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Kenwood rack system?

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emg32

New Member
Hello,

This is my first post. Hello to all!! Have not checked out the site much but seems like a knowledgeable site.

Just looking for suggestions on the Kenwood rack system I bought new in the late 1990's- 2000. Kenwood 850 AV system.

Do the speakers or amp need to be upgraded in these racks? It sounds good but seems to be lacking somewhat. Like either the speakers are not powerful enough or the amp is not pushing hard enough.

Even with saying that, obviously I have enjoyed this system for years and years. Just looking to make it sound even better now.

Thank You
 
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Is the Amp is a KA-896 and Tuner a KT-596? If so upgrade speakers first. I have never meet anyone who thinks they make exceptional speakers, may be adequate in a pinch but definitely not their strong suit, they are popular here for their Receivers, Amps and Tuners.
 
petes'picks said:
Is the Amp is a KA-896 and Tuner a KT-596? If so upgrade speakers first. I have never meet anyone who thinks they make exceptional speakers, may be adequate in a pinch but definitely not their strong suit, they are popular here for their Receivers, Amps and Tuners.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes, the amp is the KA-896 and the Tuner is the KT-596. I have been eyeing some Klipsch speakers but not really sure yet.

What's the consensus on older Pioneer rack system speakers? Are they much better than the Kenwoods?
 
I am kind of surprised Kenwood speakers aren't considered that good, by some, though. The tower speakers and surrounds in my system do sound really great, hence why I've kept them for 20 or more years now. Just looking to upgrade it some now.

I am hoping to upgrade the sound now, after 20+ years since things have changed hopefully for the better?

So what are the major best sounding tower speaker recommendations??

Some times though old is better. My old Kenwood is not "newer" Kenwood.

Any comments are helpful!
 
emg32 said:
I am kind of surprised Kenwood speakers aren't considered that good, by some, though. The tower speakers and surrounds in my system do sound really great, hence why I've kept them for 20 or more years now. Just looking to upgrade it some now.

I am hoping to upgrade the sound now, after 20+ years since things have changed hopefully for the better?

So what are the major best sounding tower speaker recommendations??

Some times though old is better. My old Kenwood is not "newer" Kenwood.

Any comments are helpful!
Click to expand...

As pete's picks says above, start with the speakers. Replace them first with something you like, and see if you find the electronics inadequate then.

It's not that Kenwood speakers are bad per se, it's more that speakers weren't their strong suit -- their strength was the electronics. Some of the so-called Kenwood "rack systems" are clearly a cut above the typical cheap rack systems that were pretty common. I have a couple of power amps that were parts of such systems -- a KM-105 and a KM-205, which are essentially identical in appearance and in their published measurements. (It's the same amp with different numbers.) They are rated at 150 watts, which is quite a bit -- more than most receivers. Whether you like how they sound is completely subjective, but for what I paid for them, they were a bargain. I'm not familiar with your units, but they might be better than you think, and maybe you'll be happy with them if you had better speakers.
 
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Thanks. Any tower speaker suggestions? I mainly listen to harder rock and harder music in general. Kilipsch and Polk come to mind but I'm not up to date with the new stuff and what brands/models are great, etc....
 
There are just so many options and so many variables it's very hard to make recommendations to someone else. It would probably be better for you to think first about the answers to a few questions:

1. How much do you want to spend?
2. Would used or vintage speakers be ok, or are you looking at new only?
3. How big do you want them to be? Freestanding, or smaller ones which sit on stands?
4. What have you heard so far that you liked?
5. Where are you located? That will be a factor as to what's available for you to hear in person
 
I hear that! There are definitely a ton upon ton of options and everyone hears and prefers certain sounds.

New or used is not a big factor for me as long as used is in great shape. I definitely want free standing tower speakers for the rack system.

Just looking for some brands to start looking. Kilipsch, Polk, Boston, JLB, old Pioneer is about all I can personally think of since I do not keep up with the current stuff. Certain models of those brands, I have no clue right now. lol
 
Depending on where you are located, local Craigslist listings might have lots of options. In my area, there are typically lots of speakers listed, at a wide range of prices, and those prices can usually be negotiated. Also, they will usually be set up so you can hear them first -- of course if they aren't, beware of them and look for something else.
 
johnebravo said:
As pete's picks says above, start with the speakers. Replace them first with something you like, and see if you find the electronics inadequate then.

It's not that Kenwood speakers are bad per se, it's more that speakers weren't their strong suit -- their strength was the electronics. Some of the so-called Kenwood "rack systems" are clearly a cut above the typical cheap rack systems that were pretty common. I have a couple of power amps that were parts of such systems -- a KM-105 and a KM-205, which are essentially identical in appearance and in their published measurements. (It's the same amp with different numbers.) They are rated at 150 watts, which is quite a bit -- more than most receivers. Whether you like how they sound is completely subjective, but for what I paid for them, they were a bargain. I'm not familiar with your units, but they might be better than you think, and maybe you'll be happy with them if you had better speakers.
Click to expand...

I think I am really happy with the amp and tuner. They really seem to be really great as is the system as a whole. Just found my "original" receipt and I bought the system in 1996. lol
 
johnebravo said:
Depending on where you are located, local Craigslist listings might have lots of options. In my area, there are typically lots of speakers listed, at a wide range of prices, and those prices can usually be negotiated. Also, they will usually be set up so you can hear them first -- of course if they aren't, beware of them and look for something else.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Any certain brands you suggest looking at first or at the top of the list?
 
emg32 said:
Thanks! Any certain brands you suggest looking at first or at the top of the list?
Click to expand...

There are many, many good ones, and people have different preferences, because speakers, more than any other kind of stereo equipment, can sound very different.

If you know in advance that you want tower style speakers that might help narrow it down some. Also, how much you're willing to spend will be a factor.

Where are you located? If you're in a heavily populated area, you'll have lots of choices.
 
emg32 said:
Thanks. Any tower speaker suggestions? I mainly listen to harder rock and harder music in general. Kilipsch and Polk come to mind but I'm not up to date with the new stuff and what brands/models are great, etc....
Click to expand...
There are tons of brands I use klipsch icons but there’s are much better higher end models . Far superior to mine . A few other good brands too bowers n wilkens , energy, and tons more golden ear tritons.
Chane audio A7x
 
Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the help!

I am now looking at the Pioneer SP-FS52's but just wondering if they will have the bass/thump of my original Kenwood JL-996's?

I always liked older Pioneer speakers. They always seemed to sound great for my listening purposes.
 
I am just out of the loop. Non of today's speakers seem to come with the big 10, 12, 15 inch bass speakers like the older models. lol I see all these tower speakers that have multiple 5-6 inch speakers now over the one 10, 12, or 15 back in the past.
 
emg32 said:
I am kind of surprised Kenwood speakers aren't considered that good, by some, though. The tower speakers and surrounds in my system do sound really great, hence why I've kept them for 20 or more years now. Just looking to upgrade it some now.

I am hoping to upgrade the sound now, after 20+ years since things have changed hopefully for the better?

So what are the major best sounding tower speaker recommendations??

Some times though old is better. My old Kenwood is not "newer" Kenwood.

Any comments are helpful!
Click to expand...
Any specs or pictures of your towers ? What’s a rack system like shelf system??
 
emg32 said:
I am just out of the loop. Non of today's speakers seem to come with the big 10, 12, 15 inch bass speakers like the older models. lol I see all these tower speakers that have multiple 5-6 inch speakers now over the one 10, 12, or 15 back in the past.
Click to expand...
https://www.goldenear.com/products/triton-series
Something to do with image or speaker company are cheaper today , subwoofers replaces the old fat speakers.
They make big woofers just expect them to cost a fortune..../you would like goldenear towers...My dream speakers
 
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Greetings to ya, emg32!
I have the KT-595 tuner, KX-W895 double cassette deck, KM-895 power amp, & KA-995 integrated AV amp.
My AV amp' is connected to a pair of AR-5 speakers. The sound is really nice & with 100wpc from this amp it's enough for me. A JVC SEA-33 equalizer is also part of this setup.

Here's a photo of a Kenwood 1030AV Spectrum system.

upload_2019-9-18_8-49-1.png

Rome
 
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