Since the introduction of Dolby Panorama, it has had a great impact on both commercial theaters and home theaters. In terms of effect, it can make consumers feel more realistic sound. On the device side, users need to add more speakers and upgrade to a new generation of sound processors. Of course, the panoramic sound system in the professional field is not the issue being discussed now, and the home field is the focus of our concern. For the home environment, it is not difficult to get a power amplifier and Blu-ray software with panoramic sound effects, and the rest is to solve the problem of the speaker. Therefore, major manufacturers have designed corresponding products for panoramic sound. Among them, the Reference Premiere series of the veteran American manufacturer Jez has launched the RP-280FA and RP-140SA products for the panoramic sound home theater system, and allows users to set up a theater system with simple and relatively low investment.

Thank you Dolby
Speaking of Panoramas, I have two interesting things to tell you. I once tested my wife to see how receptive she was to the panoramic sound. At that time, I first took her to the cinema to see a panoramic sound effect film, and I also specially introduced the characteristics of panoramic sound to her. After watching it, she was filled with joy, saying that the panoramic sound was closer to reality. Therefore, I first want to thank Dolby here, it is Dolby to bring us better audio enjoyment! But when I suggested to her that we install a panoramic cinema in our home, and she heard that we should install speakers in the ceiling of the house, her attitude changed 180 degrees and she gave me two choices. One, she moves out, I do whatever I want at home. Two, either I buy another house, and I can do whatever I want in a new house! From what she said, I'm not going to be able to achieve that goal for a while. But thankfully, the recent arrival of Dolby Atmos Enable speakers offers a compromise for many consumers who want to set up a panoramic theater in their home. Therefore, here I thank Dolby again, is Dolby to provide us consumers with another choice!

The RP-140SA is installed in the top position of the speaker

In addition, the RP-140SA can also be wall-mounted and used as a surround speaker

The wise Klipsch

Why is Klipsch smart? In fact, I got the result through the design of RP-280FA and RP-140SA. Note the design of the RP-140SA, which is not only a Dolby Atmos Enable speaker, but also a speaker that can be used to surround the sound channel if you mount it on the wall. In this case, the horn unit radiates from top to bottom with a certain Angle. At the time of installation, the speaker can be installed in a higher position, which can create a good sense of space and take care of more viewers, which is really killing two birds with one stone. Therefore, the RP-140SA is a versatile product.

RP-280FA(left) with floor speaker fitted with RP-140SA

As for the RP-280FA, which I just said is an upgrade from the RP-280F, the main difference is that there is a Dolby Atmos Enable two-frequency speaker installed on the top of the speaker. The treble part and the bass part of the speaker are consistent with the unit used in the front baffle of the speaker. The advantage of using the horn unit is that it is sensitive, easy to output loud pressure, and the attenuation during long-distance transmission is reduced, which is very advantageous for replaying the explosive sound effects in the movie, and the details inside the audio track are easier to be presented. On the other hand, Dolby Atmos Enable speakers use the principle of reflecting sound to achieve the effect of the upper sound field, but in this process, the sound energy will inevitably decay, and the characteristics of the horn unit can relatively reduce the problem of attenuation, and the diffusion Angle of the horn part of the Jess reaches 90×90 degrees. Basically a pair of RP-280F can cover a large range.

Loudspeaker section on top of RP-280FA

Flexible configuration

The Reference Premiere series not only has two products, the RP-280FA and RP-140SA, but also the RP-450CA central speaker, which also uses the horn treble, and the two groups of bass units are arranged in a mirror symmetry to improve the horizontal diffusion range of sound. There are many bass speakers to choose from, such as R-12SW, R-10SW, R-110SW, R-112SW, R-115SW, which will be more suitable, because their subwoofers are using long stroke ceramic aluminum front subwoofers. This enables a better sound match with the RP-280FA, RP-140SA and RP-450CA models. Of course, which one to buy, how big to buy, this completely depends on the needs of users.

RP-450CA central speaker

Among them, R-12SW and R-10SW are relatively entry-level products, while R-110SW, R-112SW and R-115SW are relatively high in positioning. Of course, if there are conditions, it is definitely to buy a higher grade, and the bass caliber and power are better to choose a larger, and I used the largest caliber R-115SW, its 15-inch bass speaker can emit vast low frequency!

Choose a suitable power amplifier for it

Before choosing a power amplifier, let's first show you a set of data. The sensitivity of the RP-450CA is 97dB, the RP-280FA is 98dB, and the RP-140SA is 95dB, all of which exceed 90dB!

This means that for such a large speaker, the output power requirements of the amplifier are not very high. At the same time, consider that the RF-280FA comes with the Dolby Atmos Enable speaker part. So, I decided to go with the YAMAHA RX-A3040 AV amplifier. Why is that? Because YAMAHA RX-3040 itself has a special DSP sound field optimization function for Dolby Atoms Enable speakers, and the output power is relatively large, I am familiar with it, I think this amplifier will be more suitable for such a speaker.

Wide sound field, comfortable space
This isn't the first time I've listened to a Dolby Atmos Enable speaker. But this Jess panoramic home theater speaker did give me a good feel, and I'm talking about the feel of the overhead sound field effect. The RP-280FA can make the sound appear above the head. For example, in the clips of thunder and rain in the Dolby Panoramic sound test disc, I can completely feel the effect of thunder and rain above my head, but this sound is more illusory, the positioning is not very clear, and I can only feel that there is roughly a sound above. However, this more unreal sound sounds very special, it not only exists above, and even feel that the whole space is full of such a sound, the sound field is wide, the sense of space is spacious, and the feeling of listening is particularly comfortable. However, I also found a very interesting play during the audition. When I listened to Adele's concert album in London, although the blu-ray disc did not have panoramic sound effects, it could be Upmixing into panoramic sound output and then played through Dolby Atmos Enable speakers, at this time, the sense of sound space increased greatly, the sense of stage suddenly became wider, and the air of sound was strong. The sense of dimension and depth are out, and it feels very close to the effect of the scene.

It can be explosive, it can be subtle
Just mentioned that the Reference Premiere series has ultra-high sensitivity, small power can emit a lot of sound pressure and a lot of details. In fact, with the RX-A3040 drive is really effortless, it can easily emit explosive sound pressure and vast low-frequency energy. The sound replay ability of the horn unit is really strong, its advantage is that the impact of the sound is strong and clear and neutral, when performing the sound effect of guns, it always gives people a feeling of spirit, but when the dynamic can be scary. In terms of timbre, the first feeling it gives people is bright, and it sounds like a very high clarity, a very high image force and a very straightforward sound. However, such a style will have two sides, people who are used to it will feel that such a sound is very cool, the effect is very real, and it sounds strong, and people who are not used to it will feel that such a sound is aggressive, feeling as if they are hitting themselves. In terms of low frequency, the large-caliber bass unit is strong, and the energy is surprisingly full, "Transformers 4" inside the Bo pie robot riding dinosaurs and crazy pie fighting segments, the low-frequency part of the energy is sufficient and deep, a feeling of coming from the ground, and it can be used to describe its low-frequency effect, if you are a bass freak, then the effect of R-115SW should meet your mind.

Sum up

Advantages: Excellent ability to create sound field, wide sense of space, straight timbre, low frequency surging, huge energy

Expect: The impact of ultra-low frequency is stronger



Klipsch(JZ)RP-280FA panoramic sound home theater speaker solution is not only easy for consumers to use, its design also uses horn technology to improve the output and get a wider sound coverage, thereby creating a broad sense of space and above the sound field effect, and high sensitivity, low power output requirements of the amplifier, Even a amplifier with a small power output allows it to emit strong sound pressure and clear details. Therefore, in the home environment, it can meet the requirements of most people.