I've got a Dilemma...

[wipster]

I've been a Klipsch fan for decades. Started with Heresys, graduated to Cornwalls, currently have Fortes and have had for quite a while. I'm currently thinking it's time for an upgrade and it presents me with a dilemma. My Fortes are matched with an Academy center, a KSW150 sub, and various Kilpsch rear and back surrounds. I've had the Fortes since way before the 5.1 HT phenom and searched for years for a "matching" center channel until I discovered the Academy was made for that purpose (I had never heard of this speaker until a few years ago). Finally found a decent one, and it's size necessitated the purchase of an very nice stand that would accommodate it and also be the right fit for a Samsung 61A750 DLP HDTV I purchased at the same time. I've got an Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver (130 watts x 7) driving it all. I also just purchased an Oppo BD-80 BluRay/SACD combo player that is superb, plus I have a dedicated PC in the stand as well. I'll try to attach a photo if I can, as I'm pretty proud of the way it all came together. On the stand, I took the grill off the Academy and build a frame for the center section covered with speaker cloth and put a matching Klipsch badge on there. I get a lot of comments because people think Klipsch built the stand!

The whole thing looks and more importantly sounds great, at least to my old ears. But here's my dilemma: a local dealer with whom I've done a bit of business in the past started handling Klipsch a few years ago. Out of curiosity, I called hime the other day to see if he handled any of the Reference line. He's phasing them out, mainly due to the economy, but of the speakers he has left, he has a brand new pair of cherry RF-63's, in the box, that he's willing to sell for an outrageously low price. I know that when I go down and listen to these puppies I am going to want them, and will probably buy them. I know that the Academy will not be a good sonic match for them, but I also know I cannot accommodate an RC-64 in my stand (which I love). However, the RC-62 would fit in the stand perfectly and I know I could pick one up fairly easily for a decent price.

So is it really worth it for me to find a way to accomodate an RC-64 or is the RC-62 a good enough match to the RF-63's that it would take better ears than mine to discern a difference? I know probably the best answer is just to stay home and don't go to his store, but everything I've read about the RF-63's tells me it's time to upgrade. Your opinions will be most appreciated!

[dtel]

Welcome

The big question is, is the RF-63 and upgrade from the Forte ? []

I would say no but that's just my opinion, but I have never heard the two together.

The only thing that really counts is if YOUR ears think they sound better. []

[Ironsave]

Welcome to The Forums!

Congrats on your current setup.

Would love to see a pic. []

I suggest listening to them. The RF 63s are 2 way and have a very different sound compared to your 3 way Fortes.

I think Forte's are an awesome speaker, and I think the RF 63s would not be much better; if not worse.

Again.... Heritage sounds very different compared to Reference.

MY OPINION: I have heard RF 63s and 82s and for music, I think my Heresies with a sub are just better. For movies? the Reference edges out the Heresies imho. (Maybe not Fortes though).

Go listen; just know that what you have currently is at least on par with RF 63s when it comes to sound quality and having the top of the line model; etc......

Good Luck.

[willland]

Wipster,

Welcome to the forum.

I love my Forte's. I love my RF-63's. They both have their strengths. For what it is worth, the RF-63's are the most 3-way sounding 2-way speaker I have ever heard(I know I said that in another thread). I did have the RC-62 paired with the RF-63's and it blended just fine. I replaced it with an RC-64 because 6ave.com had them for $550.00 shipped/no tax. Could not pass that deal up. Truthfully, the 64 is a better blend and better overall center channel than the 62. However, the RC-62 holds it's own with the RF-63's and does not present the placement issues that the beast RC-64 does.

If you can make it fit, get the RC-64. If not, I don't think you will regret buying an RC-62.

Bill

[wuzzzer]

I used to have RF-7s. Came across a deal on a pair of Forte IIs. You can see below which ones won out.

The Reference series is an awesome series of speakers. I personally like the midrange horn of the 3-way design better than the Reference sound.

[wipster]

Gents,

Thank you all for your responses / comments. They all make me feel a lot better about what I have and probably saved me a couple grand. I've just never heard the Reference line before, but judging from the positive comments on the RF-7's and the 83's and 63's, I automatically assumed that they would be a better speaker overall.

I remember when the Fortes originally came out, I was blown away at how good they sounded... they seemed much tighter than the Cornwalls I had at the time and more powerful than the Heresies I still have... they have that ability to let you "feel" the wattage in your equipment without having to be using it (I know that doesn't make sense, but I think you all know what I'm talking about... at the same dB level there's a big difference in the potential between a 40W and a 200W amp and the Fortes allow you to appreciate it). I know I sold at least three sets of Fortes for Magnolia Hi Fi in the U District in Seattle through recommendations and all three are still in use.

I bought a used pair later after Kilpsch had stopped making them. They were sounding a bit tired until I bought the Onkyo and that made all the difference. I don't know if it's the wattage or just a flat out great sounding amp section, but it was the shot in the midrange and tweeter that the Fortes needed. I guess I just assumed that the RF-63's would win me over like the Fortes did, but thanks for bringing me back down to Earth. I'll probably still go listen to a pair, but with less of a "gee, these speakers have to sound better" attitude. Now, let me see if I can insert some pictures of my current setup...

[wipster]

One more...

[wipster]

And here's one of the speaker cover on the stand...

[Rivernuggets]

Excellent setup wipster.

It's hard to fend off that upgrade urge, especially if you've had the same gear for a while. Good decision in keeping the Forte's.

If anything, buy the RF-63s for another area of the your dwelling. []

[Ironsave]

If anything, buy the RF-63s for another area of the your dwelling.

+1.... []

Or if anything, you could always ship the Fortes to me. (If you just gotta have the RF 63s)... []

Seriously; Sweet looking setup.

[dtel]

I think you did the right thing, the room looks great !

[wipster]

I think you did the right thing, the room looks great !

Thanks dtel, I really appreciate the feedback from everyone. I too love the set up, it's actually 7.1 with some KSB 1.1 slightly behind each side and some SS something rears (they look very much like the RS-3's, but I can't remember the model number). Don't know if you can see it in the pictures or not, but behind both Fortes and the HDTV, there are three spotlights pointed up at the pictures. These are on a timer, come on at 7 PM, shut off at 1 AM. I just had the interior of the house painted in a southwestern theme, and late at night when I turn off the main room lights and shut off the TV, those spot lights really make my wall of sound and vision look cool... sometimes I don't think I deserve it, other times I just scream in delight (doesn't take much for me).

[dtel]

The light thing is a good idea especially when your not home. [Y]

I know how you feel I use three Forte ll's across the front, and two original Forte's for L & R rear with another Forte ll for the rear center for 6.1. For the .1 part I use a tapped horn sub, The sub and all the forte's make a really nice HT.

I use other speakers for 2 CH in the same room, and considered just finding a match of those for a center, this would get the front 3 Forte ll's out of the room but the wife said were not selling any of the Forte's, keep it two separate systems. OK []

That 2 CH setup was my wife and daughters idea, neither of them have a problem with big speakers, there were Cornwall lll's in there before for 2 CH, there now in my bedroom.

That's a Forte ll in the pic of the right side of the room. avatar

[Ironsave]

That is a BIG sub. [Y]

[wipster]

The light thing is a good idea especially when your not home.

I know how you feel I use three Forte ll's across the front, and two original Forte's for L & R rear with another Forte ll for the rear center for 6.1. For the .1 part I use a tapped horn sub, The sub and all the forte's make a really nice HT.

I use other speakers for 2 CH in the same room, and considered just finding a match of those for a center, this would get the front 3 Forte ll's out of the room but the wife said were not selling any of the Forte's, keep it two separate systems. OK

That 2 CH setup was my wife and daughters idea, neither of them have a problem with big speakers, there were Cornwall lll's in there before for 2 CH, there now in my bedroom.

That's a Forte ll in the pic of the right side of the room. avatar

Dude, that sounds sweet and I'll bet it sounds even sweeter! Having all matched speakers, especially across the front, must sound awesome. What are you pushing them with? Your setup would work well for the SACD's they're putting out know that use the Quad mix from the 70's... the center isn't used at all on many of them... that's where the matchs would shine! What are thinking of replacing the Fortes with? And why?

I too have Klipschs throughout the house, in the garage, and out on the deck. I've had two of the Promedia bookshelf speakers mounted out there upside down in the overhang for about 8 years now and they're still going strong. It's amazing the sound you can get out of those puppies even without the subwoofer as the separation is excellent... in the spring and the fall, it's great to kick back with a beer out on the deck and listen to KPIG and play with my dogs (who are almost as old as my Fortes!).

My best friend is building his new house and he's including an 18' x 32' A/V room, totally separated from the bedrooms and well insulated. I've got a pair of mid 80's K-Horns I bought as an investment a couple years ago, and I was going to sell them on eBay before the pricing crashed. Now we're going to experiment at his new place with using either the K-Horns with a Cornwall center up front (the basic wall of sound but not quite as Paul envisioned it), or we're going to use three Cornwalls (he has three sets). We're going to include my Heresies as the side / rears. It will be a blast experimenting with that setup.

Stay Cool!

[dtel]

I am using a 4-5 year old Yamaha RX-V730 for HT, I think it's only like 75 WPC but it easily does the job, for now.

For 2 CH it's an active crossover with EV DX 38 with two Crown D 75 amps (30 WPC) which is plenty enough for speakers that are 108 Db sensitivity.

It sounds it would be fun to play with different combinations for your friends Ht, It would be hard to pick what would be the best combination, listen and see ? That's a really nice size to be able to play with, our room is 24' wide and 18' feet deep and there is one post in the back that separates it from another 16' in depth. But it not a dedicated room, just a living room with the dining room/kitchen behind it.

[Tim Currie]

Gents,

Thank you all for your responses / comments. They all make me feel a lot better about what I have and probably saved me a couple grand. I've just never heard the Reference line before, but judging from the positive comments on the RF-7's and the 83's and 63's, I automatically assumed that they would be a better speaker overall.

I remember when the Fortes originally came out, I was blown away at how good they sounded... they seemed much tighter than the Cornwalls I had at the time and more powerful than the Heresies I still have... they have that ability to let you "feel" the wattage in your equipment without having to be using it (I know that doesn't make sense, but I think you all know what I'm talking about... at the same dB level there's a big difference in the potential between a 40W and a 200W amp and the Fortes allow you to appreciate it). I know I sold at least three sets of Fortes for Magnolia Hi Fi in the U District in Seattle through recommendations and all three are still in use.

I bought a used pair later after Kilpsch had stopped making them. They were sounding a bit tired until I bought the Onkyo and that made all the difference. I don't know if it's the wattage or just a flat out great sounding amp section, but it was the shot in the midrange and tweeter that the Fortes needed. I guess I just assumed that the RF-63's would win me over like the Fortes did, but thanks for bringing me back down to Earth. I'll probably still go listen to a pair, but with less of a "gee, these speakers have to sound better" attitude. Now, let me see if I can insert some pictures of my current setup...

Totally off topic but........ tell me about that little light behind the speaker in the first pic?

[Tim Currie]

Oh damn now I see you already talked about the lights. Well, where'd you get 'em, what are they called? I want.

[wipster]

I think I got them at Lamps Plus... they are called Pro Track Accent Spot Lights, $14.99 ea (but bulbs are not included)... mine are white with 50 watt bulbs at this URL:

http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Pro-Track-White-50-Watt-Accent-Spot-Light__63413.html

But if I could do it over, I'd probably buy the black ones that you can aim. Regardless, I love 'em, really adds to the look.

Happy hunting!