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Any new Klipsch speakers worth buying?

C

ccvogel

New Member
I know that most of the members here own and prefer the more enduring Klipsch speaker designs; e.g., Heritage line, Forte, Chorus, KG series.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a currently (or recently) manufactured Klipsch speaker system that is worth buying?

My primary reasons for asking have to do with availability, shipping costs, and price. I would like to try some Klipsch speakers that are readily available, within my price range (approx $400 for a pair of towers), and whose value to me is not diminished by > $100 shipping costs!

Thanks for any recommendations that you can give.
 
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I used to own Cornwalls and KG4s. I now own RF7IIs and Epic CF3s. I guess I prefer the newer Klipsch models. Do some research on the Epic line. They might be an option for you.

cubdog
 
For the money you want to spend...

you might find a pair of Epic CF-2 for your intended price but you would have to look hard and long to get a pair of CF-3 for that amount and you won't be able to ship them for $100.00. You might keep your eyes open for a pair of KLF 20 which you would probably like a lot too. They will be a little cheaper on average than a CF-3 will be. KLF20's generally sell in the range of 500 - 800 dollars.
You should perhaps decide where your preference lies with respect to Heritage three way sound or RF two way sound. The three way designs keep the crossover well out of the bulk of the mid range where as the two way versions (with the exception of the CF series) cross from bass driver to mid/hi horn around 1800 Hz so the crossover in well into the mid range. A KLF 20 crosses from bass to mid at about 750 Hz and the mid horn runs up to 7KHz. So almost all of your music is being reproduced by just one driver. Do some listening and see which you like best. Most folks tend to prefer one to the other with few sitting on the fence. This difference has been for the most part what has kept the Heritage series alive. So you can see a lot of people like the three way. The Cf series are three driver two ways but they keep the crossover low (around 800Hz in the CF-3 and CF-4) the CF-2 crosses at around 1800 Hz though so it would sound more like an RF series than a typical Heritage series. Hope this helps. Best regards Moray James.
 
Are RF-42 or RF-52 towers in the league we are talking about?

A few of the above posts mention the RF series in general, and one poster has an RF-7II.

I see a lot of RF-42 and RF-52 models for sale on the web. Are these speakers rewarding to own? Are they a fair representation of the RF series?

Thanks for your help thus far.
 
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I went from KG 5.5's to 2 pairs of ESS AMT3's. Each pair was less then $400 (one pair I traded the KG's).
The AMT's will need a recap, and resealing job and perhaps a refoam, but the Klipsch need some wrok as well-probably more or less a break even between the 2.
I liked the KG's-bought them new in the 90's but IMHO there is no comparison, even with Crites upgrades. With the exception of bass response, most KG's have a similiar voicing. If you listen to a lot of HT, the Klipsch are great, but not the best for music reproduction in comparison-IMHO of course. You will get the dynamics and efficiency of the Klipsch, along with sheer musicality.
 
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automojo said:
I went from KG 5.5's to 2 pairs of ESS AMT3's. You will get the dynamics and efficiency of the Klipsch, along with sheer musicality.
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Interesting, I'm currently Tannoy (609MKII) owner and also oogling ESS's (which are very expensive here :( ).
(Do like my Tannoys for music though. :yes:)
 
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Epics are amazing (I'm going to buy the next first gen cf-4's I find), Legends are excellent, and the Reference series is no slouch.

There are plenty of current and recent Klipsch speaker designs worth listening to.
 
I power my RF25's with tubes and love them. I feel the best from Klipsch is the new stuff.
 
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2-way Vs 3-way...

Dave C said:
I power my RF25's with tubes and love them. I feel the best from Klipsch is the new stuff.
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PWK always intended for the Khorn to be configured as a 2-way. The Epic series shows what a 2-way can do. Dave do you prefer your 2-way RF's to Dan's 3-way Forte? I have heard versions of both (2-way and 3-way) that I like a lot. Best regards Moray James.
 
voltcontrol said:
Interesting, I'm currently Tannoy (609MKII) owner and also oogling ESS's (which are very expensive here :( ).
(Do like my Tannoys for music though. :yes:)
Click to expand...

Those Tannoy's are excellent speakers The AMT3's have that same type of superb imaging as well. I got lucky on my 2 pairs of AMT3's-each was more than a fair price.
 
moray james said:
PWK always intended for the Khorn to be configured as a 2-way. The Epic series shows what a 2-way can do. Dave do you prefer your 2-way RF's to Dan's 3-way Forte? I have heard versions of both (2-way and 3-way) that I like a lot. Best regards Moray James.
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Dan's got a really nice thing going with his modified Fortes. Deeper base than I have for sure and a very well balanced sound. He has spend a lot of money to get to where he is. I never cared much for the sound of stock Fortes though. My RF25s in stock form and fortes in stock form side by side I would take my RF25s. Going one step forward from that with my Dan inspired cross overs, my RF25's have a very open sound, to my ears I've got what I want for now.
 
I prefer the RF series to most of the Klipsch I've heard. I would love to have a pair of RF-7II in cherry!:drool::drool:
 
I've owned RF63's and ended up trading them for a set of Chorus' and Quartets. As far as I'm concerned I got 2 sets of speakers that both sounded better than the RF63's to my ears. To each his own of course.
 
cmb3366 said:
Epics are amazing (I'm going to buy the next first gen cf-4's I find), Legends are excellent, and the Reference series is no slouch.

There are plenty of current and recent Klipsch speaker designs worth listening to.
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When I bought my Forte IIs I first listened to the CF-4s. I had both in my room (at once, sometimes!). This was about 10 years ago. Both sets were new or ex-dem. My feelings were:

1. Fortes do bass much better, even with CF-4s against the wall and Fortes in the room
2. Fortes image better
3. Fortes feel better built.

I was disappointed at the time because I so wanted those amazing-looking CF-4s! But I've become even happier with my Forte IIs since upgrading the tweeter diaphragms and crossovers.

Now to find a cheap pair of Cornwalls or K-horns in UK. No luck so far...
 
moray james said:
PWK always intended for the Khorn to be configured as a 2-way. The Epic series shows what a 2-way can do. Dave do you prefer your 2-way RF's to Dan's 3-way Forte? I have heard versions of both (2-way and 3-way) that I like a lot. Best regards Moray James.
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Yeah Moray,

Daves RF25's even stock are a very class act. I was a bit shocked at just how nice they were. Mids and top end offer a lot of sheer musicalness that I have not heard from other stock RF's. But then again a 6in mid-bass driver does it for me in a 2-way. I haven't been to keen on two-ways using anything bigger than a 7in mid-bass myself.

I haven't heard Dave's modified RF's but I sure look forward to it.

For mids and top end in a stock comparison I'd likely side with Dave. Not that the RF25's are any slouches in the bass, they do a nice job for what they do.

SET12
 
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