Topic: Klipsch RF-5 or B&W DM604 S3???

[Evil Taper]

I've been poking around different stores looking for a set of 2 channel speakers that I actually thought were worth the money and I really did like how the Klipsch RF-35 sounded for the price.  The dealer had them marked at $900 and they actually did sound referance quality accurate, which I wasn't expecting from any HUGE manufacturer boasting referance quality.  I'm not really sure what kind of processing was running in front of them but it just LOOKED like a surround reciever, nothing else.  All of the other speakers in that prince range that I've demo'd have sounded sub par to my ears.  The Bose towers in the same class actually sounded like complete mud and sludge and were peaky as shit...don't know why anything Bose is so highly regarded because they never really sound good (every decent bar has huge bose systems that SUCK).  So I guess I'm just asking if my ears were decieving me or are the Klipsch RF-35 actually a referance class set of towers that are capable of some decent SPL?  Anything else I should be trying to demo?

[BC]

Hmm, in the $900 price range I'd also check out Paradigm, B&W, Infinity (models w/ CMMD drivers), Polk audio, JM lab, JosephAudio, Magnepan, Martin Logan just to name a few. Lots of choices at this price point.

I think only by comparing lots of speakers will you get a handle on how "accurate" any given one is, relative to one another.

[pfife]

I think my klipsch heresy IIs are very accurate.  Klipsch has their big box line, and higher quality stuff too. 

[Evil Taper]

There's some good deals on B&W towers on ebay but there's no dealer anywhere near me to actually hear what they sound like.  I'd like to give the Klipsch RF-5 a listen if i can find a store with some in house.  I really can't afford anything over $1500 but there seems to be alot of options up to that prince point.  If I could I'd get the VR4s but $3500 is just way too much for me to spend on some speakers this year.  I'm looking at TVs around that price range so I have to at least kind of budget some cash.  I know that once I start school again in September I'm not going to be able to afford dick so I'm trying to get hooked up pretty solid now.  I like nice things, what can I say.

[Kyle]

I have a pair of Klipsch KLF-10s and they are not bad at all. There are better of course, but paired with the 3000es, they sound very decent. They also made a KLF20 and KLF30 which sound better as you go up. You can only get them used now but I have seen KLF10s and 20s on ebay and Agon for as low as $350/pair in good shape - might be a decent holdover till you can swing the VR4s...

[jhirte]

one word: deftech!

[BC]

There's some good deals on B&W towers on ebay but there's no dealer anywhere near me to actually hear what they sound like.  I'd like to give the Klipsch RF-5 a listen if i can find a store with some in house.  I really can't afford anything over $1500 but there seems to be alot of options up to that prince point.  If I could I'd get the VR4s but $3500 is just way too much for me to spend on some speakers this year.  I'm looking at TVs around that price range so I have to at least kind of budget some cash.  I know that once I start school again in September I'm not going to be able to afford dick so I'm trying to get hooked up pretty solid now.  I like nice things, what can I say.

You can get a great speaker for $1000-1500. I have been an audiogon addict lately, here are some decent speakers from a variety of manufacturers in your price range.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1149372371

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1149481712

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1149458519

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1149592376

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1149570073

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1149570072

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1148582518

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1149486798

[pjdavep]

There's some good deals on B&W towers on ebay but there's no dealer anywhere near me to actually hear what they sound like.  I'd like to give the Klipsch RF-5 a listen if i can find a store with some in house.  I really can't afford anything over $1500 but there seems to be alot of options up to that prince point.  If I could I'd get the VR4s but $3500 is just way too much for me to spend on some speakers this year.  I'm looking at TVs around that price range so I have to at least kind of budget some cash.  I know that once I start school again in September I'm not going to be able to afford dick so I'm trying to get hooked up pretty solid now.  I like nice things, what can I say.

You are looking for a $3500 TV??  I would advise against that since any TV would be outdated in a year or so, while speakers will hold their value much better.  I bought a pair of VR-2s off eBay about a year and a half ago without hearing the Von Schweikert line and have been very, very happy with them.  There were too many great reviews for me to not give them a try.  Not sure what TV you are looking at, but Costco has the Vizio 50" plasma for $2300.  At that price point, nothing can come close to beating it 

Later,
   pjdavep

[mmmatt]

I've been poking around different stores looking for a set of 2 channel speakers that I actually thought were worth the money and I really did like how the Klipsch RF-35 sounded for the price.  The dealer had them marked at $900 and they actually did sound referance quality accurate, which I wasn't expecting from any HUGE manufacturer boasting referance quality.  I'm not really sure what kind of processing was running in front of them but it just LOOKED like a surround reciever, nothing else.  All of the other speakers in that prince range that I've demo'd have sounded sub par to my ears.  The Bose towers in the same class actually sounded like complete mud and sludge and were peaky as shit...don't know why anything Bose is so highly regarded because they never really sound good (every decent bar has huge bose systems that SUCK).  So I guess I'm just asking if my ears were decieving me or are the Klipsch RF-35 actually a referance class set of towers that are capable of some decent SPL?  Anything else I should be trying to demo?

Bose has been living on their name for quite some time now.  The bose 501-901's were good loudspeakers but not because they were particularily acurate or because they had great soundstage.  What they were designed for was an extended sweetspot.  With a pair of 901's setup properly in a room you can get good image from almost anywhere in the room.  That is why they are still popular in bars.  From the actual sweetspot they are pretty sub-par compared to most decent loudspeakers.  The 901's also had an included eq that made them sound like something, and without it they sounded like ass.

My .02

Matt

[CHURCH-AUDIO]

I have always liked Klipsch because they have very good high end they always have and always will they use a horn loaded tweeter in most if not all of the products they make, there are very few companies that can pull this off. I have seen many try and many fail like JBL. But Klipsch make a good product some might find it bright only because they tend to have a much more directional and controlled high freq pattern I find that they are easy to place in a room because of that. I also love energy REF 2 speakers if you can find a pair they are one of the best sounding speakers I have heard in a long time. But I dont think you can go wrong with what your looking at. Just remember always bring a cd with music you know and trust to any listing session. And make sure all the processing is off like eq ect. Many times these guys in stereo shops have hidden eq's that they don't talk about.

I've been poking around different stores looking for a set of 2 channel speakers that I actually thought were worth the money and I really did like how the Klipsch RF-35 sounded for the price.  The dealer had them marked at $900 and they actually did sound referance quality accurate, which I wasn't expecting from any HUGE manufacturer boasting referance quality.  I'm not really sure what kind of processing was running in front of them but it just LOOKED like a surround reciever, nothing else.  All of the other speakers in that prince range that I've demo'd have sounded sub par to my ears.  The Bose towers in the same class actually sounded like complete mud and sludge and were peaky as shit...don't know why anything Bose is so highly regarded because they never really sound good (every decent bar has huge bose systems that SUCK).  So I guess I'm just asking if my ears were decieving me or are the Klipsch RF-35 actually a referance class set of towers that are capable of some decent SPL?  Anything else I should be trying to demo?

[Evil Taper]

I demo'd the B&W DM603 today and I think they sound better than the RF-35 did.  They told me to go to their competitor and listen to the RF-5 though because I might like those better for live music.  The B&W dealers couldn't help but tell me how bright the Klipsch gear is over and over, but they sell Klipsch in their store too so I think they were actually trying to be helpful.  I was definately impressed by the DM603s though.  Absolutely pure and silky smooth sound, no hint of color.  The processing was simple too, just a Denon DVD deck and a Denon surround reciever, no EQ or DAC or anything else.  I'm saying fuck the TV for now, the stereo is where the money needs to go.

[sygdwm]

I demo'd the B&W DM603 today and I think they sound better than the RF-35 did.  They told me to go to their competitor and listen to the RF-5 though because I might like those better for live music.  The B&W dealers couldn't help but tell me how bright the Klipsch gear is over and over, but they sell Klipsch in their store too so I think they were actually trying to be helpful.  I was definately impressed by the DM603s though.  Absolutely pure and silky smooth sound, no hint of color.  The processing was simple too, just a Denon DVD deck and a Denon surround reciever, no EQ or DAC or anything else.  I'm saying fuck the TV for now, the stereo is where the money needs to go.

get the b&w's and dont look back. i did.

[pfife]

The B&W dealers couldn't help but tell me how bright the Klipsch gear is over and over, but they sell Klipsch in their store too so I think they were actually trying to be helpful.

My heresy II's were very bright when I had them toed in a bit.   However, they sound nice and crisp w/ no toe in.

I'm saying fuck the TV for now, the stereo is where the money needs to go.

duh?   

[Evil Taper]

so where do i go to get the DM604 S3 for a reasonable price?  retail is right around $1500 so i'm guessing that's about what i'll have to end up paying new.  i want to go with the 604 because I do like my bass and they should kick out a fatter low end.  i can only imagine how much cash this shit is going to eat in the next year.  going to need a new amp and all that good stuff too.  how randy!  seriously though, where do i get the hookup?

[BC]

IMHO: best shot to save some $$ is probably scoring some used gear from audiogon or ebay.

[BC]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1150487420

Not the 604, but close??

[Evil Taper]

there is a pair of RF-5 on agon for $750 and a pair of DM604 S3 for $975.  Gonna go with the B&Ws very shortly

[sygdwm]

there is a pair of RF-5 on agon for $750 and a pair of DM604 S3 for $975.  Gonna go with the B&Ws very shortly

the b&w's will not dissapoint. 

[KenH]

I absolutely LOVE my Klipsch KLF-20's...  Got em new for $800 a few years ago, maybe 5?, and have never wanted anything more.  These are big beefy speakers vs the more recent slim and streamlined type.  2x10's, mid horn, horn tweeter, 90lbs each.   Sensitivity=100db.  Handles 200W RMS.    Klipsch stopped making them in 2001.  I've seen em go for pretty cheap on eBay.  @ 90lb each, shipping is an issue.

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=11&s=specs

/Ken