Loud & clear

None really

I bought these to replace my JBL S312's, which also were excellent speakers. Setup was a snap - 1st wired them to my NAD 370 120 wpc amp. Right away they made the JBLs sound "dimmed" in comparison, though the JBLs did fare well in the tweeter department (crisp & clean).

Next step is I'm ordering today an Odyssey Stratos amp & Tempest preamp combo... :) While I'm not sure about the sound after "break-in" (is it a myth?), the sound playing U2 out of the box seemed to loosen some plaque off my teeth (really big grin). I also have a Tempest Signature subwoofer from Adire Audio @ 250 wpc corner loaded...

I highly recommended these speakers, even would still pick them over their newer model, the RF-83 (though I guess could be debated). I guess they are going the way of VMPS, HT & line arrays for main speakers.

If I had to pick my next pair, it would be in-wall DIY ribbons w/Scan-Speak mids and a low 1300 Hz crossover point, (similar to North Creek's Manifest @ $6400/pair assembled) but for now am more than satisfied with these References.

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

JBL S312's

Fine, well balanced sound, excellent soundstage, very, very good build quality and components for this price point. Will please many different types of critical listeners. Will yield improvements from other component upgrades, source and amplification improvements. Can handle high power/volume with ease.

They are somewhat big and heavy (if you consider this a weakness). And BEWARE: Unless you have good source components, cables and amplification you are going to want to, and will hear the improvement from, upgrading some or all of the other components in your system. (ok, this is not really a weakness either).

Bought these brand new for 1619.98 (incl delivery) from AVB direct (ebay seller audio6996). Though I consider this a very good deal, I noticed after leaving feedback that the factory labels had been replaced, and I have heard that Klipsch is taking action against some sellers for this, so buyer beware. In any event I don't believe that Klipsch would warantee any of their speakers bought for less than retail over the web, so for me it was largely moot. These speakers are well packed, in large boxes, and quite heavy. I opted to pick them up from the local trucking terminal instead of having residential delivery. It took two of us to load them in my van, and they required a dolly to get them into my home theatre room. I waited a little over a month before posting this review as I first tried biwiring and then moved on to biamping after about a week of listening. ...On to the review...
I upgraded my RF3 fronts with these, and the RF7s immediately seemed a little less sensitive to placement. Soundstage improvement is immediately apperent once positioned, and the harshness of the high end on the RF3s is vastly improved on the RF7s. Though for my taste I still found the need to reduce the treble setting a tad, the high end is now bright and airy without being harsh, with a richcness and depth that put the RF3s to shame. Mid range is somewhat improved over the RF3s, and bass and mid bass are both hugely (!) improved. Just as an indication, with the RF7s I was able to lower my crossover that controls where my sub cuts in from 80hz down to 40hz: This gives my audio listening a much smoother transition when the sub klicks in and out on audio tracks with low low bass. I can only say I was all smiles once the volume went up a bit (I gave the RF7s 48 hours or so of continuous playing at moderate levels to break them in). I opted to biamp the RF7s, running the 20-2200hz range with an HCA 1205a Parasound Power Amp that puts out 140+ watts per channel into 8 ohms, and the 2200hz and up frequencies with the "little brother" HCA 855a (also a Great amp) which puts out a respectable 85wpc into 8 ohms. I experimented with bypassing the passive crossovers on one RF7 and left the other one stock. Try as I might, no matter what settings I used on the (excellent) Marchand XM9 active crossover, (bass and treble and power attenuation) adjustments, I could not get the sound of the bypassed crossover RF7 as clean and rich as the one with the passive crossover in place. This may be a testimonial to the quality of Klipsch's crossover components, and/or (more likely) the related tuning within their passive crossover design. I opted to leave the passive crossovers in place, at least for now, since I had intentionally matched the passive crossover frequency with the active crossover frequency. Despite this apparent comprimise, what I got from this was a LOT of extra power, and of course I still get all the analog advantages of removing the 2200+hz signals fom the lower than 2200hz signals prior to (power) amplification stage. In short, the results were breathtaking. These speakers are quite capable of pushing concert level volumes without breaking a sweat. They absolutely LOVE lots of good clean power, though at a highly efficient 102dB @ 2.83 volts/1 meter you certainly don't NEED much power to appreciate their fine character. For some folks, running a 40wpc tube amp and listening to classical or instrumental music with these speakers will be Nirvana. I was blown away by the female vocals of Sarah McGlachlan and Tori Amos, but for me it was the full body rush I got while listening to Talking Heads Burning Down The House at concert level volume that put a silly grin on my face, and continues to every time I hear it... With the RF7 fronts, I have the full 5.1 Klipsch Reference Series 7 matched set, and am running a SVS 25-31 PC-Plus Sub. Needless to say, Home theatre is now phenominal, and I have run demos for several friends who were absolutely awestruck by sound that relegates the $10 per ticket movie theatre experience to a glaring dissapointment.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch RF3, Paradigm, Acoustic Research, Boston Acoustics, Bose, infinity, Ultralinear, Cambridge Sound Works

Everything

These things are huge you'll need some space available for these things.

These things are great!!! I compared them side by side versus the Klipsch RF 83's and I likes the 7's much better. To me they were more dynamic, better base, and better soundstage. Now one could make the aurgument the 83's are new and have not been broken in yet, but to me the 7's just sounded better to me!!!

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Klipsch RF35's

1. Ability to work well with many different kinds of low or high powered amps. 2. With every little change wether it be cables, sources, or amps, a difference can be heard and that (to me) is the fun part. 3. Tons of information available daily at the Klipsch Forum about these speakers.

1.They are a stout somewhat heavy cabinet. 2.Can't really think of anything else and the size or weight didn't bother me.

I traded up to these RF7's and I'm darned glad I did. Anybody looking for a speaker that is capable of beautiful/realistic music should at least consider the Klipsch RF-7. When you demo this speaker and the dealer has a receiver powering them with a receiver please keep in mind a receiver, even a top of the line receiver is bare minimum quality to pair with them. If you should be so fortunate to hear them powered with a large high quality amp so much the better. These speakers can be sucessfully powered by Tube Amps, Pro Amps and standard Audio Amps and with the latter the higher quality the better. The interesting and fun thing about Klipsch speakers in general is they work very well with all kinds and brands of power amps. If a person would like to take their ability a step further rebuilt/upgraded networks/crossovers are available from individuals who specialize in such electronic work. This upgrade makes a huge difference in the sound for the better, (mine do). If you are wondering why the factory does not do this to begin with, it's all about saving the customer money and keeping this speaker available to a larger group of people. If in the store they look "huge", which was my reaction then be surprised again at how well the blend in to your home and there they do not look so "big".

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I still have a pair of Klipsch 4.2 speakers I bought new that have rebuilt networks/crossovers. And then there were the Klipsch RSX 5's that were surprisingly good for their size. And I traded in my Paradigm Studio 40's for these RF7's.

Supreme Value

Although great for home theater, two channel music listening begs to be driven via TUBES !!!

I was sold on thr RF-7 speakers for their tremendous home thester value, i have the matching center channel and sub. Dollar for dollar I rate them outstanding, but as with most home theater set-ups they are lacking when it comes to two-channel listening. I have recently sitched to Jolida 302-B tube integrated tube amp along with a Rotel 1072 CD player which has provided a 100% improvment !! Just use the pre-outs on your receiver for the other amp when using it home theater mode. if at all possible bi-wire these babies as well. Botom line.... these speakers LOVE tube gear and proper listening room acoustics.

Similar Products Used:

Maggies,dahlquist,Theil

Depth and breadth for both HT and music

None so far

I actually work for Harman Becker a division of Harman Intl (JBL, Infinity, HArman Kardon, etc) and I have to say the Klipsch RF-7 system I just purchased is bar none the best HT system I have ever heard. Even with my discount I would still get no were near the quality or performance for 5K with any of the Harman product lines. I am sold and impressed.

the volume can dryclean your clothes while your wearing them. 3 words Loud, clean, power. I love em.

getting a hernia moving them.

I have to start off by saying ive always been a Klipsch fan, from my first pair (KG-1s) when i was in college. I tried to cheap out when i bought my system and got the RF-5s with an RC-7 and at the time i couldnt fit RS-7s on my wall in my living room so i used RS-3 IIs. To the point, i returned the RF-5 within 2 weeks ( im not into buying and returning stuff)and ordered the RF-7s. Simply put the RF-5 just didnt cut it and there was something funky about the treble and the horn that just made it sound harsh to me. Ive had the RF-7s for a couple yrs now and seriously NO ONE EVER comes over to watch a movie and doesnt leave and say that is the best sounding system they've heard. its truely impressive. i also own a RF-15 HT system for my master bedroom retreat....great speakers too but no comparison. Just moved into a new home with a bonus room that is in the process of being converted to a HT. Just got RS-7s and RB-35s for my back surrounds. I have nothing bad to say about the sound or volume.......its awsome. i am one very VERY happy owner. Just cant wait to hear the system when the HT room is finished and watch a movie on a 106 inch screen with that sound! OH, music is clean open from club stuff to jazz its all good.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR -4802 THX Ultra 7.1 Klipsch RF-7 Klipsch RC-7 Klipsch RS-7 Klipsch RB-35 RSW-12 Audioquest CV-6 biwire to all fronts Audioquest Type 6 to all surrounds RF-15 HT system (rc25 2s25 rw10) Klipsch KG 4.2 Klipsch KG 1

Smooth detailed high-end and powerful bass that is not boomy. Non-fatiguing

Maybe slightly soft in the midrange...can't be sure. Cheap feet and grilles. Still love em' though.

Recently picked up a pair of RF-7's and all I can say is WOW! I was never a big Klipsch fan, as the horn sound never quite hit me right - sounded kind of like a megaphone. I've been more partial to a smoother sound like Phase-Tech, Canton, Kef, etc... Well let me tell you, these sound MUCH better than I expected. Whatever they've done with the horn/crossover etc...it works. Not bright or edgy sounding at all. They are quite smooth with lots of high end detail and excellent bass without sounding sloppy or boomy. As others have said, I suspect that you should run these with decent quality electronics. If you do that, I think that you will want to enjly these for many years to come - as I do.

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Canton, Phase-Technology, KEF

Sound, Quality, Size, Weight, Finish, Driver construction, Bi-Wire capable..The "floating" grills (on when the kids are home)..

Haven't found none, but the out-rigger type feet don't seem as bullet proof as the rest of the speaker.

Having owned, loved, and sold a pair of Polk Rt1000i's, I needed something bigger and better. I first heard the RF-7's at an audio store and was amazed at the sound, thinking I could never afford 1k per speaker. I bought the new never been opened in box pair from E-Bay along with the RW12 sub. I'm running mono Adcom GFA-555II 600 watts each, bi-wired with Monster M Series. The sub has it's own built-in amp, more on that in another review. I did about a 24 hour casual burn-in with some mellow tunes. Then it was time to see what the BIG Klipsch's could do so I put the Black Crowe's Remedy in, turned the volume about 1/4 way up...talk about grinning from ear to ear, I've never heard or felt anything close to what I was experiencing, in a home before. The depth and presence took my breath away, who needs any other mind altering sustances when you have this? I really feel as though I've reached the pinnacle of my audio expectations, other than upgrading my seperate components (my system is pretty damn sweet) there is no place else to go, unless I win the lottery!! Since these speakers are so efficient I've never had the volume past the 1/2 mark for fear of bothering houses around me. If you do decide to drive these speakers the way I do, your amps will get hot, so make sure they can breath...These speakers ROCK like no other!!

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RW12 Sub...

The real key to the improved sound of this speaker over all the retail level Klipsch speakers is the use of the professional grade horn using a 1.75" titanium dome compression driver.

Poor Quality Feet for such a beautiful cherry cabinet. No banana plug receptacles. No place to hang the grille while viewing the striking Cerametalic Cones.

I grew up listening to horn loaded speakers from Altec using a Harman Kardon tube amp eceiver that my father owns. Not to mention just about the best sound systems the average consumer has ever heard is in a movie theatre. If you are older like me, you can probably still remember seeing these horn loaded speakers hanging from the ceilings or placed along the walls in the old movie theatres. In fact, the horns from the Altecs were called "the voice of the theatre". The point of this intro is that I have always appreciated the sound of the horn and the new Flagship Reference series by Klipsch has to be the best retail speaker they have made to date. The real key to the sound quality leap is the use of the professional grade compression driver with a 1.75" titanium dome. I truly believe this larger diameter dome has really tamed the sound of this speaker and the sound exceeds all previous releases by Klipsch to the general public. No more "bright" complaints and spending hours trying to place the speakers to overcome this issue in their other speakers. As has been said before, the clarity due to undetectable distortion really is the true marvel of these speakers. The effiecency of these speakers make driving these speakers attainable for those who still want to use a receiver instead of separates. As said before, I would really take my time in selecting a receiver to go with these speakers. You can truly hear a difference even in comparably priced receivers through the RF7's. Although the RF7's play beautiful music, I would also suggest saving your pennies and adding the RSW 15 to the system. I have listened to some really nice speakers over the years but the RSW15 must be the finest subwoofer made PERIOD! The RSW15 may not play quite as low as the SVS and others, but for smooth base from 30 to 70Hz, you could spend ten times as much on an HSG (Harman Specialty Group) and not get as flat a response as the RSW 15 in this range, which by the way is where 98% of your base is played anyway. I know this is an RF7 review but it would not be a complete review if I did not say a little something about the RC7 and the RS7's. The RC7 is probably right up there with the subwoofer when it comes to sound quality over its capable range. I am amazed at how well this new driver handles voices over its predecessors and yet, does not draw undo attention to itself. Just clean, articulate, powerful, sound. The RS7's sound dispersion is perfect for my rather large viewing area. They may be a little to directional if placed in a smalller room or too close to the listener. But, in a large room, they are completley transparent to the listener unless called on to do otherwise. This is the quality you should seek if you are looking for a surround speaker for home entertainment. Even for a dipole, the RS7's play beautiful music and are a far better design than many of the direct radiating speakers I have seen used for rear surrounds. The wide dispersion technology used is truly remarkable for a horn that can tend to be on the directional side.

Similar Products Used:

Altec Valencia, Fisher DS-176, Klipsch GMX 2.1 Presently using RF's, RC7, RS7's, RSW15, Denon 3805, Denon DVD910, H10 HD DBS, Panasonic AE700u, Sony Wega 27", Harmony 688, BlueJean Cables