KlipsDude

Well, sounds like you aren't the only one that thinks a lot of the RF-7, here is what this guy said about the RF-7's and Klipschorn's in this review: ============================================================================================= Klipsch RF-7 Powerful Speakers for Low Powered Amps By David Bardes - 2003 All Rights Reserved - Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine Many tube enthusiasts reach back to the vintage Klipsch speakers to get the big, dynamic sound they crave. Compared to today's power-hungry speakers, the Heresy, Forte, Chorus and Khorn speakers are an inexpensive sonic salvation. Unlike other speaker manufacturers which have sacrificed high efficiency for small size and cost reduction, Klipsch continues to make efficient speakers that are a great choice for low powered SE and vintage tube amps. Packaged in a contemporary tower design, Klipsch's RF-7 contains all the advantages of their classic speakers and serves them up with extended frequency response, improved resolution, and great imaging that define modern speaker design. The RF-7 is a two-way tower design. A Tractrix horn-loaded, titanium-dome driver supplies the treble, and two 10" aluminum cones supply the lows and mids. The cones have been anodized on both front and back surfaces, which act as damping layers for the otherwise stiff but ring-prone aluminum. These drivers are crossed over at 2200 Hz using a fourth order Linkwitz-Riley type crossover. A relatively steep crossover was used to control sound dispersion and control "ring modes" in the aluminum cones. Two very large ports occupy the rear of the cabinet. These ports are larger than many other speaker manufacturers use, but are appropriate for the woofer configuration (it is easier and cheaper to use smaller diameter ports at the cost of potential port noise). The cabinet uses veneered MDF, veneered on the inside as well as the outside for improved cabinet damping. My samples were veneered in a beautiful cherry finish. Black ash and light maple are the other options. Twin sets of binding posts are provided for biwiring and Monster Cable Zwire is used inside the cabinet. Most importantly, they are efficient enough for really low powered amps. The RF-7s have a clean open sound. The titanium diaphragm provides great treble extension and a clear sound, but the tweeters sound just a bit frosty at first. Once the tweeters break in, the sound opens up to provide a nice image, both wide and deep. I heard real depth and a sense of the large recording venue for Diana Krall's Besame. I could distinguish the distance of the different sections of the London Philharmonic from the microphones as they backed up Diana's singing. Violins and violas were clearly delineated. Diana's voice was natural and I could not find a hint of coloration from the tweeter horn. I thought I had found a weakness in the RF-7s bass performance which I felt was too pronounced and boomy, although the bass extension was impressive. This boominess turned out to be my single ended amp, because when I changed the amp out to David Bernings's Micro ZOTL amp, the bass tightened right up and delved even deeper, even though the Micro ZOTL amp is rated at just 1 watt! I played several discs with deep, strong bass (Down to the Bone, Crystal Method, etc.) and the RF-7s were quite impressive. Ron Carter's acoustic bass was deep and visceral while playing his version of Cubano Chant (When Skies are Gray, Blue Note). Only a very good subwoofer would provide deeper bass. It may prove that some single ended amps may not have the damping power to get the full measure of bass punch from these speakers despite their high efficiency. Compared to my beloved Khorns, the RF-7s had far superior imaging, better bass and treble extension, and I heard details in recordings I hadn't heard through the Khorns. For me this is impressive, as many speakers sound like toys when compared to the Khorns. True, the Khorns still sounded bigger, but this is a warm fuzzy big, and not the focused image that the RF-7s convey. And if anything, the RF-7s could produce a punchier, more dynamic sound than my corner horns. These speakers deserve consideration for low powered tube rigs. Unlike full-range, single cones speaker designs which are the current rage, these speakers have more muscle, way more treble extension, and they "got bass!" It is important to try your amp with these speakers, as my 300B amp was a good match, but the Micro ZOTL amp was an amazing match with the RF-7's. ($2300/pr SRP). Klipsch RF-7 Subjective Evaluation Dynamic Range 4.5 Transparency 4 Frequency Extension 5 Dimensionality 4 Pace and Rhythm 4 Musical Involvement 4.25 The scale is 1 to 5 with a score of 5 being the very best! Overall Rating: 4.25 Manufacturer Specifications Frequency Response: 32Hz-20KHz±3dB Sensitivity: 102dB @ 1watt/1meter Power Handling: 250 watts maximum continuous (1000 watts peak) Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms Dimensions: (H x W x D): Height: 45" (115cm) Width: 11.6" (29.7cm) Depth: 16" (41cm) Weight: 90 lbs. (40.8kg) Klipsch Audio Technologies 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 860-8100 Toll Free: (800) 544-1482 Test System Components: Jolida JD 603 CD player with Mullard CV4004 tubes in the analog output section Assemblage SET 300 amp with Valve Art and JJ 300B tubes, Micro ZOTL amp Homebrew fine wire speaker cables using three strands of 30 awg silver-coated copper wire in a kynar jacket TEK LINE PC-12 Signature power cords for both the amp and CD player VSE Super Clear interconnects

Klipsch RF-7 Powerful Speakers for Low Powered Amps By David Bardes - 2003 All Rights Reserved - Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine Many tube enthusiasts reach back to the vintage Klipsch speakers to get the big, dynamic sound they crave. Compared to today's power-hungry speakers, the Heresy, Forte, Chorus and Khorn speakers are an inexpensive sonic salvation. Unlike other speaker manufacturers which have sacrificed high efficiency for small size and cost reduction, Klipsch continues to make efficient speakers that are a great choice for low powered SE and vintage tube amps. Packaged in a contemporary tower design, Klipsch's RF-7 contains all the advantages of their classic speakers and serves them up with extended frequency response, improved resolution, and great imaging that define modern speaker design. The RF-7 is a two-way tower design. A Tractrix horn-loaded, titanium-dome driver supplies the treble, and two 10" aluminum cones supply the lows and mids. The cones have been anodized on both front and back surfaces, which act as damping layers for the otherwise stiff but ring-prone aluminum. These drivers are crossed over at 2200 Hz using a fourth order Linkwitz-Riley type crossover. A relatively steep crossover was used to control sound dispersion and control "ring modes" in the aluminum cones. Two very large ports occupy the rear of the cabinet. These ports are larger than many other speaker manufacturers use, but are appropriate for the woofer configuration (it is easier and cheaper to use smaller diameter ports at the cost of potential port noise). The cabinet uses veneered MDF, veneered on the inside as well as the outside for improved cabinet damping. My samples were veneered in a beautiful cherry finish. Black ash and light maple are the other options. Twin sets of binding posts are provided for biwiring and Monster Cable Zwire is used inside the cabinet. Most importantly, they are efficient enough for really low powered amps. The RF-7s have a clean open sound. The titanium diaphragm provides great treble extension and a clear sound, but the tweeters sound just a bit frosty at first. Once the tweeters break in, the sound opens up to provide a nice image, both wide and deep. I heard real depth and a sense of the large recording venue for Diana Krall's Besame. I could distinguish the distance of the different sections of the London Philharmonic from the microphones as they backed up Diana's singing. Violins and violas were clearly delineated. Diana's voice was natural and I could not find a hint of coloration from the tweeter horn. I thought I had found a weakness in the RF-7s bass performance which I felt was too pronounced and boomy, although the bass extension was impressive. This boominess turned out to be my single ended amp, because when I changed the amp out to David Bernings's Micro ZOTL amp, the bass tightened right up and delved even deeper, even though the Micro ZOTL amp is rated at just 1 watt! I played several discs with deep, strong bass (Down to the Bone, Crystal Method, etc.) and the RF-7s were quite impressive. Ron Carter's acoustic bass was deep and visceral while playing his version of Cubano Chant (When Skies are Gray, Blue Note). Only a very good subwoofer would provide deeper bass. It may prove that some single ended amps may not have the damping power to get the full measure of bass punch from these speakers despite their high efficiency. Compared to my beloved Khorns, the RF-7s had far superior imaging, better bass and treble extension, and I heard details in recordings I hadn't heard through the Khorns. For me this is impressive, as many speakers sound like toys when compared to the Khorns. True, the Khorns still sounded bigger, but this is a warm fuzzy big, and not the focused image that the RF-7s convey. And if anything, the RF-7s could produce a punchier, more dynamic sound than my corner horns. These speakers deserve consideration for low powered tube rigs. Unlike full-range, single cones speaker designs which are the current rage, these speakers have more muscle, way more treble extension, and they "got bass!" It is important to try your amp with these speakers, as my 300B amp was a good match, but the Micro ZOTL amp was an amazing match with the RF-7's. ($2300/pr SRP). Klipsch RF-7 Subjective Evaluation Dynamic Range 4.5 Transparency 4 Frequency Extension 5 Dimensionality 4 Pace and Rhythm 4 Musical Involvement 4.25 The scale is 1 to 5 with a score of 5 being the very best! Overall Rating: 4.25 Manufacturer Specifications Frequency Response: 32Hz-20KHz±3dB Sensitivity: 102dB @ 1watt/1meter Power Handling: 250 watts maximum continuous (1000 watts peak) Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms Dimensions: (H x W x D): Height: 45" (115cm) Width: 11.6" (29.7cm) Depth: 16" (41cm) Weight: 90 lbs. (40.8kg) Klipsch Audio Technologies 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 860-8100 Toll Free: (800) 544-1482 Test System Components: Jolida JD 603 CD player with Mullard CV4004 tubes in the analog output section Assemblage SET 300 amp with Valve Art and JJ 300B tubes, Micro ZOTL amp Homebrew fine wire speaker cables using three strands of 30 awg silver-coated copper wire in a kynar jacket TEK LINE PC-12 Signature power cords for both the amp and CD player VSE Super Clear interconnects

Hmmm, might be because he read this review on the RF-7's: Klipsch RF-7 Powerful Speakers for Low Powered Amps By David Bardes - 2003 All Rights Reserved - Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine Many tube enthusiasts reach back to the vintage Klipsch speakers to get the big, dynamic sound they crave. Compared to today's power-hungry speakers, the Heresy, Forte, Chorus and Khorn speakers are an inexpensive sonic salvation. Unlike other speaker manufacturers which have sacrificed high efficiency for small size and cost reduction, Klipsch continues to make efficient speakers that are a great choice for low powered SE and vintage tube amps. Packaged in a contemporary tower design, Klipsch's RF-7 contains all the advantages of their classic speakers and serves them up with extended frequency response, improved resolution, and great imaging that define modern speaker design. The RF-7 is a two-way tower design. A Tractrix horn-loaded, titanium-dome driver supplies the treble, and two 10" aluminum cones supply the lows and mids. The cones have been anodized on both front and back surfaces, which act as damping layers for the otherwise stiff but ring-prone aluminum. These drivers are crossed over at 2200 Hz using a fourth order Linkwitz-Riley type crossover. A relatively steep crossover was used to control sound dispersion and control "ring modes" in the aluminum cones. Two very large ports occupy the rear of the cabinet. These ports are larger than many other speaker manufacturers use, but are appropriate for the woofer configuration (it is easier and cheaper to use smaller diameter ports at the cost of potential port noise). The cabinet uses veneered MDF, veneered on the inside as well as the outside for improved cabinet damping. My samples were veneered in a beautiful cherry finish. Black ash and light maple are the other options. Twin sets of binding posts are provided for biwiring and Monster Cable Zwire is used inside the cabinet. Most importantly, they are efficient enough for really low powered amps. The RF-7s have a clean open sound. The titanium diaphragm provides great treble extension and a clear sound, but the tweeters sound just a bit frosty at first. Once the tweeters break in, the sound opens up to provide a nice image, both wide and deep. I heard real depth and a sense of the large recording venue for Diana Krall's Besame. I could distinguish the distance of the different sections of the London Philharmonic from the microphones as they backed up Diana's singing. Violins and violas were clearly delineated. Diana's voice was natural and I could not find a hint of coloration from the tweeter horn. I thought I had found a weakness in the RF-7s bass performance which I felt was too pronounced and boomy, although the bass extension was impressive. This boominess turned out to be my single ended amp, because when I changed the amp out to David Bernings's Micro ZOTL amp, the bass tightened right up and delved even deeper, even though the Micro ZOTL amp is rated at just 1 watt! I played several discs with deep, strong bass (Down to the Bone, Crystal Method, etc.) and the RF-7s were quite impressive. Ron Carter's acoustic bass was deep and visceral while playing his version of Cubano Chant (When Skies are Gray, Blue Note). Only a very good subwoofer would provide deeper bass. It may prove that some single ended amps may not have the damping power to get the full measure of bass punch from these speakers despite their high efficiency. Compared to my beloved Khorns, the RF-7s had far superior imaging, better bass and treble extension, and I heard details in recordings I hadn't heard through the Khorns. For me this is impressive, as many speakers sound like toys when compared to the Khorns. True, the Khorns still sounded bigger, but this is a warm fuzzy big, and not the focused image that the RF-7s convey. And if anything, the RF-7s could produce a punchier, more dynamic sound than my corner horns. These speakers deserve consideration for low powered tube rigs. Unlike full-range, single cones speaker designs which are the current rage, these speakers have more muscle, way more treble extension, and they "got bass!" It is important to try your amp with these speakers, as my 300B amp was a good match, but the Micro ZOTL amp was an amazing match with the RF-7's. ($2300/pr SRP). Klipsch RF-7 Subjective Evaluation Dynamic Range 4.5 Transparency 4 Frequency Extension 5 Dimensionality 4 Pace and Rhythm 4 Musical Involvement 4.25 The scale is 1 to 5 with a score of 5 being the very best! Overall Rating: 4.25 Manufacturer Specifications Frequency Response: 32Hz-20KHz±3dB Sensitivity: 102dB @ 1watt/1meter Power Handling: 250 watts maximum continuous (1000 watts peak) Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms Dimensions: (H x W x D): Height: 45" (115cm) Width: 11.6" (29.7cm) Depth: 16" (41cm) Weight: 90 lbs. (40.8kg) Klipsch Audio Technologies 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 860-8100 Toll Free: (800) 544-1482 Test System Components: Jolida JD 603 CD player with Mullard CV4004 tubes in the analog output section Assemblage SET 300 amp with Valve Art and JJ 300B tubes, Micro ZOTL amp Homebrew fine wire speaker cables using three strands of 30 awg silver-coated copper wire in a kynar jacket TEK LINE PC-12 Signature power cords for both the amp and CD player VSE Super Clear interconnects

* I'm almost certain it is subjective likes most all sound is. * I hear all this stuff here abouts Klipsch RF-7 having a hot top and the crossover upgrade will remove the hot harsh top. What the heck, I say to myself???? There is no hot tops, I gets no harsh, all I gets is so smooth creamy beautiful cookin sound. Maybe, just maybe, you need to run it with equip that will work as a team with the RF-7. I'm using a McIntosh amps, and it's way smooth with no HOT top, and it's extremely detailed. Maybe, but just maybe's, one would benefit to a much lesser degree when running with very good hi-end equips. When I listen's to Diana Krall, I can very easily hear her chair sounds as she moves playing the piano, and her her lips smakin when she gulps for air between her singings. Also hear some background studo talkin some times in songs. Her Albums sound AWESOME on a pair of RF-7's! * I recently asked a few peoples that know a lot abouts crossover upgrades and was told some will swear by it and some will say it's not necessary, I was told if you don't needs to, then don't, but if you have a problem with old crossovers, than do it. So I don't know. I did once hear one guys Forte II that had crossover upgrade he did and I really had trouble hearing much and felt I liked my Forte II stock sound better but that is all I've ever heard wit any experience but we's were running different equip to, so it wonts be a fair compares. * I hear great comments here abouts DeanG crossover, I curious hows it sounds, but I donts get no hot or veiled sound here, so I donts need no fixin.

Darn, I got my Uncle tonight at home and he told me they aren't coming this year that my folks already know! Heck they didn't say a word to me. He said gas prices are sky high thanks to George Bush, so that is why they are not coming. That is such a bummer, it totally sucks big time. I thought I was going to have them come to me safely.

WaveMan, thanks for sharing your opinion with us of what Klipsch Speaker you like best. I for one do care to want to hear your opinion as my own is much like yours. It's good to know other RF-7 users feel because we Reference users gets lots of crap from some Heritage users putting us down as if it's inferior to their Heritage they use. I very much accounts this to them not ever really hearing a good RF-7 before! Cause if one hears, it is no way to say it isn't good like some try to say. Klipsch has always been good, and continues to gets better with keeping the KLIPSCH sound, and staying very dynamic and detailed.

Also, make sure it's not something with one of your equip. going out making the sound change. I had that happens before around 1998 or 1999, and when I got it fixed, the sound was back again, then six months later the thing did it again so I got rid of it. I got that amp used so could be why he gots rid of it cause the repair said it looked like serviced before. Just a thought.

Let us know what you find out. I was hoping to gets an email back from him answering some of my questions but I guess not. I was all ready to drive down there if it's all good to go.

zekey, thanks for sharing with us. I can't wait to see if or what new Klipsch products are coming out. The Premiere line looks very nice but it will be's expensive and that will puts out of reach for some like me. I'm hoping Klipsch will put back out a line simular to things like the Fortes, Chorus, Cornwall for the Klipsch Guys here who will not except a 2-way design that want the mid-range horn. I would get a pair for a second system for sure, and big plus it would be all brand new and in wood color I would get to picks, all keeping in the price range of like the Legend and Reference cause the Premiere I read is going to be in the $4000.00 or so range, not pretty for me! I love big speakers, I say put the big ones back out brand new! I'll buy a pair, I promise! Heritage cost too much brand new too, for me that is.

Thanks for all the info jpm, I'm going to check it out and read up on that new equip of yours, I never heard of it before, shows me how behind I am from some heres. Thanks

Sounds too good to be true! Wonder what's wrong with them. I tried to call and email but haven't heard anythings back. I could easily dip down to California and pick them up if it be really that steal of a deal! But I'm very skeptical, anyways, hope it turn out good for one of the Klipsch Family here.

Yep, those be's beauties to behold! Enjoy them, don't giv'em up later on! Those be keepers.

Dean, how much do those ADS speaker weigh each, how tall? I tried to read up on them from Google but cants find any thing on them, curious cause I never heard of those. I must be spelling it wrong for it to come up on google.

Geez, now you really haves me curious if its that huge a difference. Wish I could hear the difference yours sound like than mine.

I know, if he was like my Mom, she never let any one set foot in the front room, that's why all her furniture in there still looks brand new after 25+ years old. My Dad's speakers are in that front room to, thats why they look brand new still. He needs new speakers but I know he wont do it, but his speakers dont have no HF like Klipsch do.

Dean, I been reading people talking about your crossover for the RF-7. I noticed you went to the Klipsch Pilgrimage, I was just curios of how Klipsch feels about your crossover change? Do they like it? Do they think it's improvement to the sound? Just asking, hope you don't mind me asking it, just curious after reading what people say about them. Nice ADS speakers, they do look brand new! Someone must haves not let anyone touch them! Anyways, it sound like you are puttin a interesting system together.

jpm, sounds like a nice setup you have there. Wish I could have a listen to it and see what it's like. Dang, that's a good price for 12 gauge wire. I was in HomeDepot a few weeks back and I missed that, they were outs of the speaker spool wire on that rack rolls, I'm gonna have to go back and look for that one and see if they gots more in. Think I'll give thats a try and see if I hear a difference. Okay, making sure I understand what you are saying, I get all four wire cables to bi-wire, all 12 gauge? And are you saying you replaced the Klipsch speaker connectors to the Radio Shack speaker connectors?? My friend has some big fat wire cables on his RF-7's but they were $325.00 for the pair for 10ft. He said he noticed it kind of sound smoother by changing the sound wider than more forward and narrow. Him and I are running all different equip. so I don't know if I'm hearin smoother or not, maybes I should ask to borrow them. I won't pay that much for cables. Oh yea, in the do it yourself forums, I read some guys are making their own cables with solid core copper wire that they link threaded wire with and swear it's as good as $3,000.00 cables for whole lots cheaper. Has me curios about those to. I guess folks are making their own speakers and cables now. I think I will try the .20¢ a foot first.

Thanks for the info Dylanl, I hadn't heard of those, better take a peak and see what your're talkin abouts. man o man, I feel stupid that I didn't think of doing somethin like Dean and build false corners first and see how that worked, now i'm curious how that would have worked here. Never heard of building false corners before, now I really feel dumb!

My brother remind me this morning of our family members in Maryland, they take a yearly motorhome trip in the summer to visit us. I just called and spoke to my Aunt and asked her if my Uncle could go up to New York and pick them up for me and bring them here when they come visit us, she said I need to talk that over with my Uncle and he won't be back home until Tuesday from a fishing trip he is on with his fishing buddies. I don't think he would mind bringing them to me in his motorhome when he comes here soon, I'm gonna try and talk him into it. They always come here in July. It would be cheaper for me, no shipping cost. I don't think Maryland is too far from New York? He would just have to be willin to drive up there to you to pick them up.

What do they weigh? Around 100lbs each? I don't know much about how to ship them, I'll have to look in the yellow pages and make some calls and see how much that would cost for each to ship. Sure wish you were closer where I could drive the few hundred miles to pick them up so I'm sure those beauties stay beauties. Maybe anything better than UPS shipping is better that will get here safe??

Sounds like it was a lots of fun! Wish I would have gotten the chance for the experience, maybe one day I will get to do that in the future, would be so cool to have an experience like that. Lucky I'm not and lucky you are , be glad to hears more about it after the secret silence gate is lifted up.

Oh yea, when I heard the Heresy's at Bry's in Marysville, Washington Klipsch Dealer, they did sound good! For me, if I gots those, I would put a sub with them, or would try first to see if I could get along without a sub first, should be the way I try first since I read some like it the way it is and don't need a sub and some said yes a sub. Those would save space, I could see how a girl should love that! I need to find a girl that likes BIG speakers!

===red mahogany === Now you're talkin! I love mahogany! I picked Cherry for my RF-7's but I really wish the RF-7's would come in mahogany!!! That would be my first pick over any finish, really beautiful to these eyes! Last year I checked to see if LaScala's came in mahogany but just the Klipschorn did. In the future, if I get a LaScala or Klipschorn, I wants it in mahogany for sure, love that finish man o man!! Good pick guy!

Duke Spinner, thanks, that's good info to know about with the LaScala and KH.

That looks like quite a project Dean, how long did that take you? What noticeable sound change did you hear with it? Was it worth the work?? Looks like what I need here for Klipschorn's. Nice work.