Klipsch RF 35 First impressions

[spider_duggan]

I've jsy stepped up from RF 15 to RF 35 main channel speakers

All my gear is listed in the signature area. I have the speakers set to large and the cross-over at 60Hz.

The mid range is much better. The speakers have more presence and bring to life instruments and subtlties that I hadn't heard in the track before now.

I really think that these speaers are a great buy. I compared them to Paradigm monitor 9 and 11 models. Neither had the clarity of the klipsch speakers.

I highly recommend these speakers. I paid $1100 CDN from an authorized dealer.

 

[stevenfuzzy]

set to large?

Hey Spider,

Thanks for the post. I just ordered the RF, RS and RC 35 along with the RW 12. My old speakers were a cluge of Infinity speakers bought over the last 20 years. They weren't bad for stereo, but just weren't balanced for home theater.

One thing I found peculiar in the manual was that it actually suggested setting the speaker size to "small" for all reference series speakers if you used a subwoofer. I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but I plan to see what difference it makes. I think the theory behind it is that the crossover is set higher when the speakers are set to "small" and there will still be plenty of bass from the sub.

Once I get my speakers, I'll test out the "small" vs "large" setting and post the results.

I also sprung for a new yammie 2600. Had an old yammie (94 time frame) and figured it was just WRONG to drive these speakers with it!

 

[droeses58]

Nice speakers, however I would change your speaker setting to small with the x-over at 60-80Hz otherwise the speakers are still receiving frequencies below your cut-off point.[if set to large]

 

[techigirl78]

Steven - Nice choice, you should be happy when they come. I also have a similar setup, but chose the Denon AVR 2106 and RF5s for my towers. I'm planning on getting two additional speakers to complete the 7.1 setup within the next six months.

 

[spider_duggan]

Steve, A yammie 2600 should be powering your system with wonderful results. I'd like to get a seperate set of monoblocks for the RF-35s because my onkyo isn't pushing them as dynamically as I'd like to hear. It's alright for now, but a Yammie 2600 would be a great step up for my system.

I've changed my setting to 80Hz crossover, but remain with the speakers set to large. I've read it a thousand times and I know that they should be at small, especially considering my amplifier. But I sounds better at large. In fact, I have set my center to large too! I don't listen to music in multi-channel modes, so the only time that the center is used is during a DVD, and I like it at large more then small.

I feel like I'm breaking some audioholics taboo, but even my buddies can hear the difference in an AB test. Once I get a few tube amps and a better reciever, these speakers are really going to come to life.

Steve, how is your system?

All the best
Dan

For those of you who are sticking with the THX specs of 80HZ and small, don't be afraid to try your system at large! (results may vary)

 

[Naves74]

Nice speakers, however I would change your speaker setting to small with the x-over at 60-80Hz otherwise the speakers are still receiving frequencies below your cut-off point.[if set to large]

I would have to agree. I have the 35's and have been tweeking them for a while now and I would deffintely agree to set them to small and change your cross-over to 80.

 

[zumbo]

With the speakers set to LARGE, there is no crossover. It is only crossing speakers that are set to SMALL.

 

[spider_duggan]

I've tweaked all weekend and am setting the RF-35s to small with the crossover at 80Hz. The midrange is more defined, although I miss some of the boom that they produced when set to large.

Zumbo, I tested the crossover setting when the speakers were set to LARGE and it does function. Is that normal? I can hear/feel a huge difference between a settings of 60Hz and 150Hz. The sub picks up all the bass when the setting is high. I checked it with an SPL meter to verify my findings. (what does that say about my volume on the sub?)
Dan

 

[zumbo]

I've tweaked all weekend and am setting the RF-35s to small with the crossover at 80Hz. The midrange is more defined, although I miss some of the boom that they produced when set to large.

Zumbo, I tested the crossover setting when the speakers were set to LARGE and it does function. Is that normal? I can hear/feel a huge difference between a settings of 60Hz and 150Hz. The sub picks up all the bass when the setting is high. I checked it with an SPL meter to verify my findings. (what does that say about my volume on the sub?)
Dan

The crossover doesn't affect the speakers that are set to LARGE.

 

[spider_duggan]

zumbo, what affect does the crossover have when the speakers are set to large?
Are you implying that the crossover is affecting frequencies that are sent to the subwoofer while the speakers are set to LARGE? If so, how does that work?


Thanks
Dan

Edit: Yep, that's what is happening. No affect on the Speakers set to LArge and an affect on the subwoofer.

Is the crossover keeping frequencies from being sent to the subwoofer?

 

[zumbo]

The crossover is seperating the frequency between any speaker set to SMALL, and the sub. It all depends on the receiver set-up options as to how duties are performed exactly. But, the sub will only be sent the frequency below the crossover point.

 

[howie85]

moives

Hey spider, how do you like your klipsch with movies? I have just upgraded to some new speakers and have yet to get my room setup but cant wait.

 

[spider_duggan]

I love the sharp and realistic sound of the Klipsch speakers when listening to a movie. I am in an apartment and have not turned the volume up more than once, so I can only say, that from that single experience, they rock! I'd really like to purchase a second subwoofer to sit at the front, such that each front floorstanding speaker is paired with a sub.

Enjoy your speakers,
D

 

[spider_duggan]

I've changed things around again and am starting to make adjustments to the room and the listening position.

All the cables have been isolated from power cables and the floor. My primary listening position is about 110" from the speakers, and the inter-tweeter distance is about 108". The speakers are ever so slightly toed-in and are levelled flat. A carpet lies on the floor between my position and the speakers. First reflections are off of the carpet. The roof is about 4" above the tweeters and there is a wall about 10" behind me. The only problem that I have with this position is that there is a 36" CRT TV and large stand between the speakers. I cover the TV with a blanket. Basically, it sounds like a large dead spot is being created in a spot that should sound crystal clear.

The speakers are about 2.5' away from the back wall and staggered distance from the side walls. The right channel is too close the the wall, that's unavoidable at this point.

Now, the sounds. Diana Krall on 'the girl in the other room,' intensely plays the piano, and her voice has more subtle hints of husk and jazz. The high hat, played with a brush, is more complex, as though each hair in the brush was striking the high hat individually, layering the sound.

Clapton's 'Unplugged,' has long been a standard test disc in my collection. I know what I want to hear from that disc, especially the song 'Old love.' The bottom end of the acoustic guitar is strong, crisp, and well defined. The musicians fingers are betrayed with every pluck and strum. Wait, is that Clapton behind my TV! No, it's only my desire to hear his masterpiece without impurity.

So, a few end notes. The equipment and TV that are currently centered between the speakers needs to be removed. A cleaner power and transport system need to be purchased. A comfy chair, minamilist in design, should be centered around the inter-tweeter distance mark, forming an equilateral traingle between me and the speakers. Oh, and an isolation room fed nothing other then sounds from speakers needs to be created. It's not me that needs all these things, the music demands them! Who am to blow against the wind?

I'm quickly becoming a believer in full range speakers too. These speakers just don't cut it.

Here is a photo with the carpet missing. Oh, and my scotch and cigar collection too. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spider_duggan/album?.dir=ba4d