Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Klipsch RF7 Speakers by uw312@aol.com

Model:	RF7
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2199/pr
Description:	2-way bass reflex floorstanding
Manufacturer URL:	Klipsch
Manufacturer URL:	Klipsch

Review by uw312@aol.com ( A ) on June 04, 2003 at 10:43:47
IP Address: 152.163.253.3

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for the RF7

Let me first say that while I'm not exactly a newbie to audio, I'm not as intense as many AAer's so my terminology may not be as exact or descriptive as some would like, so please forgive my first review - will try my best.
I have owned Klipsch's RF-7's for almost five months, and I believe they have undergone their break in period, as I've been running them 4-6 hours per day since they arrived. I never believed in a "break in period" for equipment, but these speakers did seem to change over the first two months I owned them, but more on that later.
I think most people are familiar with the RF-7's (which, by the way, seem to be roughly equivalent to the newer RF-35's). These are fairly large, heavy 2-way floorstanders that weigh in at 90 lbs each. The most noticeable things about them are their two, 10" gold-colored aluminum bass drivers which are magnetically shielded, and the 8" square "Tractrix" horn which is really powered by a 1 3/4" titanium dome compression tweeter. Klipsch claims the RF-7's can handle 250 watts continuous and 1000 watts peak, although with a sensitivity rating of 102dB, it would be interesting to hear someone actually try it.
When I went out in search of a speaker to play the role of mains in my HT, and for 2-channel listening (95% of time spent in the latter role), I actually had a budget of $3000-$4000. The RF-7's were to be mated to a Yamaha DSP-1092A integrated amp and were a replacement for my PSB Silvers. Although I don't have many stores in my area, I was able to listen to a number of brands ranging from Thiel, to Canton, to NHT, to Mirage and Soliloquy. In fact, I lived with a pair of Soliloquy 5.3's for about ten days before they went back. I actually liked them, and enjoyed many that I auditioned. It became clear to me that I was having trouble finding speakers that could throw off enough sound to the end of my long listening area. I live in a loft that is not only large in terms of square feet (18X40), but also has old factory ceilings that are 14' high. The Soliloquys, Thiels, and Mirages all sounded nice - and had a wider soundstage - than the Klipsch, but couldn't seem to project as far into the room as the RF-7's.
I had always heard mixed reviews on the Klipsch speakers as being to bright, and too forward. When listening to the RF series as Tweeters, they did sound a bit bright and, I swear, I felt like I could hear the metal of the drivers - if that makes any sense. I couldn't quite make up my mind if they sounded "overly bright" or simply "clear." I ended up purchasing the RF-7's over the internet for $1400 delivered, and I chose the cherry finish (also available in maple and black ash). I think I became tired of putting off the decision, and just decided to "do it." I figured at that price, if it didn't work out, I could recoup most of my money.
Well, the Klipsch was an immediate improvement over my PSB Silvers, and the high end sounded a bit less edgy than they did in the showroom. I was a bit disappointed at the speakers low end although that did improve somewhat over the first few weeks. It felt like there should have been more extension as Klipsch rates them at 32hz-20khz +/-3db. The finish on the Klipsch is nice although probably not as nice as some of the others I mentioned. The cabinet construction seems to be very solid, however, and I personally tend to like the look of a big "monolithic" looking speaker. If you're looking for a low-profile speaker to hide away, this one probably isn't for you. I did not like the cheesy little plastic outrigger feet, and I have read many cases of them breaking off if you try to slide them into position rather than lifting them. The grilles snap on via 6 pegs, although it is designed so the grill does not actually come flush with the front of the speaker. The cloth is supposed to be acoustically transparent, but it seemed to me to actually smooth the horn a bit with the grills left in place.
After living with the RF-7's for two months, I purchased my first tube amp (Jolida 302b with modifications, EL and Svetlana tubes) as I had heard this speaker might be a good match with a tube amp. I bi-wired them with the Cat-5 (Belden). The high-end benefitted greatly from this addition and I love listening to anything with horns, or harmonica or similar as the highs were clear and smooth but not the least bit piercing like many say of Klipsch. The mids were great and seem very realistic to me and do voices (particularly female) very well. I just about cried when I heard Charlotte Church do "The Water is Wide" through the 7's. These things probably shine the best with rock music, in my opinion. Before, my PSB's would serve up what seemed to be a homogenous, irritating blend of noise when turned up loud on rock music. But the 7's actually retain the music of individual instruments even at very loud volumes.
I still can't say if they are not producing enough bass, or if I am used to the sometimes boomy bass of my PSB's. I did the 7's on a 2"x16" slab of concrete just to see what happened, and that does seemm to help the extension to some degree. Perhaps it is either my listening tastes, the room, or something else I have overlooked, but I use a sub with these even for 2-chanel listening, which, I keep thinking, shouldn't really be ncecessary with these bohemoths.
All in all, I think it is a fairly good speaker, and a very good value if you can get them in the $1500 ballpark.

Product Weakness: Heavy and not very unobtrusive. Need to listen at higher volumes to get the most out of them. Cheap, plastic feet are easily broken. Should probably be used in medium size room or larger. Bass might be overshadowed or unbalanced by the high end. High sensitivity seems to magnify any noise in your system.
Product Strengths: Very nice, realistic mids and highs, particularly when used with tube amplification. Efficient, and easy to drive to high volumes. Great for rock music! Solid construction.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Jolida 302b (modified) EH 12ax7 and 12at7, Svet EL34
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rotel 991 CDP
Speakers:	Klipsch RF-7
Cables/Interconnects:	Cat 5 Belden bi-wire / VooDoo Reference Inter.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Male and Female Vocals: James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Jimmy Buffett, Dan Fogleberg, Carla Bonoff, Nicolette Larson Rock: AC/DC, Deep Purple, Kiss, Scorpions, Rush, Pink Floyd
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 40 x 14
Room Comments/Treatments:	Soft Room: Carpet, Soft Wallhangings, Furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	About 5 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	See Above (plus Mitsubishi 55859 HDTV), PSB Ambient 2's, PSB C200 center, 2 AR H12SO subs

Product Weakness:	Heavy and not very unobtrusive. Need to listen at higher volumes to get the most out of them. Cheap, plastic feet are easily broken. Should probably be used in medium size room or larger. Bass might be overshadowed or unbalanced by the high end. High sensitivity seems to magnify any noise in your system.
Product Strengths:	Very nice, realistic mids and highs, particularly when used with tube amplification. Efficient, and easy to drive to high volumes. Great for rock music! Solid construction.