Klipsch owner thread - Page 650

Question of the day...

RF-7II's vs. Polk RTiA9's?

Only those with direct experience with (or auditioning) both need apply. I understand the horn loaded tweet may get louder and the RF-7II has a much higher efficiency rating, but is there anyone out there that has had the pleasure of compaing the two directly against each other. Not necessairly A/B testing per se... Just listening impressions of both.

Those who feel they need to interject that HAVE NOT heard both products please keep your subjective opinions (based on specs or fanboydom) to yourself. I've been that guy in the past and I now despise that guy...



I own RF-7II's and would like to hear from someone that has had a chance to audition both.

"I've been that guy in the past and I now despise that guy..."

Sounds like a reformed fatty/alcoholic/smoker person who hates catsup/ketchup.

Got the 12D, perfect condition, hooked it up, played some Pandora, MP3s, and watched a bit of t.v. - did not run the optimization program yet, set sub to 0db just to hear it without tweaking yet - definitely some improvement. more later.

This is just my opinion in response to a direct question. It is not intended to be hating on Polk.
To my ear the RTi9 lacks clarity in vocals, definition in busy musical passages is poor, and has an overall dead sound but yet manage to become harsh at higher volume.
But the RTi9 can be had for less than 1/2 the price of the RF-7 so it's not a fair fight to begin with.
If you are looking for less expensive speakers I think the Paradigm Monitor 11's sound significantly better than the RTi9's.

What do Klipsch owners think of this package deal for $1200?

Lowest prices I could find online for each item from a reliable site...

$600 RF-42 II (Towers)
$250 RC-42 II (Centers)
$350 RS-41 II (Surrounds)
$350 Harman Kardon AVR-1650 Receiver
$250 BIC Acoustech PL-200 12" Subwoofer

Total: $1800 retail (package price $1200)

I only want a 3.1 system, so if I sold the RS-41s, say for $300, now I'm down to $900. And if I sold the H/K AVR, say for $300ish, now I'm down to $600.

If I bought a Denon 1612, or similar $200ish receiver I'm back to $800ish, which is my budget.


Feedback? Am I headed down a worthwhile path?

Exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for!!! Thank you very very much chash!

I had another gentleman tell me that while the Polk maybe able to play loud, playing at high volumes can be fatiguing...

Will definitely look into the Paradigms.

yeah BUT you'll never get that much for those items U R selling

Several forum members have good things to say about Mike at ASD. As another member suggested, you're not going to get such high prices on resale. Instead of swapping AVRs, etc, why not just ask Mike what he'll do on price for only the pieces you want. He's very approachable, he likes to sell, make him an offer and see what he says on RF/RC 42s and sub. For the same price as the BIC, Newegg is running a promo on Klipsch RD-12 sub, offer is good 'til tomorrow, I just got mine delivered today, it's a big enclosure, but very happy with it.
Edited by willybguy - 7/24/12 at 9:40pm

Hmm, okay. Thanks for the feedback, I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Sale is still on though tomorrow on that sub.

If you're open to other AVR options, retailers are clearing out Yamaha RX-V671 for < $400. This is last year's model, I've had it a year now, and it's a lot of AVR for that price point. You'll see pretty quick, they're not going to last. Way down in the descriptions you'll notice 'discrete amp configuration,' which I understand is a critical design feature. This means providing same power to all channels. It's loaded with goodies including easy networking. I'm hooked on Pandora radio (free) and using StereoMusicEnhancer DSP setting for surround music is so cool. The one compromise/drawback? No pre-outs except of course sub. But w/ discrete amps and your interest in 42's it seems like you'd meet your needs and then some. Not sure you can listen to the 671 in any retail locations, they're already selling the newer model, the 673. The 673 has AirPlay compatibility, but some reviews suggest the 671 is the better value - and I had my 671 streaming Airtunes in 5 minutes using an Apple Airport Express (AE) - works flawlessly to get the 671 WiFi'd. Literally, plug & play. The 671 auto-detected WiFi, I entered my password, done.

I got my 64 from ASD since I live right around the corner... ASD is a major seller, you should see how much product they have in the warehouse.

they cut superb deals on b stock items.

Placed 12D left side for now, attached pics for scale a) next to old Infinity TSS750 sub, b) next to spiral stairs. Big footprint. Popped Alien Blu-Ray into PS3, AVR volume @ -22dB, 12D @ 0dB, no DSP tricks, PS3 decoding. Listened to opening Nostromo fly-by scene w/ 750, then 12D. Switched back to 750, then back to 12D. I can easily tell difference. Nostromo engine rumbling shook walls like in a theater, without annoying distortion. With old Infinity, had to crank sub all the way up on analogue dials to get similar sense of power, but not as smooth or deep sounding. Ran YPAO optimization w/ RC-64 & 12D together, now I can't tell which direction bass is coming from. Dishes rattling in kitchen about 20 feet away. I think I understand what timbre matching means now. The bass from 12D & RC64 together sounds good. There is a lot of previous discussion about the 12D, but so far I'm impressed at the value for the very low price.

most if not all Issues was $ Price 4 what you got But @ the $ U paid Yes they are a good sub @ that price point .

Haha that is what I see written about Klipsch horn tweeters all the time.
I was just thinking about the Monitor 11's, here in Dallas they do not get discounted like the Polk speakers do.
So while MSRP is about equal the street price on the Polk RTi9's is quite a bit lower.
Lots of love for Polk in the Polk thread.

Lots of love for Klipsch in the Klipsch thread.

I just took delivery of a pair of RF-7ii and RC-64ii from Mike at the AVS Store. I will post pictures and a full review tomorrow, just moved over 200lbs of speakers up 3 flights of stairs!

First of all, Mike and AVS Store get 10 out of 10 for being professional, everything was quick and easy. If you are thinking about these speakers, give them a call, their price for A level product is incredible.

Im powering these with an Integra 40.2, and they just flat out rock. Everything Im playing is like Im listening to it for the first time.

Thanks Mike!!

I just looked through your other thread '$3k HT' and saw this...

Well now I understand more about why you were asking for the RTi9 vs RF-7 comparo.
Sorry you are not really happy with your speakers, unfortunately it happens.
Any speaker that I will tend to recommend is going to have similar characteristics to the Klipsch RF-83's (which I own) and the RF-7's (that I have auditioned).
I do not like muddled sounding speakers I like sharp, well defined, clear sounding, and high efficiency.

I am not criticizing at all, but what is it that you do not like about the way your speakers sound ??

In all honesty I believe some of my issues are not from the speakers themselves, but the source material I am playing... I don't mean to bash Klipsch. I'm just seeking a viable alternative.

After thirty years,.........your above sounds like the woman I married.

About the only time I find Klipsch the way you characterize in your above is with a violin attack as in Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons." Now that's a violin attack. Nothing that a tubed bi-Amping can't roll off.

The beauty of a pair of horn loaded Klipsch mains is their in-your-face clarity. If one is willing to violate the toed in, your must make a focused sound stage principal by toeing the main speakers out a bit more than a thumb's width outside of focused axis, one has a "HUGE", light, natural, airy sound-field before them for an enlightened listening experience. This as opposed to living in a narrow, focused, be afraid to move sound-field one is fearful of moving out of because it's so focused and in moving out of this sound-field, one is fearful of becoming in violation of all universal stereo laws; you will focus your sound-field and stay there.

"What's a matter, don't you know you're not allowed to move?"



Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! Oh holy crap Batman! The "Stereo Police" are arresting me.





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Edited by BeeMan458 - 7/26/12 at 5:50am

hey guys I know a lot of the talk in here is about the Klipsch Reference line but I have a question about the Icon speakers. I can get a very good deal on a KC-25 a pair of KF26's and a pair of KS 14's for $600. My plan is in a couple years upgrade to the reference line as my main speakers and move the icons into my living room. So I was just wondering what you guys think about the Icon line. Thanks!

Klipsch's are Famous for making Crap source material sound like what it is ...
Crap ...

L O L ..

not trying to be mean or a smart a$$ just stating a known fact here ....

I hear nothing but good things about the Icon's being great voiced speaker @ their price point .. good sound @ 5.1 for $600 bucks is what I wish I had done when I added a system to Herself's room with a set of Sony SS line @ 7.2

herself = wife
her room = bedroom ....... I'm the Master of the Living Room BWuua HA HA HA ~!!!!!

The difference between source material can be shocking. I have a handful of discs that I have to put in every now and again just to remember how good things can be!

By the way, thanks Coytee for the kind words a week or two ago.

So we're cool about me letting the cat out of the bag with your stash of Marie Osmond collection?

Coytee tell us how your stash of early Wayne Newton recordings sound on them JubeScalas of yours ???

He's kind of a Honky Tonk singer... we all know horns are honky...

You make the connection...

Danka shane !

Ok I know I spelled that wrong L O L

No shame in listening to an Marie!