Klipsch RP-280F's to replace RF-82's

[Klipschhead302]

My right RF-82 is crackling, either the tweeter or crossover is getting wonky, I'm going to sell them since I really don't like them for music but I love the RP-160M's so if they're that good I can't see how I could go wrong with the RP-280F's or RF-7II's, I really don't want to wait for the RF-7III's and can't really afford them anyway.

I have heard nothing but good things about the RP-280F's plus they're on sale right now for a bargain. Has anybody bought them and regretted it? I'm looking to pull the trigger on them this weekend which should complete my upgrade bonanza I have been on this year.

 

[everettT]

Are you positive it's not the amp? For a theater only, I'd probably prefer the 82s. If you did fry the compression driver it's cheap, realtive to new speakers.

My right RF-82 is crackling, either the tweeter or crossover is getting wonky, I'm going to sell them since I really don't like them for music but I love the RP-160M's so if they're that good I can't see how I could go wrong with the RP-280F's or RF-7II's, I really don't want to wait for the RF-7III's and can't really afford them anyway.

I have heard nothing but good things about the RP-280F's plus they're on sale right now for a bargain. Has anybody bought them and regretted it? I'm looking to pull the trigger on them this weekend which should complete my upgrade bonanza I have been on this year.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Are you positive it's not the amp? For a theater only, I'd probably prefer the 82s. If you did fry the compression driver it's cheap, realtive to new speakers.

It's not the amp, I plugged the RP-160M's into the SR7009 and they sound incredible, much cleaner than the 82's. I used "The Sixes" in the same space and they blow the 82's out of the water as well. I love the 82's for Home Theater but I have been listening to music through them a lot lately.

The 82's are too fatiguing for music and early CD's sound harsher. I love the bass response but I figure I can sell the pair after repairing the defective one for half what I'm going to pay for the 280's.

 

[shadyJ]

Too lateral of a move. If you are a true Klipsch head, you will set your sights on some heritage speakers!

 

[Pogre]

Ha! Upgrade-itis strikes again!

 

[Pogre]

It's not the amp, I plugged the RP-160M's into the SR7009 and they sound incredible, much cleaner than the 82's. I used "The Sixes" in the same space and they blow the 82's out of the water as well. I love the 82's for Home Theater but I have been listening to music through them a lot lately.

The 82's are too fatiguing for music and early CD's sound harsher. I love the bass response but I figure I can sell the pair after repairing the defective one for half what I'm going to pay for the 280's.

Those 160's are nice speakers from all accounts I've seen. Get a couple more of those instead? I kind of agree with Shady though, save up and get some top of the line (or close) from Klipsch. I've been talked down a couple times now with the new receiver thing. I'm glad I waited. I wouldn't have gotten what I did if I didn't and I'd be kicking myself about now.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Too lateral of a move. If you are a true Klipsch head, you will set your sights on some heritage speakers!

I would love to have the funds for a Heritage series set of speakers, I seriously would. For now, I'll have to enjoy the little ones "The Sixes" and hope to afford the big brothers some day. Also, I need a thinner profile, all of the Heritage series are too wide for the front area of the room.

I think going from a harsh sounding RF-82 to a more neutral RP-280F is a move up, not lateral. I believe HT will still sound incredible but now music will sound much better, does anybody really believe that the 82's are great for music? Most people complain about them, maybe less so with the RF-82 II's, I wouldn't know about them but I'm going to a place tomorrow to audition the RP-280F's and a hopefully a pair of RF-82 II's to figure things out.

I'm sick of hearing the right one sound so wonky.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Those 160's are nice speakers from all accounts I've seen. Get a couple more of those instead? I kind of agree with Shady though, save up and get some top of the line (or close) from Klipsch. I've been talked down a couple times now with the new receiver thing. I'm glad I waited. I wouldn't have gotten what I did if I didn't and I'd be kicking myself about now.

I thought about going with another set of 160's or possibly the RP-260F's but I want to have the same size speakers as I currently have and I love that they can take a decent amount of power.

I can't fit any of the Heritage series and I can't afford them, not now and not if I save for the ones I want, $6,000 is actually $12,000 because whatever I buy, the wife gets to budget for herself as well.

This HT system has cost me a crap ton of money as you can imagine. So, since I can get a pair of RP-280F's for $850.00 they're really costing me $1,700, savvy?

Imagine how the car situation goes....

 

[Pogre]

I thought about going with another set of 160's or possibly the RP-260F's but I want to have the same size speakers as I currently have and I love that they can take a decent amount of power.

I can't fit any of the Heritage series and I can't afford them, not now and not if I save for the ones I want, $6,000 is actually $12,000 because whatever I buy, the wife gets to budget for herself as well.

This HT system has cost me a crap ton of money as you can imagine. So, since I can get a pair of RP-280F's for $850.00 they're really cost me $1,700, savvy?

Imagine how the car situation goes....

Oh I saavy. It's the same here. I just got a new receiver, she got an iPad pro 12.9...

 

[Klipschhead302]

Oh I saavy. It's the same here. I just got a new receiver, she got an iPad pro 12.9...

I hear that, when I got my iPad Pro 12.9 she got a new laptop... so I think I'm liking the RP-280F's, she hasn't told me what she expects to get if I buy them yet however.

 

[TheWarrior]

How old are your 82's? I don't get the impression that you listen that loudly, so I fail to understand what external issue would cause your speaker to fail, beyond build quality.

The JBL LSR305/308 are powered monitors that use a wave guide in front of the tweeter. Given your use of subs and therefore bass management, these would slot in effortlessly. The more compact design I would think would keep your wife happy too! And because they're powered, decrease the demand on your receiver!

 

[Klipschhead302]

How old are your 82's? I don't get the impression that you listen that loudly, so I fail to understand what external issue would cause your speaker to fail, beyond build quality.

They're 10 years old or so. There are a few times a year I let the system loose, over 120db so there has been plenty of chances for failure. Besides, listening at normal levels is no guarantee components won't fail.

The JBL LSR305/308 are powered monitors that use a wave guide in front of the tweeter. Given your use of subs and therefore bass management, these would slot in effortlessly. The more compact design I would think would keep your wife happy too! And because they're powered, decrease the demand on your receiver!

The wife doesn't care about the size, thankfully she is pretty open. The JBL's look nice, I could see using them for an entertainment setup using my mixer but not interested in using them for my HT. I already have the space for the RP-280F's and with the increased sound quality they provide feel they'll make a budget friendly replacement.

The receiver is robust enough to handle the power requirements considering the sensitivity of Klipsch speakers.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Dayum those Forte III's

 

[KEW]

I think going from a harsh sounding RF-82 to a more neutral RP-280F is a move up, not lateral. I believe HT will still sound incredible but now music will sound much better, does anybody really believe that the 82's are great for music? Most people complain about them, maybe less so with the RF-82 II's, I wouldn't know about them but I'm going to a place tomorrow to audition the RP-280F's and a hopefully a pair of RF-82 II's to figure things out.

Please post your observations of 82ii as compared to predecessor and current version!
Thanks.

 

[Klipschhead302]

Please post your observations of 82ii as compared to predecessor and current version!
Thanks.

Kurt,

I don't own a pair of 82 II's, mine are gen 1 82's and as noted on several reviews can be harsh in music, I'm sure Klipsch made some progress with the 82 II's but I haven't heard them. I can only compare my 82's with the 280F's if I get them.

 

[KEW]

My post was referring to this statement:

I'm going to a place tomorrow to audition the RP-280F's and a hopefully a pair of RF-82 II's to figure things out.

I gather this didn't happen as you had hoped?

 

[Klipschhead302]

My post was referring to this statement:



I gather this didn't happen as you had hoped?

Ahhh now I see what you meant, sorry, no they didn't have the 82 II's and the place was rather beat up and dingy so it looks like they'll be closing soon.

 

[Klipschhead302]

I think I'm going to save the the Forte III's if they don't sell out right away. They're a bit on the expensive side but I love the look and the performance is supposed to be exceptional.

 

[ski2xblack]

The standard finishes (lower cost) won't be available until a month or so after the more exotic ones are, fyi. The cost difference is quite substantial merely for aesthetics, which aren't exactly lacking in the standard finishes.

 

[Klipschhead302]

The standard finishes (lower cost) won't be available until a month or so after the more exotic ones are, fyi. The cost difference is quite substantial merely for aesthetics, which aren't exactly lacking in the standard finishes.

Yeah I've been seeing that, nothing exotic for me, as long as they show nice with the standard finish I'm happy. Gives me more time to save up.