Outstanding performance for a very reasonable price. Awesome dynamics, Clarity and detail. Overall, an amazing loudspeaker for the price.

Quite a large cabinet, easily damaged speaker-cone surface.

I must begin this review by stating that I have never been a Klipsch fan. Usually, those who like Klipsch sound have always like it, and are somewhat biased. The fact that this is not the case for me is a statement to the performance of these speakers. I have never like the sound of horns, and have always disliked the sound of Klipsch. However, on the request of a friend, I gave these an objective audition, and what I experienced was absolutely astonishing. Even without a break in period, the sound that these speakers produced was smooth and enjoyable. After a day and night''s worth of break-in, I sat down to really listen to these speakers. I generally play the same material when I audition a new loudspeaker, simply so I will know what to listen for. I put on some favorites, discs like Sarah Brightman''s La Luna, and the SACD version of Celine Dion''s Decade in Song. The sound coming from these speakers was nothing short of amazing. As opposed to other Klipsch models, these speakers had a remarkably smooth character to their sound. The soundstage was deep and enveloping, surrounding me with music from just 2 channels. The imaging was, of course, razor sharp and detail was remarkable. Now of course we have all heard the cliche''s about imaging and staging, and while they are important, they are far to dry and technical to convey the experience of true music listening. These speakers had within them the ability to move my emotions far more than I had expected. I was moved to tears during the Brightman disc on more than one occasion. The feeling of the singers voice was captivated so perfectly. The RF-7''s were able to convey her own emotions in the notes they brought forth. Of course, Klipsch speakers are somewhat known for being bright and harsh, but these are truly a departure from the reputation. The large 1 3/4 inch titanium tweeter is both smooth and detailed; gentle, yet accurate. The bass impact is quite amazing, as one should expect from a speaker of this stature. It wasn''t once muddy or sloppy though. Always clean and precise were these loudspeakers. Lest I drone on and on, I should conclude. For those interested, however, I have included below a list of connected equipments. Source: Sony DVPS9000ES DVD/CD/SACD player Power: B&K Reference Cable: Audioquest

Similar Products Used:

Veritas2.4, B&W Signature 800, Audissey 2+2, Vienna Acoustics'' Beethoven, Sonus Faber''s Concertino & Grand Piano

With substantial magnet structures, rigid /low-mass driver cones, and a high quality cabinet with real wood veneers (mine are maple), the build quality of the RF-7''s is excellent. They are efficient enough to produce moderate listening levels with a low power amplifier, and live listening levels with my B&K Reference 2220 (220 X 2). Power handling is sufficient for all but the largest amplifiers. Klipsch has truly honed the "iron fist, velvet glove" here: while offering extremely involving transient response and dynamic range in the bass and mid-bass, the RF''7''s also offer unveiled midrange and treble, along with nimble microdynamics.

The RF-7''s are a bit expensive compared with mass-market offerings. They are large and heavy, and if that weight is allowed to rest on just one of the plastic "feet", the plastic will break. There is a slighly harsh or etched sound only at the highest volume levels. I''ve found this to be most evident on the classical violin.

The RF-7''s are very solidly built (other than the plastic "feet") and attractive, with high efficiency and power handling capability. They reproduce almost all music in an unveiled way, with delicacy, yet offer tremendous dynamic impact. The sole drawback I''ve experienced is a slightly harsh or etched sound in the treble at very high volume levels. I don''t believe that any speaker is available at any price which offers more efficiency (with the exception of some legacy Klipsch offerings, such as the Klipschorn). To surpass the build quality and power handling capability, you would have to spend much more for something from B&W, Theil, Wilson Audio, etc. To equal the transient response, dynamic range, and sheer dynamic impact of the RF-7''s, which still retaining full range frequency response, would likewise require expensive "high end" speakers.

Similar Products Used:

JBL Studio Series

Yes these are loud speakers. Louder than my Klipsch RP-3s. In the Klipsch tradition, they project the soundstage well and provide reasonably accurate production of the mid and upper frequencies (though horn loading by nature always smooths out a little of some of the more delicate details). Klipsch has done a lot of research into value added engineering to get the Reference line of speakers to be smooth throughout the frequency range that it covers.
Unfortunately, the high frequency driver is not special in the way it covers the high frequency range. It is not clear and strong through the extreme high frequency ranges (16Khz to 20Khz). Of course this is only noticable with truely high end equipment and a very good recording.

The Bass on these units (inclusive of the RF-3II and RF-5) is adequete, but can become distorted when pushed hard. They also wimp out at about 35 hz (very common for most speaker systems these days), so if you're looking for those deep bass notes, be prepared to spend extra for a sub.

The true forte of this unit (and its siblings) is that Klipsch has designed them to be louder than the earlier line of reference speakers while still maintaining some of the smoothness and broad soundstage. Klipsch has done this very well. Certainly worthy of being the main speakers in most any low to moderately priced stereo system. They can even give a lot of the true "reference" speaker systems a run for the money.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch Heresy, Klipsch RP-3, B&W 602

Full sound, great looks, good price for ALL the speaker you receive.

none so far.

The are a very full sounding speaker. The are still new so the tonal balance should even out in a month or so. They also look great! I love the copper metal drivers. They make my home theater look much better than I expected.

As the previous reviewer, this is the most that I have spent on speakers to date. I listened to Klipsch, Energy, Ruark, Vienna Acoustics, & Sonus Faber and for my bugget I liked the Klipsch the best. It was a hard choice between the Energy Veritas and the Klipsch, but the look and feel that the Klipsch had was what won me over.

As my Audiophile Dad said, (who helped me make the decision) "they didn't cause listener fatigue" --- Thanks Dad!

Similar Products Used:

Kef

Crystal clear sound. Very efficient, very loud. Incredible sound.

Can be harsh at high volume levels, but this may be my amplifier clipping.

I never though I'd plunk down so much money on speakers.

I listened to about 20 different speakers at Ultimate (my local retailer). Hands down, the RF-7s were the clearest and loudest speakers, even when compared to other Klipsch speakers (including the RF-5 and RF-3).

These speakers are very bright and very clear across the full range of sounds. Bass response is tight, and the Klipsch horns are very, very clear. I'm noticing details in music that I've never heard before, and sound effects in movies that I missed before.

I've heard others complain that Klipsch can be too bright or harsh, or that they're hard on the ears. I have noticed this only at very, very high volume levels, and I suspect that it may due to an underpowered amplifier, not necessarily due to the speaker design. Even at very loud volume levels they stay clear. My last speakers (small bookshelf Infinities) would distort much sooner than the RF-7s.

Ultimate normally prices these speakers for $999/ea. I found these online for about $725/ea + shipping. After some negotiation, Ultimate sold them to me for about $800/ea.

A word of caution - some of the Internet retailers had great deals on the RF-7s, but the warranty was through the retailer, not Klipsch. They even removed the Klipsch serial numbers.

I gave the RF-7s 3 stars for value. I'm not used to paying so much for speakers, so I'm still hurting and can't call $1600 for anything a great deal. The RF-7s earned 5 stars overall. Again, I'm very, very impressed with the sound quality. Better than anything else that I listed to (except for the $10k B&Ws).