My subjective take is Klipsch (of the category you are talking about) have made improvements in their horns over time. I had the RP-82 ii's and they were a bit on the harsh side but better than the previous models. I bought them because I feel they are "exciting" speakers for HT! My guess is the horn either emphasizes a certain range associated with impact/crispness (sounds like a drumstick lightly tapping near the center of a cymbal are very distinct and clear). My perception when watching a movie is there is more immediacy, and I like that effect. Also, speech intelligibility is very clear, and the harshness is not an issue for most HT content. I have a friend with a pair that after much careful attention to the toe-in has the speakers suitably off-axis to sound fine for music. However, as you might expect, these speakers are very unforgiving of a poor recording with tipped up treble.
However, the newer Klipsch RP-160m (and that series) is the first Klipsch that I can point directly at me and not feel assaulted. I would characterize this series as forward, but not harsh. They sound pretty good for music, and still offer a lot as a HT speaker. I felt like Klipsch had finally got it right with their Reference Premier series!
More recently I tried out the newest RP-600m to see how that series sounded. I was disappointed, I like a speaker to either be neutral or somewhat forward sounding (I think that also depends on the dispersion - neutral with good dispersion or more forward with less dispersion/reflections), and the newer Klipsch struck me as borderline laid-back!
We'll see how they sell, but I felt they gave up too much of the Klipsch sound. They do not have the "Klipsch energy". Some may feel the new sound is better, but I don't think those are the people who are likely to consider buying Klipsch anytime soon. People looking for laid-back aren't looking to Klipsch for it!
That is my subjective opinion on recent Klipsch models.
