Klipsch Reference for Home Theater (1 Viewer)

[don costanza]

Good evening...
I would like to know if anyone here has Klipsch Reference speakers setup for their home theater? If so, what is your opinion of them as theater speakers? If you had to do it all over knowing then what you know now, would you setup your theater with these speakers?

The reason I ask these questions is because I have been a die-hard JBL fan,even have the L7's. Since I can't find anymore, or speakers to match I have been looking at the Klipsch line. Considering the RF-7 for fronts, RC-7 center,RS-7 surrounds (2 pair) and an RSW-15.

I've searched the archives here and have gotten some insight as to how they perform for music, I am very interested to know how they perform in a dedicated theater. Room dimensions 13'x24'.

Thank you for your time on this issue.

Best Regards
Don

 

[steve nn]

Hi don,

I am in the process of moving on over to the Klipsch camp. Been demoing a few brands lately and I am very impressed with the Klipsch reference line. I was expecting a whole different sound than what my ears are experiencing. I sold my B&Ws and since have been lost. I really did like my B&Ws but the tweeter I found a little to forward for HT. I decided to try out Polk, Rockets and Klipsch. I was very impressed with what Polk brought to the table for the $$. Klipsch it will be though. Their just what I'm looking for.

My plan is RB-75 mains, C-7 center and RB-35s for surround duty to go with my Denon 1804 and three SVS 25-31CS+s in a 12 X 24 X 10. 2880 cf

 

[Mike Carter]

I've had many Klipsch through out the years. Lately I have been auditioning many speakers including B&W 700&800 series, Paradigm Studio/Monitor series, McIntosh, JM Labs, Polk, Martin Logan, Boston, Dynaudio and the Klipsch Referance 7 series the still at the top of my list. The Klipsch just sound real to me. They reproduce real acoustic instruments the best to my ears.
I am a drummer and I have found a lot of so called high end speakers really soften the sound of real instruments.
For the money and sound quality and bang for the buck you can't beat Klipsch.

 

[Mark__S]

I had a pair of RF-7s in my home this past weekend. They are great speakers. I currently use Klipsch Chorus IIs and did not feel that it was worth the extra money to change. FYI, I could order a pair in the boxes from authorized dealer in town for $1400 out the door.

 

[Ray_C]

I've been going through some love/hate with my Klipsch references for some weeks now (RB-25 mains, RC-25 center, RS-25 surr). At times I love the detail (for movies), at other times the brightness/forwardness starts to fray my nerves (2-channel music). After different placement setups, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that my room is probably affecting what I'm hearing more than anything. I live in a 460 sq. ft studio apt. in NYC with 10 ft. ceilings, concrete walls (with a stucco-texture covering), and concrete floor covered with hardwood. Even though I have a 6' x 4' rug between me and the fronts/center, I have a pretty sizeable hardwood table in front of the couch, plenty of exposed wood floor around the apt., and paintings on the walls with glass-pane frames. Needless to say, it's reflection city! All you have to do is clap a few times to hear a very quick bounce-back. Although the Klipsch horns are undoubtedly responsible for great clarity/detail, they can also really exploit the hard-reflective characteristics of a room moreso than any other speakers I've had in this space. They also BEG to be AT LEAST six feet apart (as far as the front mains go), otherwise the treble can bunch up and cut you in half, even when not toed-in.

I did some more experimenting and lay some towels/t-shirts/blankets over the exposed wood floor areas, and it helped considerably, allowing the clarity to remain as just clarity, rather than flying sharp objects. Even though I was considering trying a setup of Axioms, I'm going to stick with the Klipsch's for now and start trying to incorporate different acoustic treatments into my general decor. I think that only then will I be able to make a complete and fair decision as to whether or not to stay with the Klipschs.

My struggles notwithstanding, for 5/7.1 HT/DVD listening, the Klipsch's do a fine job. I do a lot of film editing and sound design (my 'main gig'), so I'm a bit of a nut about film sound, and the Klipsch's really let me hear everything in the mix as if I was doing a reference sound mix for a picture. I like that, and the brightness/forwardness isn't nearly as distracting in 5.1 as it is in analytical 2-channel listening. I'm even considering getting a different pair of speakers for only 2-channel listening...something a bit more laid back than the Klipsch's....problem is, I don't have anywhere to put them.

So basically, be prepared to do a lot of experimenting with placement (as you should with any make of speaker) if you go with the Klipsch Reference. The right setup could be Heaven-sent, whereas the wrong one could be straight from Hell.

 

[don costanza]

Thank you Steve nn,Mike, Mark and Ray for the time time you took to reply to my question as well as the very helpful insight. I was curious as to the comments I was going to see since my impression of what I have read previously is that (as Ray stated) you either love them of hate them.

Steve nn, Sounds as if we are in the same situation.

Mike, Always nice to get the input from someone that is in "the business"

Mark, I have someone locally that is an authorized dealer and thanks for the comment about getting them from a dealer. It is nice to have other options though.

The application the speakers are going to be utilized will be fully enclosed (and isolated from the rest of the house)so the comment you made Ray about a bit of experimenting is appreciated.

Best Regards
Don

 

[Tim L]

Don I have a complete Reference set up and its a sweet sounding setup- you will not be dissapointed- For music and movies they simply sound terrific. Everything in movies sounds so life-like and dynamic- everything comes alive around you. Watched underworld and LOTR part 2 last week and the sound was amazing. Okay I could go on forever- but I would suggest that you audition them proerly if possible and plug in alot of your favorite movies and music and see how youlike them- the speakers were a little stiff at first but have opened up nicely over the last 5 months. Good luck in your quest. I would also suggest going over the Klipsch Forum and you will find a wealth of information and opinions on this setup.
Tim

 

[steve nn]

$1400 out the door.
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That sounds like a very reasonable price Mark_S for the 7s. I only live a hr or so away from you. It possibly might be very well worth it to take the drive and maybe you could hook me up? I am in the demo mode at this time but pretty much have decided on the Klipsch reference line. The RC-35 I am using will be traded up for the RC-7 and the RB-35s will go to the back. The 5s for the front or the 75s I will need to buy? I have three more weeks to iron out a deal with our dealer in town or I take what I have boughten for demo purposes back and buy elsewhere the 1st of April. PM if your interested in helping a fellow HT member .

It does sound like we are in the same situation don. I hope your able to come up with just what your looking for. We can all be so different in our preferences and finding a speaker that will meet all our criteria can be a little daunting.

I'm in a fairly soft room Ray_C so my results are working out very well. I have always noticed a big change in my HT if the drapes are open or shut at each end of the room. They basically take up the whole wall. If only my wife knew how much of a help she has been. I could buy a pair of 7s and the center with the $$ she has put into those drapes/sheers. She is my (HT treatment specialist) with out even knowing it.

 

[JohnMW]

Tim, I couldn't have said it better myself. I've had my Reference (series 3 v2) since Dec. 2001 and have had zero regrets. I did a ton extensive research on this forum before making my purchase. Lately I've been listening to a lot of SACD titles, and the Klipsch Reference speakers reproduce it in fine detail. I am probably a 60% DTV/DVD viewer, and a 40% Music listener. The speakers are extremely efficient, and you do not need a monster AVR or Amp to drive them. Most people, including myself, seem to mate these speakers w/ Denon, HK, and Yamaha.