Klipsch owner thread - Page 719

You mentioned it happening on one movie and need to check out other sources to see if it's the speaker. If you find it happens on a second source try changing speakers and see if the crackle follows the RC-62II or doesn't happen on another speaker connected to the Center Channel output.

Hi.
I recently joined the Klipsch fanclub.
I've owned many speakers and surround receivers over the years mainly staying in the sub $1500 range. I've owned Magnavox,Sony, Denon, and finally Pioneer receivers and found the Pioneer to fit my taste perfectly. I recently went from a 1014tx to a Pioneer Elite VSX-53. The difference in my livingroom home theater was amazing. The additional auto MCACC setup features and functions seem to calibrate everything much better than the previous versions.

Now to talk a little about the speakers.
I wasn't really in the market for new speakers as I've had the same old Cerwin Vega home theater speakers for years and I've always kind of liked them. I have always been aware of the reputation as home theater speakers but with my particular room myself and people I've had over to listen really enjoyed what they had to say. That was before I put in the Klipsch speakers.

I have a brick and mortar store near me which had a set of Klipsch RF-63 and RC-64 in the back. I knew they weren't being sold anymore and was able to get the guy to offer me a great deal on them. These are some serious speakers. I Bi-wired the fronts in 5.1 mode and turned them on to hear them and was blown away by the difference. Without MCACC I would say they sounded great but a little harsh in the highs as expected and the base was a little bit funny sounding on the roll off. It was definitely a step up from the Cerwin Vegas but I was expecting more in that price range. After the 5 minute complete MCACC the pioneer magically made these speakers completely disappear. The difference was night and day. The bloat of the base rolloff was gone and the push from the center channel was tamed and became part of the complete presentation. As a matter of fact I can no longer tell where the Klipsch speakers roll off to the HSU VF2 sub. Sound seems to be clear and as loud as I can stand it and I am hearing things in music and movies that I have never heard before that I have heard hundreds of times. The Eagles Farewell Tour I sounded unbelievable. Tron 2 was equally as entertaining. I haven't been this happy with a purchase in years. Worth every dime.

I'm using the same old Bose 301 bookshelf speakers I've always had for surrounds. After hearing the difference these Klipsch has made in the room I am considering replacing those with something more appropriate. I must say that the Bose seem to work pretty well with the small tweeters facing the back walls on either side.

For pumping up the bass - do you have Dynamic EQ on? That would help if you don't. If you do, try changing the reference level offset (0db would give the most bass). Keep in mind though that internet sources like Pandora are low bitrate and not the best audio quality - how does the system sound with CDs?

Center channel - have you double checked your speaker cable? Make sure everything is solid and neat, no stray wires poking out anywhere. Does the crackle show up on only those two movies? If the crackle is there at any volume level, then it's in the recording itself.

Hello Factor.

Thanks for the congrats. The NewEgg.com pricing on WF's belies the quality of the speaker. It really is a nice product, way beyond the the 269.00 ea. price point. And Factor, at that price, they exceed expectations by a long shot! I will PM you photos of the WF's lined up beside my RF-35's and give you my impressions.
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/12/13 at 7:04pm

Hello Zen.

Thanks for the encouragement regarding the speaker comparison. I have since decided to move the WF's up to the family room and have the RF-35's remain with the main system. Only because, that was the initial game plan. The only way the WF's would have replaced the RF's would be because the WF were vastly superior, and they weren't. Let's just say that the WF's appealed to me in certain ways and the RF's appealed to me in other ways. Anyway, for a little while longer, the RF's have maintained their position.
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/12/13 at 7:03pm

Nice score on the WF-35's, especially now that newegg has finally sold out and discontinued them.

Just curious, what was that you were not looking in the RF-7 II and presumably that you found in the WF-35?

What were those custom legs that you put on your RF-35's? They look pretty slick!

Hello Zen.

That's cool that Denon gave you a 4806 in place of the 4802. It's a shame you had to go thru so much, be it looks like it worked out for you in the end.
I have to tell you, when I switched from the amplification of my Marantz SR9300 AVR (comparable in power to the 4802), to separates (Rotel SSP w/ Anthem MCA amps), my Klipsch's where transformed. The higher current added so much to their performance. Low end was without question improved, tighter and more disciplined. The mids and highs became so definitive. This enhanced performance is something that I have become accustomed too, almost allowing me to take it for granted. No doubt the Rotel processor and the upgrading of my source devices play a role in the overall performance too. Now, I've since added outriggers to the RF-35's and I have to say that the increased stability that the cones/spikes create, has further improved the speakers response. How do I mean? At my default volume setting of "45" (Rotel's volume level displays 0-99), when listening in 2 channel, speaker setting "Large", Pure Direct/Bypass, I now feel the bass, were as before I was just hearing it. To get to that level of low end output, prior to the outrigger install, I would have to increase the volume to 55. It's similar to what happened when I sat my sub on a Auralex SubDude isolation platform. Bass tightens, seems more accurate, defined, focused and/or precise. Are you currently using the spikes that came with the RF-7s or the OEM feet?
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) The outriggers have improved the RF-35's performance. I won't go as far as to say that it will make a difference over any other spike implementation, but it definitely does over the standard rubber feet that usually come with the Klipsch Reference products.
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/13/13 at 5:34am

Hello eaux.

Thanks for the sentiments. I was very fortunate to secure one of the remaining pair. I had been considering the WF's for quite some time. My intention was to put them in my family room due to the nature of the speaker. WAF! The furniture grade finish (Espresso) was a perfect match to the decor, so to be able to grab them for $540 was a no brainer. So the only reason I chose the WF's is because it was a perfect fit aesthetically for my family room and what was required as far as sound quality, they exceed expectation, especially at the price paid! It wasn't that the RF-7II's would not satisfy my performance requirement. To the contrary, it would, bigtime! It's just that the RF-7II's size and look wasn't conducive to my family room decor or my wife's discriminating demands!

At the same time, I was also in the market for new speakers in my main room (Man cave ). I thought I had become tired of the RF-35's. So I started auditioning speakers from other manufacturers. I also knew deep down that if I could, I would stay with the Klispch Reference line. How does this relate to you question about the RF-7II's? Well, I had the fortunate opportunity to go to a retailer in my area that carry the Klipsch Reference line and they had the RF-83's, RF-63's and the RF-7II's on the floor. By then, the RF-83's and 63's were discontinued but the retailer still had some in stock. Not many get this type of opportunity to compare the Reference IV line to the Reference II line. I listened to RF-7II's very intently. I then listened to the RF-83's and then the RF-63's. I felt that due to my room size and my system's capabilities and last but not least sound quality, I preferred the RF-63's over both the 83's and the 7II's. It would be an overall better fit in two categories: 1) Sound output and physical size of footprint. Call me strange, but I really like the RF-63's and if I was going to stay with the Klipsch product, they would be the successor to my RF-35's. I'm not saying that it's a better speaker than the RF-7II's because it isn't. It's something to do with the narrow form factor and it's middle of the road performance when compared to the RF-83 and RF-7II. I felt it provided qualities of both in a smaller package.

The feet that have been installed on the RF-35's are called Outriggers. They are from a company called Soundocity.com. eaux, other than the placement of room treatments (panels , diffusers, traps and the like) and stronger amplification, this is the best move one can make to improve speaker performance. Hands down, IMO, if your speakers are resting on carpeted floors or even wood flooring, with OEM rubber feet, outriggers are the answer to better stability, tighter and more focused bass, more definitive mids and cleaner highs. Not to mention, they improve the look! Even though some manufacturers, depending on the speaker may include spikes in the box, they are usually not even close to the quality of the Soundocity product. The Outrigger package is substantial and of superb fit and finish. Way beyond it's pricing, that's for sure. No doubt, a sound investment.
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/12/13 at 4:57pm

you can pay me now... or you can pay me later.

7ii's > 35's

beware the upgrade bug

I guess that's where my rant started off. How much is 'better' worth to each person? A corolla drives just as well as a Lexus LS. I've heard the RF-7ii's in a couple of places and neither times did I feel like 'wow, I really want these over my WFs'. It was more like a 'yeah, it's a great speaker, but not 4x the price great'. I've also heard Paradigm Signatures and B&W 800s in the same store so maybe it was a room thing. I've also expressed before that maybe I'm at the plateau when it comes to discerning sound. To each his own.

Hey man, I understand what you're sayin'. Satisfaction is relative. In my case, the WF's mission, one only it could achieve, being decor compatible in my family room and because of that, aesthetically, they are superior to the RF-35's. The RF's could never approach the visual appeal of the WF's. Not even the slight edge I give the RF's when it comes to overall sound quality, could take the WF's place in the familyroom. Now, I will say that I could definitely live with the WF's in the Mancave hook up to the main system. So just based on that, the WF's could be deemed the more versatile speaker. I'm just sayin'!

In regards to the other comparisons you're making, let's try to keep things in perspective. A Corolla is not a Lexus LS by a long shot. Totally different platform. Are they both cars from the Toyota Corporation? Yes? But that's where the similarities end. The B&W and Paradigm Sig comparison is solely based on affordability. I have to believe if that if the WF's, the 800 Series and Sigs where price the same, and your room could accommodate the size, hands down, you would pick either the B&W's or the Sigs. And that's okay. I would too! Again, perspective is in order.
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/12/13 at 7:53pm

Dude! I am the epitome of the upgrade affliction! But I do know my limitations. I would never presume that the RF-35's are an equivalent to the RF-7II's. I know better! I realize the RF-7II's superior range and of course it's imposing look! The dual 10 inchers are menacing! But for right now, the RF-35's are giving me what I need. And like I said before, if I wanted to upgrade, and Klipsch was the move, I have to say right now, I would try to get my hands on a pair of RF-63's. I actually like them better than the 7's. But that's just me.
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/12/13 at 7:54pm

I thought the drama was over.
There is no reason to justify or defend your speakers but they do not compete with RF-7's in sound quality by a wide margin, and they certainly do not compete with the B&W 800 series or the Paradigm Signature series.
Nor should they, even at MSRP they are cheap by comparison.

Sorry, that's just not true.

Depends on what year they both are.

hey klipschers ,
i have been searching for a pair of klf-30 's or 20 's for a year now and no luck .can't even find anyone to hear 'em , closest person selling them is 1300 miles
and then i think ok now i have the rf 82 and i want them klf 30 s ,then am i gonna keep upgrading i might as well get the holly grail khorns and cut to the chase hey ?
i find that chasing those old heritage and legend lines is like a mirage .... i too heard the rf-7 ii and thought oh they are lacking something and tbh ,it didnt sound all that night and day different from my setup .
i really want to go backwards and not new ,it seems the older you go the better don't you guys agree ?
cheers guys ...guess i'll kep on looking and dreaming lol

Have you tried the Forum on the Klipsch web site?

My SW-110 subwoofer just arrived today, got an open box deal for $299. At 200 watts rms, its supposed to be replacing my crappy old Polk psw-350 (100 wats rms). All my settings are the same, but I have to turn up the sw-110 at least 3/4 to hear it. Could something be wrong? The reviews call this sub a hard hitter. So far it's no better than my Polk sub.

Volume (gain) controls vary from sub manufacturer to manufacturer (or any electronics with a volume control, for that matter). Don't worry about where on the dial you have to set it - how does is sound?

Idgibson, I bought a pair of RF-62 II's last summer. It was great for music but its horn was a little fatiguing after a long listening session. Then later in the year, I saw the WF-35's at newegg and was first tempted to snatch a pair for music use. After further research on avs and klipsch forums, I finally decided to cut straight to the RF-7 II HT set (screw the WAF, I didn't show how they look until they showed up on a pallet on my driveway)

Glad to see Some finally here on the thread put their "Big Boy " pants on & get what they want

Alan P, It sounds pretty good but something must not be right, full gain should pretty much be shaking the house.

Well, you did say that all your settings were the same - you need to at least set the sub level in your AVR with the internal pink noise generator so the sub's level is at 75db. You didn't say which AVR you are running, but you should also re-run whatever auto EQ it has (Audyssey, MCACC, etc.) whenever you change components in your system.

It's good that you are happy with your RF-7II purchase. At this point and time, they're just not for me.

You mean, "RF 83s" right?  Not 63s  I have friends who have both and some prefer the RF 83s to the RF 7s . . . Different ears on different folks.  If you would consider RF 63s instead of RF 7s, well, why not the monster 83s, more of a comparison to the 7s.

 

Most of us vintage owners have a story to two about driving long distances to "go get 'em now" . . . Especially for the vintage ones not being made any more of the Heritage ones more affordable vintage . . . I have found gas and time cheaper than shipping monster vintage speakers.  But they are out there.  I have seen KLF 30s within 5 hours of me . . . knowing they are not making any more, figure the cost of gas and time as part of the price.

 

I moved from Reference to all vintage Heritage about 15 months ago . . . What a journey in that time, to collect some pretty amazing speakers.

 

don't get me wrong . . . I loved my Reference setup . . . Served me well for 4 years . . . An amazing line for music and movies, especially if you have no time or gifts or willingness to open your speakers up and tweak.  I love my plug and play new Reference speakers when I bought them and setup my first 7.1 system.

 

But when I bought my first vintage Klipsch, a ratty but sonically repaired pair of KG2s, I just heard a different great sound with that little taste, then some KG4s, then a friend taught me about capacitors and crossovers, then I bought bought my first pair of sonically imperfect vintage La Scalas, discovered Bob and Michael Crites, repair crossovers and tweeters, and mid driver gaskets . . . Then for the first time, plugged them up to a solid state AVR . . . . Wow!  I never heard anything like.  I just did not believe a Reference line speaker could be beat, for me.

 

Fast forward . . . all of my Reference speakers have gone to great homes.  All Vintage Klipsch (KGs and Heritage) for me now (but modern subs) . . . In every setup (except for a vintage pair of Bozaks in my official office), all vintage Klipsch all the time.

 

if I had never heard a vintage Heritage speaker back in specs, I am sure I would have RF7s and RF83s in my two main setups now.  But, because all of us have different ears, I found KG and a heritage line more sweet to my ears.  Gonna be different for everyone.

 

If you want some KLF 30s (a great speaker) bad enough, you will save up and plan for gas and a long drive . . . They are out there somewhere for a reasonable price and they are not making any more.  I have never one moment regretted the 20 hour roundtrip I made in one day for a pair of Belles.

 

If you only think "local" you may miss out on something special that will be worth the gas and drive every time you listen to them for years to come.

The cost of something doesn't necessarily reflect it's value. I conceded that the WF-35s don't compare to the RF-7s but it's something I can live with. If we want to extend this furthur, why stop there? If you're gonna go big, go with some Heritage speakers like Klipsch-horns or La Scalas. Isn't that how most speaker threads go anyway? What's your budget, what are you using it for and what size is your room? So let's go back to roots. Do I need a full RF-7 system for a 11x14 living room? Guess it depends on your goals. Not everyone's goal is to go big and play at reference all the time, it certainly was never my goal. Is the room a dedicated theater or is it a living space? In the end, we all have to justify our purchases somehow.

edit: Making up stuff in my head again and creating unnecessary drama. TL;DR - buy what YOU want, not what others say is good.
Edited by psycholis - 3/13/13 at 5:47pm

no sir i haven't that i an exellent idea ,i am gonna try that.

i really appreciate your post ,we all have these stories i drove arround some good distances for some of my treasures aka {rs 52 s -tube amps-guitar amps -power amps , but i do have this obsession ever since i moved to klipsch ,i know i am gonna improve on sound and detail and i am willing in driving hours to listen in aww and buy on the spot .belles hey ,don't know if the wife would divorce me if she sees how big those are ,she already was rolling her eyes when she saw the rf-82 s and rc 62 which i got for 550$ used from cl locally .i drove to oregon from vancouver bc for my rs 52 cauz we did nt have em anywhere here .i guess the looking and obsessing is part of the love and admiration for our passion that keeps us all fired up and laughin when all these people at best buy are standing in front of the bose display pushing that red button and are all wowed ,gets me everytime .

No, you read correctly..... I meant the RF-63's. Why? Preference! After I listened to both the 83's and 63's, I felt that the 63's sonically, were more pleasing to my ears. I also considered my room size and the footprint and the amount of area/space the 83's and 63's would occupy. Believe me. the 63's would the maximum I would want to accommodate. Personally, I do not want my speaker array to visually be the dominating feature in the room. I want to achieve a balanced environment along with having an enjoyable listening experience. The 63's would provide that for me. To tell you the truth, the RF-35's are providing that now.
Edited by ldgibson76 - 3/14/13 at 2:21pm