Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kuwen 
Has there been any rumors regarding a successor to the Reference series of speakers? With them having been released in 2006, they seem to be about the oldest in Klipsch's line (Icon X - 2007, Icon W - 2008).
Would anyone consider either of the Icon series to be a replacement or at least superior to the Reference series? A speaker purchase is imminent but when I was price checking one store, they said they stopped carrying the Reference line altogether as it was 'replaced' with the Icon W series. He said 'replaced' but I have to wonder given how different their specifications are and I'm interested more in home theatre over music.
It would be rather devastating to have invested ~$3k into a set of speakers only to have them rendered obsolete by a new line.
The Reference series have been around longer than 2006. The Icon series was designed and marketed for a different type of clientele, (a life style type speaker is what I believe it is referred as). It is a smaller and easier speaker to place in a smaller space. The Reference line is considered to be at a higher quality level with clientele that are able to place in their rooms a larger cabinet speaker. The Reference has it's own nitch between the Synergy and Icon, and the much more expensive Heritage and Palladiums, and as well as it continues to be sold, I don't see it going away any time soon, unless it is replaced by a similar line, which the Icon is not.
Last year, Klipsch made the decision to start to direct department store vendors, (Best Buy, Magnolia, etc), to unload the Reference line speakers still in their inventory. These department type stores are no longer authorized to carry them. These days, the only authorized dealers are beau-tic specialty stores and authorized installers. Word has it that the Reference line was never meant to be sold through Best Buy, Magnolia, etc. The Synergy line, and now the Icon line is.