KLIPSCH RF-7 -vs- Polk RTi12

Mani-aX

Mani-aX

Enthusiast
ok, down to my last two options. I heard the Klipsch, but have not been able to demo the polk's. but want to see what you guys thought with the two.

as far as price is concerened :

KLIPSCH RF-7 : 1492.00 "shipping not included"

Polk RTi12 : 1398.99 "with free shipping"

This is a hard decision to make. I need to find a store that sells the polk's!!! :(
 
RLA

RLA

Audioholic Chief
KLIPSCH RF-7 : 1492.00 "shipping not included
warranty not included as well;) Better be careful I received a call 2 weeks ago from someone who purchased on line that received RF-35 clones.
Serial number altered and changed to a self-made bar code.
 
1khpsupra

1khpsupra

Audioholic Intern
I going with Klipsch but I'm biased, I listened to everything tweeter had and loved them. I'm extremely pleased with mine; I would assume the RF-7 would be even better.
 
Shadow_Ferret

Shadow_Ferret

Audioholic Chief
My advice: Demo the Polks before you make any decision. Nothing we can tell you will help you decide on what sounds better to you.

I'd even demo other speakers in that price range. You shouldn't limit yourself to just two.
 
MacManNM

MacManNM

Banned
I agree with Shadow, but I think you are going to end up with the Klipsch. I have listened to just about everything in that price range, and several above it. I love those RF-7's
 
C

corey

Senior Audioholic
Mani-aX said:
KLIPSCH RF-7 : 1492.00 "shipping not included"

Polk RTi12 : 1398.99 "with free shipping"

This is a hard decision to make. I need to find a store that sells the polk's!!! :(
If you want to be able to listen to speakers before buying them, then what you "need" is to buy your speakers from a local shop.

Nothing at all wrong with buying from Axiom, etc. But if everyone does their shopping/listening at local stores & then buys the same product on the net, eventually there will be no local stores to listen in. Buying speakers is a hard decision, and I like to listen before I buy, so I buy local.
 
Buckeyefan 1

Buckeyefan 1

Audioholic Ninja
Klipsch RF-7:

Sensitivity: 102dB
POWER HANDLING:
250 w max continuous (1000 w peak)

translation - you can run these off an Ipod. (not really, but close;) )

Polk RTi12:

Sensitivity: 90 dB
Recommended Amplifier Power 50-500 w/channel

translation - get a beefy amp

You really need to demo the Polks. I own the RTi10's, and have heard both numerous times. IMO, the Klipsch RF series are a few steps above the RTi's, but are more expensive. If you can afford them, go for the Klipsch. They are hard to beat, and trounce the Polks in the bass department. Just make sure you're ok with the titanium dome tweeters in the RF7's with your music.

Since you are spending quite a bit of cash on the front end, I'd highly recommend you read ALL the owner reviews on both speakers. They'll tell you the pluses and negatives. You'll start to see a pattern on the RF7. The Polk's don't have as many reviews. I can tell you if you end up with the Polks, make sure you have plenty of power behind them. They're a wonderful speaker, but really don't shine until you open them up.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/klipsch/PRD_129356_1594crx.aspx

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/polk-audio/PRD_323603_1594crx.aspx
 
Mani-aX

Mani-aX

Enthusiast
Buckeyefan 1 said:
Klipsch RF-7:

Sensitivity: 102dB
POWER HANDLING:
250 w max continuous (1000 w peak)

translation - you can run these off an Ipod. (not really, but close;) )

Polk RTi12:

Sensitivity: 90 dB
Recommended Amplifier Power 50-500 w/channel

translation - get a beefy amp

You really need to demo the Polks. I own the RTi10's, and have heard both numerous times. IMO, the Klipsch RF series are a few steps above the RTi's, but are more expensive. If you can afford them, go for the Klipsch. They are hard to beat, and trounce the Polks in the bass department. Just make sure you're ok with the titanium dome tweeters in the RF7's with your music.

Since you are spending quite a bit of cash on the front end, I'd highly recommend you read ALL the owner reviews on both speakers. They'll tell you the pluses and negatives. You'll start to see a pattern on the RF7. The Polk's don't have as many reviews. I can tell you if you end up with the Polks, make sure you have plenty of power behind them. They're a wonderful speaker, but really don't shine until you open them up.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/klipsch/PRD_129356_1594crx.aspx

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/polk-audio/PRD_323603_1594crx.aspx

Thanks!! those reviews really help! I am leaning towards the RF-7's but i have to find the best deal now, i want to try and stay away from e-bay "new never opened" deals.

can you guys help me find some on-line stores that sell the RF-7's legit and with the warranty?
 
RLA

RLA

Audioholic Chief
There are no Authorized online Klipsch dealers If you want a warrnty use the dealer locater on the Klipsch site and find a dealer in your area Please read the warning taken from the Klipsch home page
Hope this helps


Unauthorized Dealer Warning
Unauthorized Dealers of Klipsch Products

Klipsch home audio products are sold in the United States through a network of authorized dealers selected by Klipsch. This dealer network consists solely of dealers with physical storefronts. Some dealers may have Internet sites on which they also promote Klipsch products. Klipsch dealers have been chosen for their ability to properly represent, demonstrate, sell and, in most cases, service Klipsch products. There are no authorized Klipsch dealers who sell current Klipsch home audio products only from an Internet or auction-type website. Klipsch provides a warranty on products sold only by our authorized dealers.

Unfortunately, Klipsch products are sometimes sold by companies that are not authorized to do so. Goods sold by these unauthorized companies are not purchased from Klipsch; instead they are acquired from a host of other sources. Klipsch products sold by unauthorized dealers sometimes are:

(1) Purchased on a secondary "gray" market;

(2) Pirated goods not produced by Klipsch;

(3) Damaged, defective or so-called "B" stock goods; or

(4) Stolen goods



Many times, these products have serial numbers that have been changed or even removed all together by the unauthorized reseller. Any product represented to be built by Klipsch that does not have a serial number issued by Klipsch should be held suspect by the customer. Removal or alteration of the original Klipsch serial number will automatically void the warranty on that product. Unauthorized dealers either knowingly deceive the consumer by telling them the product is covered by the manufacturer's warranty, or they attempt to make repairs themselves. Repairs made by an unauthorized dealer may not meet Klipsch standards due to the use of inappropriate parts or repair by untrained personnel. Some unauthorized resellers remove serial numbers and warranty registration cards or replace our mailing address with their own to avoid detection. For that reason, if your new Klipsch product has no serial number or an obviously altered serial number label, or if there are not matching serial numbers both on the product and on a bar code label on the Klipsch box it was received in, immediately contact whoever you purchased that product from for resolution. Also, if there is no warranty card, or if the mailing address on the card is not either P.O. Box 688, Hope, AR 71802 or 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46268 or you are directed to not send in a warranty card to Klipsch, you should immediately contact whoever you purchased that product from for resolution. The best resolution would be shipment back to that seller for a full refund.


Many web sites change names and locations frequently so they cannot be reached to solve customer problems. Other sites simply go out of business. Due to the nature of the goods sold by unauthorized dealers and their business practices, products sold by unauthorized dealers are not entitled to Klipsch warranty coverage. We are using our best efforts (including this warning) to prohibit these companies from taking advantage of consumers, but these practices still exist. We urge you to use diligence when selecting a dealer to make your purchase.


The following method will determine if a dealer in question is authorized to sell current Klipsch home audio products. Click on "Dealer Locator" at the top of this page, choose the type of Klipsch home audio product you are looking for, then enter your zip or postal code (US and Canada) and click "Find". Outside of the US and Canada, choose a country and click "Find". This will give you a list of all authorized dealers you can purchase current Klipsch home audio products from for self-installation. Most Klipsch authorized contractors and home theater installation companies can also be found under the "Architectural Audio" product series. For any other questions, please call 1-800-KLIPSCH to speak with a customer service representative.





Unauthorized Dealer Warning ©2005 Klipsch Audio Technologies. All rights reserved.
 
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Shadow_Ferret

Shadow_Ferret

Audioholic Chief
Just to satisfy my own curiosity. I keep hearing that Klipsch, because of the horn tweeters, are "bright." Are these as their flagships for the Reference line NOT bright?

Also, a sidebar, when people mention speaker SPL, the R-7s are 102 spl, how is that measured? Is that at EVERY frequency or just an average between drivers? I'm wondering if the horns have a higher SPL than the cones.
 
A

awesomebase

Audioholic
Get a good listen

I have Klipsch speakers and absolutely love them, but I will say this; you need to listen to the speakers. Horn-loaded speakers do tend to be a bit bright, especially before they are broken in, but it depends largely on the type of receiver you are using as well.
The Klipsch speakers are very efficient and they have a LOT of impact in terms of getting loud sound. But it is pretty well-balanced. In my home theater system, it performs very well though I wish I had gotten a larger center channel (unfortunately there was not enough space to do so).
The online dealers may offer good deals, but they typically remove the warranty cards and any reference to serial numbers. Unfortunately, most stores that carry Klipsch only sell at retail.
The RF-7s are definitely the high-end area of Klipsch Reference series and will no doubt provide you with ample sound reproduction. They didn't sound as bright to me as my speakers though they definitely had a lot of detail. That could be because they use a 1.75" tweeter on the RF-7s instead of a 1" on most of their other speakers. I'm not sure if that has something to do with it or if it was simply the room I was in when I heard it. Just remember that these can definitely play LOUD. So don't skimp on the receiver!! Pair these with a good receiver and you'll have an excellent combination.
Having said that, I can't give you advice on the Polks except to listen to them. Much of your experience will be due to your preference. Take into consideration the different receivers powering them. If you can, use the same DVD, CD, MP3, etc. when listening to them so that you can at least listen for their differences using a common starting point.
When you've listened to both of them, chances are you'll get a good feel for their respective strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to make your choice based on which of them you like and of course what is in budget.
Happy hunting!!
 
Buckeyefan 1

Buckeyefan 1

Audioholic Ninja
Shadow_Ferret said:
Also, a sidebar, when people mention speaker SPL, the R-7s are 102 spl, how is that measured? Is that at EVERY frequency or just an average between drivers? I'm wondering if the horns have a higher SPL than the cones.
Good question. Per the Axiom website: "To determine a speaker's sensitivity, we feed the speaker with 1 watt of amplifier power, using a test signal of pink noise, and measure in decibels how loud the sound is at a distance of 1 meter (about 3 feet)."

This article describes pink noise:
http://www.web-ee.com/Schematics/Pink Noise/pink.htm
 
Mani-aX

Mani-aX

Enthusiast
Shadow_Ferret said:
Just to satisfy my own curiosity. I keep hearing that Klipsch, because of the horn tweeters, are "bright." Are these as their flagships for the Reference line NOT bright?

Also, a sidebar, when people mention speaker SPL, the R-7s are 102 spl, how is that measured? Is that at EVERY frequency or just an average between drivers? I'm wondering if the horns have a higher SPL than the cones.

Check out those reviews that Buckeyefan 1 posted... there are a lot of people saying that the rf-5's have a LOT of brightness to the high end. but the rf-7's have been tweaked.
 
Sheep

Sheep

Audioholic Warlord
Mani-aX said:
Check out those reviews that Buckeyefan 1 posted... there are a lot of people saying that the rf-5's have a LOT of brightness to the high end. but the rf-7's have been tweaked.

Not to mention the feet keep braking....:eek:


The last thing anyone wants is a RF-7 producing this sound..."TIMBER!!!" :D


SheepStar
 
Mani-aX

Mani-aX

Enthusiast
ok found a pretty good deal, i think.

i used the "dealer locater" on klipsch's website and found a dealer about 2 hours away. so i called them and the asked for the manager. He was very nice indeed and told me he could give me a new set of RF-7's for a little under mfg cost. which would be :

827.00 x 2 = 1654.00

x 7% - state sales tax

total being : 1769.78 including warranty

OR

i could buy his demo set out of the show room which he instantly informed me that one rf-7 had a small "ding" in the back side where the speaker wire connect which would not be seen by any one at my house... anyway he made me the offer of 1363.38 tax and all out the door and the warranty will kick in as soon as i purchase them.

what would you do if you were in this position? pay the extra cash for brand new ones, or save some money with the floor models???

aaaHHH!! i don't know what to do...

i arranged to see and hear them this weekend. but i just don't know if i want the floor model.. "knowing" that every customer that wants to hear those speakers is gonna crank them up everytime ? right...

give me some advice here.. plz
 
MacManNM

MacManNM

Banned
Mani-aX said:
ok found a pretty good deal, i think.

i used the "dealer locater" on klipsch's website and found a dealer about 2 hours away. so i called them and the asked for the manager. He was very nice indeed and told me he could give me a new set of RF-7's for a little under mfg cost. which would be :

827.00 x 2 = 1654.00

x 7% - state sales tax

total being : 1769.78 including warranty

OR

i could buy his demo set out of the show room which he instantly informed me that one rf-7 had a small "ding" in the back side where the speaker wire connect which would not be seen by any one at my house... anyway he made me the offer of 1363.38 tax and all out the door and the warranty will kick in as soon as i purchase them.

what would you do if you were in this position? pay the extra cash for brand new ones, or save some money with the floor models???

aaaHHH!! i don't know what to do...

i arranged to see and hear them this weekend. but i just don't know if i want the floor model.. "knowing" that every customer that wants to hear those speakers is gonna crank them up everytime ? right...

give me some advice here.. plz
Where are they? I'll go get them.
 
Shadow_Ferret

Shadow_Ferret

Audioholic Chief
Think of it this way, those speakers have already been through the "break in" period and will sound great right from the get go. ;)

If you're worried, ask to make sure they have a return policy on floor merchandise.

But otherwise I agree with Mac.
 
Mani-aX

Mani-aX

Enthusiast
ok, i'm sorry for taking soooo long to get back with you guys. But yo have to know the feeling when you get a new toy. I bought the floor models and have been tickeled with these fine speakers. i have been going through all of my cd collections and listening to almost everything i have.. lol

There is nothing i can really compare these RF-7's to. Very nice indeed. I also have my new Yamaha - httr 5990 hooked up to them as well...

Since i already have this thread going i might as well go ahead and ask this question here...

The httr-5990 manual says i can BI-AMP my speakers by using the front A L/R and the SURROUND BACK L/R. would you guys recommend this or should i look into buying a seperate amplifier?

I have considered the outlaw model 2200 x2. but i was really curious if i use this amp as a BI-AMP configuration, how will i be able to adjust the sensitivity of the amp -vs- what the receiver is putting out? in other words would this amp over power my receiver? how do you level the two out?

-Mani
 
Sheep

Sheep

Audioholic Warlord
Mani-aX said:
ok, i'm sorry for taking soooo long to get back with you guys. But yo have to know the feeling when you get a new toy. I bought the floor models and have been tickeled with these fine speakers. i have been going through all of my cd collections and listening to almost everything i have.. lol

There is nothing i can really compare these RF-7's to. Very nice indeed. I also have my new Yamaha - httr 5990 hooked up to them as well...

Since i already have this thread going i might as well go ahead and ask this question here...

The httr-5990 manual says i can BI-AMP my speakers by using the front A L/R and the SURROUND BACK L/R. would you guys recommend this or should i look into buying a seperate amplifier?

I have considered the outlaw model 2200 x2. but i was really curious if i use this amp as a BI-AMP configuration, how will i be able to adjust the sensitivity of the amp -vs- what the receiver is putting out? in other words would this amp over power my receiver? how do you level the two out?

-Mani
Well, for one thing using your rear speakers for amping the fronts will give up the rears.

An outboard amp would probly be better for giving the higher power while still keeping the fidelity. You will need pre outs for your fronts inorder to use an external amp. The lowest yamaha reciever in the RXV line that has these is the 757(current line anyway).

The amp won't over power anything as long as everything is level matched.

SheepStar
Edit: I just checked yamaha's website and you DO have pre outs. You can hook up an external amp if you would like. :)
 
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Mani-aX

Mani-aX

Enthusiast
Sheep said:
Well, for one thing using your rear speakers for amping the fronts will give up the rears.

An outboard amp would probly be better for giving the higher power while still keeping the fidelity. You will need pre outs for your fronts inorder to use an external amp. The lowest yamaha reciever in the RXV line that has these is the 757(current line anyway).

The amp won't over power anything as long as everything is level matched.

SheepStar
Edit: I just checked yamaha's website and you DO have pre outs. You can hook up an external amp if you would like. :)
yea, i have used the pre-outs already on this reciever. but how do i level the sound out if for instance if i chose to use the outlaw amp, it doesn't show anywhere on it or in the specs for a "Input Level Adjustment" or "Gain" ??
 

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