Klipsch RP-3 Floorstanding Speakers

Klipsch RP-3 Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

powered tower

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 28  
[Nov 20, 2010]
MrRush
Audio Enthusiast

The Klipsch RP-3 is a very good speaker. I am amazed at how powerful these speakers are. I have had Klipsch Heresy & La Scala. The RP3 certainly is not as powerful as the La Scala which cost $3000 each but is comparable to the Heresy which sell at $800 each. Value wise I think the RP3 are a good buy if you can get them for $400-500. The RP3 can rattle your windows if need be.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 21, 2003]
Randy
AudioPhile

Strength:

High end, spacious bass, great for home theater

Weakness:

too high of output, midrange lacks fun, bass can get muddy

I would first like to say that I purchased these speakers for only $450, but I am going to review them from the $1500 price tage. The RP3s are a very unique speaker by all means. I would like to make it clear that the RP3s in no way compete with other speakers in the $1500 price bracket. The powered subs make up the majority of the price (~$700). B&W, KEF, and JAMO absolutely crush Klipsch at this price (no powered subs) The first thing that struck me about these speakers is their enormous output. These speakers require a very large room. My 18 x 12 room is far too small for them. The subs are what make this especially true. Each speaker houses a 220W amplifer with a 10" woofer. Simply put, there is no quiet setting for the pair. When the volume and the "bass contour" are turned all the way down there still is too much bass. I don't think this would be an issue with larger rooms (on the order of 20 x 20+). Subs sound very similiar to M&K, and radically different that Audio Pro and Sunfire. The housed subs must be used for optimal performance. I found myself enjoying dual subs. Even though low frequencies are said to be omnidirectional, the RP3s produce very spacious bass. These speakers do have some highlights though. The RP3s have an excellent high end, one of the best I have heard. Klipsch uses a high efficeincy horn and its amazing. High hats, female vocals, acoutics guitars sound great. The midrange is what makes me give these speakers such a poor rating. The midrange is clean and accurate but almost too extreme. It lacks real presence; male vocals seem dry. These speakers are a steal at 1000 or less. If you plan on spending $1500 I suggest buying the sunfire super junior and a pair of Sonus Fabers or KEFs.

Similar Products Used:

KEF, Mission, Wharfedale

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
2
[May 12, 2003]
Zuggym
Audio Enthusiast

Buying the Klipsch RS3ii speakers was somewhat of a gamble as I've only heard them in controlled showroom settings. Powering them with a new Denon 3803 I was even more impressed with their effect once in my home. Basically a high end home theater set these speakers and the companion center, surronds and KSW-14 performed beyond expectation. The burn in on the towers was a little long with the result being a steadily enriched bass. These came from Acoustic Sound Design who really closed the deal by offering a better price and "in fact" quicker delivery than my local retailer. Kudos to Klipsch and ASD!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 19, 2003]
Justin
AudioPhile

Strength:

Sound Quality is impeccable. Reproduction of everything from 2-channel music to main channels of 5.1 surround - makes you feel like you are there. They look beautiful, also.

Weakness:

Very picky on location. VERY! But, once you get your best set-up, the rewards are great!

I was looking for the best speakers to run from a fairly low powered H/K receiver (AVR-720). I listen to a lot of 2 channel music and watch the occasional DTS encoded DVD. Needed something with a broad, full range, super-crisp highs, tight bass, etc...These Klipsch's deliver! When putting 85W RMS just through the tweeter and cerametallic midrange, they scream. The powered 10" subs are as tight as 8s and deliver the frequency response of 12s. But, don't expect everyone in the room to experience the best sound. These speakers are exceptionally picky about location. They are sexy, they sound incredible, and are pretty reasonable ($).

Similar Products Used:

McIntosh towers - honestly, for 1/10th the price, these Klipsch's are a wonderful replacement - they blow away the old Macs.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 20, 2003]
jddealer
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Best highs I've heard. Crystal clear bass.

Weakness:

None

Well, I spent approx. 3 months listening to many different systems in audio stores and homes and could not make up my mind. Debated between powered main speakers with subs and a complete satillite/sub system. After reading reviews on this site and others, and listening to some high-end klipshes in a store...I gambled and bought the RP-5's. It was well worth the money. I had listened to Boston Acoustics, Infinity IL-60's, JBL, Mangnepans, etc., and found the Klipsch's were the hands-down winner. Bass is massive and highs are the clearest I've ever heard. I matched these speakers with the Denon 2802 and am in listening heaven.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 25, 2003]
ahrenl12321
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Cyrstal Clear high and mids, extremely well defined. 440watt self powered Klipsch Subwoofers, uh, bass? not a problem, unless you have neighbor's. :)

Weakness:

Holy Heavy. Classic cheap screens, fortunately connected by 8 pins, so you can break off half of them and it will still stay on strong.

What can I say? Wow. Brought these home after getting a GREAT price, and while I was hooking them up accidentally unhooked one without noticing. Happened to have some Sublime in the 200 Kenwood changer so started that up, and it brought tears to my eyes. Then I noticed that only one speaker was hooked up. :) Suffice to say I don't remember much of what happened after that.. Seriously though, you're going to need to spend 1000's and 1000's of dollars more to get any kind of incremental gain over these speakers. My system is as follows: Kenwood 1440AV Receiver/Amp Kenwood 200 disc changer Polk Audio CS350i Center Klipsch RP-3's Kilpsch/Audiophile hybrid Subwoofer KLH 180wpc swivel surrounds Sony 48v90 Rear Projection TV Zenith DVD Player I used to have a bunch of seperate amps hooked up to all the different channels, before I got the Kenwood. That thing puts out 150wpc X 5, and now that the RP-3's power themselves, it's probably more than needed. In any case, if you can find the RP-3's for around $500's, don't hesitate. You will NEVER need to buy new front speakers again, and their footprint is so small you can fit them ANYWHERE. Enjoy. Oh yeah, I heard people complaining about the "brightness" of the RP-3's? Maybe you have the bass gain on the RP-3's turned down and the amp volume too high; that is why there is a nob. Adjust to how you want. Aparently if it doesn't come out of the box pre-set to how you like, there's something wrong with it. (That's really only the case if there is no way to adjust it)

Similar Products Used:

Infinity RS-5's, KLH 9915's, Custom built JBL's circa 1970's, Sansui's, AR's, Jensen's ( sorry to say ), several custom built speakers ( my father used to do it as a living, man his speakers ROCK too

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 29, 2002]
Peter
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clearness, and strong bass.

Weakness:

Some hum.

I listen mostly to classical. These speakers have good separation, and with the powered subwoofers very nice bass. A timpani sounds like one in the concert hall. I auditioned B&Ws and Def. Technology and I liked these better. However, there is a noticeable subwoofer hum which I have been trying to correct. The people at Klipsch have been very helpful in trying to address the problem. (But I'll live with the hum -- you can only hear it during silent passages -- something that does not happen much in rock.)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 15, 2002]
Peter
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound, clarity, spaciousness

Weakness:

Hummmmmmmmmm

Bought these without hearing them based on previous Klipsch experience. Sound is absolutely wonderful -- well rounded. However, the powered subwoofer emits a hum I can hear during dead space in recordings (my wife cannot). After a week Klipsch has not answered my e-mail; hopefully they'll have a suggestion.

Similar Products Used:

Dahlquist

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 10, 2002]
kantro21
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Crisp, clear, neutral, but very powerful. great soundstage, not bad to look at either. Also good efficiency. Handles it all very well.

Weakness:

Picky about placement, but not such a big deal

Just got these yesterday, and I am very pleased. They handle almost every type of music and sound I throw at them very well. Put in 'Kind of Blue' by Miles Davis and I felt like I was in the Village Vangaurd. Then I put in Stevie Ray playing 'Little Wing' and i could hear his fingers going over the strings. Gorgeous. And finally, for some fun, I bumped up the bass and pumped some B.I.G., lucky I wasn't evicted, these things are powerful, but clean as hell.DVDs sound great also. These babies are a little picky about where you put them though, but once you get it figured out, you'll be pleased. Can't wait to buy the matching surrounds and center.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Kenwood, JVC

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 24, 2002]
ankri
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

great sound music and movies

Weakness:

if any weak grill, but the speakers looks better with out them anyway.

if u like bass this is the speakers for u. ive used them in a home theatre system, with the rs-3 and the rc-3. and i must say i love it. i love klipsch, im one my way bouying the rf-7 series now!!

Similar Products Used:

sf-2, sp-1, rf-3 and now the rp-3

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 28  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com