Is it me, or are the reference series of speakers seem to be really hard to find? I can't find any of the bookshelf RB-51 61 or 81's on bestbuy's website.

hometheatermag.com lists the RB-81's at $698/pair, so I search websites hoping to find a better deal. After all that review was written in 10/1/2006. But I can't find anything lower than that.

Am I just not looking at the right places, or is $350 per speaker with free shipping really the best I will find?

And if anyone is in my area, I live in the east Bay Area, California, in Vallejo. Any recommendations on stores to go to, to listen to different speakers besides Best Buy?

Best Buy doesn't carry the Reference series. They carry the Synergy series. Go to the Klipsch dealer locator, select the series you want from the pull-down menu and type in your zip code.

http://www.klipsch.com/find-a-dealer/

The RB-81's sound pretty good by the way. Check out prices at soundseller.com (authorized dealer). You'll have to call the get the price. Also check out highdecibels.com (claim to be an authorized dealer).

Oh wow, highdecibels.com is super cheap, less than $600. Anyone have previous experience with them?

Yeha, I have $1000 to buy a reciever and 2 front speakers, so I thought the RB-81 will give me the most bang for my buck, or should I go with RF-62 instead? I like the fact that the rb-81 has a large woofer.

The SoundAdvice near me is have a going OOB sale, they have the RB61 and RB81's. the 61's were $199 each.. I can't recall what the 81's were, but they were 20% off list as well.. I was really tempted to get the 61's

All Tweeter/Sound Advice stores are closing, so if you have one close by see what kind of deal you can get.

I did some direct comparisons between RB-81 and B&W's 685 and 686 speakers a few months ago. I found the B&W's to be much more satisfying. Also many internet direct dealers can offer a better product for the price. If you aren't dead set on the Klipsch's, have a look around...there's some great speakers out there.

Always someone who will suggest you get something else entirely. Im always a little leery of the cheapest price in town. IMO of course.