SkyDover

More watts give more control and headroom. I've been running mine with 500watts per. ch. for years and it's the best I've ever heard the RF-7 sound! You're worrying too much, you're fine on the wattage part. The RF-7 shouldn't be harsh though. I don't get harsh with mine, even turning them up to 10 or 11 o'clock gets extremely loud but no harsh. It will depend greatly on all parts used in the chain that makes up your system, all equipment needs to be up to par. My RF-7 are stock form just how Klipsch made them and they still amaze me on the presentation of presence and sound. The RF-7 are very revealing speakers so it needs all things equal on quality. In general, all Klipsch speakers I've had, has to meet these rules.

The RF-7 is still a favorite of mine. It doesn't have the room filling sound like the Klipschorn's but it does a great job simulating it as long as you stay in the sweet spot. It has the ability to have a very pin-point robust vocals and imaging. It is also very revealing and detailed but in a more direct path way, very reference quality. I don't think I'll be able to part with the RF-7. When I read some say the RF-7 are harsh, I just shake my head in disbelief, they are not harsh sounding. If they get harsh it's something else in the equipment chain they are using causing it. I have stock RF-7 and it has alot of presence much like the Klipschorn and I've heard a tame down RF-7 and didn't like it. I think Klipsch did an excellent job with the RF-7 for large sound in a smaller package, excellent for music and HT. I also really like the clarity that the KLF-20 have. So far, any Klipsch speaker I've ever had, I've felt they did a great job on speaker sound/design.

My Klipschorn's, KLF-20, and RF-7

My Super Cornwall (CornScala) I built.

I made a copy of Catbo's Super Cornwalls (CornScalas) here: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/102542.aspx?PageIndex=1

Here's my take on my Klipshorn's and Super Cornwall: They are more alike than different, both Klipsch sound, but with slightly different sounds. Bass: Surprisingly bass wasn't as different as I thought they would be, the super cornwalls give the same huge accurate bass but a little more hard hitting in your face since it's more cetner focused. The Klipshorn's bass is coming from the sides to center. I like they way the center focused bass gives a more crisper, cleaner, detailed, and slightly tighter bass than the encased sound of the Klipshorn's bass. I have great corners for my Klipschorn's that produces a large and deep bass, setting up the super cornwalls in the corner gives the same large deep bass but stronger center focused. I prefer the super cornwall bass. Both do bass very well. The midrange on the super cornwall is a wider sounding horn, more even through-out, comparing the two makes the Klipschorn's midrange sound a little pinched down but still sounds smooth. I like both. The tweeter on the Klipschorn is a little more pronounced. I can hear the difference. The Klipshorn tweeter makes itself more known, little more sparkingly and brassy at times. I like it. The tweeter on the super cornwall is the APT-200 and it's very pleasant sounding, just gets out of the way and does things seemless, doesn't bring attention to itself the same way, sounds more natural. I still haven't been able to decide which tweeter I like better between the two! I really like them both. I wish I could bring the APT-200 up some more like the Klipschorn tweeter! Both my Klipschorn and Super Cornwall's give the same big sound, just slightly different, they are the same animal. I've thought about selling my Klipshorn's since I listen to the Super Cornwall mostly, and if I had to decide between the two, I would definetly keep the Super Cornwalls. I have the room for the Klipschorn's so I guess that's why I still hold on to them, and I enjoy the sound of them just as Klipsch made them! It will all boil down to your own personal taste!! Hope this helps. Sky

Greg, The Emenince APT-50 driver (same as Crites) is used on three different horns, so model numbers are only horn size difference, all use the same APT-50 driver. These Emenince models are availabe: APT-50 - driver only APT-80 - driver + 80° Horn APT-150 - driver + 100x50 Horn APT-200 driver + 90x90 baby-cheek horn You already have the APT-50 driver (Crites), all you need is the APT200S baby-cheek horns. Many feel the baby-cheeks is the better choice out of the other two horns after testing/trying. You can get it for $11.99 each here: http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/product_view.cgi?products_id=12182 You may need this APT-3 adapter: http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/product_view.cgi?products_id=3738 to link the APT-50 driver to the APT200S horn for standard 1-3/8"-18 screw-thread Horn. Emenince Tweeters: http://eminence.com/tweeters.asp Emenince Horns: http://eminence.com/hornflares.asp You'll want the old APT-50 (Crites), not the new version coming out soon. The new driver is being made by a different manufacturer and said not to be as good as the old so far.

KdAgain, There are cheaper versions out their with different power ratings, etc. in the 2" drivers, quite a few selections coming from China. The trick is to find out who carries them! Ningbo Dowell, ASM, Shunda Electronics, etc. offers compression drivers that are purchased in lots from companies like Pyle, P.Audio, Klipsch, Cerwin Vega, Pyramid, Marathon, and so many of the designs are very simular and most of these companies do not make their own products, they turn to these China/Asian manufacturers for supplying them their goods. There are alot of offerings that some of these American companies don't carry. Sometimes you can find these compression drivers as a "no name" in house brand from PA Suppliers. I'm not quite sure which Asian manufacturer is making the P.Audio BM-D750/K-69 driver. Sorry I can't be of more help! To get an idea of the many compression driver offerings from Asia countries you can browse here: http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?SearchText=compression+driver&Country=&IndexArea=product_en&fsb=y

I would have really liked to read your comments on trying the Eminence APT-200 baby-checks, it's an APT-50 (same as Crites tweeter) on a baby-cheek 5.9x5.9x5.94 horn(90x90 coverage). Would have been really interesting to see how it compared with the other two baby-cheek horns of the Beyma and Selenium! I'm using APT-200 baby-cheeks and been pleased with them.

Ok, thanks. Seems I did mis-read this. I see where Dean said: "I've read in several places around here that a modded RF-7 sounds like an RF-83. I couldn't disagree more." I've been reading the same but Dean cleared this up! I apologise for the confusion!

I took Dean's commet as this, "What is this stuff about a modded RF-7 sounding like a Reference IV speaker" = That he's agreeing it sounds simular. And "please don't use drugs while comparing loudspeakers" = It's not just all in your head. I thought he was just making a funny about it all, maybe I'm reading it incorrectly? I've heard others say the RF-83 is very simular to a modded RF-7. That's why I didn't upgrade to the RF-83, for myself, I really like the sound of the RF-7 better than the RF-83 for my taste after I went between the two comparing them. If you like more presence....you will like the RF-7. If you like it more refined sounding, you will like the RF-83. Both sound good.

Yes, it's an OEM product, much of the industry is such these days. You never know who really makes what anymore! Goldwood makes that particular horn, P Audio doesn't make all their products, comes from different vendors of what they want to offer/carry.

Dean's just kidding with you!!

I think alot may depend on what gear you run but I do not get harsh with the RF-7. I heard them and loved the sound from the very start, and they sounded even better when I got them home on my gear. No mods needed here!! They sound great. I won't be touching mine!!

Very Nice!! The horn does sound very good and goes down to 400hz. I'm using the same horn in my cornscala (super c walls) that I built from this website, copied design from Catbo. I cross mine at 400hz. I'm using the Goldwood GM-450PB horn which is identicle to the P.Audio PH-4525 horn. It's really made by Goldwood and relabled as P.Audio. If you get it in the Goldwood it's half the cost P.Audio charges. Goldwood: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=270-204&ctab=1#Tabs P.Audio: http://www.usspeaker.com/paudio%20ph-4525-1.htm

I agree, I have RF-7 and have never touched them, all original as Klipsch made them. I listened to the RF-83 and they are nice but more refined sounding than the RF-7, the RF-83 lacked the presence that the RF-7's have and I quickly summed up that the RF-83 would not be an upgrade for me with how much I liked the RF-7 sound better! The reason Klipsch brought the RF-7 back is because in Germany they have been going crazy over the RF-7 out of all the Klipsch refrence speakers, and I can see why! Klipsch was just starting to discontinue the RF-7 when Germany was raving about them and buying them. There are several german articles out of the RF-7 ravings. They prefer the RF-7 over the RF-83 as well because of more "presence" the RF-7's have. I do not get harsh either. I think alot has to do with what gear some are running or something else in the chain. I use high-quality Solid-State and still do not get harsh! I do not get harsh at any volume and I have very good hearing, it's smooth yet very revealing. To me, the RF-7's are a much more magical speaker than the RF-83 with it's added presence and detail, but this will be subjective to how one likes their sound. I own many Klipsch speakers and yet still there is something special about the RF-7's that I have not been able to let them go. I will never attempt to touch my RF-7's because I do love the sound "AS IS" the way Klipsch made them, but to each his/her own. I'm happy just the way the RF-7 are! I also very much like the Phenolic sound in my Klipsch Heritage speakers. I really get tired of some saying how bad the K-400 horn is in the Klipschorn but each time I listen to my Klipschorn's they sound very smooth and nice, yet it's own unique sound that is a bit different than the trac-horn but both nice. I have both and like each horn sound.

My Klipsch Speakers: Klipschorn, KLF-20, RF-7

This is the reasons I went with the 400hz/4500hz crossover points: Drivers are: Crites 15" Cast Frame Woofers, K-55-X Atlas Mid, APT-200 Tweeter. I think crossover points depends really on how one likes their sound. I greatly debated going crossover points 600/6000 or 400/4500. After comparing the two, I ended up going with the 400/4500 crossover points for my Cornscalas. Crossing the 4500hz point does not compromise the K-55 midrange at all, what I noticed was that crossing at this point gives the HF a bit more snap and detail presence but vocals are very realistic sounding. At 6000hz crossover, it takes some of the snap presence from the tweeter, bringing less attention to it so to speak. I liked the snappier detail the 4500 crossover point gives but I like my sound more detailed than slightly more mallow. Same with crossing over at 400hz, I noticed more quick bass snap with giving some of that range for the midrange driver, it sounds very tight, quick, accurate, snappy, and detailed. The best bass I've ever heard! I have Klipshorn's, KLF-20, and RF-7 speakers and my CornScala speakers are the best sounding speakers I own right now. I listen very little to my other Klipsch speakers with the sound quality these cornscala's give me. I'm extremely happy with how the sound came out. I love the very tight and punchy direct vented bass sound compared to my Klipschorn's bass. The cornscala bass has no boomy bass at all. It sounds great and very uniform from bottom to top with slightly more snappy presence!

built exact to specs as yours, except added metal grill. Added magnets to hold grill in place, can easily be taken on or off. []

other

I built a set of these about 1 year ago, they have far exceded my expectations. Thanks for the design, well worth building!!