Klipsch THX Ultra2 System vs. POLK SRT

Mankite

Has anyone owned or heard both of these systems? Any input between these two systems would be greatly appreciated.

ESavinon

SRT has no equal.

comfortablycurt

I've never heard either system personally. They both look like they're really nice, but I'd go with the SRT myself. I prefer Polk's sound to Klipsch. Something about the tweeters that Klipsch uses has never settled in my ear well.

By the way...welcome to Club Polk!

Curt

mantis

I installed the Klipsch THX ULTA 2 system and it's mind blowing. There in ceiling rears are incredible. Such power and depth with movies. You basically just purchased the theater and took it into your livingroom. Klipsch hit it out of the park with this system.
The Sub's which you run 2 are mean and nasty. They give "IMPACT" and new meaning. I watched Transformers, Batman and Ironman on them and I was blown away.

I have not heard the SRT system in years. From what I remember I was Impressed. I can't say it's better then the Klipsch system for movies. It's been way to long since I heard them. Speaker to speaker there are 2 different SRT rears. The orignal ones where small Di polar speakers and the newer ones where mono panel like speakers. I never heard the newer models.
Someone in here I think a few guys own the SRT's and love them. I will say this, it's an experience to listen to that system.

Dan

Mankite

Does anyone know the model number of those monopole SRT rears? Where they onwall speakers?

be83663

I have known Klipsch speakers; but $12,000 Klipsch THX Ultra 2 System looks as though it is in a totally different level from what I have known about a typical commercial home theatre system.

Currently, I have $5,000 Polk Audio LSi 7.2 system, for which I actually paid $3,500, with Outlaw amplifier and Onkyo pre-amplifier, which I am very satisfied with, of course. When it is time for me upgrade to a next HTS in 15 years, I am going with Klipsch THX Ultra 2 System!

Mankite

Has anyone heard both of these systems?

MikeC78

You really can't compare the two, since Polk doesn't even make the SRT system anymore.

Mankite

But I could purchase either, that's why I ask.

comfortablycurt

Mankite wrote: »

But I could purchase either, that's why I ask.

This is good reasoning.

danz1906

The Subwoofers are the Key to the Klipsch THX Ultra2 system,it one of the
best systems for Home theater:D:D:D

F1nut

Once you hear a full blown SRT set up, nothing else comes close for HT.

ESavinon

Mankite wrote: »

Does anyone know the model number of those monopole SRT rears? Where they onwall speakers?

They're called SDA SRT rear speakers. They are not monopole they're dipole and Yes they are wall mountable.

SlowcarIX

ESAVINON wrote: »

SRT has no equal.

hmm.......;)

ESavinon

I've never heard the klipsch thx ultra system. I'm not a fan of horn tweeters.
I own 2 complete sets of SRT speakers. I have not heard a better set of speakers for both music and movies period.

SlowcarIX

Mankite wrote: »

But I could purchase either, that's why I ask.

possible to audition from each of the seller?

heiney9

Mankite wrote: »

Has anyone owned or heard both of these systems? Any input between these two systems would be greatly appreciated.

SRT's have no equal as far as retail HT system. It's probably the ultimate HT. If you can find a set................don't hesitate.

heiney9

mantis wrote: »

I installed the Klipsch THX ULTA 2 system and it's mind blowing. There in ceiling rears are incredible. Such power and depth with movies. You basically just purchased the theater and took it into your livingroom. Klipsch hit it out of the park with this system.
The Sub's which you run 2 are mean and nasty. They give "IMPACT" and new meaning. I watched Transformers, Batman and Ironman on them and I was blown away.

I have not heard the SRT system in years. From what I remember I was Impressed. I can't say it's better then the Klipsch system for movies. It's been way to long since I heard them. Speaker to speaker there are 2 different SRT rears. The orignal ones where small Di polar speakers and the newer ones where mono panel like speakers. I never heard the newer models.
Someone in here I think a few guys own the SRT's and love them. I will say this, it's an experience to listen to that system.

Dan

Too bad you couldn't make PF '08 as Al had just bought a set of SRT's with the more desirable rear surrounds. Watching Transformers was almost a religious experience.

I'm sure the Klipsch is a great system as well, but the SRT's, as Matt's statement piece, as well as the newer SDA technology is/was probably the ultimate.

H9

SlowcarIX

heiney9 wrote: »

SRT's have no equal as far as retail HT system. It's probably the ultimate HT. If you can find a set................don't hesitate.

how do the bass modules of the srt handle some of the extreme bass in the recent blu rays at louder than average volume?

flight of the phoenix
hulk
kungfu panda...

tonyb

heiney9 wrote: »

SRT's have no equal as far as retail HT system. It's probably the ultimate HT. If you can find a set................don't hesitate.

Given the competition out there today,don't know if I can agree with that.When they first came out,yeah,maybe...but it's been 20 years and there are some damn nice HT rigs to be had that I believe can best the SRT.Not that it still can't hold it's own against some upper end stuff,even today,it's just that other companies have progressed also in the HT area.Keep in mind also what 9-10 grand was in the 80's and adjust for 2009....you can put together a kick **** system for that coin today.Even used,SRT's will run 3-5 g's,thats still a decent chunck of change that I think might be better spent on more recent speaker technology.Man,that didn't sound right,SDA technology is unique unto itself and time tested to boot and can still blow the doors off alot of current speakers,but subwoofers have come along way in 20 years and are better at intergrateing with mains than they were back then.You have more options today,and better looking ones too.I'd like to see Polk update that technology and get away from powered subs in speakers.Maybe throw more attention into quality drivers,crossovers,get back to being more of a unique brand than run of the mill,so to speak.Just my .02. I know it sounds like I'm knocking Polk a little,maybe I am,still think they are a great company,just would like to see them take one step forward infront of the pack,know what I mean??

dorokusai

I agree Tony. The speaker and complete setup is very impressive but the bottom end is not that great. The subwoofers improve greatly with modification and the rest is classic SDA soundstage. I'd like to see an LSi based version for better accuracy.

heiney9

tonyb wrote: »

Given the competition out there today,don't know if I can agree with that.When they first came out,yeah,maybe...but it's been 20 years and there are some damn nice HT rigs to be had that I believe can best the SRT.Not that it still can't hold it's own against some upper end stuff,even today,it's just that other companies have progressed also in the HT area.Keep in mind also what 9-10 grand was in the 80's and adjust for 2009....you can put together a kick **** system for that coin today.Even used,SRT's will run 3-5 g's,thats still a decent chunck of change that I think might be better spent on more recent speaker technology.Man,that didn't sound right,SDA technology is unique unto itself and time tested to boot and can still blow the doors off alot of current speakers,but subwoofers have come along way in 20 years and are better at intergrateing with mains than they were back then.You have more options today,and better looking ones too.I'd like to see Polk update that technology and get away from powered subs in speakers.Maybe throw more attention into quality drivers,crossovers,get back to being more of a unique brand than run of the mill,so to speak.Just my .02. I know it sounds like I'm knocking Polk a little,maybe I am,still think they are a great company,just would like to see them take one step forward infront of the pack,know what I mean??

I see your point........one minor point the SRT's were available in the mid/later 90's not 80's. They are not 20 years old.

The subs while certainly more than adequate are certainly the weak link. Perhaps my over zealous statement was a little blind.

Bottom line the SRT system is still extremely impressive even by today's standards. The SDA is the selling point for me over anything avail. today.

H9

ESavinon

How can you say that a subwoofer that extends down to 16 hz at over 90 db be a weak link?
In regards to sound from blu-ray sources, My brother saw recently The dark knight on my system and couldn't believe how tactile, how real the SRT sounded. The sda feature does make all the difference.

polkie4life

I have to agree there Ed.

If a speaker is good/great how can a better format make it sound worse? Consumer electronics have improved greatly since the SRT was introduced and they sound better for it.

The subs do benefit from increased power and the drivers can cope with it. I've seen an SRT sub with over a kw of power and a cut off of 10hz, simply breathtaking.

ESavinon

I agree that upgrading the subs in the SRT will yield better results. I'm in the process of changing the plate amps in the subs to standalone mono amps.
I'm planning on using one of these on each of my SRT subwoofers:
http://emotiva.com/xpa1.shtm

Upstatemax

Sounds like a Ferrari/Lambo argument... Both are great and more than enough to blow you away.

Try and get some seat time with both systems and make a personal choice, I don't think you can go wrong with either system.

dorokusai

ESAVINON wrote: »

How can you say that a subwoofer that extends down to 16 hz at over 90 db be a weak link?
In regards to sound from blu-ray sources, My brother saw recently The dark knight on my system and couldn't believe how tactile, how real the SRT sounded. The sda feature does make all the difference.

I have a pair also and the bottom end cannot hit as hard as my personal reference. It's just my view and that's not to say it can't make your pants waffle That looks like a great project Ed.

mantis

16 hz is very respectable in any standard for a sub. A sub in general isn't considered a sub by me until it has the ability to play down to 20 hz with useable output.

20 year old, 50 year old, yesterdays speakers doesn't matter. What matters is the person sitting in the middle of that package and enjoying the movie or music performance. At my job, we carry both ends of that spectrum. I don't care for the Magnapan speakers , the Thiel speakers , and especially the ugly **** Vanderstiens but there are people out there who want nothing else but one of them so I'm cool with it. Not to mention all 3 companies (as long as I can keep my eyes closed) make fantastic sounding speakers. Old technology or brand new.
I like modern looking speakers so I will ( at least how i feel right now) will never own a vintage speaker.

Long live the SRT. Thats a system I would own. Vintage or not.

Dan

ESavinon

dorokusai wrote: »

I have a pair also and the bottom end cannot hit as hard as my personal reference. It's just my view and that's not to say it can't make your pants waffle That looks like a great project Ed.

What's your personal reference?

dorokusai

Svs.

zingo

There are a few things to consider between the two systems. First, the SRT system has SDA technology which has no equivalent with Klipsch. However, the Klipsch is technically a 7.2 where to Polk is a 5.2, but that's easy enough to change anyway. The Klipsch system has a sensitivity of around 97db which makes them very dynamic (good for movies). Plus, horns are usually the standard for theater speakers. On the other hand, the Klipsch speakers are all stand/wall mount where as the SRT mains are floorstands, and would be better for listen to music. Just a few things to consider and good luck with the choice.