stvans Posted June 13, 2001 Share Posted June 13, 2001 I just purchased a pair of the RP3 Powered Towers. Owning these speakers for just a little over a week, I allready believe these are the best speakers that I have ever owned. Does any one else have any comments pertaining to these speakers. Lastly, is the RC3 the best matching center speaker for the RP3s? Steve This message has been edited by stvans on 06-13-2001 at 12:41 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boa12 Posted June 13, 2001 Share Posted June 13, 2001 stvans, great speaks. yes no doubt the rc-3 is the best match for them. there is a new rc-7, but it's a lot more $ & though i haven't heard it my guess would be it may be overpowering for the rp-3. if u do a search(above) for rp under like home theater, general quests or any other of the home audio categories u should find some commentary on them. ------------------ Klipsch KLF 30 (front), KLF C-7, Cornwall I (rear) Velodyne HGS-18 sub woofer Monsterbass 400 sub interconnects & Monster CX-2 biwire & Z-12 cable Marantz SR-8000 receiver Sony DVP-C650D cd/dvd player Sony Trinitron 27" stereo tv Toshiba hi-fi stereo vcr Technics dual cassette deck Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 digital cable box Boa's Listenin Lounge: Klipsch RF-3 (front), RC-3, cheap little Technics (rear) Monster MCX Biwires Sony STR-DE935 a/v receiver Kenwood KR-9600 AM/FM stereo receiver (vintage 1975) Russound AB-2 receiver switch to RF-3 Teac PD-D1200 5-disk cd changer Technics SL-1950 turntable/AT LS500 cartridge Sega Genesis game player Sub: None yet rock on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc1091 Posted June 28, 2001 Share Posted June 28, 2001 I too own a pair of the RP-3s. I have owned them for nearly a year now. I bought them instead of a pair of B&W CDM7NTs. I felt they were as clean as the B&W speakers and projected the music further into the listener's soundfield. They also seemed to be nearly as even throughout the audible sound range as the B&Ws, except that the RP-3s had extended bass response (almost overwhelming, but can be controlled) and the high treble frequencies roll-off slightly (barely audibly) more quickly than the B&Ws. I am stunned that Klipsch has decided to discontinue this speaker and its companion the RP-5. Does anyone know the official reason why these speakers have been discontinued? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilH Posted June 28, 2001 Share Posted June 28, 2001 cc1091: The new additions to Reference unfortunately left no space in the lineup for the RP-3's and 5's. Great speaker with lots of fans though. The SP-1 powered tower will remain in the Synergy line. PhilH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc1091 Posted July 1, 2001 Share Posted July 1, 2001 Yeah, but I've heard the Sp-1 in an A/B comparison with the RP-3. RP-3 wins hands down. (I think the main difference is in the sealed woofer instead of the vented woofer of the Sp-1 and RP-5) I also felt that the RP-3 was a better sounding speaker than the RF-3. Unfortunately, the RF-3 was sold at a much lower price, hence better sales numbers. Perhaps the RF-3,5,7 should have been spun into a line of their own, leaving the Rp-3, Rp-5, RB-3,RC3 etc, to the Reference series line. Seems like the RF series is just a repackaging of the SF-2 speaker. Apparently Klipsch doesn't feel there is enough duplication in that line. In any case, the exit of the RP-3 and RP-5 from the Klipsch lineup leaves a serious shortage of true three-way systems from most Klipsch dealer show floors. Not sure how you can say that there was no room for a great speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forresthump Posted July 2, 2001 Share Posted July 2, 2001 Let me try to put this delicately, ahhh forget that. the rf-3 and many good, well-placed powered subs that together msrp around the same price as the $1500 msrp of the rp-3 will abolutely kill the rp-3 in every aspect of audio listening. that in a nutshell is why they're discontinued as klipsch apparently could not live with that truism any longer. rp speaks still sound good, but comparing them to the other reference speaks price to price, you're really just paying up for the all-in-one space saving design, whether you need it or not. ------------------ go forth & hump the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc1091 Posted July 2, 2001 Share Posted July 2, 2001 forresthump- Delicate words come with refinement. I should not expect that your delicate choice of words would be any different from your ability to choose the better of two speakers. With comments like yours, I expect that I'll find you at the local Walmart checking out those "great sounding" Lloyds "stereos" next. The point that you overloked is that with the RF-3 and the very similar SF-2, why would you want another two speakers that are just like it. Seems that the cheapening of the Klipsch line of speakers continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forresthump Posted July 2, 2001 Share Posted July 2, 2001 cc-109 you weren't even a keen enough listener to choose the far superior RP-5 for a meager $500 or less additional. and any listener with any sense of listening ability will find the rf-3 far superior to any synergy speaker. and of course the rf-3 doesn't have as much low bass as the RP-3 with two powered subs built-in. might also explain the big price difference though huh? why are you so upset that klipsch discontinued a speaker you already have? must be doubting your purchase. you'll learn some day ------------------ go forth & hump the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stvans Posted July 3, 2001 Author Share Posted July 3, 2001 This is a follow-up to my first post. The more I listen to the RP 3's the mid's are starting sound 'muddy' and the bass sounds too 'boomy'. So I did the following. 1) disconnected the subwoofer cables going to the Line In connections on the rear of the RP 3's. 2)Adjusted the Bass Contour to "Flat" 3)Made sure the Line Level Adjustment is set to "Normal" 4)Move the speakers out to approximately 10 inches from the wall. The mids still sound "muddy" and the bass is less "boommy". I still think that they should sound a little "crisper" I am also thinking of bi-wiring the speakers. Any suggestions on how to get a "cripser", less "boomy" sound from these speakers? Thanks Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boa12 Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 using the interconnects from your sub out to the RP(nonfiltered) LFE ins is in effect biwiring. though u should still leave the connectors attached to the high & low speaker terminals. then set sub:yes, put the fronts on small, rp rear port at least 6-7" from back wall, flat or not too much gain on the bass contour for a start. w/ this set-up the (filtered) line jacks & control are moot. your receiver does the filtering to it's sub out. so u may have to make some further adjustments in the receiver. like fronts & sub, LFE level, equalizer, etc. maybe try setting the sub output at -10db then turn up the bass contour on the rp. use a sound meter for the level adjustments though & rock on. ------------------ Klipsch KLF 30 (front), KLF C-7, Cornwall I (rear) Velodyne HGS-18 sub woofer Monsterbass 400 sub interconnect & Monster CX-2 biwire & Z-12 cable Marantz SR-8000 receiver Sony DVP-C650D 5-disk cd/dvd player Sony Trinitron 27" stereo tv Toshiba hi-fi stereo vcr Technics dual cassette deck Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 digital cable box Boa's Listenin Lounge: Klipsch RF-3 (front), RC-3, cheap little Technics (rear) Monster MCX Biwires Sony STR-DE935 a/v receiver Kenwood KR-9600 AM/FM stereo receiver (vintage 1975) Russound AB-2 receiver switch to RF-3 Teac PD-D1200 5-disk cd changer Technics SL-1950 turntable/AT LS500 cartridge Sega Genesis game player Sub: None yet rock on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stvans Posted July 10, 2001 Author Share Posted July 10, 2001 I solved my problem. By mistake I had my subwoofer out on my receiver connected to both the Line In and the LFE inputs. I disconnected the LFE input and it sounded like a completely different speaker. These speakers really sound great. Could I have damaged the speakers having both the Line In and LFE inputs connected at the same time?? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc1091 Posted July 10, 2001 Share Posted July 10, 2001 Stvans- Doubtful that you damaged your speakers. I agree, these are great sounding speakers. As for the RP-5 being a "..far superior speaker" I can say without a doubt that the RP-5 and RP-3 are very similar in their characteristics, except that the Rp-5 had the extra resonance (and distortion) that comes with a ported bass system. The 8" midrange (actually about 7") of the RP-5 is so far "superior" to the 6.5" (actually about 5") midrange of the Rp-3 that Klipsch designed the crossover so that the horn loaded tweeter would take more of the frequency load from the 8" driver of the Rp-5 than the 6.5" driver of the Rp-3 (HF crossover for the Rp-3 is at 2750hz while the Rp-5 is at 1950hz). I guess that 8" driver of the Rp-5 has some annoying characteristics above 1950hz (1975hz for the RF-3..oh yeah, that's a different part number)?? Hmm..barely a reference tonight on the Klipsch website of the RF-3. I'm greeted with the link, "We are sorry but this product is currently not available." Have they discontinued this speaker too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boa12 Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 st, technically u should connect the sub out ONLY to the LFE ins of your RP & leave the bridges/gold straps or wire connected to the high & low speaker terminals. u shouldn't use the line inputs of the rp because they are filtered as is also the sub out of your receiver (dual filtering technically not good). in fact the klipsch manual states not to have the gold straps on or high-low connected to each other when using the Line Inputs of the rp. i'd try using JUST the LFE ins of the RP. may not hear any difference but again technically that's the way to go. if the line in only connect seems to sound better then i guess that's the way to go , but i'd then at least remove the high low connect as the manual advises. doubt u damaged the speaks though. This message has been edited by boa12 on 07-13-2001 at 03:35 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ka7niq Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 On 7/10/2001 at 4:19 PM, cc1091 said: Stvans- Doubtful that you damaged your speakers. I agree, these are great sounding speakers. As for the RP-5 being a "..far superior speaker" I can say without a doubt that the RP-5 and RP-3 are very similar in their characteristics, except that the Rp-5 had the extra resonance (and distortion) that comes with a ported bass system. The 8" midrange (actually about 7") of the RP-5 is so far "superior" to the 6.5" (actually about 5") midrange of the Rp-3 that Klipsch designed the crossover so that the horn loaded tweeter would take more of the frequency load from the 8" driver of the Rp-5 than the 6.5" driver of the Rp-3 (HF crossover for the Rp-3 is at 2750hz while the Rp-5 is at 1950hz). I guess that 8" driver of the Rp-5 has some annoying characteristics above 1950hz (1975hz for the RF-3..oh yeah, that's a different part number)?? Hmm..barely a reference tonight on the Klipsch website of the RF-3. I'm greeted with the link, "We are sorry but this product is currently not available." Have they discontinued this speaker too? I have owned both the RP 5 and the RP 3. I sold the RP 5, and still have the RP 3 The reason the RP 5 has a lower crossover point is because the 8 inch midrange will not go up as high as the 6.5 inch midrange of the RP 3, and it does not have as good dispersion. The RP 3 IMHO is the better speaker. It images better with a wider sweet spot, and it's bass Quality is much better, because it has a sealed vs ported woofer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 2 hours ago, ka7niq said: I have owned both the RP 5 and the RP 3. I sold the RP 5, and still have the RP 3 The reason the RP 5 has a lower crossover point is because the 8 inch midrange will not go up as high as the 6.5 inch midrange of the RP 3, and it does not have as good dispersion. The RP 3 IMHO is the better speaker. It images better with a wider sweet spot, and it's bass Quality is much better, because it has a sealed vs ported woofer. This thread is almost 20 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ka7niq Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Ceptorman said: This thread is almost 20 years old. Ya think ? Do you think I don't know that, or something ? WTF ? This Forum is Dead, compared to what it once was, so one would think that any post here is better than no posts. Not that it is really any of your business, but my reason for posting to an old thread was to add to the knowledge base of the Klipsch RP 3 and the Klipsch RF 5 Edited January 20, 2021 by ka7niq to add content Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 3 hours ago, ka7niq said: Ya think ? Do you think I don't know that, or something ? WTF ? This Forum is Dead, compared to what it once was, so one would think that any post here is better than no posts. Not that it is really any of your business, but my reason for posting to an old thread was to add to the knowledge base of the Klipsch RP 3 and the Klipsch RF 5 Sorry to rattle your cage. But this place does get busy, maybe not as busy as it was decades ago. Most people that resurrect an old thread don't realize how old it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ka7niq Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Ceptorman said: Sorry to rattle your cage. But this place does get busy, maybe not as busy as it was decades ago. Most people that resurrect an old thread don't realize how old it was. I apologize too, I guess I took it the wrong way 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamwmyers Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 How odd to come here at this time but am grateful for the experience and knowledge. I have owned a a pair of Forte's since the mid eighties - love them and need nothing more till I die. My hearing is not what it used to be but wonder if the caps and resistors might be worn after decades of really loud music. My Q is, might they perk up with a new set of resistors. I still have some hearing left to lose. Thanks everyone, Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 4 hours ago, ka7niq said: I apologize too, I guess I took it the wrong way I did notice that you have been here a while. Hang around, there are quite a few knowledgeable people on here, and occasionally an interesting discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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