Iteachstem

Hello forum members, I like to give back from time to time for all of the guidance, cool ideas and always stimulating and sometimes questionable conversations I've had on the forum with you all over the last decade+ since I've been on here. I have a laser engraver at my school. I like to show students/parents how it works by printing examples/samples. What better way to start a conversation that may lead to a lifelong interest in audio and Klipsch speakers than to print out Klipsch related swag?!?! This is what I can do. If you want something engraved, send me a message along with your thoughts and we can go from there. If it's doable, send it to me! I can do text, logos and simple images. I can engrave on wood, leather, glass, acrylic, etc. and am limited to about a 16" by 20" print area. Material thickness is also limited to about 1.5" (So, probably no sending me Khorns... although you can, as I have never owned them and would love to give them a good listen for a week and then send them back, but I'm pretty sure no one is that crazy!) All that I ask is that you cover the return shipping cost as well, as I don't have a ton of extra cash laying around as a teacher with two young children! I thought this would be a cool opportunity to add some swag to our audio rooms! Below are some early examples that I toyed around with.

If you remove them, you can always post them on the "for sale" section. I'm sure some forum member would buy them from you. Or, you can always keep them if you ever sell your speakers, as someone might want to use them. However, then you will end up storing the bases for years and years wondering why you just didn't sell them a long time ago. This is from personal experience, as I still have a pair of plinths collecting dust and taking up space in my garage from a pair of speakers that I sold years ago!

I used these on a set of speakers. They work great for non-carpeted floors. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Silicone-Hemisphere-Non-Skid-Isolation/dp/B075KHNK62?th=1

The plinth on my RP-280FA's were secured via 4 screws. I would guess it's similar. Carefully lean the speaker over and have a good ol' look and see!

That pic is from the web. However, I do have a set in espresso. I bought them used, so they have some signs of use, but they still look presentable. I'm using them in my guest bedroom.... it's hard to see the grain in the picture , but it looks great in person. From the Klipsch web: https://www.klipsch.com/products/wf-35-floorstanding-speaker ...we selected an exotic, non-endangered Berlinia veneer from West Africa. Berlinia is a sister veneer to Zebrawood, which is often featured on luxury goods. The ones below are mine. The grill cloth had several rips in them, so I removed it and just rock out the plastic grill frame... it looks pretty cool! What I really like are the rounded edges/corners. It softens the traditional "Well, there's another rectangular speaker!" look.

Oh my! Well, monkey see, monkey do. This guy is charging top dollar for a set of original RF-7 grills. $400 https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/d/hampshire-pair-of-rf7-speaker-covers/7653639341.html

Okay, you're not wrong.... how about the nicest finish that I can afford!?!?!

I would love it if they offered some exotic veneer like they did on their WF-35 series. In my opinion, this was the nicest finish on any Klipsch factory speaker.

Hmm... a fine example of too much clutter! (Although, I wouldn't mind being able to afford even one piece of gear in the picture)

Some people like to proudly display all their expensive equipment. They spent a bunch of money on it and they are very proud and want everyone to take notice! Personally, I don't like all of the clutter! I don't live in a college dorm room anymore! I agree with Travis of Austin wondering why people put these obnoxiously large amplifiers right in the middle of everything. I guess they can then display their obnoxiously large speaker cables and expensive cable risers for all to gawk at. I'm my future home theater, all of the electrical gear will be in a separate room. I can't stand all of the annoying lights on the power conditioners, amps, etc. At least now a lot of manufactures give you the option of turning all of the annoyingly bright lights down or off.

Yes, you can refinish them. Although you will find many differing opinions on how to do this.... I refinished several Klipsch speakers with very good outcomes. Check my past posts and you can see for yourself if you want to follow my advice. I carefully sand with an orbital sander, taking care not to burn through the veneer. I usually start with 120 grit with light pressure. Once the majority of the paint/finish is removed, then I switch to maybe something in the 200/300 range and even everything out. The, I finish with something closer to 400 grit. Then, I would apply whatever stain color you want to use. I used a very dark cinnamon wipe stain by MasterBrand Cabinets for several speakers including CF3's, KLF 30's/20's some KG series, etc. I really liked the end result. (They all used to be black when I bought them) After the stain dries ( I usually wait a couple-o-days) I put on a matte water based polly finish. Not a great angle to see the overall finish on the KLF 30's, but you get the idea. The KLF 20's are in the picture too, but that was post sanding and pre staining. The RF-83's are the stock finish.

The amp parts are gone already.

Yes. My brother has the version I's and I have the Version II's. I like them both, but prefer the II's because they just look better with more wood showing. Yes, I would start with a heat gun... and a lot of peeling. If they have dents/dings, you can fill with wood filler. At that point, you can either paint them or try to laminate. I would skip trying to do vinyl.... unless you want to do a custom wrap like they do on cars.

I have 2 pairs of RF 62's doing temporary surround duty (My real home theater turned into a playroom for the kids) I think the RF-62's would be a step backwards from the RF-3's I would try to see if you can listen to a set of rf-82's. around me (outside of Chicago) they go for around $400 in good condition. These are the woofer I used. https://www.simplyspeakers.com/klipsch-replacement-speaker-woofer-1011974.html They are OEM, so besides looking a little more sleek, they didn't sound significantly better/different.

You could try the RF-82's or RF-7's. I had multiple sets of RF-3's and the RF-7's are much better in every way except affordability! I also did an A/B with a set of RF-82's and the RF-82's sounded a bit better, but still similar. (The RF-3's in the picture have the new OEM Klipsch woofers installed)

It would be cheaper to ship it. Or you could see if another forum member is passing by this way and I could send it with them.

Unfortunately not for $225 and not with two small kids. Sorry

How about $225

My suggestion is buy the CF3's Then, do a side by side A/B comparison in the actual room in which they will be residing. Listen to a bunch of songs you know well. Then, keep the pair you like more and sell the other. It's not like you're going to lose any money, but you will take all of the guess work out of ending up with the speakers you like more.

Straight from the brochure: Chorus I: CF-3:

I would look at adding a subwoofer (or two) to the Chorus speakers. Then you still get the upper range clarity of a three way main speaker and you aren't taxing out the 15" woofer trying to reproduce frequencies below what it can reproduce effectively. I run subs with just about all of my speaker systems. It's not that I listen to music loud, it's when I listen, I want it to be a nice full sound. With subs, even at low volumes, you will be able to achieve this.

Perhaps $200?

How about $80?

Sounds great! Let us know what you think when you've had time to enjoy them for a bit.