organ Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) Hey folks! Been a long time Klipsch fan, but been Klipsch-less for the past few years. I started off with the RF-35, then Cornwall II, then La Scala, and finally, the RF-82 II. I've gone through a lot of gear including some very nice SET amps, good SS, etc. I sold my Klipsch speakers and a lot of gear because everything was taking up so much room. I still have 3 SET amps, NAD separates, 3 pairs of Polk speakers, and a pair of B&W. Recently, I discovered what to me is a giant killer. I bought a h/k 3390 stereo receiver to use in another set up. Decided to try it out in the main rig first and I was shocked at how good this unit sounds. So far the best amplification I've heard (to my ears, of course). I'm thinking about getting a pair of RF-7 II. Because of my past experience with Klipsch, I have a feeling they will be a great match, sound wise. The h/k has this really nice rich and detailed sound with a touch of warmth. Crazy PRaT and dynamics too. I'm in love with the sound of the h/k powering my Polks. Please tell me the h/k is enough for the RF-7 II. Most of the time, I listen at low to moderate volume levels, but when people are not home, I like to crank it up. So far, the h/k are powering my Polks beautifully. The Polks are an easy load I think at 91db/w/m with built-in amps for each woofer (80hz on down). So they have a tweeter each, a 6.5" mid, and built-in powered subs. I'm asking about the RF-7's because I'm confused. Reading through past threads, some people say they need tons of power, but others are running them on flea powered SET amps. Any members here running the 7's on a modern 2ch receiver like h/k, Yamaha, Onkyo? Here are the specs to my h/k... Amplifier Output Details 80 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 2 channel(s) ( main )100 Watt - 4 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.2% - 2 channel(s) ( main ) Input Impedance 47 kOhm Input Sensitivity 200 mV Signal-To-Noise Ratio 95 dB Bass Control Yes Treble Control Yes Additional Features A-B speaker switch Edited May 9, 2014 by organ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 You will get different answers on this one. It depend on how loud you listen, type of music, size of the room, ect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organ Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Moderate levels most times, probably just over 70db average. When I want to rock out, maybe 80db for louder passages, and higher for dynamic peaks. Speakers will be 11-12ft away from listening position. I use the long wall in an L-shaped room with false corners to help re-enforce the bass. So the long wall is about 30ftx14ft, with an opening just past the right false corner that leads to a hallway and stairs. I listen to just about everything except rap/hip hop. When I had my RF-82 II, I powered them with a 5w/ch single ended tube amp. I was happy with the sound. Very good bass, dynamics and no issue with spl. I'm very comfortable using low power for the 82, but have no idea what the 7 II will be like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 You should be OK. Most of the volume is in the 1st watt. Do you have a sub? That would take a lot of work off the avr if you are running the speakers full range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steven1963 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) According to another thread currently making the rounds, you would be better suited to buying an amplifier that is capable of producing a little more power than your speakers can handle. The reason is, underpowered amplifiers, when turned up beyond their capabilities to provide clean power, will damage speakers from distortion. Long story short, your amp probably can drive them, but you are more likely to push the amp too far, thus damaging the speakers. However, this probably would not apply if your standard music level is low to moderate volumes. Low Powered Amplifiers.pdf Edited May 9, 2014 by Steven1963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organ Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Derrick, Thanks. I don't have a sub. I want to run them full range. I was able to get adequate bass the 82's and 5w/ch tube amp. I was hoping it would be the same with the 7's. The h/k I'm using at the moment is not a HT avr. It's strictly a 2ch receiver. So I'm assuming much better amplification than most ht avrs. Steven, Thanks. I know about clipping and speaker damage. But I actually find it hard to believe that my 2ch receiver will clip on the RF-7's since we're talking 102db/w/m sensitivity for the speakers. The RF-82 II are 98db/w/m and I used a 5w/ch tube amp with no issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 The HK receivers are a high current design that mate very well with Klipsch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steven1963 Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Derrick, Thanks. I don't have a sub. I want to run them full range. I was able to get adequate bass the 82's and 5w/ch tube amp. I was hoping it would be the same with the 7's. The h/k I'm using at the moment is not a HT avr. It's strictly a 2ch receiver. So I'm assuming much better amplification than most ht avrs. Steven, Thanks. I know about clipping and speaker damage. But I actually find it hard to believe that my 2ch receiver will clip on the RF-7's since we're talking 102db/w/m sensitivity for the speakers. The RF-82 II are 98db/w/m and I used a 5w/ch tube amp with no issue. Yeah, it just seems that all of a sudden I'm seeing a lot of posts from people that burned up their tweeters and everyone one of them seems to be running amps with around 80 - 140 watts. Just being cautious - I would hate to see anyone else coming up with speaker damage for whatever reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Amplifier Output Details 80 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 2 channel(s) ( main ) 100 Watt - 4 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.2% - 2 channel(s) ( main ) a good amplifier has enough supply to allow the amplifier to double its output from a 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm load a fine amplifier will allow it to double it's output again into a 2 ohm load. This one has little reserve. That is not say it can't sound good but that it has no gas in the tank if you need more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organ Posted May 10, 2014 Author Share Posted May 10, 2014 (edited) The HK receivers are a high current design that mate very well with Klipsch. That's great to hear. It's the reason why I want to get back to the Reference series. I wish I still had my 82 II. I just know the combo will be awesome. Yeah, it just seems that all of a sudden I'm seeing a lot of posts from people that burned up their tweeters and everyone one of them seems to be running amps with around 80 - 140 watts. Just being cautious - I would hate to see anyone else coming up with speaker damage for whatever reason. I've been keeping an eye on the other thread as well. Someone mentioned that it may be the speakers because the op was using ML gear. I hope we find out soon. I will watch the volume control and listen carefully for the first few days of getting the Klipsch. Thanks for your concern. I also feel bad for those who's tweeters stopped working. a good amplifier has enough supply to allow the amplifier to double its output from a 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm load a fine amplifier will allow it to double it's output again into a 2 ohm load. This one has little reserve. That is not say it can't sound good but that it has no gas in the tank if you need more. Yup, that's what made me wonder about the 7's. Are they a completely different beast than say, the RF35 or 82? Because I would have no worries connecting the h/k to the 35 or 82 and bringing the sound up to ear splitting levels. I was able to do that with 35w/ch and 5w/ch tube watts. So unless the 7's suck so much more current than the 82, it should work out well with this receiver. It's weird. Even though the specs isn't all that, this receiver sounds better than all my other amps (tubes and ss). It sounds more dynamic and powerful than my NAD separates (C160/C270 combo) at 100w/ch. By far, the most musical amplification I have. Although the h/k has little reserves, I hope it is more than enough for the 7's because they're so sensitive. I'll keep you guys posted. Still unsure if I'm going to get a pair of 82 II or 7 II. Edited May 10, 2014 by organ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 It sounds like you know how to use a volume control. You'll be fine with whatever type of amp you decide to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 The person at the helm of the volume control may be the biggest factor in burning up speakers, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I keep wrecking my car when I hit 100 mph, I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Chi-town Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I would look for a good quality "High Current" amp as Morray James suggested. At least 200 WPC into 8 OHMS. Obviously Klipsch speakers are very efficicient regardless of whether Reference or Heritage. High quality current with large reserve capacity INMO is what will sound best, regardless of listening volume. Best regards, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 A STOCK RF-7II AND RC-64II FOR SALE , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Maybe you should see and hear what you're getting before you sell everything off, just a suggestion. John, did you read any of the OP's posts? Low power amps, both tube and solid state sound better for a variety of reasons. Some people are more interested in quality of sound than quantity of sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David H Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 (edited) Some people are more interested in quality of sound than quantity of sound. Very true, but by the time we figure that out we usually have damaged our hearing already. Now I have to listen with a real time analyser. Dave Edited May 11, 2014 by GotHover 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Maybe you should see and hear what you're getting before you sell everything off, just a suggestion. ...Low power amps, both tube and solid state sound better for a variety of reasons. Some people are more interested in quality of sound than quantity of sound. Fwiw, I agree with the first line and thought the second was an interesting perspective... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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