Review: Klipsch RF-7 Speaker


Category: Speakers

I like Patricia Barber, and use her recordings to test for
transparency. Def Leopard, and ACDC for the bass. I like the music to sound alive, with very good vocal presence, and not without transparency. I love bass, with good mid bass, along with good control and texture. These are still breaking in, but they were good after about an hour of playing. I had horns before this, and was waiting for the day when I could plunk down my money on these. I bought these from Good Guys, delivered, because of the lentgh of time in transit/risk, othrwise, just last month (25 days ago).
I have to have a horn, because I have listened to other speakers, and even though they can excel in certain areas, where horns may not, I feel I have to listen in to hear the sound, and with these, the music comes to you. You feel like you can reach out and touch individual instruments, almost.
The sound in comparison to my other set up, is different, but better in audiophile terms. Horns aren't for everybody, they can be bright, in your face, and sound off through certain frequencies. However, I seem to still have this teenage kid mentality, that can *easily* deal with it. These speakers can stand up to a Classe'product, and the Roksan Caspian cd excels with vocal presence, and transparency, considering the league the it is in. Together this set up, lands the singer, and instruments *right in my room*. The sound comes out of the speakers in a magical, very lively, and 3 dimensional/spatial quality that hardly any other speakers I have heard. The imaging of each individual instrument is so profound, that you feel that you can put your hand around it.


Associated gear
Classe CAP 100, Roksan Caspian cd, and a Luxman T 14 digital tuner.

Similar products
Other Klipsch, Infinity, and PSB. Also a pair of B&W 802 Naut.
greggie
I know exactly what you mean. Horns are not for everyone. I use to use a pair of KLF-20's some years ago for my 2 channel set up. I have since moved this to my dedicated HT room and added in a KLF-7 and 2 RS-7. I now use a pair of Joseph Audio RM-25's for my 2 channel set up. All I can tell you is if I had to use the Klipsch's again, I would need to stick a sock in the horns. My ears are still bleeding from the Klipsch's. It's all a matter of taste. Go and listen to the Joseph's. Then tell me what you think.
Good luck with the Klipsch's.

Brian
They are bright. Patricia Barber, Diana Krall, Eric clapton, or any audiophile type recordings don't come across
as bright, though.
I have read alot about different feelings, to do with audio
and don't any longer call my self an Audiophile, but am trying to be more an enthusiast. Some people have gone in 360* deg circles, owning some of the ultra high end speakers
like B&W Nautilus series, and felt there was something missing, and have come back to horns. It is here at Agon forum threads, Audio Review, and various other sites.
I don't altogether disagree with you though. I have been wrong many times, and leaning more to the neutral opens my eyes to many things I had once overlooked. I wish I could have the best of both worlds, but until something else comes along and zaps me like these, I will enjoy. Thanks Brian.
The Reference series is a very different set of Horns (A big change fom the KLF series !" . With warm equipment and good cabling these are a pleasure to listen...I have these for 6 months now and make time to spend in my "Music Room". These can handle classical to Rock with ease...