760H while being a great receiver, also strikes the perfect balance between number of connections, adequate power, and truly great audio quality.

With a plethora of useful features, should you need something for a 7.2 speaker setup or perhaps smaller, then this fits that standard nicely.

It even has Atmos support for additional speakers.

Simply put, it’ll serve you well in your search for a proficient receiver.

Highly recommend it!

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Specs

The specifications of the Denon AVR-S760H are as follows:

Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers Review

This is the elac debut 2.0 b6.2 bookshelf speakers review, a quick spotlight on a pair of bookshelf speakers that I feel, are pretty great.

But why’s that, and more importantly, are they the right pair of speakers for you?

Let’s find out!

Appearance

Features

Specs

How To Set It Up

The Sound Quality

Likes

Dislikes

Final Thoughts

Appearance

Check Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers Availability

So when taking a look at the Elac B6.2, what’s immediately apparent is its understated aesthetic.

No doubt about it, the speaker definitely goes for a more relaxed look, placing more of the emphasis on performance rather than style.

Designed by Andrew Jones, formerly of Pioneer & Elac, these speakers are the epitome of “there’s more than what meets the eye”

Taking a closer look, the cabinet is made from a dark wood grained CARB2 rated MDF wood, and aside from a small metallic insignia towards the bottom of the removable grille, there’s not too much else going on.

Upon removing this grille, you’re greeted with a beautiful Iooking tight-knit patterned aramid fiber woofer that gives the speaker a more serious look and helps to spice it up.

Above it is a soft dome tweeter and below it is front facing port for acoustic clarity with a smaller logo below that.

It’s definitely a nice looking speaker, but it’s also not something that’s going to stand out either.

That can be either a good or bad thing depending on your preferences but I personally like it.

In terms of size, they’re pretty average I’d say at around 14 inches tall so they’re not small speakers by any means but they’re also not overly sized either.

Overall, if you prefer something low profile that’ll blend in with your room rather than standing out, you’ll like these speakers.

Features

Helpful Front Facing Ports

A helpful front facing port opposed to a back facing one allows you to place the speaker right up against the wall without worrying about unwanted acoustic resonance

Specially Designed 1 Inch Soft Dome Tweeter

Improved from previous iterations, this 1 inch soft dome tweeter now uses what’s called a wide roll surround, which helps the frequency response reach to 35kHz

Specially Designed Woofer

Improved from its prior iteration, this aramid fiber woofer boasts a better frequency response without compromising bass.

Solid Internal Bracing For Cleaner Sound

Internal bracing helps to reduce unwanted cabinet resonance which can alter sound, providing a much more accurate and cleaner sound

Specs

Box Contents

Pair of Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
Owners Manual

Inputs & Connectivity

5-way gold-plated binding posts

Total Power Ouput

120 Watts

Sensitivity

87db @2.83v/1m

Bass Driver

6 1/2 inch Aramid Fiber Woofer

Tweeter

1 inch cloth dome tweeter

Enclosure Type

2- Way Bass Reflex

Cabinet

CARB2 Rated MDF

Cabinet Finish

Black Ash Vinyl

Port

Dual Flared

Crossover Frequency

2200Hz

Frequency Response

44Hz – 35000Hz

Nominal Impedance

6 Ohms

Dimensions

7.69 inches x 14.76 inches x 10.55 inches

Weight

16lbs

How To Set It Up

Being that this is a passive bookshelf speaker, setup of the B6.2 will require speaker wire.

Keep in they don’t come with it so here’s what I typically use.

To summarize, all you basically need to do is cut the wire to the desired length you need, strip the wire, then either attach a connector and plug it in that way, or slide the wire directly into the terminal.

Placement of them is then obviously up to you.

Other than that, that’s really it in terms of setup.

The Sound Quality

The most important thing, how do the Elac Debut B6.2 speakers actually sound?

Well you’ll be happy to know they sound really impressive — and because of their 6 inch drivers improved from their predecessor, the original Debut B6, they deliver a full bodied powerful sound that still manages to retain those delicate details in a way that’s hard not to appreciate.

How They Perform With Music

To first test a speakers true capabilities, I typically like to do it by removing all extraneous factors (center channel, subwoofer, etc) then play a few music tracks from different genres to guage what their strengths are.

What I immediately noticed is that these have a very warm sound. The lower midrange in particular stood out to me.

They’re very punchy and forthright, which is interesting because their predecessor the B6 was similar in tone, but was a little more reserved comparatively.

You can tell there’s a lot more power behind these though, with vocals sounding really realistic and commanding.

They’re exactly like the smaller Debut 5.2 but more authoritative.

Bass is pretty good too, but the lower end of that bass doesn’t extend as deep as a dedicated subwoofer would which is kind of expected.

I’d say it’s present and adequate, but not something you’d particularly get these for.

There’s still hit but not a lot of extension past that if that makes sense since there’s roll off after 44Hz.

It’s certainly a much better bass than a lot of bookshelf speakers though which is a big plus.

The high end is also what caught me off guard because there’s a lot of clarity with these.

They’re crystal clear in that regard. But what’s nice is they aren’t sparkly bright where it gets hard to listen to over extended periods of time.

It just sounds right to be honest.

For music or stereo, they’re definitely a good choice.

How They Perform With Movies

How do they fare with the the more traditional application though, as a part of a home theater setup?

Well after setting them up and listening to them, it’s safe to say they’re stellar in that regard too.

Cranking them up, it was clear to me that not only do they still sound really good at higher volume levels, but they weirdly sound better the louder they go.

That’s not typically the case, but that’s definitely what I noticed here.

No distortion or anything, just pure clean sound.

They also have an incredible sound stage, more so than you’d initially think from just looking at them.

Sound effects seemed to really envelop the room in a way that was extremely immersive, while music and other little details remained easily discernible.

They have a very airy and almost open sound, that really makes you feel like you’re there.

It may have something to do with the fact that these have internal bracing, which reduces cabinet vibrations for better sonic accuracy, and is typically more seen with subwoofers rather than speakers — but it’s inclusion here certainly makes a difference.

It’s also nice that the port is on the front rather than the back because a lot of times when placing your speaker, pushing it too close to the wall just results in a boomy and less than stellar sound.

So by having it on the front, you can place them up against the wall without having to worry about that which helps with space and placement issues.

I will say that because of their clarity though, if the source of the audio you use is bad or lower quality, these will definitely exacerbate those so just keep that in mind.

Also they don’t come with speaker wire so that’s also something to keep in mind.

Other than that, there’s really not much to say else that I haven’t already.

They’re just a really good pair of speakers and if this is one of the options you were considering, I would definitely recommend them.

Likes

• Big powerful sound
• Crystal clear highs
• Works great for music
• Immersive soundstage
• Low-profile look

Dislikes

• No option to wall mount
• Bass extension roll off after 44Hz
• No included speaker wire

Final Thoughts

Well that about does it for this Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers review.

In short, if you’re looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers with big powerful sound that can be used for a variety of content and not just a singular thing, then these are a fantastic option.

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Polk Signature Elite ES10 Review (Great Bookshelf Speakers)

The Polk Signature Elite ES10 speakers deliver high quality audio fidelity & immersive surround effects ideal for home theater systems, stereo, and near-field listening. They’re also compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, and feature Power Port technology for deeper bass.

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While the front sound stage is the most important in a home theater, (the front left & right, center speaker) the correct surround speakers can still make a big difference.

Though both types of speakers play different parts, they can work together synergistically to create something special.

So in this review, we’ll look at the performance of these surround speakers to help determine whether they’re the right speakers for your cinematic experience.

Features

High-Res Audio Certified

The ES10s are High-Res Audio Certified, meaning they support higher resolution audio formats for a much higher fidelity sound quality.

Terylene Dome Tweeters

Terylene dome tweeters and curvilinear formers allows the speaker to extend above the human range of hearing, (40kHz) allowing for greater clarity in the frequencies you do hear.

Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Compatible

The Elite ES10 speakers work with 3D object based sound formats like Dolby Atmos & DTS:X, meaning they can be used as height & elevation speakers for a great surround sound experience.

Timbre Matched

Timbre matching is important as it ensures the cohesive blending of sound between your speakers and luckily the Polk Signature Elite ES10 are timbre matched to allow you to mix and match with any speakers in the Elite series lineup.

Dynamic Balance Technology

Through what Polk calls its Dynamic Balance Technology, meticulously optimized drivers and crossovers through laser imaging deliver a more natural and clear sound.

A Port For Better Bass Reproduction

Polk’s signature power port technology is on offer here too; to smoothly funnel airflow from the speaker’s port to your listening area, helping to reduce distortion.

It also extends the area of the bass port, giving a greater surface area to further increase its clean bass capabilities without chuffing.

In fact, Polk states that their Power port technology can tout a 3dB louder bass output than typical speakers.

Included Gold-Plated Five-Way Binding Posts

With gold plated 5 way binding posts, there’s a wide variety of connection options.

Powerful Low Resonance Ceramic Motor Structure

A clever design that also helps reduce resonance gives a more energetic and powerful sound

Anti-Diffraction Magnetic Grille

Minimizes sonic interference, giving a clean sound even when the grille is on.

Solid Build Quality

Due to their in depth engineering process that identifies & eliminates physical and electroacoustic abnormalities before they happen, Polk are confident in their Elite series speaker’s build quality.

Plus an MDF wood cabinet means a fuller and richer sound

Wall Mounting Capable

Wall mounting key holes on the back allows you to wall mount these speakers increasing your placement options.

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How To Set Them Up

Setting up the Elite ES10 is done just like you would with any other passive speaker.

Keep in mind speaker wire doesn’t come with it so that’s something you’ll need if you don’t have some already.

I use this one for reference.

But basically you would strip the speaker wire, attach the connectors to it, then plug it into the speaker.

There’s 5 way binding posts on the back so any connector would work, or you could forgo them all together.

Should you wish to wall mount them, the keyhole slot and threaded insert in the back would allow you to do just that.

For placing them optimally, I found that they worked best at a height of about 2 feet above ear level seated.

In the receiver I would also set the crossover to 80Hz and the sound signature to small so that the speakers are only responsible for those higher frequency sounds.

Their Sound Quality

Their Solo Performance

Gauging the audio quality of surround speakers is slightly more difficult than traditional speakers as a large portion of the sound mix typically doesn’t come through them.

Bass is handled by the subwoofer, and another portion is handled by the front sound stage.

So the way I like to do my reviews with surround speakers is testing them like a normal right/left speaker by themselves first, then as satellite speakers in an entire home theater system after.

That’s just to see what they can do since different products will have different capabilities.

But upon trying one of my favorite movies, (Pacific Rim) with these speakers & my TV, I was immediately blown away.

The level of clarity in their audio signature was mind blowing, and even more so when keeping in mind they performed like that when they weren’t meant to be a front soundstage speaker.

Every sound, from the mechanical gears & VFX in the mechs, to their lumbering movement as they rushed forward was represented with such pristine detail that it sounded real in the room.

Regarding their specifications, they tout a 78Hz to 40kHz frequency response which helped with their clarity.

Though frequencies that high are inaudible to the human ear, its ability to go that high allows it to handle the frequencies you can hear that much easier.

This was something I noticed; not to mention there were additional sounds I heard that I actually didn’t notice before.

Testing them with other movies was essentially the same story; a high degree of incredibly dynamic & immersive audio with their treble.

Sensitivity was on the lower side at 84 dB so you’ll want a receiver or amplifier with sufficient power to properly drive them.

Bass output was good too, but I’d still opt for using a subwoofer if those absolute deepest notes are important to you.

But it’s good to know these speakers are capable — meaning you could set your sub’s crossover lower for more power in those lower frequency ranges.

Even as a near-field or stereo setup, I think that these would still do fairly well.

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How They Performed In A Surround System

But as for how they performed with their intended usage, as surround speakers, they were fantastic.

Even with use in a non timbre matched system, these speakers provided subtle yet substantial details that really made movie watching a treat.

It’s really hard to articulate exactly what I mean, but just play one of your favorite movies and you might understand where I’m coming from.

Highs are crisp, and mids are warm & full bodied making for an incredible sounding surround speaker.

I’d easily say they’re worth it in my opinion, with their compatibility with different systems showcasing their versatility.

This is elevated even further when you use them with Atmos or DTS:X enabled content, and is where they really shine. It’s like they make everything seem real.

There was definitely more than one instance where I would hear something and wonder if it was the speakers or real life.

That’s a testament to a truly quality speaker I feel.

Not even to mention they look absolutely gorgeous and don’t take up that much space.

At only 6 pounds, they’re much lighter than some of the other speakers out there that don’t perform nearly as well as this one does.

To cut a long story short, if you’re looking for a high quality surround sound speaker to give you that movie like surround sound, then these are an awesome choice.

They certainly get a recommendation from me.

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Appearance

So the cool things about these speakers when it comes to their appearance is that they come in 3 colors to match just about every room setting; Walnut, Black, and White.

They’re the smaller variant in the signature Elite series that also includes the ES15 & the ES20 models.

I went with the Walnut because it slightly reminded me of the RTI A3s, but they all look amazing honestly.

To put it bluntly, they’re gorgeous speakers, and look even better than pictures show in my opinion.

With the removable magnetic grille on, aside from a small Polk branding on the bottom, they’re pretty low-key.

However it’s when you remove them that their look completely changes.

An eye catching gold tweeter and driver make for a striking appearance, and the words Polk Audio and American Hifi along with their established date of 1972 is situated on the top.

There’s even the words Polk signature series placed on the drivers themselves.

The fact that Polk places this here I think speaks to their inherent confidence that they know they’re offering a good looking, high performance speaker and it shows.

The MDF wood they’re made of had a nice texture to it too, and made it feel really solid and premium.

In terms of weight, they come in at around 6 pounds — and when in the hands, I thought they struck a good middle ground between feeling solid & not being too heavy.

With regards to their size, they measured 8.39 inches high, 5.39 inches wide, and 6.1 inches deep, so I wouldn’t say they’re large.

Concerning their overall aesthetics though, I’d say the Elite ES10 has a really contemporary design, paying homage to the company’s storied history.

It does this while simultaneously bringing its aesthetic forward in a modern setting.

It’s a fusion that works wonderfully, and makes for a speaker design that’s hard not to admire.

Likes

• Unbelievable clarity
• Gorgeous appearance
• Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatible
• Great for high res music & movie formats

Dislikes

• No included speaker wire
• 84 dB sensitivity

Final Thoughts

That about does it for this Polk Signature Elite ES10 review.

In summary, these are a great pair of surround sound speakers that manage to add a surreal level of immersion and atmosphere to whatever it is you’re listening to.

Their attention to detail and clarity is noteworthy, and coupled with their ability to play Atmos content, they’re undoubtedly worth your attention.

Check Polk ES10 Speakers Availability

Specs

Box Contents

• 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
• 2 Grille (attached)
• 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
• Wall-mount template
• Owner’s Manual
• Online Product Registration

Inputs & Connectivity

5-way gold-plated binding posts

Total Power Ouput

100 watts

Sensitivity

84 dB

Bass Driver

4 inch mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance® cone driver

Tweeter

1 inch Terylene high-res dome tweeter

Frequency Response

78 Hz-40,000 kHz

Impedance

8 Ohms

Dimensions

6.18 x 5.39 x 8.39 inches

Weight

6 lbs (13.2 kg)

Edifier R980T Review: Compact & Elegant Active Speakers

The Edifier R980T active multimedia speakers offer quality sound, sleek design, and easy setup. They have adjustable bass and volume knobs, two RCA inputs, and a flared bass reflex port. They respond well to EQ, and are suitable for smaller rooms and desktop PCs.

Check Availability Of The Edifier R980T Active Bookshelf Speakers

This is the Edifier R980T review, an in depth look at a pair of active multimedia speakers that honestly perform well for what they do.

But there’s also a few interesting things you should know before deciding on these particular set of speakers too.

What are they and more importantly, would they be suitable for you?

Well let’s find out!

Features

Active Speaker Design

By utilizing an on board amplifier, the need for a receiver is forgone as its active design allows you to simply plug and play.

Flared Bass Reflex Port

Calibrated with a flared bass reflex port, distortion is reduced resulting in a clean and rich sound.

Dark MDF Wood Exterior

Made of a darker MDF wood, the low key appearance of the 980T allows it to fit in with almost any room setting. Its fully wooden enclosure also helps reduce acoustic resonance.

Compact In Size

Compact in size, these bookshelf speakers are perfect for desktops and smaller rooms.

Adjustable Bass & Volume Knob

An adjustable bass & volume knob on the back allows you to dial in your sound the exact way you want it.

Dual Inputs

Through the usage of 2 sets of RCA inputs, the Edifier R980T can be connected to more than one audio device at the same time meaning you won’t have to keep switching inputs.

Check Availability Of The Edifier R980T Active Bookshelf Speakers

How To Set Up The R980T Speakers

Setting up the 980T is going to depend on where your plan to use them.

If you’re planning to use them with your PC, then plug the 2 RCA cables into the back of the speaker.

The inputs are labeled PC.

Then connect the other part of the cable into your PC’s audio output jack.

From there, connect the included speaker wire from the one speaker into the other.

After that, plug in the power cord, and turn up the volume knob on the back of the speaker.

If you plan to use these speakers with a TV, then plug the 2 RCA cables into the 2 inputs on the right of speaker not labeled PC.

The other end of the cable would then go into the corresponding outputs of the TV.

What’s nice is can also be used with other devices that have a 3.5mm jack since it comes with an RCA to 3.5mm cable.

My Impressions On Their Sound Quality

Honestly, this is where things get interesting because the sound quality of the Edifier R980Ts varies depending on how you use them.

Now right off the bat, I’ll just tell you beforehand that these are near field speakers meaning they may not be suitable for really large rooms.

I’d go with the Edifier R2000DB if that’s the setting you’d need them for.

But for the average to smaller room and/or for use with a desktop PC, these are more than enough.

So how do they sound then?

Without equalization or any tweaks right out of the box they sound pretty decent, but there’s really more to the story than that so I’ll break down my thoughts further.

Their Sound Quality With Music

When it comes to music, the Edifier R980T are actually solid performers stock.

Without touching the bass knob and simply turning the volume up, they’re capable of really great clarity.

High frequencies are represented well, and come through with a clean and articulate authority.

These speakers get pretty loud too, and you’ll be glad to know that at those higher volumes they retain their clarity.

Avoiding being sibilant or twangy when cranked up, the highs are simply present without calling much attention to themselves.

It reminded me of the Edifier P17s in that aspect, with both having that respectable clarity about them.

When turning up the bass knob, the midrange became audible, and was seemingly reserved but clean.

I’d say it’s very neutral sounding if anything.

As for the bass and its adjustability, I was genuinely surprised by how good the implementation of this capability was.

In some active speakers that include this knob, turning it up results in the bass either becoming overbearing, or muddling the sound to the point where you don’t even want to use it.

This isn’t the case here at all thankfully.

When turning it up, it offers a very clean and tight bass that’s genuinely pleasing to listen to.

There’s no distortion, (at least that I noticed) and it’s pretty punchy for a bookshelf speaker.

For me, setting the knob at the 3 o’clock position yielded the best balance between bass and other frequencies, so I’d recommend trying that to see how you like it.

However remember a little bit ago I said the sound quality varies depending on how you use them?

Well I said that because these speakers respond to EQ shockingly well — to the point where they almost seem like a different speaker.

When combined with a proper equalization setting, these speakers absolutely sing, and come to life with a rejuvenated sense of dynamism.

Combined with a good preamp this is taken even further, but even using a few sliders with EQ results in really great experience.

That’s not to say the stock experience is bad, because funnily enough it’s actually pretty good.

I just think the speakers responding well to EQ shows they’re actually capable of a whole lot more than what they initially let on.

It’s really interesting, and if you have the ability to, I’d definitely say try it.

But if not, they’re still really good for music.

Check Availability Of The Edifier R980T Active Bookshelf Speakers

How They Performed With Movies

As far as how they fare with movies, I found them to work just as well in my opinion.

Obviously they won’t give you as deep a bass as using a dedicated subwoofer or anything like that, but they’re leagues above standard internal TV/computer speakers for sure.

Voices were easy to hear, and the overall soundstage was smooth and engaging.

Little details were represented well, and nothing was over done or over bearing.

Really not much to say in this regard that hasn’t been said already.

They’re just a solid performer all around honestly.

Something peculiar though is that the knobs are on the back, so if you want them sitting flush with the wall but want to adjust the sound, you’ll have to move them each time.

It’s a minor thing, but would have been nice to maybe have controls on the front instead.

Still it doesn’t really take much away from the experience as these are definitely a quality speaker.

The R980Ts seemed like a slightly smaller version of the Edifier R1280T, with a similar quality sound.

So the main takeaway here is that if you’re just looking for a set of bookshelf speakers to use in a smaller room that’ll do the job without having to give an arm and a leg in the process to do so, these are a really great choice to go with in my opinion.

Check Availability Of The Edifier R980T Active Bookshelf Speakers

My Thoughts On Their Appearance

One word I would use to describe the appearance of the R980Ts is subtle.

From the dark MDF wood grain finish, to the way the removable clothe grille slopes down ever so slightly, it seems like the main focus Edifier had with this speaker was to provide quality audio in a sleek yet distinctive package.

It’s honestly a really nice albeit low key looking speaker in person.

Towards the bottom there’s a small silvery Edifier insignia, and when removed, the woofer, soft dome tweeter and bass reflex port becomes visible.

On the bottom there’s 4 small feet for added stability, and over on the back there’s a bass and volume knob for additional control over your sound.

There’s also 2 RCA inputs for connecting to your TV and/or your PC.

It’s certainly not a very ornate design at first glance, but given the focus is on the sound with aesthetics being second, it’s still a nice design all things considered.

For those that prefer a more subdued looking speaker that doesn’t call attention to itself, you’ll really like this speaker.

Likes

• Clean Sound
• Bass control works well
• Can be used with more than device at a time
• Responds well to EQ
• Subdued appearance

Dislikes

• No Bluetooth
• Not suitable for larger rooms
• Controls on the back

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this Edifier R980T and now have a better idea of whether these are the right set of speakers for you.

Besides their impeccable sound quality, they look great and are a great addition to a home theater.

Highly recommend them.

Check Availability Of Edifier R980T Active Bookshelf Speakers

Specs

Box Contents

2 Edifier R980T Speakers

RCA Cables

3.5 mm cables

Speaker wire

Universal 110V-240V power supply

Inputs/Outputs and Connectivity

2 X AUX inputs

Loaded spring clip terminals for speaker wire

Total Power Output

RMS 12W × 2

Signal To Noise Ratio

≥85dBA

Input Sensitivity:

PC: 700±50mV AUX: 550±50mV (THD+N=1%)

Bass Driver

4 inch (116mm)

Treble Driver

Φ13 mm silk dome

Active/Passive

Active

Frequency Response

70 HZ-20 kHz +/-9db

Dimensions [Per Speaker]

5.5in Width x 8.9in Depth x 7.75in Height

Klipsch Cinema 400 Sound Bar Review

(Edit: Another model to consider is the Klipsch Cinema 600 which is a great alternative to the one talked about in this review.

I bring this up because due to it’s age, actual availability of the older 400 might be variable; but the newer 600 is a solid alternative.

A lot of the positives mentioned in the original review hold true but with improvements such as more refined audio, 3 channels, an app, and even a larger included subwoofer.

Long story short, it’s an awesome soundbar)

Check Klipsch Cinema 600 Availability

To put it simply, a quality soundbar can be a great alternative to a traditional speaker setup for great sound; especially for those with limited space and/or patience.

Rather than placing speakers all over the room, a soundbar like the name suggests, houses a group of smaller speakers in a horizontal array that projects the sound towards the listener.

Long story short, a good soundbar basically makes the difference between a terrible experience and an amazing one.

So in this Klipsch Cinema 400 sound bar review, we’re going to see whether this is the soundbar that’s right for you.

Without further ado, let’s get right to it!

Appearance

For some individuals, the appearance of a speaker is nearly as important as how it sounds.

Luckily the Klipsch 400 soundbar is a beautiful piece.

What’s interesting here though is the fact that unlike many soundbars that may be made of metal or plastic, this one in particular is made of wood.

More specifically, it’s made of the same exact MDF (medium density fibreboard) wood that comprises their speakers.

More on what that means later, but as far as aesthetics are concerned, the dark wood grain gives the the soundbar a much more premium look.

On both ends of the enclosure, there’s a linear travel suspension tweeter for the higher end sounds, accented by a brushed metal panel up top that houses the controls for the soundbar.

The included subwoofer is also made of the same wood grain, and has its driver situated on the bottom making it a down firing variant.

There’s also a small gold and silver insignia toward the bottom left of both the sub and the soundbar that says Klipsch Reference and is really just a nice little touch.

The middle of the soundbar is wrapped in a soft tweed fabric grille that covers the 2 woofers underneath, giving it a more subdued look.

As a whole, it really is a beautiful soundbar honestly, and would look great in most rooms.

The one thing to keep in mind though is that it’s a little on the longer side at 40 inches and slightly tall at 2.8 inches so this is something you should be aware of beforehand since you don’t want it to block the IR sensor on your TV if it’s placed right in front of it.

Besides that, nothing really to complain about from an appearance standpoint, and it’s even better looking in person than what the pictures show.

Features

Simplistic Setup

Setup is simple with a single HDMI plugged into the TV, allowing you to get into the action faster.

This simplicity enabled by HDMI ARC, also gives you control of the subwoofer & soundbar with just a single remote.

Bluetooth Support

Bluetooth support means you can play any of your favorite content straight from that bluetooth enabled device to the sound bar

Dialogue Enhancement Mode

An included dialogue enhancement mode allows you to boost hard to hear dialogue, allowing you to more closely follow what’s happening in your content

Virtual Surround Mode

The virtual surround mode mimicks a full blown surround speaker setup giving you a virtual surround sound field at the press of a button

Night Mode

A dedicated night mode compresses the frequency range to give you an uncompromised sound quality at a lower volume; helpful for night time viewing

Vertical Light Bar

A small vertical led light bar on the right side provides important information like volume level and source

Minimized Distortion For Cleaner Sound

Klipsch’s signature Linear Travel Suspension Tweeters provide an amazing amount of clarity by minimizing distortion through their utilization of a lightweight rigid material called Kapton

 Unique Tractrix Horn Technology

Klipsch’s proprietary 90×90 Tractrix Horn Technology helps aim the sound at the listener while also reducing extraneous reverb further improving sound quality

High Quality Wood Cabinet

By utilizing the same MDF wood used in their speakers, the Klipsch cinema 400 not only looks premium, but reduces unwanted vibration for a cleaner quality sound.

Class Leading 8 inch Wireless Subwoofer

An included 8 inch down firing wireless subwoofer gives you that deep bass you want for a truly engaging experience

Special Woofers For Better Bass

Special cone woofers are made of fibre-composite and are built to provide quality sound with minimal distortion

Energy Saver

An included auto on/off function saves power by turning the soundbar off after 15 minutes of no signal and turning back on when audio is detected

Wall Mounting Capable

With wall mounting holes on the back and the included screws and brackets to do so, you’re alloted an additional way to setup your soundbar by way of wall mounting

How To Set It Up

Being that one of the features the Cinema 400 prides itself in is its ease of setup, setting up the soundbar is really easy.

In fact, all you have to do is connect the included HDMI cable from the back of your soundbar to your TV, plug in the power cable and you’re good to go.

Should you wish to use an optical cable instead, you’re also free to do so.

You can even use a game console or blu ray player this way by plugging the optical cable into that device and plugging the HDMI cable into your TV.

Luckily there’s not much complication when it comes to setup which is always a nice thing.

It would have been nice if there was an optical cable included though, so that would be something you’d need separately if you wanted to use one with it.

The Sound Quality

When taking a deeper look at this soundbar + subwoofer combo, my main takeaway was that the sound quality is good.

Like really good.

While the included subwoofer does get deep (more on that in a little bit) it’s the soundbar that stands out in my opinion.

The clarity on offer here is incredible, no 2 ways about it.

Whether it’s the Tractrix horn or the material used that makes the difference I’m not sure, but the main thing you’ll immediately notice is just how clear it sounds.

But in saying that, it isn’t a “bright” soundbar by any means, I’d say it has a more neutral sound signature.

Sometimes a speaker can sound almost too clear to the point where it almost becomes sibilant and fatiguing to listen to over time, but this isn’t the case here at all thankfully.

With music, instruments are easily distinguishable and prominent, with guitar strums for example represented with an incredible level of detail.

It really is commendable honestly.

With movies, dialogue is very discernable and the included dialogue booster actually works pretty well.

A nitpick though is that because there’s no dedicated center driver for the midrange, the sound is down mixed from surround sound to stereo so sometimes music could take precedence over the voices in a scene, or vice versa — and at higher volumes I did notice it slightly more.

But it wasn’t often & to be honest this is coming from someone that has heard many systems with an ear for those sorts of things, so the average person might not even pick up on it.

Just figured it was worth mentioning.

But in general when it comes to movies, it does handle things surprisingly well as far as audio quality is concerned.

Be it explosions, tire screeches from a car chase,etc. everything just sounds visceral and real. You won’t be disappointed.

It’s actually a good step up from a good number of soundbars I’ve heard when it comes to its sonic capabilities.

The included surround sound mode does expand the sound field quite a bit too, imitating a dedicated surround speaker setup, but I wouldn’t say it’s quite the same.

However it still offers a more enveloping experience than the stock sound so I’d say it’s certainly worth trying.

Night mode is also handy, and when enabled, I could hear a lot of details at lower volumes so I could definitely see people finding this useful.

It would have been nice to have more virtual sound modes like one for sports or even Atmos, but the ones on offer here work well.

I’ve heard the Klipsch cinema 400 being compared to the Yamaha Yas-209, ATS 2090, or even the Polk Audio Signa S3 in terms of the similarity of their sound, but I’d say this one slightly favors the upper midrange frequency.

If anything the only thing I can liken it to at the moment would be its larger sibling the Klipsch Cinema 600 (a very powerful, albeit larger 3.1 system)

Although there’s small led indicators on the bottom right that denote things like the current volume or source, an actual dedicated led display to provide more information — along with a few more modes & support for more formats like the virtual object based sound format Dolby Atmos for example, would have been a nice additions.

Something also worth mentioning; if you remember how I mentioned earlier that the soundbar being made of the same wood as its reference speaker counterparts was a great thing — and that’s because besides just looking good, this allows it to minimize potential reverb that could muddy the sound.

That means the soundbar has an easier time actually giving a cleaner sound because of that, and it definitely shows.

The clarity is amazing.

The size of the soundbar is also something to note, as its 40 inch long and 3 inch high cabinet means you’ll need some space for it.

You can wall mount it, and the hardware to do so is even included, but just know it’s not a small device by any means.

The same actually applies as far as the subwoofer is concerned.

In fact, Klipsch even makes mention of this by stating that they have the largest wireless subwoofers in the market and this translates to quite simply, more bass.

Now taking a closer look, the subwoofer is also made of the same dark wood grain and houses an 8-inch downfiring driver which is massive for a pack in subwoofer.

The bass of this subwoofer is also noteworthy as there’s some serious power on offer here.

It’s punchy, deep, and authoritative, and not once did I notice any kind of distortion or sloppiness to the sound.

It’s a really fun subwoofer, and honestly when you hear it, you’ll see what I mean.

I can’t explain it but everything just seemed right when gauging its capabilities, and the fact that you can adjust the subs volume level means you can dial in your sound even further.

Keep in mind it’s an 8 inch subwoofer so for those bigger rooms you may want something bigger, but for the average sized room, it works great.

Actually mentioned it already, but the Klipsch Cinema 600 or even the Cinema 800 might work in that particular instance.

The offering of Bluetooth support is an added bonus, and there were no issues with connecting my phone to play music from it.

What I truly do like about this system as a whole and feel others will too is that the sound it produces doesn’t seem disjointed — like there’s just a dose of sound here, and a helping of booming bass separately over there.

Instead everything sort of melds together, and what you end up with is this beautiful fusion of sound that just .. for lack of better words, just sounds good!

Now if your priorities are in wanting a laundry list of features and/or modes, then yeah, this might not be the one for you honestly since it doesn’t have a lot of those.

But if all you do care about is just getting a good quality sound without all the hassle of having to set things up, then quite frankly I would go with this one.

It has the pristine signature Klipsch sound that they’re known for, coupled with a quality subwoofer that just powers through whatever you throw at it.

It seems like their focus was solely on the sound and it really shows.

Simply put, it’s an awesome system overall that I wholeheartedly recommend.

Likes

• Crystal clear sound
• Clean deep bass
• Extremely versatile in capability
• Bluetooth Support
• Beautiful appearance
• Can be wall mounted
• Dialogue enhancement feature works well

Dislikes

• Lack modes of its older siblings
• No Atmos/DTS:X support
• No eARC
• Optical cable is separate

Final Thoughts

Well that about does it for this one.

The best way to quickly sum up this Klipsch Cinema 400 sound bar review is that if you just strictly care about getting good sound and you don’t care about a bunch of features, this is a really solid soundbar with some genuinely impressive sound.

If that’s your main priority, then you’ll really like this one.

Remember, if you happen to have any questions or concerns though, reach out and I’ll do my best to help.

Until next time though my friends, make it easy, keep it simple.

Specs

Box Contents

4.5 foot (1.5m) HDMI cable

Manual

Mounting template

2 wall mount brackets with screws and 3m tape

Remote with batteries (2xAAA included)

2 power cables

Inputs/Outputs and Connectivity

HDMI ARC

Bluetooth

3.5 mm analog

Optical digital

Subwoofer Output

Power

100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply

Max Output

99dB

Frequency Response

35-20KHz

Dimensions

Dimensions for the soundbar:

Width: 39 15/16 inches (101.4cm)

Height: 2 7/8 inches (7.3cm)

Depth: 3 3/8 inches (8.6cm)

Dimensions for the subwoofer:

Width: 11 7/8 inches (30.2cm)

Height: 16 1/8 inches (41cm)

Depth: 16 1/8 inches (41cm)

Weight: 27.5 lbs (12.47 kg)

Klipsch R-52C Review (Excellent Center Channel Speaker)

The Klipsch R-52C delivers excellent sound quality through its horn-loaded tweeter, acoustic suspension, and dual woofers. As a passive center speaker that’s part of the Klipsch Reference series, it has a wide frequency response, high sensitivity, low impedance, and moderate power handling – making it awesome for home theater systems.

Check Klipsch R-52C Center Speaker Availability

I’ve said this time and time again, but a quality center channel speaker can be the difference between a mediocre home theater experience and a great one.

Being that it can be responsible for up to 80 percent of the dialogue, its importance can’t be emphasized enough.

That’s why in this Klipsch R-52C review, we’ll take a look at a center speaker that’s definitely worth consideration.

Features

1 inch aluminum LTS tweeter

Klipsch’s 1 inch Linear Travel Suspension aluminum tweeter (LTS) has the benefit of being able to produce a clearer audio.

By using a light and rigid material called Kapton, it allows the tweeter to provide clearer sound quality without having to work nearly as hard.

Klipsch’s Unique Audio Tech

Using Klipsch’s unique 90×90°Tractrix Horn Technology, the R-52C’s sound is aimed at the listener, while simultaneously reducing artificial reverb caused by indirect sound waves reflected off objects in the room.

The result of its Tractrix Horn Technology is incredible clarity.

Dual 5.25 inch Spun Copper IMG Woofers

The included dual 5.25 inch, Injection Molded Graphite Woofers have the unique advantage of being both light and durable; allowing for a deeper sound with minimal distortion.

Refined MDF Wood Cabinet

With a high quality MDF wood cabinet, extraneous vibrations are reduced for a more accurate sound.

Closed Back Design

The R-52C’s closed back design gives you the freedom to place it wherever without the worry of a suboptimal sound

Check Klipsch R-52C Center Speaker Availability

How To Set It Up

Setting up the Klipsch R-52C is relatively easy and is done like any other center speaker.

Do keep in mind you’ll also need speaker wire since it doesn’t actually come with it. I personally use this one.

But to set it up, all you have to do is cut the speaker wire to the length you need, then strip it using either a wire stripper or a pair of scissors.

Then you can either insert part of the exposed wire through the keyhole in the back by unscrewing the binding post, or connect the wire to a banana plug and simply plug it in to the speaker.

The other side of the wire would go into the receiver.

Here’s some more context for how to do that if curious.

https://easyhometheater.net/how-to-set-up-a-home-theater#wire

Thoughts On The Sound Quality Of The Klipsch R-52C Center Channel Speaker

So let’s cut to the chase on what actually matters, how does the Klipsch R-52C actually sound?

It sounds immaculate in my opinion, so much so that it’s quickly become one of my favorite center speakers.

The mid tones are full bodied with a treble that’s pristine and articulate.

The best way to sum up how they sound would be sparkly.

This is a speaker for the people out there that find it annoying when there’s a loud scene in a movie and have trouble discerning the dialogue from the sound effects.

It does a great job at allowing you to hear the characters’ voices, while remaining cohesive with the sound effects from your other speakers.

One thing I noticed that had a big affect on the experience is the quality of the material that’s viewed with it.

Being that it’s a high quality speaker, if there’s a movie that’s not mixed correctly, it tends to augment the imperfections from what I noticed.

However when viewing content that is created the right way (which is a majority of newer content), the experience is downright incredible.

Voices came through with striking realism, with highs that sparkle, and soothingly deep lows that you’d expect from a quality center speaker.

Not to mention this speaker has a really high sensitivity so you won’t even need that powerful of a receiver to run it.

It also pairs great with the Klipsch R-41M bookshelf speaker that I also reviewed.

So as not to ramble on, in short, the Klipsch R-52C is an incredible center speaker that should definitely be on your radar if you’re looking for something that not only looks great, but performs even better.

Check Klipsch R-52C Center Speaker Availability

Appearance

If you’ve ever owned or seen a Klipsch speaker before, then you know the one thing you can expect is an impeccable build quality, and the R-52C is no different.

As part of the Klipsch Reference Series, it’s certainly a beautiful center speaker.

With an all black reinforced MDF wood construction, cabinet vibration is reduced, resulting in a clearer sound.

The wood itself is dark & textured, and looks really premium even up close.

The removable grille also gives the speaker a subdued look with a metallic Klipsch logo on the bottom.

However the one thing you have to love about Klipsch speakers is their versatility when it comes to aesthetics.

When the magnetic grille is removed, its look is completely transformed, revealing 2 beautiful spun copper drivers with what Klipsch calls it’s Tractrix horn (responsible for the treble) placed between the 2 of them.

The words Klipsch Reference is also printed on the bottom, and is a nice little touch.

What makes it look even more beautiful in my opinion, are the gold facets dotted around the drivers that accent it.

It’s a small detail, but it adds flair for sure.

Overall, It’s hard to describe just how nice this speaker looks in person.

But if you want something that can both make a statement in your living room, or blend in without calling attention to itself, this would definitely be a great option.

Likes

• Beautiful appearance
• Great clarity
• Well rounded mid bass
• High sensitivity for lower powered receivers
• Removable magnetic grille

Dislikes

• Not the smallest thing in the world
• Mixed usage on older content

Final Thoughts

That about wraps up this Klipsch R-52C review.

In summation, it’s a center speaker that provides the unparalleled clarity that Klipsch is typically known for, while effortlessly pulling the soundstage together in a notable way.

It’s a massive step up from TV/smaller speakers and certainly manages to impress.

Highly recommend this one.

Check Klipsch R-52C Center Speaker Availability

Specs

The specs are as follows:

Box Contents

Center Speaker
Manual

Inputs and Connectivity

5 way binding posts

Power

400 watts power handling

Sensitivity

95 dB at 2.83V/1m

Dimensions

Dual 5.25 inch woofers

1 inch aluminum tweeter

90×90° square Tractrix Horn

7.62 x 18.75 x 7.3 inch cabinet

13.5 pounds

Hiding Home Theater Equipment

As great as home theater is, the one thing that can be somewhat of a caveat is the equipment itself.

Typically the better the sound, the more devices and speakers required which can be somewhat of an eyesore to others in the household that might not care for it as much.

So today we’re going to be going over some tips in regards to hiding home theater equipment, so that you can still enjoy a quality experience without the look of things being all over the place.

Let’s get to it!

1). Placing Your Receiver/AV Equipment On A Wire Rack

When it comes to hiding your av electronics, there’s different ways to actually go about it that range from the simple to the more involved.

Rather than keeping an AV receiver in plain site for example, one way to solve this issue is placing it on a wire rack within a closet so that it’s out of the way.

Similar to the function of a PC server rack, a wire rack for your home theater stuff can be a helpful way to streamline the look of your entertainment room.

Of course if placing it in another room or closet, keep in mind beforehand that those components in that room would still need proper ventilation to keep them cool.

You may also want to hide the wires to help make things look cleaner, (which can be done in a multitude of ways)

The benefit to placing your home theater equipment on a wire rack though is it’ll allow you to still get to your equipment if need be while also having better airflow in general.

Getting a rack with lockable wheels is preferable I feel, since you can easily move it around when you need to access something.

Here’s a good example of that the works well

Metal Frame AV Cart with Keyboard Tray

While hidden, you still need a way to actually control your components too which is where a separate IR blaster can be useful in that instance.

They typically plug into the HDMI slot of your television and can send the signal back to your devices even in another room

Then there’s also the option of using a wireless HDMI kit that’ll also allow you to control your equipment while it’s out of sight.

In any case, the important thing is you have options when it comes to tidying up your media room, while still having things be functional overall.

Again keep in mind beforehand that if your equipment is placed in a closet, proper ventilation for everything is really important.

2). Making Sure There’s Some Kind Of Ventilation For Heat

A huge thing to remember when doing this is that placing some of your different devices on a single AV rack atop one another in a single room is going to generate a lot of heat, since each one will generate heat.

This can cause the room to get hot (especially if it’s small)

The issue with this is that too much heat can be bad for your electronics, as it could shorten the life of your equipment, cause them to enter protection mode, or even fail entirely.

The good news though is that there’s a number of ways to keep your devices cool.

One simple way of course is just making sure the room has access to some sort of ventilation to expel all of that heat.

This can be in the form of fans (be it a rack mount fan or intake fan) or just leaving the door open.

Another way is air conditioning the room.

However you decide to do it, as long as the room stays cool and barring any defects, your equipment should be good for years to come.

3). Hiding Your Speaker Wires/Cables Can Be Helpful

When it comes to hiding your speaker wires, how you decide to do this is of course going to depend on how you actually set up your equipment and whether it’s placed inside the wall, attic, etc.

Now I did a comprehensive piece on hiding speaker wires when it comes to speakers that also applies to home theater equipment in general that should definitely prove helpful which you can check out here.

https://easyhometheater.net/hiding-speaker-wire-solutions

But just to add a little to that, the neatest and most inconspicuous way of making things look tidy is wiring through the wall.

That way it’s out of the way, and still retains the original look of the room.

However I’ll caveat that by saying you’d have to have experience with doing that sort of thing before doing that, and if you don’t, having a professional install it for you may be a possibility.

A few retailers offer the option of setting up the wiring and stuff for you when buying your equipment, so that could be an avenue available.

One of the other ways mentioned in the guide linked above like cable raceways still work great if not.

It’s not just the walls though; you could also run the wiring through the attic or even beneath the floor so there’s definitely flexibility here and by no means one best way to do things necessarily.

If possible, the TV should be placed on the opposite side of the wall of wherever your AV equipment is placed.

This allows for the wiring process to be much simpler while also covering the small hole where the wires need to be fed through.

In layman’s terms, what you’ll want to do is cut a small hole in the wall about an inch in diameter, then run the wires through to the TV & your soundbar/speakers.

So things like the HDMI cable, speaker wire, and optical cables would be what goes through the hole.

For a refresher on wiring and set up with regards to general speaker setup, this should help.

https://easyhometheater.net/how-to-set-up-a-home-theater

If you’re worried about the cosmetic side about doing that though, what you can also do is use furniture hole-cover grommets to cover the hole so that things don’t look messy.

If you’re running your wires somewhere that’s further away, you still have the ability to run your wires through to the same place.

Do keep in mind that over longer lengths (say 50 feet and longer) latency can become more noticeable.

With speaker wire especially, what can also happen is a reduction in sound quality & volume — hence why thicker wire is generally recommended at longer lengths.

Every 5 feet over 35 feet, go down another gauge in thickness.

So for example, for a 40 foot speaker wire run, I’d recommend a 14 guage thickness. At 50 feet, go with 10 gauge, and so on.

Something else you definitely want to keep in mind isn’t just planning your install for the stuff you have right now, but what you think you might have in 5-10 years.

That way when you do decide to upgrade, it’ll be much less work for you when the time actually comes.

4).Installing Your Speakers Within The Wall

Besides a traditional speaker setup, you also have the option of using special in wall speakers for further melding with the room.

But keep in mind that if you do use these, you will need to run the wiring through the walls.

But the added benefit of going with in wall speakers is that they’re a lot more low key and don’t draw attention to themselves nearly as much as a bookshelf/ floor standing variants do — while still providing a much appreciated improvement in sound quality.

5).Using Ceiling Speakers

Ceiling speakers are another awesome way to enjoy quality sound while retaining the original aesthetic of the room.

This in depth piece I did on ceiling speakers provides more information on that.

https://easyhometheater.net/the-best-ceiling-speakers#guide

Should wiring for ceiling speakers not be a viable option for you, you always have the option of using height speakers as well.

These are speakers that are installed at or near ceiling level using a specialized mount. That way they’re still out of the way, and can be angled wherever the main seating position is located.

6).Using Bass Shakers

Lastly, should a dedicated subwoofer not be in the cards for whatever reason, or if you just want to up the tactile feeling without cranking the volume, a bass shaker is a great way to accomplish this.

A bass shaker is a small device that can be installed onto the chair/seat and like the name suggests, provides a more visceral feeling when it comes to bass.

Rather than just hear the movie, you’ll feel it too.

They can be a great way to make things more engaging without the need for a bigger subwoofer, which could annoy the neighbors or simply be in the way due to its size.

Here’s a really in depth piece I did on bass shakers that might help you out if you want to learn more.

https://easyhometheater.net/are-bass-shakers-worth-it

Final Thoughts

When it comes to hiding home theater equipment, there’s obviously a number of different ways you can accomplish this as evidenced above.

Whether it’s simply using a cable raceway to tidy things up, or installing a receiver in the wall, how you go about doing this is dependent on what equipment you have and where you want things to go.

Luckily, there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to this so hopefully this article was somewhat helpful in offering some suggestions you can use.

But like always, if you have any further questions feel free to reach out and I’ll be glad to help.

Until next time, make it easy, keep it simple.

Majority Bowfell Soundbar Review

Today I decided to share with you my thoughts on an interesting little soundbar that I happened to come across.

Now it’s not traditional in the sense that it’s not exactly a full size soundbar. It’s actually pretty small all things considered.

However what it’s capable of given its size, is enough reason for you to consider this as a potential option in your pursuit of better sound.

This is the Majority Bowfell soundbar review!

Unboxing/Appearance

Features

Specs

How To Set It Up

The Sound Quality

Likes

Dislikes

Final Thoughts

Unboxing/Appearance

Check Availability Of The Majority Bowfell Soundbar

So the box itself is pretty simple in design. There’s a picture of the soundbar on the front of the box, the name of the unit off to the left, and that’s pretty much it.

Besides some grey and blue accenting on the side and top, there’s not too much going on from a design standpoint. I like it though.

But we’re not concerned with that, it’s what’s in the box that matters.

What you actually get within the box is the soundbar, a remote control, a power adapter, a 3.5 mm to 3.5mm audio cable, (aux cable) 3.5mm to RCA audio cable, an optical cable, and an instruction manual.

Taking a closer look at the soundbar itself, it’s actually pretty nice in my opinion.

The front has a non removable metal grille that covers the majority of the front (had to) and up top is the majority branding.

Then off to the side you have buttons for the volume & power, and a line input to connect an mp3 device or smartphone.

It’s a really small soundbar overall and its extremely light weight adds to that perception. As far as looks go, it definitely has a premium look about it.

Features

Compact Slim Design

A compact and slim design ensures easier placement while taking up less space

50 Watts With A Built In Subwoofer

At 50 watts and a built in subwoofer, enjoy clearer deeper sounds than the speakers typically found in the average TV

Optical Connection

With the option to connect via an optical cable, the Bowfell soundbar can be used with most TVs and monitors

Bluetooth Support

Built in Bluetooth support allows this soundbar to be used with all your wireless devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

USB & AUX Support

With both 3.5mm and USB inputs, your favorite music and content can be enjoyed from those devices too

Easy To Use Remote

An easy to use remote with large buttons allows you to also adjust the bass and treble to your liking

How To Set It Up

Setting up the Bowfell soundbar is going to depend on how you plan to use it but is really easy either way.

If you decide you want to use it to listen to music, then you can either connect a wireless device via Bluetooth, or connect a media device using the aux cable or USB.

If you want to use the soundbar with your television, then just connect it to your TV via the optical cable and plug in its respective power cable.

The Sound Quality

So how does the soundbar actually sound?

Well right off the bat I’ll say that this is definitely a soundbar meant for medium to smaller sized rooms. I found that in larger rooms it didn’t get quite loud and authoritative enough to warrant using it as the main source of sound.

But it’s pretty obvious that it’s intended use is in those smaller to medium sized rooms given its size.

So then how does it fare there? Well believe it or not it actually does surprisingly well, offering a tangible step up in clarity and bass especially when compared with a TV.

But to get more in depth, I decided to further break down my thoughts into how it handles a few of the most common types of media.

The Sound Quality With Shows & Daytime TV

When watching daytime television with this soundbar, the one thing I definitely noticed was that it actually did a great job with dialogue and voices.

It didn’t sound tinny or hollow — there was actually a good amount of depth to sound which made it pleasing to listen to.

Watching a number different shows produced a similar result, with ambient noise and effects again reproduced surprisingly well.

If your main intention is show watching with the occasional movie maybe thrown in, then this is a solid choice to go with.

The Sound Quality With Music

With music, this soundbar is again, pretty good at what it does. Playing a variety of different music, what I definitely noticed was that intricate little sounds in the background weren’t drowned out by drums or bass, it was all represented equally.

It seemed to maintain a good balance of kick and detail while never becoming too sibilant or muddy.

Now it’s unrealistic to expect this soundbar (or even most soundbars for that matter) to have deep bass rivaling a subwoofer since that’s just not what they were meant to do nor is it really feasible when they’re a small size especially, but it still did a decent job even in that regard.

Despite not being at the level of a dedicated subwoofer, the bass in the Majority Bowfell is certainly better than what comes in a TV. So for music listening, it definitely does its thing.

The Sound Quality With Movies

This is where things get interesting because if you use this to watch movies and you’re in a larger room, I’d maybe consider going with a surround sound setup.

Due to there not being any physical side firing drivers or virtual emulation, there’s not as much directionality as a dedicated system, but that’s not to its detriment when you consider the actual sound quality itself.

In a small to medium sized room, it’s a soundbar that belies its appearance.

Despite its small stature, it can still pump out some serious audio, and that’s especially true when it comes to movies.

Movie watching is a treat with this device as little details and sound effects are reproduced beautifully.

Voices seem full, and make dialogue really easy to hear.

Bass drops aren’t as impactful as they are with dedicated subwoofers, but it’s enough to add another compelling layer of depth to the scene nonetheless.

It’s a world of difference when compared to TV speakers, and this unit is certainly a massive step up.

Plus the added treble and bass controls offers further granularity to really make the sound your own. Bluetooth also worked without a hitch, and connected pretty fast to my smartphone.

Overall then, I’d say if you’re just looking for a soundbar that can provide you with quality sound in a small to medium sized room, then this a good choice to go with.

Likes

• Great Sound
• Clear dialogue
• Small footprint
• Bluetooth Works Well

Dislikes

• Not for big rooms

Final Thoughts

Well hopefully you’ve enjoyed this Majority Bowfell soundbar review, a quick look at a soundbar I felt was pretty interesting.

If you’re looking for something to rock a big room then this probably isn’t it but if you’re just looking for a way to get better sound in a normal sized room or bedroom, then it definitely works for that.

Check Availability Of The Majority Bowfell Soundbar

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out since I’m here for you. Until next time. Make it easy, keep it simple!

Specs

The specs are as follows:

Box Contents

Soundbar
Remote Control
Power Adapter
3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable
3.5mm to RCA Audio Cable
Optical Cable
Instruction Manual

Inputs & Connectivity

Optical
Aux
USB
Bluetooth

Power

50 Watts

Dimensions

15.28 x 2.13 x 2.83 inches

Weight

1.8 Pounds

Polk Audio Signa S3 Soundbar Review

This is the Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar review, a quick look at a soundbar that not only has great sound quality, but is also a great choice for the more space conscious.

It’s a soundbar that’s feature rich in capability, while also having the performance to back it up. But is it one worth your time in particular?

Let’s find out.

Unboxing & Appearance

Features

Specs

How To Set It Up

The Sound Quality

Likes

Dislikes

Final Thoughts

Unboxing/Appearance

So the box that the Signa S3 comes in isn’t anything too out of the ordinary (well besides it’s peculiar shape of course). It’s all white cardboard with red accenting and has a picture of the soundbar and subwoofer on front.

On top is another picture along with the list of features it touts. It’s interesting shape is probably what’s immediately noticeable though and that’s due to the included subwoofer it comes with.

Opening it up, you’ll see the abundance of styrofoam that safely wraps the contents inside.

In terms of what you get in the box, it comes with a remote, an optical cable, a 1.4 HDMI cable, user manual, warranty information, then the soundbar and subwoofer.

When it comes to looks, this soundbar is pretty low key in a good way.

With just a simple Polk logo on the bottom right, and a black clothe grille that covers the first half of the unit, it’s a soundbar that definitely doesn’t stand out from a visual perspective.

But if anything that’s the point.

Due to it’s slim low profile that helps not block the IR transmitter in your TV, it’s a soundbar that’s designed with sound in mind.

There’s quick controls like volume and bluetooth up top for quick access, and an HDMI and optical port on the back.

It’s also not that long either at 35 inches, so for those of you looking for something that won’t stick out in your room, this might be right up your alley.

The small rectangular subwoofer is also subtle with a plastic cut out emblazoned with the word Polk interrupting an otherwise all clothe grille on the front.

It’s a look that while elegant, would definitely blend in in the average room which a lot just might prefer.

From an aesthetics standpoint, it’s a good looking soundbar overall.

Polk Audio Signa S3

Features

2 Midrange Drivers For Better Midrange

With dual built in 1.25 x 4.4 inch oval midrange drivers, experience a solid midrange for rich vocals and clarity

2 Tweeters For Improved Detail

Dual 1 inch tweeters provide for enhanced clarity in the high end

Voice Adjust Technology

Polk’s exclusive voice adjust technology helps to further enhance audio clarity while augmenting voices in the sound mix making them easier to hear through 3 unique settings

Google Chromecast built in

With built in Google Chromecast, enjoy all your favorite content from your favorite streaming apps

Support For Google Assistant

Support for Google Assistant allows you to control music, volume, etc with your voice

Wall Mountable

With keyholes on the back, this soundbar is wall mountable for even further convenience

Multiple Connection Options

With support for HDMI ARC, optical, and MP3, setup is simple and easy

Bluetooth Support

Or if you want to go wireless, there’s support for bluetooth, allowing you to stream your favorite music and content straight from your phone or tablet

Nightmode For Nighttime Viewing

Nightmode lowers the bass while enhancing the dialogue for better nighttime viewing without having to raise the volume

Music, Movie, & Sports Modes

Included music, movie, & sports modes allow you to adjust your content depending on what your watching with the press of a button, giving you additional freedom to customize your sound

Low Profile Design

Since this soundbar is 2 inches tall, the Signa S3 won’t impede the screen or the IR sensor on your TV, allowing it to blend in without a second thought.

Specs

The specs are as follows:

Box Contents

Optical Cable

Version 1.4 HDMI Cable

2 Power Cords

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Info

Soundbar

Wireless Subwoofer

Sound Formats

DOLBY DIGITAL

DTS

Peak Power

Total System – 160 W

SoundBar – 80 W

Subwoofer – 80 W

Streaming

Bluetoothooth

Google Chromecast

Inputs/Outputs

HDMI ARC

HDMI In/Out- / 1

Optical

AUX

Soundbar Dimensions

Height – 2.2 inches (5.58 cm)

Width – 35.35 inches (89.8 cm)

Depth – 3.26 inches (8.3 cm)

Drivers

Tweeter 1” (25 mm) x 2

Mid-Range 1.25” x 4.4” (32 x 112 mm) x 2

Subwoofer Dimensions

Height – 12.24 inches (31.1 cm)

Width – 6.73 inches (17.1 cm)

Depth – 13.5 inches (34.3 cm)

Weight

20.3 pounds (44.66 kg)

Sound Modes

MOVIE, MUSIC, SPORTS-MODE

VOICE ADJUST

NIGHT MODE

Polk 3D AUDIO MODE

How To Set It Up

Setting up the Signa 3 is very straightforward and simple. You’re given 3 options to do so, via either an optical cable, an HDMI cable, or Bluetooth.

If going the wired route, then one end of the cable would go into your TV and the other would go into the sound bar itself — as long as the TV supports ARC and you’re using the right cable (HDMI 1.4 or later)

If your TV doesn’t support this then you’ll need to use the optical cable in addition to the HDMI cable.

Besides that, that’s really all there is to it.

The Sound Quality

To sum up my thoughts on the sound quality, I separated my impressions by how the sound bar handles the type of content being watched.

The Sound Quality With Shows & Daytime TV

So when watching any type of daytime television what I noticed was that character voices were prominent and the overall sound quality itself was shockingly crisp and clear.

It also got surprisingly loud and there was never a need to crank the volume just to hear what was happening.

It was so clear in fact, that I actually didn’t feel the need to use the voice adjust feature.

I still demoed it for curiosity sake and it definitely made a difference, but voices became overbearing incomparison to other sound effects so I turned off.

Still I could see where this could be useful, perhaps in a movie where the dialogue in the sound mix is really low, but I didn’t use it typically.

If your reason for getting a soundbar is to watch TV, then this one serves that purpose well.

The Sound Quality With Music

Now music is interesting because depending on what you’re listening to, the subwoofer may or may not come into play.

But let’s say you’re listening to something bass heavy, how does the subwoofer fare there?

Actually really admirably. I noticed that it had a surprising amount of kick to it and the bass was heavy yet tight.

The soundbar provided great separation with instruments too, and had a great amount of clarity.

Bluetooth connected just fine and I didn’t have any issues with it. I didn’t expect the Signa S3 to work as well as it did for music, but it’s certainly more than capable when it comes to that.

The Sound Quality With Movies

When it comes to movies, this sound bar is quite frankly, awesome to say the least.

Keeping it short, what I immediately noticed when watching films was that there was a good degree of depth to the sound that provided for a level of immersion that I certainly wasn’t expecting.

The high end has great representation with a noteworthy amount of clarity and the lower end has a good amount of punch during more dramatic scenes.

The bass certainly hits hard, but still maintains itself without ever sounding sloppy.

There is a cut off point where the bass sort off mellows out, but that’s really only with the deepest of notes.

Besides that, it does a terrific job for a soundbar overall, and I have no issues with recommending it.

Likes

• Great Clarity
• Deep bass
• Easy to setup
• Slim profile

Dislikes

• No HDMI 2.0 cable
• Bass mellows out at the lowest end

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you enjoyed this Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar review and it at least helped somewhat. In short, it’s a great soundbar and definitely worth your consideration.

If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to help.

Until next time make it easy keep it simple.

Polk Audio Signa S3

Klipsch R-41SA Speakers Review: Great For Dolby Atmos

The Klipsch R-41SA speakers deliver clear and realistic sound effects from above thanks to their compatibility with object based sound formats like Dolby Atmos & DTS:X. These speakers are also easy to set up, and can be used as modules on your front speakers or wall mounted.

Check Klipsch R-41SA Speakers Availability

What Is Object Based Sound?

As great as traditional surround sound might be, it can sometimes be limited due to the speakers being on a single level plane.

That means the sound they propagate would only travel horizontally.

Should you sit too far above or below that point, the illusion of surround sound can be lost.

Object based surround sound, if installed correctly, can provide a bubble of sound around you; with audible effects from above.

To put it simply, object based sound tracks individual objects in the sound mix to replicate each one separately.

This can provide a much more realistic and believable bexperience overall.

The two most common object based sound formats are Dolby Atmos & DTS-X.

They usually require the usage of ceiling speakers, or in the case of the Klipsch R-41SA, speaker modules that reflect the sound off the ceiling and towards the listener to give the illusion of sounds coming from above.

Features

Exclusive Tractrix horn technology

Utilizing Klipsch’s exclusive horn tweeter technology, experience extremely clear and lifelike fidelity elevating your movie watching experience to incredible new levels.

Linear Travel Suspension

Built in linear travel suspension helps to minimize distortion for better sound quality even at higher volumes.

Kapton Tweeters

At the heart of the Klipsch Tractrix horn technology are the tweeters made of the unique material Kapton.

This is a lightweight yet rigid material that helps the tweeters produce a more accurate sound quality while being more efficient in their delivery.

Injection Molded Graphite Woofers

Injection molded graphite goofers (img) provide rigidity and flexibility allowing the driver to have a lower frequency response in turn providing for richer sound and incredibly low distortion.

Reinforced MDF Construction

A reinforced MDF wood construction reduces cabinet resonance, allowing the sound to be that much more accurate.

Low Profile Magnetic Grille

A removable low profile magnetic grille gives the speaker a more streamlined and aesthetic look

Check Klipsch R-41SA Speakers Availability

Specs

The specs are as follows:

4 inch copper spun woofer

1 inch aluminum tweeter

90×90° square Tractrix Horn

50 Watt RMS & 100 Watt Peak

Dimensions – 13 x 5.75 x 7.5 inches

Weight – 6.75 pounds

How To Set Up & Use The Klipsch R-41SA Speakers

There’s 2 ways to setup these speakers, laying them flat atop your front speakers, or using them as elevation speakers.

They don’t come with wire in the box though, so here’s the kind that I use.

Anyways, if used as surround height speakers, you can mount them on the wall via the handy keyhole slot on the back.

Also important to note that if you’re using them as height speakers for a Dolby Atmos configuration, they should be placed directly above your  speakers since that’ll help provide a more immersive sound.

It’s also possible to add additional pairs to the side and behind you, but I’d recommend starting with placing them upfront first (this is if you’re mounting them on the wall)

Alternatively, if you’re using them as modules and not wall mounting them, simply place them on top of your front speakers with with the logo facing you.

Besides that it’s just a matter of stripping some speaker wire and connecting it into the back of the speaker.

Here’s how to do that if you need a reminder.

For the purposes of this review, I tried both configurations to see how they’d sound which we’ll get into.

Klipsch R-41SA Sound Quality When Used As Elevation Speakers

As elevation speakers, in typical Klipsch fashion, they performed exceptionally with how they sounded.

When watching Atmos content, it was immediately clear to me how much of a difference these height speakers made.

It’s hard to describe in words, but there was just an extra degree of realism that made watching content so much more enjoyable.

From articulate sounds like glass breaking, to more dramatic effects like aircrafts flying overhead, these speakers do a terrific job with making you feel like you’re actually there.

What stood out to me in particular about these speakers though was just how detailed they manage to get.

When I used them as height speakers, I noticed they had an incredible attention to detail when dealing with the audio mix in movies without sounding too bright.

Every detail was produced to an impressive degree, and there were certain instances where I questioned whether it was the movie or the speaker making a specific sound.

Again it’s hard to describe how awesome Atmos content sounds with these without trying it yourself, but they did a great job to put it simply.

Klipsch R-41SA Sound Quality When Laid Flat

When I used them as modules (placing them on the front speakers and reflecting the sound that way) they still sounded great, but not as good as when placed on the wall in my opinion.

The perception of sound effects happening above was still there, but it didn’t have the same precision in special effects like when they were wall mounted.

Obviously it was still way better than not having them at all, but when comparing them to being wall mounted, it’s something I couldn’t help but notice.

It still did a good job with reproducing the Atmos effect, and their fidelity was still really clear. It just sounded more diffuse I would say; like the sense of directionality was lessened.

If wall mounting isn’t possible in your particular case, I still personally think they’re an awesome choice because what they were still able to accomplish when used as sound modules added a lot to the experience.

They made a big difference when it came to immersion — and it’s for that particular reason that I wholeheartedly recommend them.

Check Klipsch R-41SA Speakers Availability

Unboxing & Appearance

When I opened the box, it was immediately apparent that the contents inside were well protected since there was a styrofoam covering layered on top of the speakers.

As for what you get in the box, there’s a user manual, warranty information, and the speakers themselves.

There’s no wiring included so that’s something you’ll need in order to use them.

Here’s the one I use.

When taking the speaker out of the box though, the first thing I noticed was their unique shape.

Unlike a typical speaker, these are sloped since they’re designed to either sit atop the front speakers, or be mounted upwards and used as height surround speakers.

The outside is made out of a textured black wood grain that looked and felt premium with 4 rubber feet on the bottom for better grip.

On the front of the grille towards the top is a shimmery Dolby Atmos branding, and located towards the bottom is the classic Klipsch insignia.

With the grille removed, what was immediately noticeable was the beautiful copper woofer that Klipsch is so well known for — and its tractrix horn tweeter that helps with bringing out higher end sounds.

Also, due to their smaller size, if you decide to place them on top of your front speakers, they won’t take up additional space elsewhere, making them that much more convenient.

Overall, they’re beautiful speakers, and look even better in person in my opinion.

Likes

• Great sound quality
• Adds substantially to the movie experience
• Attractive look
• Easy to set up
• Not large

Dislikes

Had to slightly adjust the volume in the receiver to hear them adequately

Final Thoughts

That’s about it for this Klipsch R-41SA review.

In short, they’re great Atmos speakers that are simple to setup, and do a great job with adding an extra degree of dimensionality to surround sound effects in a home theater.

Check Klipsch R-41SA Speakers Availability