Klipsch HD300 vs. Onkyo SKS-HT540
This post will be continuing on from my previous post about new projects to start the year of right. I mentioned that I would be addressing the lack of proper audio equipment for my home theater setup. In order to do so, I have locked on to purchase an Onkyo TX-SR607 A/V Receiver. That will give me a more than ample introductory/budget receiver for really stepping up my current home theater experience. Yet, it leaves me now needing a decent set of speakers to complement my new receiver.
I will admit that speakers are not my strongest point and that is why I’m turning to the community here for your advice and input. I am currently looking at two surround sound speaker bundles to go along with the new TX-SR607. The two options up for consideration are the Klipsch HD300 bundle and the Onkyo SKS-HT540 bundle. Comparing these two options will have an obvious obstacle, as the Klipsch is a 5.1 system and the Onkyo is a 7.1 offering. However, my home theater is in a fairly small and oddly shaped room so speaker positioning will be an interesting task anyway. With the positioning trouble and size of the room, the extra 2 channels are not going to make an enormous difference that it would make the 7.1ch Onkyo bundle an automatic winner.
So, overlooking the differing number of channels, what do these two systems offer? Here are some of the specs of each below…
Klipsch HD300 |
|
|---|---|
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | |
| System: | 40Hz – 20kHz |
| Satellites: | 150Hz – 20kHz |
| Sub: | 40Hz – 200Hz |
| Max. Amplifier Power: | Up to 100 watts/ch |
| Nominal Impedance: | 8 Ohms Compatible |
| Max Acoustic Output: | 110 dB |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Satellite: | 5.5″ x 3.6″ x 3.85″ |
| Center Channel: | 3.6″ x 7.5″ x 3.85″ |
| Sub: | 11.8″ x 9.9″ x 14.6″ |
Onkyo SKS-HT540 |
|
|---|---|
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | |
| 2 x Right/Left channel speaker: | 2-way, 55Hz – 50kHz, 8 Ohm |
| 4 x Right/Left rear channel speaker: | 2-way, 60Hz – 20kHz, 8 Ohm |
| 1 x Center channel speaker: | 2-way, 55Hz – 50kHz, 8 Ohm |
| 1 x Subwoofer: | 25Hz – 150 Hz, 15 KOhm |
| Max. Amplifier Power: | Up to 130 watts/ch |
| Nominal Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Right/Left channel speaker: | 17″ x 6.2″ x 7.9″ |
| Right/Left rear channel speaker: | 10.4″ x 6.9″ x 4″ |
| Center channel speaker: | 6.2″ x 17″ x 7.9″ |
| Subwoofer: | 18.6″ x 10.8″ x 17.7″ |
As you can see, the Onkyo has a little wider response range leaning more toward picking up a lower end than the Klipsch. Additionally, the Klipsch HD300 recommends only a max of 100w/ch whereas the Onkyo recommends a max of up to 130w/ch. Now for one of the more important aspects, price. The Klipsch HD300 comes in at around $400, but can be picked up in a bundle for around $300. The Onkyo SKS-HT540 can be picked up for $280.
Given the above, it would seem to me that the Onkyo bundle comes in a little ahead of the Klipsch. However, I’m not much of a “speakerphile” so I may be missing something here. Do any of you have either of these bundles or experience with them? Let me know what you think about either or both of them. Or maybe you can recommend a different offering for a nice budget entrance into a proper home theater audio setup.
Coffee makes the world go ’round…
Tags: audio, home theater, klipsch, onkyo, speakers
Posted January 20, 2010 by vidkun under Hardware
January 20th, 2010 at 21:23
They do seem rather similar based on specs……. hrrmm.. the bundled price of the Klipsch is only a pizza or two more than the Onkyo set… hrrrrmm…
vidkun Says:January 20th, 2010 at 21:52
Indeed. They are rather close as far as price goes, just trying to decide on which one is better. I also came across another set of Onkyo speakers. Their SKS-HT870 are similarly priced, but look like they beat both of those bundles out. And they come with speaker stands for the front channels. They are here: http://bit.ly/7eT9kT
Mike G Says:January 21st, 2010 at 07:22
Goodyear makes great tires, but that isn’t to say if they made cars they would be great too. There is a lot to be said about the sound of a speaker that specs can’t say. If you can’t listen to them than I think I would stay with a speaker that is made by a speaker company not one made by a receiver company.
vidkun Says:January 21st, 2010 at 17:18
That’s a good point, Mike. The Onkyo set is getting decent reviews though. They both are getting about the same in the reviews; that they are nothing special, but good for the price. Neither one is getting a rave review to make it stand out over the other. Then again Klipsch is known for being a speaker manufacturer.
Jim Nantz Says:July 1st, 2010 at 22:24
keep up the great work! ive been reading for a while