Klipsch RB75 $700 Phoenix, AZ

[willum24]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ele/5257476557.html

Kinda expensive for non-perfect bookshelves, but they are the legendary monsters.

No affiliation.

[wvu80]

One of them looks like cat footprints all over the top of it!

 

How exactly would you place these speakers?  Are they strong enough to be fronts in a L/C/R?  They don't look tall enough for floor standers, they look too big to be true book shelf speakers.

[JiminSTL]

Gosh, that price exceeds the price paid (by far) for my KLF-30s.  And even more for the 20s and 10s.  Bet they do sound wonderful, though.

 

Dave, must be your younger eyes--I can't see anything like the cat footprints you mentioned--not out of my eye that had cataract surgery 2 weeks ago, much less the one going in for upgrades next week.

[JiminSTL]

Dave --

How exactly would you place these speakers? 

 

Maybe they will be placed on an open shelf of some sort.  For instance, I have a pair of KG 2.2s that I am placing on a shelf (with the matching KG 2.2V center channel), and the L/R are 19.5" high.  The L/R will be on either side of a 42" TV down in my office.

[mattSER]

One of them looks like cat footprints all over the top of it!

How exactly would you place these speakers? Are they strong enough to be fronts in a L/C/R? They don't look tall enough for floor standers, they look too big to be true book shelf speakers.

They're absolutely wonderful as the front mains on stands. I will not rest until I land another pair! By far, one of my fav klipsch models ever.

[dtel's wife]

One of them looks like cat footprints all over the top of it!

How exactly would you place these speakers? Are they strong enough to be fronts in a L/C/R? They don't look tall enough for floor standers, they look too big to be true book shelf speakers.

They're absolutely wonderful as the front mains on stands. I will not rest until I land another pair! By far, one of my fav klipsch models ever.

We own a pair of these. Absolutely agree with mattSER!!!!

[willland]

How exactly would you place these speakers?  Are they strong enough to be fronts in a L/C/R?  They don't look tall enough for floor standers, they look too big to be true book shelf speakers.

 

They would make great L-C-R's in a medium to large(3500 to 6000ft3) room.  Believe me the 75's are "bookshelf" speakers that think they are floorstanders.

 

I have mine on 21.5" stands which puts tweeter height at 38".

 

 

 

Bill

[JiminSTL]

Please help me understand better--really.  

 

Am sure the RB-75s sound fantastic.  Here's where I would like to better understand:  at the price level these seem to command, why would one not prefer a tower/floor-standing pair when being used as mains?  I recognize that the 75s may have a somewhat smaller footprint than certain towers, and that a stand may appear less "bulky", or something.  But if the primary reason is the quality of sound in the given listening area, is it not probable that even "superior" sound may be had from a tower--at least in a mid-to-large environment--and the tower likely is much easier to find?  And often less expensive?

 

Thoughts?

Edited October 9, 2015 by JiminSTL

[willland]

Please help me understand better--really.

 

I'll try.  

 

Am sure the RB-75s sound fantastic.

 

And you would be correct.  

 

Here's where I would like to better understand:  at the price level these seem to command, why would one not prefer a tower/floor-standing pair when being used as mains?

 

Most would prefer similar priced tower speakers over bookshelf speakers as mains in most situations.  Me included.  With that said, if I had to sell my RF-63's, I would not hesitate to throw the 75's right into my main system for HT.  With that, I don't think they would be missing a beat.  As a matter of fact, for stereo and multichannel music(with subs) either.  Now just stereo with no sub, the 63's win obviously.

 

The same question can be asked about why someone might buy Heresy III's over similar priced used Cornwalls.  A Cornwall is basically a full range ported Heresy.

 

I recognize that the 75s may have a somewhat smaller footprint than certain towers, and that a stand may appear less "bulky", or something.

 

The footprint with the 75's and stands would be of similar widthr to towers but most likely not as deep. 

 

But if the primary reason is the quality of sound in the given listening area, is it not probable that even "superior" sound may be had from a tower--at least in a mid-to-large environment--and the tower likely is much easier to find?  And often less expensive?

 

For stereo music without sub/subs, I must agree, but with HT and well integrated subs, the playing field is more level. 

 

Bill

[twk123]

 

How exactly would you place these speakers?  Are they strong enough to be fronts in a L/C/R?  They don't look tall enough for floor standers, they look too big to be true book shelf speakers.

 

They would make great L-C-R's in a medium to large(3500 to 6000ft3) room.  Believe me the 75's are "bookshelf" speakers that think they are floorstanders.

 

I have mine on 21.5" stands which puts tweeter height at 38".

 

 

 

Bill

 

 

Wow that is a really small fireplace and is that a tiny computer sub?

 

Wait...

[willland]

Wow that is a really small fireplace

 

Yeah, a 32" gas fireplace was all that would properly fit in the space.  Funny thing is, I never built a mantel or hooked it up.

 

is that a tiny computer sub?

 

Not quite but it is an RSW-10d which is one punchy and musical sub.  Blends perfectly with my RB-75's.

 

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-subwoofers-bass-transducers/732353-my-london-drugs-experience-w-klipsch-rsw10d.html

 

This room was roughly 22 feet by 16feet.

With a reference volume of 107dB at 53 Hz:
(Note this was not max output of the unit, it had more to go)


70 Hz @ 102db
67 Hz @ 103
63 Hz @ 104
56 Hz @ 104
53 Hz @ 107
50 Hz @ 109
45 Hz @ 108
43 Hz @ 108
40 Hz @ 108
37 Hz @ 108
34 Hz @ 107
32 Hz @ 102
30 Hz @ 103
28 Hz @ 104
26 Hz @ 101
24 Hz @ 99
20 Hz @ (not on the scale)

 

Not bad for a 16in x 13in x 13in "tiny computer" sub.  

 

Bill 

[twk123]

 

Wow that is a really small fireplace

 

Yeah, a 32" gas fireplace was all that would properly fit in the space.  Funny thing is, I never built a mantel or hooked it up.

 

 

 

is that a tiny computer sub?

 

Not quite but it is an RSW-10d which is one punchy and musical sub.  Blends perfectly with my RB-75's.

 

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-subwoofers-bass-transducers/732353-my-london-drugs-experience-w-klipsch-rsw10d.html

 

This room was roughly 22 feet by 16feet.

With a reference volume of 107dB at 53 Hz:

(Note this was not max output of the unit, it had more to go)

70 Hz @ 102db

67 Hz @ 103

63 Hz @ 104

56 Hz @ 104

53 Hz @ 107

50 Hz @ 109

45 Hz @ 108

43 Hz @ 108

40 Hz @ 108

37 Hz @ 108

34 Hz @ 107

32 Hz @ 102

30 Hz @ 103

28 Hz @ 104

26 Hz @ 101

24 Hz @ 99

20 Hz @ (not on the scale)

 

Not bad for a 16in x 13in x 13in "tiny computer" sub.  

 

Bill 

 

 

Thats impressive for that sub!

 

HAHA I was just commenting on how huge those RB75's are and still have the proportions of a bookshelf speaker. At first glace it makes the other features look really small until you realize how massive those things are. 

[willland]

Thats impressive for that sub!

 

Yeah it really is.

 

HAHA I was just commenting on how huge those RB75's are and still have the proportions of a bookshelf speaker. At first glace it makes the other features look really small until you realize how massive those things are. 

 

When I first took the photo, I thought the same thing.

 

Bill 

[jjptkd]

Honestly, I'd rather have a nice set of Chorus / Forte or even Quartet's over the 75's but when space is limited the 75's are absolutely the best for their size. The wife barely lets me get away with this setup in the bedroom but I cannot stand TV speakers..

 

[JiminSTL]

^ jjptkd, that's a lot of sound in your BR.  From the looks of that right speaker, you DO NOT have any cats . . . ?

 

I have 4.  And one in particular often exits his perch from on top of a tall cabinet on the opposite side of where he gets up.  So, in the descent, he jumps down onto the top of my right surround--a KLF-20--and then onto the floor.  So far, he has not knocked off the 15" vase on top of the speaker.  Probably ought to do something, while I am thinking about it. 

Edited October 9, 2015 by JiminSTL

[jjptkd]

The right speaker is sitting on top, towards the back of my computer tower next to the window and I built a little custom stand to match the height of the dresser. I do have one cat, she likes to jump up on the front of the computer and then up to the window ceil, luckily she stays away from the speakers. She's only allowed in the room if I'm in there to keep an eye on things, otherwise the door stays closed. I have a Sunfire TrueSub Signature in the back corner behind the dresser as well, overall I'm VERY pleased with how it all turned out.     Wife gets upset if I turn it too loud during movies, that sub definitely was not intended for a smaller bedroom!!

[JiminSTL]

Well, I suspect that the cat will keep you "focused", and the speakers/sound will keep you engaged.  And your wife, bless her heart, I'll bet that she is understanding and forgiving . . . .

[mattSER]

Please help me understand better--really.

Am sure the RB-75s sound fantastic. Here's where I would like to better understand: at the price level these seem to command, why would one not prefer a tower/floor-standing pair when being used as mains? I recognize that the 75s may have a somewhat smaller footprint than certain towers, and that a stand may appear less "bulky", or something. But if the primary reason is the quality of sound in the given listening area, is it not probable that even "superior" sound may be had from a tower--at least in a mid-to-large environment--and the tower likely is much easier to find? And often less expensive?

Thoughts?

Jim, if somebody offered me a pair of RB-75s or a pair of RF-7s for the same price, I'd choose the 75s. They're THAT good!

Sure, the bass doesn't go as deep and they're less sensitive, but I honestly think they have superior sound balance and linearity.

The only floorstanders I've ever owned that I like better than the 75s were my KLF-20s.

[JiminSTL]

^ mattSER, interesting comments.  Wow!  And I appreciate what you are saying, though it is hard for me to understand.

 

I have the 30s, 20s, and 10s.  Absolutely love them!  Have not heard the 75s, so my comments are, in a sense, meaningless and uninformed.  

 

Would you actually prefer the 75s over the KLF-10s, for instance (if you have some preference for your 20s over the 75s)?

 

I ask these questions because my own experience, ears, and "sensitivity" are not all that great in comparison with the "old timers" here on the Forum.  Is hard for me to understand how the particular speakers, cabinets and size,  and intangibles of an admittedly large bookshelf (the 75) could really come close to or equal the performance of a good-sized floor speaker.  In this case KLF10s/20s/or my 30s.  Or substitute others--brands, sizes of bookshelves or small floor speakers, etc. (for instance, a Polk 10C or 7B, just to be cantankerous).

 

I know that a number of people share this view of the RB-75.  It's just, as I stated above, that it seems to defy the lengthy reasoning of more comments and professional opinions than I can recall or count in various posts here.

 

But, that is one thing that makes the Forum interesting, right?

[mattSER]

Is hard for me to understand how the particular speakers, cabinets and size, and intangibles of an admittedly large bookshelf (the 75) could really come close to or equal the performance of a good-sized floor speaker. In this case KLF10s/20s/or my 30s. Or substitute others--brands, sizes of bookshelves or small floor speakers, etc. (for instance, a Polk 10C or 7B, just to be cantankerous).

I suppose you may just need to define your idea of "performance". The loss of impact and bass extension is minimal, to me, when compared to a superior sound coming from a smaller box.

I've never heard a Palladium model, but there's little doubt in my mind that a P-17b would absolutely smoke an RF-7ii.