Over13 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Hi, Can someone tell me what significant change was made, if any, on the RB-81 from the RB-75? They look like nearly identical cabinet and specs, although crossover changed from 2000Hz to 1500Hz. I need the 97db efficiency for an 18wpc tube amp and I was considering the RB-75 until I saw the RB-81. Thank you! Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Welcome to the forum over13. My RB-75's have a 1.75 inch driver (the RB-81 has a 1 inch), weighs 2 lbs heavier, and has a Cherry wood veneer (vs the RB-81's plastic) housing. I can't imagine the RB-81, looking or sounding better than my RB-75's. If you are lucky enough to find a pair they may be discounted. On a bang for your buck comparison I would opt for a pair of RB-75's. That being said I have not heard the new bookshelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over13 Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Thanks for the welcome and the information! I'll opt for the RB-75's then, there are a number for sale on eBay. I appreciate it! <grateful>Don</grateful> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radchad3 Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 What should I expect to pay for a pair of these at an authorized store. I am going to look for some "discontinued" deals this weekend. Thanks!! Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 What should I expect to pay for a pair of these at an authorized store. I am going to look for some "discontinued" deals this weekend. Thanks!! Chad Imo, if you can pick them up for $800 you will not be disappointed. I also feel they are going to be hard to find at retail stores. If you have to pay $950 NIB, that would be worth the investment compared to the new RB-81's (of course that is not an impartial recommendation []--I have not heard the RB-81's). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radchad3 Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Thanks for the response. I ended up setting some aside and will pick them up this weekend. I got a GREAT deal on them, according to your posted prices! Thanks!! Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaan Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I spent several hours evaluating the RB-61 (my otherwisevery competent dealer, Water Street Stereo in Santa Cruz did not have the RB-81 yet). Icompared them to both RB-35 and RB-75, both of which I now own. I did notconcentrate on the bass because of the 6" vs 8" woofer mismatch. I noticed a significant difference in voicing from theupper-midrange on up. Im not sure howmuch of this is because of an intended tonal change, vs. lack of break-in onthe RB-61. According to the pressreleases, the newer speakers are supposed to have better cabinet bracing (leading to better bass) and a "refined" treble ( toneddown is my reading). The RB-61 still had the excellent dynamics I liked, but onthe whole I preferred the RB-35 in almost every other category. I think the new voicing was less detailed anda bit more mainstream (e.g. closer to Monitor, Energy, Paradigm). Not bad, but I preferred the oldermodels. Over the years Ive discoveredthat I prefer detailed and analytical sound over a warm blend (thats why myseason symphony tickets are in row 4 instead of the rear of the hall), YMMV. The wild card may be the break-in factor. I remember comparing two samples of the samemodel Monitor Silver speakers at a showroom, one of which was fresh out of thebox. It was much more reserved, and thetonal differences between them were somewhat similar to the RB-61 differences. The only way to tell for sure is once theyget a set of RB-81s broken in, Ill have to take my RB-75s back in for arematch.I'd be interested in hearing an official response on this one (could the lack of break-in account for the difference I heard, was my reading of the press releases mistaken?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Welcome to the Forum seaan, ...The RB-61 still had the excellent dynamics I liked, but on the whole I preferred the RB-35 in almost every other category. TKDA: Surely not compared to the RB-75's? [] ...I'd be interested in hearing an official response on this one (could the lack of break-in account for the difference I heard, ... TKDA: Far from official, but I doubt it. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 The only way to tell for sure is once they get a set of RB-81s broken in, Ill have to take my RB-75s back in for a rematch. I'd be interested in hearing an official response on this one (could the lack of break-in account for the difference I heard, was my reading of the press releases mistaken?). As quoted by some klipsch admins, the rb75 has no direct predecessor as the RF75 carried the flagsip horn (1.75 inch) while the rf81 carries the (1 inch) where the flagship model carries the 1.25 inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 I'm in the process right now on purchasing Ben Clarke's cherry RB-75s...this is my first take on Klipsch Reference Series horns so I'm pretty excited about it. I've always loved the Heritage Series (having heard several Klipschorns and using my dad's Cornwalls over the years), so I'm guessing the discontinued flagship Reference bookshelf monitors will continue on with the traditional Klipsch sound, driven by my 300B SET amp![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 Jim, you should be in for a treat. Back before my Heritage bug, I really loved my set of RB75s, and in certain aspects more so than my RC7 and RF7s. Then again, I traded them in a package for tube gear, including my beloved Marantz 8b. The RB75s are truly unique for a large "bookshelf" speaker. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 wow, such strong positions based on pure emotion. There is nothing inherant in any of the specs to claim one better than the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 wow, such strong positions based on pure emotion. There is nothing inherant in any of the specs to claim one better than the other. [:^)] I know my opinion was based partly on emotion, having enjoyed 2 pairs of RB-75's. My rationale on recommendation was based on personal interpretation of the Specs and Steve Phillips comments on another thread. Insofar as the answer to the question of the thread I gave it my best shot. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 "wow, such strong positions based on pure emotion. There is nothing inherant in any of the specs to claim one better than the other." Well, duh......Mike. The original poster of this thread correctly noted just that - the specs of the two speakers are remarkably similar, and therefore, he wanted some SUBJECTIVE feedback. That is, how do each speakers sound? You acknowledge that each model has a different driver and horn on the top end? The RB81 has the replacement driver for the RB35 and the RB75 shares a similar driver to the RF7/RC7. It also appears from those who have heard both lines (Reference III and IV) that the overall sound of the upper horns are somewhat different. I admit to liking RB75s, but have yet to heard the latest line of bookshelves. Some reviews of RF83s and RF82s in here indicate that some prefer the overall "sound" of Reference IV to Reference III and vice versa - and much of those differences have to do with how the top horns present themselves. There appear to be passionate advocates on both sides. So......Mike. To provide the original poster with useful information, which "sound" do you prefer - Reference III or Reference IV? It is a question that requires an answer based purely on emotion. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Subjective would imply actually hearing both speakers - emotional was referring to opinions without actually hearing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Subjective would imply actually hearing both speakers - emotional was referring to opinions without actually hearing them. It appears the good Doctor is making diagnoses without consulting the patients. Whose opinion exactly are you disagreeing with? [:^)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 I'm not disagreeing with anybody [] Just dying to hear a review of a direct AB between the 75 and 81 (in a good acoustical environment)...I think my comment was being taken negatively based on the responses - though I for the life of me can't see it [*-)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 wow, such strong positions based on pure emotion. There is nothing inherant in any of the specs to claim one better than the other. Subjective would imply actually hearing both speakers - emotional was referring to opinions without actually hearing them. I'm not disagreeing with anybody [] Just dying to hear a review of a direct AB between the 75 and 81 (in a good acoustical environment)...I think my comment was being taken negatively based on the responses - though I for the life of me can't see it [*-)] It seemed to me you were chastising *somebody* for having a subjective opinion to the OP's question. I guess it was in your delivery. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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