Iteachstem

I bought them used from Marketplace.... they are around 20 years old. I'm not saying you have to buy that model, but they were pretty decent subs for the money back then, and you can find them or similar ones today for around $100 each.

Check Facebook marketplace for used subs. Make sure you audition them, don't meet in a parking lot and take their word that it works. Talk to them, listen to the sub. If you get a weird feeling from them, walk away.... they are probably trying to sell you something that doesn't work correctly. However, meeting at their home usually eliminates a lot of the shady stuff. I purchased 4 Velodyne subs over a span of about year and all 4 have no issues. They have been going strong with daily use. The most I paid for an individual sub is $100. If you're not in a hurry you'll find the right deal. This is the link to the Velodyne subs I purchased: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-U4ejwQnL8iX/p_2323750RB/Velodyne-DLS-3750R-Black.html

Do yourself a favor and look at other brands. I really like Klipsch speakers, but their subs traditionally have been plagued with amplifier issues that other brands simply do not have in such great numbers. Have you thought about picking up used ones? You can get a much better sub at a lower price. Brands to explore: SVS, HSU, Monoprice, Velodyne, etc.

These are rough, but you could add a little TLC and bring them back. (Illinois) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/405171122137395/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aa2e9f621-49f4-449d-8f56-19d0cad25759

This is on marketplace. Overpriced, but it says willing to negotiate in the listing. (Illinois) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/333401803020937/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aa2e9f621-49f4-449d-8f56-19d0cad25759

I would suggest the following: 1) Try sanding them down as black speakers are simply ugly compared to nice wood. Either seal them if you like the natural wood as it is, or stain them with a finish you like and do a matte poly finish. If the sanding doesn't turn out well for you, go to option #2 2) Paint them. I've used simple Rust-oleum flat back with a roller. It gives a nice little textured finish. Then, seal with a matte poly. 3) Use a fun textured spray on them and do something different. I've used the stone spray paint on several refinish projects in the past with decent results.

You can go down a never ending rabbit hole with trying different amps.... and with most good amps you shouldn't hear a huge difference. If an amplifier is doing it's job correctly, it shouldn't color the sound. However, some people appreciate certain signal modifications with their amps. My suggestions are trying room treatments if possible and then different speakers(Another never ending rabbit hole!)

What the heck is up with not being able to upload any average size pictures??? You figure with the site bleeding members, you'd have a lot more storage available! I guess you can check them out on Facebook for actual decent sized pictures.

Hello all, I did yet another pair in this awesome finish! The much sought after Klipsch RF-5! Adult owned and listened to in a pet and smoke free environment. Used with subs, so no low end abuse either. Refinished in a one of a kind custom stain. Much better than the boring black! All drivers are in perfect condition with absolutely no blemishes. The speaker grills are in excellent condition with both badges. The cabinets are in excellent condition with no dings, scratches, water marks, etc. and both badges. Audition upon purchase to verify everything works perfectly. I'll be happy to answer any actual questions you have about these speakers. The last set sold on eBay in February for $600, and they didn't show pictures of the drivers, so I can only assume they had damage. I will be happy to email/text you high resolution pictures. Location: 60511 Big Rock, IL Price $575 for Members Price includes a bourbon tasting while you listen to them!

I know it's hard to do a before/after not having a second set to compare them to, but do you notice any obvious changes in the sound after you did your updates so far?

You can check out what I did to this set of KG4's with internal bracing and sanding/staining.

Sand them down and stain or leave natural and just seal them. Wash the speaker grills... take them to the shower and I use a little laundry detergent and a gentle brush... you'll be amazed at the amount of dirt that comes out! I've refurbished several of these with great results.

I have a single k 1083-sb with very minimal blemish on the cone. Asking $60.

Interesting idea. I'm always trying to make my speakers/systems sound better, so this is not such an odd idea. However,may I add a 4th letter... D) It will look very awkward in a nice living room and only be allowed to exist in a single man's mancave. I have a set of RF-7II's that I could give this a try on... probably won't happen for a bit though.

Pick Up location: 60511 Big Rock, IL

Here's another one.... the presentation is everything! Nothing says that this guy took great care of these speakers like....

Weekend Bump...

Anyone interested @ $100?

Still looking....

Seems a little high, but maybe he will negotiate... https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7207701559312598/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A70de3ee9-636b-4e36-8cfb-fdfa181bf33c

This is nothing new: Audio Companies want to sell you their expensive DAC's, so of course they scoff at anything less. Just think of the cable debate! For me, by the time I could afford anything high end, any and all improvements are not really realized as my hearing isn't what it was like back in my youth! (think nerds retiring to their nerderies and taking countless measurements that only appear different on paper) I have done countless A/B comparisons over my life and some are very apparent (mostly with speaker comparisons and room treatments) and others are not really audible... but sure can hit the pocket book! (think speaker wire/signal wire/most cabinet damping, cheap power conditioning, cable risers, etc.)

I also use it when I do A/B comparisons as well. Sure, there are better ways to run a cleaner signal path... but this is a real world application!

I do this all the time for causal listening. Of course you are going to get the people that will poo poo this and say you need expensive gear, etc. But let your ears do the deciding for you. I simply run the 1/8" output jack from my laptop and use a 1/8" to RCA cable to go into my pre-amp or directly into Klipsch The Fives for my computer set up. It sounds great for what I use it for.... back ground music playing!

I agree with you. However, both the Forte and Forte II were in the same environment, and I was simply observing their acoustical characteristics in that space. It's not like I had one set in the garage and the other in a wonderfully acoustically treated interior space. Would it be better for the low end to have them closer to a wall, sure. Would it be better to have them farther apart, sure. So, my test in this case was not an ideal comparison.... more of a worst case scenario test. However, it is getting people starting to participate in this thread... bonus! I know we all love to talk about our speakers... and I tried to provide a mouthpiece for just that.

I have a Scarlett 4i4 that I could use that would be an ideal signal path, but, I like to do my comparisons in real world settings. A lot of people use the 1/8 output from the laptop into their system for everyday listening. (Or worse yet, Bluetooth!) I use the 1/8 output on my office system right into a set of The Fives and it works well... but I don't do critical listening there. I tried the usb be from my laptop to The Fives and I didn't like it as well as the 1/8 to the RCA input. All things considered, both sets of speakers were given the same mediocre signal.