Lifelike sound

None

I have only had the KLF-20's for a short period of time but after seeing the post comparing them to the KG 5.5 felt I should offer my $0.02. I have had KG 5.5's for about 4 years and have been very happy. I first considered upgrading 2 years ago but could not convince myself that the difference between the two would be worthwhile. At the time I was using a Marantz AV550 Pre/Pro with an Adcom GFA7000 power amp. The KG 5.5's sounded great with this combo. In December of last year I bought a Parasound AVC 1800 Pre Pro. When I first played a cd with the Parasound I noticed that the highs and lows were even more accurate than with the Marantz. I also noticed that voices seemed filtered, especially females. I tried to reposition the speakers hoping to correct the problem. I was unable to change it. The more I listened it sounded like there was a gap between the low and high frequencies. I then bought the KLF 20's. As soon as I hooked them up I found the missing music. I've heard this over and over but it sounded like a veil had been lifted and I heard things that I never noticed on numerous CD's. Vocalist now sound as if they are in the room with me, bass is exceptional, and the highs are clear and crisp. I don't beleive there any other speaker in this price range offers the value that the KLF 20 offers. I have moved the KG 5.5's to my bedroom and they sound very good with a Yamaha reciever. However it is not fair to try to compare them with the KLF 20, KlF's are head and shoulders better.

Similar Products Used:

KG 5.5

Kicks ass, beautiful tight bass, can handle power, efficient, very live sound

plastic tweeter and midrange horn chassis makes it feel cheap, they should have used metal, although does not diminish soiund quality

These speakers are the most serious you can get for the money. Sure a grand ain't cheap, but for these it is sure a bargain. You can take your fancy beautiful wood cabinet accurate shiny speakers and shove them striaght up your coolo. Nothing will pound you into oblivion like Klipsch. If you go to a club or a concert they aint firing up some flat accurate artsy fartsy speakers, they are kicking ass with horn loaded big woofered bins that will rip your head off your body. That is the beauty of Klipsh, they bring that live sound home. So if you want easy listening and tame buy a nice pair of Polk bookshelf speakers or some overpriced Bose speakers. If you want to blow your intestines out of your body and evaporate small children and animals, then buy a pair of Klipsch KLF 20's. If you want to simulate an earthquake, add a 15 inch sub, although this will not increase the amount blood flowing out of your ears, but just may digest your food a bit faster. Warning, if you are old or just mellow, have a heart condition, or wear a cardiac pacemaker, stay far away from these speakers...........Klipsch Rule!

Similar Products Used:

JBL L100t's, Klipsch Forte, Polk, etc.

The KLF's are big,rockin' speakers for the money. The KLF-30 is an even better buy than the KLF-20 if you have a couple hundred extra to spend.

I keep hearing that soon this series will be discontinued,so the interested should act now? One limitation,in some peoples opinion,is that Klipsch speakers in general tend to sound best with a "laid-back" amp or receiver due to sometimes annoyingly harsh treble characteristics. Amps with "rolled-off" sounding highs can be expensive for some reason (Tubes,etc.).

To Tim,the reviewer below here: At th top-right side of this page you should find a box of review-listings from a site called www.eCoustics.com. Click on the "Floorstanding" category. Go to the 1996 year's listings. Follow down the review-listings to the one that says "Klipsch Forte",from Soundstage-10/96. Read this article,especially the paragraph that is thusly entitled:"Amplifier Matching". Here we have an explanation as to why Klipsch speakers need a good, high-current amp capable of driving difficult loads,even though conventional wisdom might dictate that the Klipsch's high-sensitivity ratings might mean "any old amp would do..." Actually,I have heard that a 50-watt receiver will drive these speakers fine so long as that product's power is rated as "RMS"(and not simply "peak"),and as long as the product is rated as being stable down to 4-ohms (the Onkyo-8211 comes to mind as an inexpensive consideration).I do not know what your Adcom is rated at,but it probably would more than do the deed. I would be more concerned,if I were you,with the "type" of sound your amp might produce when mated with the Klipsch. Two inexpensive examples of amps with "rolled-off" highs might be one of the lower- powered Rotel models,or perhaps one of the Jolida hybrid- tube/solid state receivers? I would try to lug your Adcom down to the audio store and audition for yourself first,before deciding. One things for sure,these speakers have a lot of potential!

Similar Products Used:

B+W,Celestion.

Clarity and bass response!

None

It's been a year and these speakers are simply great. I did have a problem with one speaker that would cut-out or "crackle" at high volumes!!! Turns out that on the 10 inch drivers the leads from the "voice coils" to the speaker tabs where touching. The little short leads were bowed in and when enough air moved in the cabinet they would touch. I checked the other speaker and it was about the same. Just a little push here and there and they were as good as new!
I hope Klipsch knows what it's doing by dropping these woderful speakers from production.
Ignore the less than perfect rating you see posted. Some guy with a love for 5.5s soured the rating buy posting his rating 7 times!!! These are pretty perfect for most of us that bought them!

Similar Products Used:

KLF-30s

crystal highs, solid mids, good bass,

none

Let me start by saying speakers are a very subjective thing. Some poeple love a low end bass sound, others a clear highs. It all depends on the person. What is great for me you may hate. We all have a right to our opion but none is more correct than the other.

I looked at all kinds of speakers when I first went out and started shopping. I just kept coming back to the Klipsch. After listening to a bunch of Klipsch I really liked the KLF Legend series.

I had a bit of the "Goldielocks" experience when looking at the KLF series. The KLF-10 were too weak on the bass with the one active one passive 10" woofer. The KLF-30 was a bit too strong on the bass with the two active 12" woofers. The KLF-20 were just right with the two active 10" woofers.

After I picked the KLF-20 I had to wait till I could afford to buy them. It took a while but I got a good deal at the time. Now, I own my dream speakers.

Some have said they don't have enough bass. I think the bass is solid not overpowering. Some also find the KLF-20 overly bright. I don't. I find them to be clear and open. I think they are a good balence of bass and mids and highs. They also have a wonderful soundstage and great imaging.

You really should have a solid quality high powered receiver to take full advantage of these speakers. Goood cable and bi-wireing help too.

You can find good deals on these speakers now they retail about $1500 you can get them for $999 at Tweeter or Hi-Fi buys. I think Klipsch has stopped producing the Legend(KLF) series, so you might want to get a pair while you can especialy at the prices you can find them for now.

Similar Products Used:

klf-10; klf-30 other klipsch

unknown

unknown

I have not purchased them yet and I value any good advice that's offered--does anyone know if an 80 watt adcom amp can sufficiently drive the klf-20's---hey, it's all I have and I've heard how efficient klipsch speakers are.I have 2 pairs of the smaller bookshelf speakers but really want horn loaded 3-way.I listened to a pair about 2 years ago and was very impressed,however, my friend was using a 200 watt adcom amp(he makes more money than me).Hope someone will reply with good advice--thanks

Similar Products Used:

klipsch bookshelf 1996 model

I have the KLF-20's and the C7 center hooked into my Yamaha RX-V2095 and this system simply rocks. These devils are throaty and barely let my KSW-300 sub do any work! They are also clean and clear, but then who would expect anything less from Klipsch. Even with my bargain basement cable, I am impressed! 5-Stars all the way

I purchased a pair of KLF 20 after enjoying twenty years of music with the original Advent speaker. I could not believe the clarity; it was scary. The organ in 2001 is incredibly reproduced and female vocals are wonderful. Most of all I don't get tired of listening to these babies; no fatigue at all.The only downside is the size but that is a small (or large) price to pay.
OOps there is another downside; I want a better receiver to deliver cleaner sound because these speakers can pick up any small sound.
Glad I made the plunge; my Advents are playing second fiddle in the living room.

Tremedous imaging, velvet midrange, outstanding craftsmanship

Size? NO, never mind...I love the size...It's my wife that dislikes it.

Where does one begin?.....A beautifully crafted speaker. Nicely finished cabinetry. They are big in the store and even bigger in home! They are somewhat of a throwback to the glory days of home audio. They remind me of speakers I use to lust for as a young man. Very bold and defined, without sacrificing sound just to sell them for cosmetics. I must admit I was a bit intimidated by some of the posts about brightness, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they are not as much bright as they are efficient and accurate. I think you get used to a particular sound and your ear kinda molds itself to hunt for that sound. I also heard a bunch of negative vibe towards the horn issue. Again, I find the horn very pleasant without fatigue or "PA" system syndrome as mentioned by some. I would say without reservation, if you like distortion free volume (who doesn't) and you also need a "big" speaker for your home theater system....Don't look any further. Klipsch has done a masterful job on the KLF20.

Similar Products Used:

Polk Audio, Acoustic Research

realistic presentation of all types of music

best used in a relatively dampened room( read; carpeted, heavy drapes etc.). If used in a room with hardwood floors or tile, try using an area rug to tame the slight brightness on some material

I have finally figured out what most people on this page like about these speakers; they are very realistic, and dynamic. Large scale orchestral works sound closest to the real thing I have ever heard in a speaker. I used to think horn speakers sounded nasal and dreadful on vocals, but this speaker has changed all that. On pipe organ and jazz, these speakers shine. I will "go out on a limb" and say that no other speaker will produce the previously mentioned genres of music like horn loaded Klipsches.
Many people say that Klipsch speakers color the sound, but I have determined that this "coloring" of the sound makes the music come alive. Let me say that "regular" speakers do not sound realistic; they may "accurately" reproduce the recorded material, but this material is at best 60%-70% of the real thing. I guess coloring is necessary to ensure a realistic and enjoyable listening experience.
The only speakers that sounded better than Klipsches were the Odeon line, which uses a form of horn technology( they sounded smoother). They were also two to several times more expensive than the KLF20. By the way, if mated to a good sub like paradigm's servo or velodynes 15" and 18" servo subs, you will cover the entire frequency with ease.
Happy listening everyone and a prosperous new year.
Sean

Similar Products Used:

B&W matrix and nautilus 805, NHT superone, 1.5, 2.5i, 2.9, Martin Logan Aerius and SL3, paradigm reference, snell( all models), and the entire Odeon line.