You cannot get these speakers to get muddy in a medium sized room even at hearing-damaging levels.
Beautiful looking speakers
Great Construction
Mids and Highs are crisp and accurate

Lows are not impressive.
Price

These were bought new in 1995. After more than 10 years of listening to these, I had finally had to regretfully give them up to consolidate space in a shrinking home. These unit stand tall and heavy at 70+ lbs each and their sound is definitely reflective of their size and weight. When driven by a quality amp these speakers shine. These speakers are amazing for loud speakers when appropriately matched with a good subwoofer. They do not produce great lows and get a bit flat between crossovers at low volume - but you do not buy loudspeakers to listen at whisper levels.

The construction is solid and after using them as shelves, television/entertainment system guards and the paint is just starting to flake. One of the 6.5" drivers had to be replaced a few years back and the other side is needing now as well.

If I had to do it again, I may look for something on the smaller side and more designed for small/med room HT.

Similar Products Used:

JBL 4312a
Fluance AV-HTB+

As an enthusiast, a budding audiophile, as well as one who loves a great bargain, I agree wholeheartedly with the positive comments of others regarding the Klipsch Epic CF-1. I had come across them after a months worth of searching. The first characteristic which drew my attention to them was their dynamics -- their ability to express the tight punch of a bass drum or a thumbed bass string, and all the frequencies that that requires. Rock never sounded better or more involving. Following that I requested jazz and classical, doing so illumated its ability to provide detail and crispness and I became excited when I heard the distinct "blat" sound of a sax. From that same listening session, I was also reminded that the piano and the harpsichord are actually percussion instruments which perhaps are due to the wonders of the Klipschorns. After trying them in a number of configurations, I took them home with a return policy, knowing that there was a chance that they wouldn't work well with my room acoustics or existing equipment. Besides, they were demo's reduced to $199 each. And with a 5 year guarantee, they were $510 out the door! How could I pass that up?! Four months have now passed and the CF-1's have never left my home since. Mated with a Carver amp, the dynamics are even more involving and the highs seem to be getting smoother over time. After trials with other amps, I've realized that the CF-1's are a hard speaker to push so be wary in regards to the amp requirements. Although the soundstage is not as wide as others (I've artificially widened them since by playing around with my bipolar rears), the imaging is fantastic for the money. They do seem to be sensitive to placement and it needed quite a bit of fidgeting to get them right, preferring a slightly off axis configuration.
So if you have the opportunity, definitely take a listen to the CF-1. I doubt you'll find such a good all-around speaker in its price range, even at full retail. If the budget is a concern and you listen to a wide variety of music, these may be the perfect speakers for you (plus allowing you more cash for buying more music). As for me, I love them! And although I can talk about its flat response, its D'Appolito arrangement, efficiency and what not, the bottom line for me is that, since then, I've rediscovered the joys of the music that I already have and I find myself wanting to explore more. After all, isn't that what this is all about?!
And yes, I'm also interested in what others have to say about them. Feel free to e-mail. ;)

Clean Effortless Sound

Not a lot of earth shaking bass

Picked up a pair of medium oak CF-1 off of Ebay for $350. I good deal for one of the little gems in the Klipsch family. The CF-1 was the entry level speaker in the Epic line which was discontinued some time back. The Epic line never really sold well and got a bad reputation in the industry for some unknown reason. I've listend in the show room to all of the Epic speakers and really enjoyed the CF-1's the most. Never bought a pair though, always had other places where the cash was needed. So, when I saw this pair on Ebay, it was time.

My system consists of Klipsch KSB3.1 mains, KSCC1 Center, KSB1.1 rears, and the KSW12 -- the electronics are a Yamaha R-V905 Dolbly Digital reciever (5x70 watts) and a Pioneer 414 DVD player. All of the speakers are configured on the reciever as small speakers which electronically routes all frequencies below 90Hz at a slope of 12db per octave. On the sub the crossover frequency is set to max, 120Hz. I added the CF-1's to the system as the 'B' speakers for my A/B tests. I have not attempted to test the speakers with any material other than stereo music.

Testing first without the aid of the sub, I compared the CF-1's and the KSB3.1's. While I love my KSB3.1's the CF-1 clearly bettered them in clarity and imaging. The midrange comes accross so clean and uncolored compared the the KSB3.1's. The bass performance was very similar, the edge however going the the CF-1's for the clarity in the mid bass. The KSB3.1's sounded as if there was a hole in the mid bass by comparison. The high end came across much crisper and prominantly on the 3.1's than the CF-1's. My impression was that the CF-1's sound mellow by comparison. The imaging goes to the CF-1's too. Although, I'm sure that this is because of their placement relative to the placement of the 3.1's. I was able to belt out 102db of sound from the CF-1's at my listening position while only achieving 101db with the 3.1s using the same volume setting and program material. Not that I frequently listen at this level (The wife actually went outside during this). Let's just say it was very loud.

With the sub, the comparisons were essentially the same. With this configuration however, I was able to produce 106db at the listening position. The 3.1's managed 104. Seriously loud! The KSW12 matches very nicely to the CF-1's.

These are very heavy speakers. 75lbs a piece I would guess. Now I have to move them to the living room where they will displace my aging but excellent KG-4's.

For what I paid for these excellent speakers, they are definitly a 5. Had I paid the original $1100 retail price, I'd probably give them a 4.5. These are wonderfully musical speakers and really come accross as effortless and smooth.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch KSB 3.1, Klipsch KG-4

These are fine speakers. I was vey fond of the Heritage
line that these replaced. Luckily, I had my speakers well
before that event. I think these are excellent for any
purpose in the home. I can hear the lack of that giant horn
midrange that throws up a massive soundstage in my living
room every night! Still, you can't go wrong with these and
they are popping up with real bargain tags on them! If I'm
not mistaken, these have been discontinued.

I heard these in a Good Guy's store during my search for home theathre speakers. They are dreadful. I bought Totems instead. Even If price is a issue I would not buy these or any of the other Klipsch speakers I heard. I can see how these speakers would appeal to a younger crowd who value LOUDNESS over all else, but I passed 15 a long time ago. I like music to sound like music.

When I first purchase the CF1 about three years ago I was very impressed with theor ability to play loud and they were great for home theater. I must admit that the bass was somewhat overbearing at times when it came to music. I believe the do apeal to those who like their music loud but someone that is interested in the CF1 ability to allow you to experience music and hear deep into the sounstage and present all the dynamics in a recording these speakers are not for you. They do not image great nor are they great for jazz or classical music. Thse speakers were meant to rock, period. They are not a speakers that handles all differnt types of music well. I replaced them with the Paradigm Eclipse bi-polars. The Eclipse do not have the bass that the CF1 have but they image like crazy offer a dynamic sounstage and are a better all around speaker. My wife even commented how much better the Paradigm sounded than the CF1. I also experience excessive noise coming out of the CF1. I eventually sold the Paradigms for some Legacy Classics but that a different story.
The CF1 are a great home theater speaker but does not do a great job with 2 channel music.

I recently went shopping for a pair of speakers in the $500-700 price range, I picked up the demo of these for $700, down from $1100 list. They beat the Paradime 7seMkIII's I had almost decided on. With a Yamaha RX-495 receiver, a great deal at under $300, they sound incredible. Very dynamic and clear across the entire frequency range. First time I heard them was in a large room covered with sound absorbing panels. With the Yamaha reciever (which will drive strongly a dip in impeadance) the Paradime's bassy nature came out. The CF-1's are flat in comparison. Listening to mostly rock music, I am amazed by the acuracy and dynamicy of the bass, two 6.5" drivers in a big cabnet can move a lot of air real quick. A kick drum sounds like what a kick drum is, an instant movement of a large volume of air. Midrange is clean, but at times not bright enough, staying more towards neutral. They are the best speakers I have ever heard, within what I listened to in the uder $1500 range while shopping. I would enjoy greatly to hear others opinions.

I bought the CF-1's for $199 each on closeout. What a bargin! I listened and compared them to Boston Acoustics, Infinity, Polk, Bose, AR, and NHT among others. I have to say that the CF-1's where clearly the best of this group. The only exception is the Bose 901's which I have always loved. The Bose 901's did not fit my room, so they where out. I really wanted to spend more but the CF-1's where clearly the class of this bunch. When compared to the Infinity RS-10 they blow them away. I understand that these are not the ultimate in speakers but in its normal price range they are hard to beat. I love the deep bass which is not thumpy. Bass is tight and pronounced. Thats the way I like it. Even at low volume levels the bass is not tiring at all. The Horn tweeter is also a plus on the CF-1. The treble is silky smooth. That's the way I like it. Midrange is a little week but adequate. I listen to all types of music from classical to hard rock and the CF-1's reproduce just fine. Speaker placement is important with these units. The tweeter has great dispersion but must be just right to give the best results. I have them placed way to far apart, but furniture has dictated my positioning. I have matched the CF-1's with Klipsh center, rear, and great 15' sub. and the results are terrific. Lastly, the CF-1's look great and have a real cherry finish.
For the money I could not have made a better choice.

Ken

Owned these speakers for 2 years now. I feel there is no better speaker out there that sounds more natural and fills a large room with sound better than the cf1(unless you want to spend $2000+). Was looking at the infinity and the boston acoustics at first and when I heard these the difference was night and day. Have these in a home theater setup with kv2 center, kg.5 surrounds, and an unusual subwoofer I picked up at a hifi dealer in my city that contains an advent 15" driver mated with a sunfire amplifier. I have a 20x10 size room and this setup fills it easily with full rich sound. My only problem is as good as the center and surrounds are, they are not as high quality sound as the cf1's, and will be upgrading them to c5 center and s5 surrounds soon. I give them 5 stars and congratulate klipsch on making my HT a pleasure to listen to.

I have had the Klipsh CF-1's for about 2 years now. I, like you, got themfor a reduced price of 800.00 dollars (you got me by $100). I was amazed
by the tight and very accurate bass response. I had an infintiy subwoofer
that I used with my previous speakers prior to my purchase of the CF-1's.
When I brought the CF-1's home and hooked them up...my subwoofer seemed
to disappear. I must admit however that the sub was only a 50 watt sub.
But the CF-1's are flat all the way down to 37 hzs. That is lower than
most subs in the 50 watt category.

I have since bought a Klipsch CW-100 subwoofer and it does get a few
Hz lower than the CF-1's but not much. My friends couldn't believe that
I did not have a subwoofer when I played some great bass material and
the dishes out in the kitchen were rattling along with the rest of the
house.

It amazes me the amount of quality bass the CF-1's produce for the rather
small size of the bass drivers...how did they do that? And the CF-1's
are the smallest speakers in a line of 4 models (CF-1's to CF-4's).
I can't imagine what the CF-4's would do...ouch!

I have a new rating system that I like to use for speakers...I call it
the "eviction" scale. Certainly...if you live in a apartment complex
with thin walls, these CF-1's are a 10 on a scale of 1-10 in getting
you evicted.