New Klipsch Reference Bookshelf Series (RB-51, RB-61, etc)

[nellie7799]

I've been doing some heavy research into the realm of bookshelf speakers. I cam across the "low-budget bookshelf shootout" here at audioholics, and the Klipsch RB-15 tied for first with the Axiom m22ti. Now, however, both of these speakers have been upgraded to new models and discontinued the old ones. The new Klipsch equivalent is the RB-51.

I've searched these forums and havent found a thing about this series of speakers. Has anyone heard them or does anyone own them? I'm going to be going this weekedn to a dealer to audition them, so I'll give my impressions in a couple days.

 

[jcPanny]

Fyi

The budget bookshelf shootout included the Axiom M3ti's. The Axiom M22ti's are a larger, more expensive speaker with two 5 1/4" woofers.

Also check out the AH review of the $200 Onix X-LS speakers. They probably would have done very well in the shoutout.

 

[corey]

Yes, the review was between the M3ti & RB-15; and they were tied for 1st place. The review was of speakers with a MSRP of $300 or less, which ment that the Axiom bookshelf with a 6.5" woofer made the cut, but the Klipsch bookshelf with a 6.5" woofer (RB-25) did not (even though the street prices were pretty close.) I took this to mean that the RB-25 was the real winner, even though Ray never said so, and YMMV.

jcPanny's thoughts on the Onix X-LS are right-on. They were not available at the time of Ray's shoot-out, but they sure seem like a good deal. I haven't had a chanch to listen to them.

I have listened to Klipsch bookshelves. I demo'd a pair of RB-35's & liked them a lot, but they're a pretty big speaker. I was getting real close to a pair of RB-25's, but then the Reference 4 line came out. The RB-61 came closest to my needs/wants. I bought a pair of them & a RC-52 & am very happy with the upgrade (from small KEF fronts & small Energy center).

My thoughts on the Klipsch Reference line:
Floorstanders - no room for them
RB-75 - if cost & size are not a problem, my top pick
RB-35 - good, but almost as big as the RB-75's
RB-51 - can't use them, because they're rear ported & I need to wall mount
RB-61 - right size, H & W is similar to RB-25, but volumn & weight are close to the RB-35

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

If I were you, I'd scratch the discontinued RB-75 off the list and go with the new

........the RB-81
http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=982