Everything is going to be setup/system dependent. Off axis response? - good luck with that, as the horn speakers are going to be beamy throughout the midrange/treble. If you want good side to side dispresion, you need apply elsewhere.
That said, the Klipsh's work very well for many HT applications, but you must sit within their "dispersion window", is key.(which is workable for several seats, suprisingly) Aiming them properly is also part of the deal, and the Klipshies do their best in aiding in acoustics, by reducing reflections horizontally and vertically -thus allowing more direct sound to be heard vs reflected (later of which smears imaging, and fuzzies up the joint! -not good). This is a big PLUS with rooms, like most, that have minimal acoustical treatments spread around, or less than ideal setups.
K horns are also nice and dynamic and punchy, have high dynamic efficiency, require little power to make em sound stout, have very good detail in mid/treble, and are highly intelligible for dialog. I like them for HT setups in most rooms on a budget, as they just fit in and work so well in so many aspects critical to HT applications! ...yep, I do.
Another key - you NEED to run most of these speakers crossed over at 80hz to a powered sub, for maximum dynamic range and efficiency! Yes, you can get away with full range, for modest listening in most setups..just not balls to the wall, properly done ones, IME (ask THX Lucas ..Stick with active subs for demanding lower register)
I also find the best sound for music/HT duties with em is with a tube amplifier somewhere in the chain, however...smooths out the treble, which is invariably a bit bright and forward on these horns, however. Of course, a good EQ can balance with the right gear, too. This works fine for HT, yes. (last word here, is I never liked any of the Klipsh's sold through Best Buy over last 10 years!)
As for your other speakers you considered?...never heard em.
That said, the Klipsh's work very well for many HT applications, but you must sit within their "dispersion window", is key.(which is workable for several seats, suprisingly) Aiming them properly is also part of the deal, and the Klipshies do their best in aiding in acoustics, by reducing reflections horizontally and vertically -thus allowing more direct sound to be heard vs reflected (later of which smears imaging, and fuzzies up the joint! -not good). This is a big PLUS with rooms, like most, that have minimal acoustical treatments spread around, or less than ideal setups.
K horns are also nice and dynamic and punchy, have high dynamic efficiency, require little power to make em sound stout, have very good detail in mid/treble, and are highly intelligible for dialog. I like them for HT setups in most rooms on a budget, as they just fit in and work so well in so many aspects critical to HT applications! ...yep, I do.
Another key - you NEED to run most of these speakers crossed over at 80hz to a powered sub, for maximum dynamic range and efficiency! Yes, you can get away with full range, for modest listening in most setups..just not balls to the wall, properly done ones, IME (ask THX Lucas ..Stick with active subs for demanding lower register)
I also find the best sound for music/HT duties with em is with a tube amplifier somewhere in the chain, however...smooths out the treble, which is invariably a bit bright and forward on these horns, however. Of course, a good EQ can balance with the right gear, too. This works fine for HT, yes. (last word here, is I never liked any of the Klipsh's sold through Best Buy over last 10 years!)
As for your other speakers you considered?...never heard em.