Price Paid:  $1250.00 from Dumoulin

Summary:
First of all the price above includes the 5 speakers, KSW 10 sub, plateau front and rear stands, 150ft rca ht speaker wire, Sony STRE475 receiver (5x80), and 15% sales tax (gotta love Canada!).

Fronts and rears and center are spectacular in comparison to any other system in this range. Take 5 does an admirable job but for an extra $200 you can get these and really jump up an notch. B&W 303 are wonderful but a enourmous price jump for a 8inch sub. Only complaint so far is that on normal tv listening vioces sometimes appear muffled unless you turn it up and then the sub cranks too much - this, of course, is mainly a function of the individual braodcaster. But on those channles broadcasting in stereo / surround (ie. MTV, etc) this is not a problem and the system is wonderful with or without the sub!

KSW 10 sub is tight and clear and loud. That said, the sub takes some time and work at setting up, but if you take the time to set it up properly it works wonderfully - BE SURE TO GET A Y-PLUG to connect both the L / LFE - also it needs to be fine tuned as to placement and crossover, which is a great excuse to watch a few hours of flicks!!! Not a HT in a box automatic set-up as you need to use your ears and brains here.

Yes, I basically sacrificed the receiver for the speaker quality and hope to upgrade to an NAD 761 in the next year or two. So far, however, the Sony pairs fine with the PS2 using an optical cord and the 80 watts is plenty to disturb the neighbours.

Strengths:
Price, sound, quality, bang-for-buck, 5 year warranty

Weaknesses:
Sub takes some effort setting up. Lack of instructions!!!

Similar Products Used:
Energy Take 5 / 5.2, B&W, Polk 6600

Price Paid:  $680.00 from www.speakerhut.com

Summary:
I'm personally about 75% MUSIC/25% HOME THEATRE and for that combo this package is perfect. I listened to the 10" and 12" sub and much prefer the 12" for the music applications. If you just doing home theatre, then the 10" might suffice. The SB-1 are extremely loud and clear for the size. Overall, the price point

Strengths:
Superb clarity at high volumes. Extremely efficient speakers for music or video

Weaknesses:
KSW-10 should be upgraded to the 12" for most effective frequency and bass response.

Similar Products Used:
PSB

Price Paid:  $750.00 from www.sounddistributors.com

Summary:
For under $800.00 on line you are getting the deal of the century. This system sounds better than most other systems in this price range. I listened to the energy encore - the infinity hts-20 and the jamo apollo. The klipsch synergy system blows them out of the water. The rear surrounds are 3 way angled left and right to give a rich full sound from behind. The sb-1 bookshelf speakers with the tweeter sound like tower speakers. The ksw10 sub pounds with explosions. There is not much more to say except i am oine happy camper. On line i got it delivered for less than 850.00. in the stores 1200.00. i saved great money to boot. Go get one fast.

Strengths:
small size - great full sound

Weaknesses:
none!!

Similar Products Used:
infinity, energy

Summary:
Klipsch doesn't really sell this setup all in one box. Its more just a recommended setup. For 2000 they have a smaller center recommended and these goofy dipole surrounds recommended. I feel you are better off with the original 1999 setup but with the new SB1 monitors front and rear and SC1 center. However, I would stronly recommend you don't buy the KSW10 sub. You would be much better off getting a Paradigm PDR10 (which is what I purchased with it) or a Velodyne sub if you have the money. The KSW10 just couldn't produce satisfactory base in my listening auditions as compared to the PDR10. It didn't have the same punch and it seemed really muddy. I was able to get 2 sets of KSB1.1 monitors, a SC1 center and Paradigm PDR10 sub for just over $700.

For this setup to really shine you have to mate it with a good receiver. I would recommend Denon AVR1800, Onkyo TXDS575 (which is what I purchased) or a Marantz SR5000. If you can go to higher models in any of these brands go for it.

I have no real complaints with this system. It has given me an excellent listening experience with every piece of music and every movie I have played on it. I would highly recommend putting it on your to listen to list when you start your shopping.

Strengths:
Plays really loud with out distorting. Handles all types of music and movies very well.

Weaknesses:
The KSW10 sub which is recommended for this system sucks.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer, Technics, Paradigm.

Summary:
I went shopping for a speaker system around $1000 and the Klipsch Synergy 6 is a great choice. They play very loud without distortion and are extremely efficient. This means you could have a 60w per channel amp and it will play like your amp was 100w. One of my complaints is that the subwoofer a little weak. If you wish to spend $1000, these aren't for you however. I didn't purchase this system because there is one other that beats this for under $1500. That would be the Pro Cinema system from Definitive Technology. The sub is 125w and the speakers themselves are a little better. They don't costs that much more(maybe $100-200 total) and are much better. Don't get me wrong, the Klipschs are great if your budget is $1000.....but if you can stretch you budget just a little you could get the Pro Cinemas which are a little better.