Harryn

I got my RF-83's and set them up... and believe it or not, it still felt like there was something missing. To me it felt like the top-end was a bit topped off. Sounded very different from what I heard during the listening session in the audiostore. So it's true what they say, always listen them at home if you get the chance to do so. So I returned them, a bit dissapointed to be honest... BUT.... The store was having special sale for RF-7's, $1500,- for a new pair which is by far the lowest price available over here in Holland. In listened them and thought they sounded a bit better to me. So I asked if I could try them at home. They got delivered yesterday and guess what? They are amazing!!!! They match perfectly with my Yamaha set up. In the evening I got my friends over to listen to them, all very good musicians. And they're all also amazed and very impressed by the sound of the RF-7's. Some of them also heard the RF-83's and agreed with me the RF-7 is the much better speakers. That means, if you have the right gear to fire them on. Unforgiving and pure and if we're right in front of the stage! Tomorrow I get my 4 RS-7's and next week the RC-7 to complete the set. I'm very excited to hear the HT in action!

I paid $399 for the RW-12D, pretty decent price I think. But it also shows that it's not top notch indeed. So what would be a good sub to go with the system? Does Klipsch provide subs that could do the job?

Hi Bill, I can't wait to get it! As for the heights, afford is not really an issue. Over here the RB-61's are just about $30,- each cheaper as the RB-81's. Only the RB-51's are much cheaper, about $100,- each. So the bigger the better you recommend again. Although, it's not always the way to go, I trust your expertise on this one. Harry

Hmmm yes well I was already wondering if the RW-12D was sufficiënt enough... But it's ordered and I expect it to receive tomorrow or Saturday. If it's not good I still can return the sub. As for the power amps, I already have them added to my system. I connected the pre-outs of my Yamaha Aventage AVR-3010 to a couple of vintage Yamaha amps. The equipment is ready for 11.2 if I want it, the speakers are the final thing to do. [] For now, as we all now the upgrade-virus is hard to be exterminated. []

Thanks for all the advice guys! I ordered the next system: RF-83 FRONTS RC-64 CENTER RS-62 SURROUND RW-12D SUB The next thing I MIGHT do is upgrading to a fullrange 11.2 system. So add another RW-12D and 4 bookshelf speakers. Which speakers would you advice to use as front and rear heights? RB-51, RB-61 or RB-81? I'm thinking of the RB-81's as the specs show they're closer to the RS-62's. Although I know that Klipsch sold the RB-61's with systems like this as rears. What do you think? Considering the measeruments, the RB-61 and RB-81 are not that far apart from eachother, but both are pretty huge. The RB-51 is quite a bit smaller though...

Yes well in Germany the RF-7 stands on top in lonely distance. Then comes the 83's shortly followed by the 63. So it also depends on what the testers think is important, what sound they like and gear they use. But also in Germany the RF-82 II is rated very close to the 63. In Holland and Germany the reviewers stated the RF-82 II is a much better product than the 82. The highs and mids seems to be much more controlled and smoother, the sound should be more together as with the old 82's. Everyone agrees though that the RF-7 and RF-83 are the leaders of the range, depending on what your preferences are which one comes out on top.

I found a Dutch test site on which they rate speakers from 1 to 10. They also rated some Klipsch models: RF-83 > 10 RF-7 > 9.4 RF-63 > 9.3 RF-82 II > 9.3 RF-82 > 9.2 RF-62 II > 8.9 RF-52 > 8.4 According to the reviewers, the reason to rate the 83's higher than the 7's was that the 83's are a tiny bit smoother and forgiving, a bit less demanding in placing, easier to pair up with any amp or avr. And a bit cheaper. So great allrounders and overall they rate the 83's the best pick for the money. I don't know if it's true, but I find it plausible after all I've read so far. What do you think? BTW, the RF-83's are one of very few speakers rated a 10. So they must be very good... but we knew that already. Anyway, I'm planning on ordering the RF-83's this week, because I think they are the best pick for me.

I'm leaning much towards the RF-83's now. And as I lived in TX for a couple of years, I am gifted with the bigger the better thought. haha I just noticed there's a package deal for sale here now, used units though: a pair of RF-3 fronts with a RC-3 center for $ 450,-. How's that for a deal and how do they compare to the 83's?

Yeah in America that are the prices, but I'm in Europe, the Netherlands. The RF-7 II is for sale at $ 1700,- each and that's the best deal, some sellers ask over $ 2000,- each. The RC-62 II costs around $ 1100,- over here.

Well the 83 and 63 cost the same. So in this case it's just a matter of what's the best speaker of these two. []

Well I'm offended! I have the RF-83's and I have heard Bill's RF-63's. You would likely be happy with either. I haven't heard the RF-63's without a sub but I can tell you the RF-83's pound some serious bass without a sub. I would not think there would be HUGE differences in the sound of the RF-63 and RF-83. If it were me, I would choose whichever I could get the best deal on. I would be offended too. [] haha Like I said the systems cost about the same. So what matters to me is just what's the best speaker and why? And for instance, which one is the best allrounder, most versatile with music? How are they with classic, with rock, pop, jazz etc.? About the same or is one standing out a bit above the other? Thank you guys for replying, I really appreciate your input!

I know all about the upgrade bug. That's why I'm here now. Over here, a pair of RF-7 II and a RC-64 II costs over $ 4400,-. So much more expensive than a complete set with the discontinued RF-83, and that's why I rule them out. If the difference wasn't that big I would certainly consider it. I'm gonna stick with the budget now, I already stretched it with $ 700,- because I love the Klipsch-sound. haha As for the best deal, the tendency here in the Netherlands is that the RF-63 is more expensive as the RF-83. I don't know why, maybe because it's a bit smaller...

IMO, the RF-83's are a marginal upgrade(no offense to 83 owners) over the RF-63's which are a considerable upgrade over the RF-82's(have not heard the 82ii's). The RF-83 and RF-63 have better components and are manufactured with real wood veneers in Hope, Arkansas. I really do think you would be much happier with either the RF-83's or RF-63's over the RF-82ii's. The RC-64 also is made with real wood veneers and in Hope and is a beast of a center channel that easily trumps the RC-62ii. Same with the RS-62's, bigger and better overall. Bill Wow thanks Bill, that's helping a lot because this means I can skip the RF-82 II system from my list. In an German review they rated RF-83 slightly higher than the RF-63, by just one point the RF-83 won the test. But I couldn't find the reason why as the review wasn't completely available, I could only read the highlights. But I've read elsewhere there seem to be some tonal differences though. Like the RF-63 should be a bit smoother? And if so, what does that mean anyway? Like I said, I dislike the highs sounding shrill, grainy or harsh, but I also like it to be clear and bright. I visit a lot of pop/rockconcerts and I would like to have my sound at home to be as I experience on a concert. I want music to hear as it is, not warm coloured (too much) like most English speakers do for instance. I even disliked the highly rated Monitor Audio GX and RX series as they sounded to soft and distant to me... I want it straight forward and directly in my face.

Hello Bill, Thanks for your reply. Yeah they are: System 1 = $ 3200 System 2 = $ 3100 System 3 = $ 2900 But the RF-82 II is the current topmodel (except the RF-7 II) and an upgrade from the RF-82. So you say the older RF-83 is still superior to the other 2? But why, what's the big difference?

Hi, I'm from the Netherlands and I want to upgrade my current HT-system. At the moment I'm running JBL Northridge 7.1. I've been listening to a lot of speakers the last couple of weeks, and I love the sound of Klipsch, better than anything else I've heard except maybe from Paradigm. But a system from Paradigm is much more expensive over here, and the difference in sound is too small for spending the extra money imo. Unfortunately I have not been able to listen to the RF-83, RF-82 MK2 and RF-63 in a direct comparison. Seperately they all sounded very good to me, but I only could listen to them in different soundstudios. After listening I put 3 sets together: System 1: RF 83 fronts - RC 64 center - RS 62 surround - 12d sub System 2: RF 63 fronts - RC 64 center - RS 62 surround - 12d sub System 3 (current models): RF 82 II fronts - RC 62 II center - RS 42 II surround - 12d sub The price of a system ain't an issue as all three almost cost the same, around $ 3000,-. Only a RF-7 system (even a used one) is much more expensive and therefore not an option. The RF-82 is quite a bargain right now, but how much better is the RF-82 II? The guys from the Hifi store where I heard the RF-82 said the difference is only cosmetic and that there's no difference in sound. But that's big contrast with what I've read in reviews. What are the sound differences between the speakers mentioned in this post? My question to you all, which one would be the best pick? I love clear bright highs and good mids, but I dislike shrillness. I listen to any kind of music. My room is around 40 m2 and well damped with carpet on the floor and heavy curtains. The amp running the fronts will be a Yamaha AX-1070 stereo amplifier, the whole system will be driven by a Yamaha RX-A3010. I was able to hear the speakers with Yamaha receivers and loved it. Hopefully you can help me! Thanks! Harry