jw31

Thanks for the info. This would be for a living room stereo system that would get used maybe an hour or 3 a WEEK, so I guess I'm not as worried about heat dissipation! A new twist on the same question, does anyone know of a receiver that is not very deep? I could have it sideways if there is enough room front to back (maybe 11-12"), including speaker connections. I only intend on running my Ipod thru this, so not seeing the front panel is fine as long as I can turn it on and adjust the volume. Would need to be an older model I could find used in the <$100 range, just need a stereo receiver but more is fine too. Anything more than $100 and I'll just keep using the nasty pioneer shelf unit! Thanks!

I know, this is a really stupid and embarassing question, but I'm out of options. I got the ok to audition a nice pair of kg3's for the living room, BUT the only place I'm allowed to have a receiver is in the upright cabinet where the old crappy shelf system "receiver" currently lives (and it's about 10" wide!). I was looking at a nice used Marantz sr5000, but there is NO WAY it will fit there UNLESS I place it on it's side. Frankly I've never heard of/seen a receiver that is less than 10" wide, they're all designed for normal entertainment centers/stacks. Has anyone tried this? I mean theoretically there is no reason it shouldn't work just as well right? I mean the wires and such can't tell the difference, it's not like there are directional moving parts. I would probably figure out a way to make sure it's secure and not a threat to tip over. Alternatively, would it be worth trying the kg3's on a circa 95 pioneer shelf system head unit, maybe 50W/channel? I really have the choice of worse and worser if you will. Help me out or else no kg3's! Thanks!

I'd do a search on ebay for the models you have under completed auctions to see what similar gear went for. Can also check other sources like craigslist or audiogon to see what others are asking. This seems to be a common chicken/egg problem. Someone asks "what is this worth" and the response is "what are you asking?" Can we offer assistance before asking for prices/pics? []

Finally got some pics of the KG3's and they're actually oak! So I don't have to reveneer them, and they appear nice enough visually to not need to refinish them (haven't seen them in person yet tho)! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Damn, you'd have to just plain shoot me down huh?!? [] Is it because the veneer is too thin, the black lacquer is too thick or because they didn't use a nice woodgrain for the black? It may still be worth doing as a test project, I've never re-veneered anything before, and this is something nice and squared off to try. I'll post my progress if I get them and decide to give it a go. If I decide to do that, I assume I'd just sand down to the MDF and go from there right? Thanks!

I have the opportunity to get a pair of kg4.2s and a pair of kg3's but each are black and I'd prefer woodgrain. Is the black wood/veneer like the woodgrain models, just stained/painted black? Can I strip/sand all 4 and restain them to something pleasing so that they all match and have a nice look? Would I need to reveneer? (hoping not). We've recently stripped/restained a few antique cabinets with good results, so I'm confident we can do it if it's not a huge PIA to do, and matching won't be a problem because they'd all get the same treatment. Is there a list of what colors/stains would be authentic-ish for those models? Bigger question, if I do this even w/great results will it affect their resale value at all? I'd be picking them up pretty cheaply (~$100/pr), but I was kind of envisioning this as a try it out and if I like the results and the look I'd keep them, but if not I'd like to at least get back what I paid for them (assuming they look good I just don't have the space/inclination to keep them). If this is a known way to kill any resale value I'll wait to find some non-black ones in need of TLC. Thanks for your input!

IIRC you have a small a$$ room too, so 85Wx7 esp w/efficient speakers is plenty for a small room. I have a midsize theater and an old 2800 which is 85Wx5 plus sub and I can't turn it above -25 for movies or the Mrs gets bent out of shape, and I'm running a less efficient non-klipsch setup, so you should be fine. As it is now w/o 7 speakers you're just not using 2 channels right? So instead of thinking of it as overtaxing your system with 7 speakers its more like you're undertaxing it now w/5. If you do crank it every time tho you may look into more power, but its not necessary IMHO... Not familiar w/ DPLII music setting, but what I always liked about 5ch stereo is that it's not really a sound "mode" per se in that it isn't doing anything to make a sound field or effect but just feeding 100% of the signal unfiltered through to all speakers. DSPs may have come a long way since I got my Denon in '99, but I'd give that a try again...

Agreed, but 1 question. Your plasma looks puny w/all those speakers, why not go projector and fill that whole space in? You won't be disappointed. Or even ceiling/flush mount a screen that can come down in front of the flat screen for movies (or sports/HD) only?

For music why wouldn't you use 5 or 7ch stereo? (Assuming they still have that feature, my Denon 2800 has 5 ch stereo). That's one of the better features of Denon's IMHO since it sends full power to all channels and keeps the stereo effects (except the center is mono). I don't have 7.1 but if I did I'd want the bookshelfs in the rear and the surrounds on the sides, just my preference (but I have 4 towers and a center, so I may not be the right person to ask [])

If you guys could PM me pics and prices that would be great! Keep the offers coming, I'd still prefer to find someone local-ish so I can see/hear it first...

I am still looking but I'm not very interested in a Klipsch speaker w/no horn, WTF were they thinking??? []

You don't happen to be in the boston vicinity are you? I'd be interested depending on your markup...

Oy! I was THIS CLOSE to sealing a screamin deal for an RC-3 and a BUNCH of other things I didn't particularly need, but delay in waiting for the Mrs opinion meant someone else swooped in! DAMN! Oh man I'm still kicking myself, I coulda gotten the RC-3 for FREE AND MADE a few hundred too (or scored $5-700 worth of gear for $300), but I wasn't quick enough. And I just know it'll be on CL/ebay next week for twice what I coulda paid! Anyway, so I've got an entirely non-klipsch 5.1 system w/a denon 2800, Hsu VTF-2 and an infocus projector, and I'm content w/it except my center channel SUCKS A$$! I mean REALLY sucks A$$. I don't know WTF AR was thinking. My mains and "surrounds" (they're towers) all have horn loaded tweeters, not as hefty as Klipsch's but not bad esp for the price, but the matching center DOES NOT have a matching horn. So it totally slacks behind the mains and doesn't match particularly well. So I'm in the market for any Klipsch center that's got a nice horn tweeter in good shape and in the neighborhood of $100-150 (and I mean a conventional center channel, not some huge Heritage one! []). Not particularly interested in newer, pricier or synergy and I'd prefer to deal local/ in person so I can test it out and look at it (hard to tell in those ebay pics if the woofs are dented etc). This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY for someone who's itching to upgrade and wants a little cash for their old gear... Essentially this will lay the foundation for a total Klipsch overhaul in the next 1-2 years (thinking reference in walls if we can afford to buy a house/condo), so quality is important so the Mrs will be able to tell the improvement! Thanks!

I don't live in a small condo, it's good sized (13-1500 sq ft) and the HT is in the largest room. Still, it's not just the wife that doesn't want the entire room taken up by huge *** speakers when we'd be perfectly satisfied w/the sound produced by the reference line. She let me buy the HT with all the money we got as wedding presents, so I think she vetted ok! [] But anyway, when did this become compare Reference to more expensive lines? I'm asking about the Reference line because that's what I want and can potentially afford (used)...

So, you're running 35 less watts to a speaker that is WAY less efficient than your mains? I think you answered your own question already, it's just outmatched under those conditions, you either need more power to it or less to your mains...

If anyone in the Boston area is interested in picking up a CHEAP pair of 99 RF-3's in decent shape other than 1 creased woofer, maybe we can work out an arrangement. The price is $400 for a yamaha rx-v2095, and 1999 KSW-12, RF-3's and RC-3. I really just want the RC-3 and don't want the hassle of having to sell off the rest (nor do I want to deal w/the Mrs!), and it has to be done THIS WEEK because the seller is moving friday! I'd either take $200 for the pair of RF-3's alone and I'd ebay the receiver/sub, or $325 for everything but the RC-3 (i.e. you'd buy everything, I'd buy the RC-3 from you)? Let me know SOON!

I am trying to get a pair of RF-3's and RC-3 but the seller insists I also take the older Yamaha receiver (rxv2095) and the KSW-12 too. The price is right all around ($400) and I might be able to use the Yammie upstairs w/the speakers that the RF-3's would replace, but I was looking to sell the KSW-12. Anyone know what it's value is? I looked on ebay, but all the older ones that sold recently were 2003 or newer, and if they are around and similar/better who would want the 99 version? The only one I that old ended w/NO bids with a 9.99 starting point! YIKES! Any help would be appreciated, as I need to be able to get some value out of it or else the Mrs will be upset about either the higher price of the other speakers or the extra sub taking up space. Thanks!

Some missing info here. If the amp running your center is less powerful than the one running your mains, that could be 1 source. Another is as mentioned earlier that if you have a less efficient center then it needs more power to reach the same loudness level, and you didn't say what the wattage is for the main and center amps. Just with the preamp adjustments have you tried bumping DOWN your fronts a few dB in addition to bumping up the center? If you bump the fronts all the way down and the center all the way up I'd say you've got some kind of more serious problem w/your center, center amp or both. Also is the center the same distance from the listener as the fronts and is it configured as such in the preamp? (sorry if that's an ignorant ? but I have a receiver that handles that, not a preamp). good luck!

Thanks for the info, that's about what I thought that the "new" Rf-3 is essentially the RF-82. Regarding the plastic quality/cheese factor, its totally the appearance that I think LOOKS cheesy, and also conceptually I prefer wood to plastic when I'm buying $1000/pair speakers! Plastic has no place in a REFERENCE level speaker IMHO. As for ignoring the reference line altogether, I live in an apt, and am married, so there is about a 0% chance of dropping some Cornwalls into my HT, if I want to stay in said apt with said wife (and not in the spare room) []! How would you compare the RF-3/RF-3 II to the RF-35 to the RF-82? Just wondering, since RF-3's in good shape fetch $3-400/pair, but RF-35's aren't much more (a pair went for $350 on ebay) and are much newer (yet have that plastic molding). Thoughts?

Reviving a pic from an older thread, I came across a set exactly like this a pair of RF-3's with a similar woofer crease and an apparently ok RC-3. Built in 99, what would these be worth on craigslist/ebay? I'm wondering because I wanted to audition the 3 speakers, but ultimately if I couldn't live w/having a creased woofer (but assuming the sound was fine), I was hoping to be able to sell the RF-3's for at least what I paid for them. Would they be worth $200/pair or with the crease would it be lower, or would they be hard to unload because of the blemish? Thanks!

As seen in another thread I am on a quest to upgrade to Klipsch reference from my current system, which is nice and a great value when I bought it (Acoustic Research 328PS/318PS and matching center), but was a great STARTER system. I am most familiar with the original reference line because they came out when I bought my system (and were WAY out of my price range), and am looking to score some used but in good shape RF-3's and and RC-3, but am confused how they compare to the current versions in the reference line. First of all, back in the day there was the RF-3 mains and then later the RF-5 and RF-7's. Now there are the RF-83/63 and the RF-82/62/52, still the RF-5 & RF-7's and I won't even mention the RF-10/15/25s (front speakers NEED to have 8" woofers to be mains IMHO). Personally I like the styling on the older ones better, more classic, less cheesy plastic molding, but are there compelling sonic reasons to go with the newer ones (assuming the older ones were well kept)? And which of the new lines are equivalent to the older ones? If the current RF-82 appears the most similar to the RF-3's, then what is equivalent to the RF-5's and RF-7's (or are those being redone or still being made, the current website seems to have them stopped in 06). And what is the major difference that separates the RF-3, RF-5 and RF-7 lines? Sorry for all the questions, and if many have been answered already, if you can show the link I'd greatly appreciate it. For reference I'm running a 5.1 system w/AR 328PS towers in front, AR 318PS towers in rear the AR center (forgot the #) and a Hsu VTF-2 sub, thru a Denon 2800 (with an Infocus SP4805 front projection system and 76" screen). THANKS!

So, I auditioned the speakers and unfortunately the highlight was the seller. She was SMOKIN!!! Glad the Mrs didn't come. Anyway, it was hard to judge the sound because it was going thru a yamaha receiver (I have a Denon and she didn't know how to use it well) and the DVD player was the only thing hooked up and through ANALOG! So my hell freezes over DVD didn't work and CDs sounded like sh!t. Also, I'm sure you all know this but5 mins w/a dustrag goes a LONG WAY when you're trying to sell speakers made in 99 and apparently have NEVER been dusted under the grill covers! The clincher tho is that one of the woofers on the RF-3s had a pretty major crease, not on the dustcap either. I know that's not supposed to affect the sound, but since I already own a HT setup, tho not a Klipsch one, I can't justify getting rid of my speakers that are the same age and in FAR better shape, especially to the Mrs! I think I'll try to make her an offer on the RC-3 alone, and test it out in my system, as the center is my weakest link (even the Mrs agrees there) and it matches cosmetically (my current setup is cherry, but the center is black). I should be able to get it for $100 or less right? Assuming she is willing to sell piece by piece, which is unclear. My quest to upgrade to Klipsch has hit a snag, but I'll keep going, as anyone knows a QUEST isn't over until it's completed right!?!?

I was looking to get my FIRST set of Klipsch's to upgrade my home theater, and a couple people are selling some RF-3's and RC3's used. Can I easily determine the age based on the serial number or will the label say the year they were made? Is the year just the first digits of the S/N? What is a fair price for a pair of RF-3's and does it matter too much if they are RF3 or RF3 II's (and is there a major difference other than year of manufacture)?? One ad has the package of 2 RF3's, 1 RC3, 1 KSW-12 and an older yamaha receiver (RXV2095) for $450 (which I think is a screamin deal and may be further negotiable), and another ad has just a pair of RF3's for $300. Is that a fair range? I'm guessing neither of these will last long, so speed is of the essence! Help me become a Klipsch owner! (btw, if I get the package I may have a KSW-12 for sale in the boston area if anyone is interested...I already have a Hsu VTF-2).

I was looking to get my FIRST set of Klipsch's to upgrade my home theater, and a couple people are selling some RF-3's and RC3's used. Can I easily determine the age based on the serial number or will the label say the year they were made? I know they can't be older than 99 or newer than 2003 right? What is a fair price for a pair of RF-3's and does it matter too much if they are closer to 99 or 03? Was there a major difference between the RF3 and RF3 II's?? One ad has the package of 2 RF3's, 1 RC3, 1 KSW-12 and an older yamaha receiver (RXV2095) for $450 (which I think is a screamin deal BUT I also think I can get down further because they are moving this week), and another ad has just a pair of RF3's for $300. I'm guessing neither of these will last long, so speed is of the essence! Help me become a Klipsch owner! (btw, if I get the package I may have a KSW-12 for sale if anyone is interested...I already have a Hsu VTF-2).