• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Klipsch RF-5, RF-7, KSP-400, RF-82, RF-83 -- which one to get?

Mystery

Mystery

constantly upgrading...
Okay, there are these speakers on sale locally.
Klipsch RF-5, RF-7, KSP-400, RF-82, RF-83.
Also saw a KLF-8 or 10.

Not that I need them but if I were to get only one pair of Klipsch, which one is better?
I read a lot of good things about RF-7 and RF-5.
Are RF-83 and RF-82 their new equivalent?
Where does KSP-400 stand?
thanks for comments.
 
Register to hide this ad
Depending on price, I'd go for the RF-7s or 83s - cream of the crop of those listed IMO. I preferred the 83s over the 7s. The RF-7 IIs would be the current equivalent - 83s & 7s no longer in production. Never heard the KSPs - somewhat of a departure for Klipsch as far as speaker design goes.
Biggs
 
Thanks.
RF-7 are 4 and half benjamins. All dustcaps pushed in.
RF-5 are 3 benjamins. No grills.
RF-83 are 1 grand.
KSP-400 are 8 and half benjamins.

I need to sell couple of mine to fund these.
 
RF7 have soft dust caps don't they? If so a vac will pull them out for you easily make use you use minimum suction to pop them back into place. I sure an owner will confirm or correct this for me. I would go with the RF7 out of your list. Best regards Moray James.
 
Of the speakers listed, I would go with the RF 7s if the pushed in dustcaps are the only issue. $450 seems priced low to me for them--if they are in good condition.
 
Klipsch has good offering even in the uber cheap Synergy series.

I have cheap F=10's that are very good all around speakers. I have RF-63 that can sound wonderfull or extremely irritating. They expose everything and can tear you a new one at times.
 
If you want to have some fun with a speaker that will play all day with out fatigue and be stunningly dynamic competing with anything you own I would try DaveC's Modified RF25's which I have heard.

I couldn't live with most Klipsch stock networks after my experience or Dave' project which cost him $600 for the speakers new when he bought them and $600 in network parts. IMO you'd have to spend about $5000 to beat what I heard from them.

They will be far smoother and engaging then most of the Klipsch line.

This because IMO the stock networks are so cheesy because they are built to a price point. And I'm sorry the $30 does not equal the $300 Dave spent. And the bad news is the other Klipsch's your considering are just as cheesy with their parts.

I've owned many 2-ways over the years and I could never own a 2-way that uses anything bigger than a 7in woofer. The RF 25's use a 6.5in.

My reasoning is that larger woofers in a two way just don't have the speed for me and they seem less dynamic in the mids where the heart of the music is. BTW those networks Dave uses are stock values and the low end on his speakers as he say's is like you get a very extended low end response. The whole speakers sound is very coherent from top to bottom in such a way that it makes some speakers sound thin.

Once you experience something like this, it's hard to get into a commercial product without paying several thousand at least.

Great thing about Dave's speakers is they sound great at low levels or rock at high levels all on 10 watts of tube power!

jwf8.jpg
3s02.jpg


Find a pair!

SET12
 
SET12 said:
If you want to have some fun with a speaker that will play all day with out fatigue and be stunningly dynamic competing with anything you own I would try DaveC's Modified RF25's which I have heard.

I couldn't live with most Klipsch stock networks after my experience or Dave' project which cost him $600 for the speakers new when he bought them and $600 in network parts. IMO you'd have to spend about $5000 to beat what I heard from them.

They will be far smoother and engaging then most of the Klipsch line.

This because IMO the stock networks are so cheesy because they are built to a price point. And I'm sorry the $30 does not equal the $300 Dave spent. And the bad news is the other Klipsch's your considering are just as cheesy with their parts.

I've owned many 2-ways over the years and I could never own a 2-way that uses anything bigger than a 7in woofer. The RF 25's use a 6.5in.

My reasoning is that larger woofers in a two way just don't have the speed for me and they seem less dynamic in the mids where the heart of the music is. BTW those networks Dave uses are stock values and the low end on his speakers as he say's is like you get a very extended low end response. The whole speakers sound is very coherent from top to bottom in such a way that it makes some speakers sound thin.

Once you experience something like this, it's hard to get into a commercial product without paying several thousand at least.

Great thing about Dave's speakers is they sound great at low levels or rock at high levels all on 10 watts of tube power!

jwf8.jpg
3s02.jpg


Find a pair!

SET12
Click to expand...

One wouldn't have to spend $5000 dollars to better them. $5000 dollar speakers 4 or 5 years ago go for around $2k now (just to add a different perspective on the matter).
 
which five thousand dollar speakers from four or five years ago have you seen with crossover parts like these? just curious. Best regards Moray James.
 
I never said you can buy 5k speakers with xovers like that I said you can buy speakers that were 5k new but can be purchased on the used market for around 2k. He said you'd have to spend 5k or more to better them and I'm saying you don't.
 
I have tried so many speakers. I currently have RF 63's and RF82's. Both are good speakers. The old 63's are much larger speakers in a much better cabinet. Performance wise both sets do it for me. I had RB61 bookshelves I didn't like at all. I also had Synergy F-10's. These are very cheap and not bad speakers. However they sound much different than the standard Klipsch offerings.

I have tried POLK etc and keep returning to Klipsch. I was not groomed on Klipsch either its just that they seem to offer the clearest/purest sound for the $. POLK was one company leaving me extremely unimpressed. Lots of cheap junk in their line for not so cheap prices.

I would say the old 63, 83 models offer great value on the used market. The cabinetry is overbuilt and real wood veneer. Much more durable than the current vinyl wrap. The 62 or 82 floors of today sound just fine. Space limitations knock towards the newer 82 or 62's. They are much smaller than the older 83 or 63's. The older ones need room that's for sure.

Far fewer R7 come up and I haven't owned them. The law of diminishing return comes up as you get over 1k. Sound quality between $500 and 1000 speakers is usually mindblowing. But above 1000 you can spend many 1000's for slight shades of betterness. Just like anything really. Fortunately Klipsch has so many discount dealers now that they lose half their value soon as you take them home. Well good for the used market buyer anyway.
 
KSP 400 for now...

Well I got a pair of KSP 400 last night as the price was right.
No power cords (so could not test them), no spikes, no stabilizing stands, bottom is badly scratched/peeled and laminate trimmings are peeling off here and there but overall in very good condition.

I may build stabilizing bars on the front later if they test out okay.
Not sure how these compare with Heritage series like Forte but these should have enough bass with 15" powered side subs.

These are tallest and deepest speakers I ever had at 49.75" (126.4cm) H and 22.125" (56.2cm) D.
I got a good workout getting these inside as they each weigh 102 lbs. :yikes:

Pictures:

attachment.php


attachment.php


You can see how tiny the Heresy looks in the 2nd picture. :eek:
 
I looked at Klipsch speakers at our local Best Buy the other day...personally wouldn't have any of them. Id stick with my Chorus II's and LaScalas... The newer stuff just looks like HT gear to me...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom