dcb Posted March 6, 2001 Share Posted March 6, 2001 I just bought a Pair of klipsch klf 20's and added them on my B speakers of a sony 555es reciever. I also have the RF3's on the A speakers. The Problem is the RF3's KILL the KLF20's in bass and overall voice clarity. I have heard so may good things about the klf series and now I'm unsure if they are worth the money. Does any one know if, after breaking in the KLF20's, if they will out preform my RF3's. The klf's claim to go lower in base than the RF3's, But so far it's not true. Does anyone have any advice on which one is going to be the better speaker or what I can do to improve the over all preformance of the KLF20's. HELP!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikekid Posted March 6, 2001 Share Posted March 6, 2001 Hi.. try putting those 20's right where those rf3's are and then test drive them there.. Could be a placement problem.?? Later Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted March 6, 2001 Author Share Posted March 6, 2001 Mikekid, thanks for the info I'll give it a try. Any info on reduceing the hiss on the KLF20's. dcb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted March 6, 2001 Author Share Posted March 6, 2001 mdeneen, thaks for the reply, I have ran the klf's in stereo and still get it. I'll keep trying but I am starting to think I need a different reciever. If I add a Higher end amp using the pre-outs of the sony, will this improve the over all sound and help reduce the hiss, or will I still get it from the sony acting as a preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 dcb, I don't know about the hiss problems,but I can almost guarantee you that if you get yourself something like a 200X3 Acurus amp you will find a large improvement in the dynamics of the KLF20's and the bass will magically appear. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted March 7, 2001 Author Share Posted March 7, 2001 I am going to look into using the pre outs of the sony and add a better amp to drive the klf20's hoping that for around $400 or so will solve the problem. While Im here, does anyone know where I can get the part number of a potentiometer w/ knobs for a carver av-705x amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 dcb, Don't be in such a hurry to spend those dollars.Do you know someone that maybe has an amp you can borrow and try out before you buy one? Maybe the dealer where you buy your speakers has a demo you could borrow and try out.I have a Sony ES reciever I bought years ago along with an Acurus amp and haven't used the reciever amps over maybe one hour in 6 years.There is no doubt that a separate amp will provide much more power to the speakers than a comparable reciever with the benefit of improved dynamics.I personally believe that a speaker as large as the Legends cry for more power and if you had the opportunity to try it for yourself I'm sure you would understand what I am saying.I KNOW just a few watts will drive the 20's but a few hundred will make them sing.My opinion.(Wish I had some help out of those separates worshipers right about now).Don't know about the part.Sorry. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 dcb, For the potentiometer part try Everett Audio Repair in Everett, Washington. They have ALL the parts from Carver when they closed down a few years ago. Carver is back and being ran by Bob himself now. Go to http://www.carveraudio.com and go to "Carver Audio Repair" in the upper left. There you'll find the address and phone number for the shop. You have to talk to Rita get the right part. Good luck. ------------------ Tom KLF-20 Mahogany Carver Receiver MXR-150 Yamaha PF-800 Turntable/ Sure V15 Type V Cartridge Carver TL-3100 CD Yamaha K-1020 Cassette dbx 1231 EQ dbx 3bx Series Two H.H. Scott 830z Analyzer Monster Interlink 300 mk II Original Monster Cable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowooo Posted March 8, 2001 Share Posted March 8, 2001 dcb....What were your plans when purchasing the 20's? It sounds like you like the sound of you RF-3's, so why did you purchase the 20's? If these speakers are going to be used for two-channel listening I would highly suggest the use of seperates. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Do the RF-3's hiss at all? I know the 20's are a bit more efficient but the RF-3's are not Thiels, you would think the hiss would persist on them also. Did you try to switch the 20's to the A side terminal? As for seperates....you can pick up used Adcom power amps fairly cheap on ebay, which in most cases will provide you with dynamics, clarity, and overall presence that will surpass the majority of receivers. Good Luck........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted March 8, 2001 Author Share Posted March 8, 2001 tblasing, thanks for the carver info I'll give them a call this week and see what's up. rowooo, thanks also for the response. I do get alittle hiss out of the RF3's as well but not as much (not as efficient as klf's). I am using the reference series for the HT and the KLF's for music and "house party" listening levels. Some day I am going to up grade my av reciever to seven ch so for now I'll try using better Speaker cable, fiber optic, another amp for the klf's, and room placement. Hopfully this will make things a little better untill the time for THX 7/ch units become more popular. I'll let ya all know what happens when the new amp, cable and optics are in place. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calpod Posted March 22, 2001 Share Posted March 22, 2001 DCB, How do you like your RF-3's. I'm considering a pair myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepard Posted April 3, 2001 Share Posted April 3, 2001 In pure response to the topic... I have performed extensive listening with both sets of speakers, in several different environments... and unfortunately for the salesmen, the RF-3 comes out on top every single time... Though the grille could use some improving (though the concept is cool), in my opinion, for <$1,000 you will be HARD pressed to find a better commercial speaker... and honestly, I find it to be better than the KLF-20, though, for a party speaker, where you want LOUD, the KLF-20 will beat the RF-3 up. =) ------------------ -Klifton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted April 3, 2001 Share Posted April 3, 2001 dcb, just re-reading the post and forgot to tell you this.With the Sony ES reciever and Acurus amp I've used forever- no hiss whatsoever.Have used KG5.5's and KSP300's, among others, with above.Get an Acurus. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted April 3, 2001 Share Posted April 3, 2001 calpod, I love my RF-3s. I own LaScalas and Cornwall, too. Klipsch did a good job on the RF-3. They sounded equal to my Cornwall in music tests (no signal generator.) A LOT of clean sound. There will be some additions to the Reference line in May, '01. If you aren't in a hurry, you may want to compare. Try a search for RF-7 on this BB. But, for the price, I'm happy with my RF-3s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted April 3, 2001 Author Share Posted April 3, 2001 I have been play'in around with the RF3's and the KLF20's for a while now and I have to agree that the RF3's are a great speaker for the money and the sound is great. I am also very impressed with the 20's, they are comin alive!! I would also agree on the comment of the KLF20's kickin the sh@# out of the RF3's in overall VOLUME, they are very LOUD. Now the RF7's and RF5's are going to be avalible in May. The RF7's will be around $2200/Pr. So sound for dollar the RF3's and 20's will be hard to beat. Remember that the 20's are a three way speaker and the RF7's are two way, you be the judge of the unending case of the audio world vs the consumer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted April 3, 2001 Share Posted April 3, 2001 Most people neglect the RB5. Nice looking little cabinet, not too large, and loses only a little spl to the RF3. Sounds great on my Sanus Steel stands with 20 pounds of lead shot per stand. Most places do not demo the RB5s with as stable of stand as I have used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted April 3, 2001 Share Posted April 3, 2001 My dealer didn't have the RB-5s for me to hear. The specs are close, but so is the price. It is a space consideration, too. I just heard Fantasia 2000 on the RFs (and RC-3) this weekend. If I'm missing something with 2-way, my ears didn't notice. I could the hear individual instruments on every song they played. I think the hornloaded dome keeps up just fine for that 1.9K-20KHz range. The Hell scenes in South Park: B, L & U had such smooth, low bass that it made me put my subwoofer purchase on hold again (I just don't watch that many movies.) I know the KLF20s would beat them, but not by much. I had my dealer set up the RF-3s against a similar model Paradigm (I had read too many good reviews saying "better than Klipsch.") I asked him to start with either brand, switch back and forth, and I'll pick the sound I want. I picked the "widest" stage sound and ordered the RF-3s. KLF-20s at 2x the money wasn't where I wanted to go. (I have my Heritage speakers. And now I realize that Klipsch is just a reference that everyone is "better than.") Calpod, ask your dealer to let you do some blind tests and let your ears choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted April 4, 2001 Author Share Posted April 4, 2001 One thing I would strongly look at when doing a blind test is the amp and the spec's if your using different stores and different sources, even with the same CD. Having owned the RF3's for a year now, I heard a demo on some B&K equipment and let me tell ya, the RF3's sounded like a totaly differnt speaker. I am using a sony ES now and the B&K was three times as clear,clean,and overall made the RF3's a very agressive set of speakers. This demo was only 2ch with 60w each, sounding more like 130w. So keep the source in mind with any blind test, then you will get a "True" rating out of any speaker aside form room acustics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLklipsch Posted April 4, 2001 Share Posted April 4, 2001 Dcb, I have a 333ES that I use as my HT preamp. It is basically the same as what you have. You will get hiss if you have one of 2 things on 1) DSP modes/soundfield 2) EQ It is a remarkably clean preamp when used in the basic 2 channel mode. My bet is that you have EQ turned on....especially since it is a hidden button on the box -CAL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcb Posted April 5, 2001 Author Share Posted April 5, 2001 Cal- Yes you are right, I am using the DSP and eq. My receiver is the 555ES and for music I use the 2ch A.F.D mode, for HT I use the normal surround mode and that works pretty good. I have been considering using a carver amp for the KLF20's and the Sony for HT. The big question is how can I do this and switch form the Sony for HT to the carver that will drive a second set of floor speakers (20's) and not have to disconnect the secondary amp from the pre-outs when switching from HT to music (2ch)? I like the easy use of the a-b switch on the Sony but want more power and clarity for the 2ch, hopefully this will greatly improve my 2ch and hiss. Any suggestions? dcb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.