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Best Klipsch Bookshelf Speakers for Vintage Pioneer Receiver (SX-680)

Tubelicious

Tubelicious

New Member
Hello --

I've owned several pairs of Klipsch speakers over the years (KG1.5, 2.5, Quartets, and Cornwalls).

I'm wondering if there is something close to a consensus about the "best" bookshelf size speakers to pair with the vintage pioneer amp (30 wpc in 8ohm).

I'm building a vintage system for my stepson in college, and space is a limitation. I'm guessing no larger than KG 2.5 sized.

I have no real knowledge of the Klipsch lines after the mid-1990's or so, therefore if a newer model is a better choice, I'd appreciate that input as well.

I'm an infrequent AK'er, so if this topic has been discussed before I apologize and would appreciate a link to those threads.

Oh and finally, his tastes are fairly eclectic, but primarily 'Classic rock", jazz and shoegaze.

Thanks!
 
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With space as a limitation, I recommend Klipsch Quintets which are small satellite speakers often found in home theater applications. They can be wall mounted or sit on their own stands. Pair these with an inexpensive subwoofer such as one from a garage sale or Parts Express and you have an ideal dorm or small apartment solution for small money.

I found a pair of Quintets at my local thrift store ($20) and paired them with and old Cambridge Soundworks sub I had in storage. Results were surprisingly good.
 
Depends on size limitations. RB75's are the king of the Reference bookshelf speakers. cost wise I think the rb61's are fantastic. I love my rb-81's in bedroom hooked to Marantz 1060 at 35 plus watts/side.
 
If the room has two friendly corners, Herseys work great. I had a pair in the master bed room and another in the sewing/office up against the ceiling , pushed by a MC2505 and the sound was fantastic. One pair was used for the rear channels in my HT at one time, too. They are all gone now being replaced with built-ins and Bozak 313's in the HT. The Bostons look better and sound OK, but the Heresys were by far the better speakers. I know they have limited bass in most applications below 50 HZ. but when installed in a Corner they really perform. There was a professional version of the heresy that was in a sealed corner cabinet I used for choir monitors in churches and they worked real well, too. For the money a Hersey is a great performer. Though not as efficient as its big brothers five watts is all you really need for a smaller space. And you can reach concert level with 10 watts.
 
Hit the pawn shops and see if you can get some nice 90s-00s bookshelves cheap. The Klipsch RB-5 is excellent. The Synergy SB-3 is an excellent speaker for a 30 watt amp and I like the horn tweeter on this one.
A small tower with absolutely lush sound is the Klipsch RF-10...they are slim and not very tall...we had a pair at work. I am constantly on the look for Klipsch speakers with orange woofers.
 
Wow! Thanks so much for the prompt responses and recommendations. I think Heresey's would be MY first choice, and their bass has always been more than plenty for me in most applications. I just worry they may be too big.

Again, thanks for the other recommendations. I haven't really evaluated the "gold Cone" generation of klipsch products.
 
Thanks Weber1, impressive lineup you have.

I've never owned a pair of the "true folded horns" due to space limitations but still thing the belles are the most beautiful speakers ever :)
 
So does everyone think that the RB series (51, 61, 35, etc), are preferable over the older KG series?

Also, I like the idea of the Quintets, but would like something maybe beefier that wouldn't require a separate sub (due to the space issue).

You guys are awesome resources, I really love how helpful AK is:)
 
Tubelicious said:
Wow! Thanks so much for the prompt responses and recommendations. I think Heresey's would be MY first choice, and their bass has always been more than plenty for me in most applications. I just worry they may be too big.
Click to expand...

C'mon now.....other than a wife, when was the last time anyone complained that their speakers were too big? :thumbsup:
 
Found some of these local, RB51 REF IV, it seems these are different from the newer ones I saw on Ebay, most notably they don't seem to offer bi wiring, just standard +/- posts. They'd still probably be good for the application right?
 
The 51 has a ~ 5" woofer, I have never heard them. The KG are nice, I had some KG3.2 and KG4. For the price and size, the RB5 or RB35 are ones I give a nod to...because they are the ones I've heard / own.

Also, I agree that the Belle are the pretties speaker ever built. To get one pair of end your search speakers are the Khorn....but it's not the kill, but the thrill of the chase. That's for normal people who don't live next to an airport or drag strip. Since I live wheer I do, I bought the Klipsch MCM 1900 which make the Khorn sound like bookshelf speakers. :yikes:

Get the RB. Keep the needle in :whip: and move from the Reference Series and experience the Legend Series. Myself, I like the Heritage Series. :beatnik:
 
I can vouch for the RPs Reference Premiers in my signature. They're pretty large (deep), not really a speaker to put on a bookshelf, but something that would be at home on either side of a TV, assuming the stand is wide enough. The only thing is that I think they're too expensive to send to college, where they may well get ruined. I got mine for $400 returned, mint cond. without boxes.

Maybe a set of used Bose 301s would be a better choice. I think those sound pretty good, but they don't quite have the Klipsch highs. (college kids won't miss that)
 
I might be wrong, but it seems like a lot of the suggested speakers are hardly "bookshelf" - unless one has some rather large book shelves, or the size of college dorm rooms has increased substantially since my college days.

I'd be looking for some KG2s. Klipsch quality, fairly small, and can be had from time to time for $50-75.00.
 
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