I think its finally okay for horn fans to come out of the closet. Klipsch have a classic series of speakers out that are spectacular. I used to own a pair of LaScalla's a long time ago, human nature made me change(Martin Logan)...and change(PMC)...and change(Quad ESL63)... But I've always missed those old ugly horns. So a few months ago I started to search for horns again. There were two very different worlds, one beeing people I talked to cringing at the thought and thinking I was crazy. Second, the only horns I could find were rediculasly expensive(15,000 and up). So I started to research what old klipsch were doing these days.This quickly led me to the KLF30, top of the line in the series. I could now finally blow the dust off my tubes because of the efficiency(103db). I instantly remembered what I've been missing all these years, the highs were so clean and the sound was effortless. They have a very surprising balanced bass from the dual 12" drivers. Old recordings(Velvet Underground, Bauhaus, Chet Baker...) which usually sound two dimensional and flat are really brought to life and sound fresh. The most amazing thing is what they have done with the Midrange, it has a lot shorter throw than the old LaScalla's and the design completly neutralises and horn characteristic. Due yourself a favour, open up your mind, close your eyes and listen to a pair.

Yes, the 30s are loud. But how anyone can say there is balanced bass or anythingresembling natural midrange has done just that, played it too loud for too long. Klipsch is an auditorium speaker. Perhaps good for aerobics classes. I don't doubt they will fill up anyones room with big boom and screaching megaphones. That is there purpose. Some people are in to that.

After almost 20 years of heavy use my old JBL's finally gave up the ghost (speaker rot) so the wife and I went in search of the new system that would take us through the next 20. We spent six months going to every stereo dealer in the area and literally auditioned every major speaker brand sold in town. We took a selection of cd's that covered a diverse range of music--Rock, Classical, Jazz, Blues, and Opera. We listened to speakers in all price ranges from high to low. My wife was very impressed with a Bose demonstration and was convinced that we should purchase a small, unobtrusive satellite speaker system with a subwoofer. As important as it was to her NOT to buy a large speaker, she instantly changed her mind as soon she heard the KLF-30's. The toughest decision was when we heard the KLF-20's. We both really like crisp mids and highs and felt that the KLF-20's were a bit brighter than the KLF-30's. We spent an entire day at Sound Advice (our local Klipsch dealer) going back and forth listening to the 20's and then the 30's trying different subwoofer combinations... we also listened to a selection of Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD's as we wanted our selection of audio speakers to double as home theatre speakers--a tough combination that few of the speaker combinations we listened to lived up to. In the end, we felt that the KLF-30's provided the best overall sound and excellent bass response for our combination of audio and home theatre speaker needs. In short, do yourself a favor and listen to the Klipsch KLF-30's before making your next speaker purchase.

I just didn't know music could be this good. When I first started looking into a new stereo I was looking at buying a Yamaha RV series receiver and a couple of Vega's. Just for comparison's sake I decided to listen to some Klipsch's and I was blown away. I spent about an hour listening to the Klipsch's (listened to both the KLF-20's and the KLF-30's) and also spent about an hour listening to some Paradigm speakers (Studio/80's and Studio/100's). The Paradigm speakers sounded great when compared to the KLF-20's, but decided that the KLF-30's had a richness to them the others lacked. I was also amazed by the clarity of the bass. Bass drums were punchy all of a sudden (instead of the mushy noise the Vega's produced). My new stereo has been the one of only two purchases in the last two years that I've been entirely satisfied with (the other was my Seagate Barracuda).
I highly recommend these to anyone. Don't knock them because of their reputation for being only a loud rock'n'roll speaker. They sound great, do yourself a favor and audition a pair.

-Mike

PS> Here's the rest of the system:

Adcom GFA-5500
Adcom GTP-450
Monster Cable interconnects and speaker wire (AudioQuest may have been a better choice to mellow things out a little)
Klipsch KLF-30's

Accepting that there indeed is no perfect speaker yet produced, the Klipsch KLF 30 is without question one of the finest speakers available at any price. I say this with no reservation having been the fortunate owner of some fine speakers including Mirage 1090, Mirage M5si, Vienna Acoustics Mozart, Vienna Acoustics Beethoven, to name only a few, as well as having auditioned Thiel and Sonus Faber speakers, among others, priced as high as $8,000 a pair. In fact, I was on that elusive and illusionary pathway into highend heaven when I began to realize that each time I traded up to a higher priced speaker I was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the high-cost results and diminishing returns. The last straw occurred when I had bass drivers go out on each of my $4,000 Beethovens within a span of two months. Jolted into reality by this, I began to consider dropping back to a more moderately priced set of speakers. Having had good luck with some Forte IIs many years ago, I began to investigate Klipsch as a viable alternative. After considerable auditioning, comparing, analysis, discussion, and inquiry I decided upon the KLF 30, and after two months of critical listening I can report that I could not be happier with my choice.
The KLF 30 is so alive, yet rich; so authoritative, yet smooth; so clear and clean, yet never harsh. While my primary listening involves classical music (I am a pianist and teacher), I also listen to rock, country, pop, R&B, or whatever else hits my mood at the moment. I usually listen to music at high volumes, or as close to live standards as possible. Movies are shown at my house almost every evening as well, and what I experience far exceeds what any theater has ever given me. Imaging is superb and is enhanced by getting the speakers out several feet from the walls with a very slight toe in. Of course, your own room acoustics play a significant role in how you place your speakers and in the kind of sound that you will hear. A prospective KLF 30 buyer should be aware that this speaker is so accurate that poor recordings are quickly revealed for what they are, but conversely, fine recordings literally shine as never before when reproduced through the KLF 30. I strongly recommend using high quality components with the KLF 30. Just because these speakers CAN be run with low-to-moderate power does not mean that they should be. The high efficiency of the KLF 30 is part of its magic, but these speakers are at their best when powered by strong, clean equipment. My personal equipment presently includes: B&K AV5000 Amp, B&K Reference 20 Preamp, Toshiba SD-3109 DVD player, Pioneer CLD-D703 Laserdisc/CD player, Panasonic PV-S4566 Super VHS player, Infinity SSW-212 Servo Subwoofer, Mirage MC-si Center Speaker, and Energy RVSS surround speakers. When listening to music, however, I always listen simply through two-channel stereo delivered honestly, exquisitely, delicately, excitedly, and beautifully through my KLF 30 speakers only. Incidentally, the KLF 30 is far richer and has considerably more resonance and authority than its slightly smaller brother, the KLF 20. Having auditioned both for long periods of time in my home, I can unequivocally testify to tremendous differences, far beyond the small price differential.

Truly the Klipsch KLF 30 stands as possibly the best buy and perhaps best kept secret in the audiophilic world today.

I bought the KLF-30s unseen and unheard, until delivered to my home. I was fortunate the delivery person brought the speakers into my house for me. Very heavy and large. These speakers provide a powerful reality of music, full range and effortlessly even at low volumes. Bass is present from low volumes to movie theater/live volumes. The highs are crisp and natural sounding, i don't get tired of listening. I bought the KLF 30s for the front the KLF-c7 (center) KLF-10s for the rear and the KSW-15 (sub) for the extra punch. I had one problem with a Klf-30, i lost mid range. After about four songs, a wire came loose from the mid range. Had to take the speaker apart and replace it back on, and then crimped it tight. Problem solved, but i will admit shipping 100lbs back to the vendor scared me. Overall i am very pleased, and am looking forward to many hours of enjoyment.

I have owned the Klipsch KLF 30 for a couple of years now. I do not have them placed optimally, as I do not have a room dedicated to audio. The speakers are about 16 feet apart, just a few inches from a back wall, and not toed in at all.
Soundstage/Imaging:
Under these circumstances, I'd say imaging is better than one should expect. Although, I've heard them properly positioned, in their current room, and imaging was exceptional. I can remember myself, actually walking in between the speaker to see if the air felt different ... it was so real.

Bass:
Quality of bass can be very good. Until recently, I would have said that these speakers lack a little of the "punch" I've heard with other speakers. I would have also described the quantity of bass as average. I recently purchased a PASS X-150 amplifier, and after considerable break-in (of the amplifier), I can now say the Klipsch, given the right amplifier(s), can put out more than enough bass. I still use a HSU 12Va for the lower octives (this integrates with the rest of the sound, very well), but the HSU does not make nearly the difference it used to. This is just the way I think it should be. Deep bass, great "Slam".

MidRange / Treble:
I think the KLF-30 has great midrange and treble. It can sound a bit bright (with the wrong equipment), but rarely sounds piercing, or harsh. Compared to older Klipsch, like KG5.5 and KLF-10, it is wonderful to have the midrange and upper treble that those speakers lacked.

Sometimes, I do suspect that they are not quite as revealing as the best, but I believe you'd have to spend a lot more to get anything that rivals this level of resolution.

Admittedly, the sound of the Klipsch is not quite as "warm" as I'd like it, but I believe this has a great deal to do with my amplifier. I've heard the Klipsck with QuickSilver Audio Tube monoblocks, and I think the speaker goes especially well with tubes ... this speaker is extremely efficient.

As for a "Horn" sound, until recently, I never even knew what that was. The Klipsch don't sound like horns to me, except in terms of amazing dynamics. Now and then (brief and infrequently), with the Pass X-150, I can hear what people mean by a "horn" sound. But this is definitely a rare and small occurence.

Component Differences:
Many, in part, measure a speaker's quality by the ability to detect different sonic characteristics from different components used in the system. This speaker DEFINITELY allows you to hear differences between components.

Comparison of KLF-30 to other speakers:
I,ve heard more speakers than I care to admit. I've heard $13,000 B&W's with an all Levinson System, I've heard Magnepan 3.6R, I've heard VMPS SuperTower III ($17000), and VonSchweikert VR4, and VR 1100's. To me, this speaker stands up to all of them. I wouldn't say that it betters the aforementioned speakers in every way, but I just couldn't see spending $12000 more sound that maybe slightly different, or a little better.

I am currently getting VMPS FF-1 SRE, speakers, but I must admit, I'm not sure that the $7200 price difference will be worth it. The bass should be slighlty better (low distortion, 16-Hz), the midrange/treble uses ribbons (same as used in $135,000 Genesis). I intend to use the KLF-30's as rear speakers someday. I think they will match VMPS quite well.

The KLF-30, compared to the KLF-20 is NOT substantially better. But, I personally felt the difference was worth a couple of hundred dollars more.


Bottom Line: 4.25 star sound, but 5 star value


System Configuration:
KLF-30
Pass X-150, previously Hafler 9505
Classe CP-60 preamplifier w/phono and Adcom GFP-750
Technics 1200MKII record player
Fostex CR 200 CD Recorder and Denon (high-end) CD Player
DH Labs interconnects
Yamaha TX-950 Tuner
...

I have owned fairly nice stereos my whole life and grew up liking all kinds of music, because of my parents. I bought the KLF 30's and the center channel C7. These are the best speakers I have ever owned. They are powered by the Yamaha RX-V992(which has plenty of power) and Atlantic Tech rear speakers. I bought the Dolby Digital Sony DVD player,....WOW! does it sound good. For about $4000+, I have a very nice sounding stereo system. The Klipsch 30's have really nice high's(Very crisp) and not booming lows(like my old Cerwin Vega 311R's,..good speakers for what they are for) and the Center Channel C7 really compliments the two 30's. I have never been sorry I bought them. I have had them for 10 months. PERFECT!!

After owning several years Klipsch Chorus II (which sound glorious!) I have listened now extensively the KLF-30. They shine with jazz, pop and rock with a wide, open and deep soundstage, very good resolution and dramatic dynamics. Bass quality is good altough not as perfect as with the Chorus II. I have heard good combinations with NAD, Accuphase and best with Mc Intosh electronics. With classical they are good but not the last word, with every other style they are excellent. Considering the price, a bargain.

Mid bass, highs, soundstage presentation & customer service.

Lower bass frequencies

I've owned mostly Klipsch speakers. I love their clarity and soundstage presence. I wish I could have a little deeper bass. Is there anybody out there who knows anything about the placement on these speakers to get the bass a little deeper?

Summary:

You owe it to yourself to play these speakers on a quality amp because a receiver will not let these speakers perform the way they are meant to perform. Keep away from amps that play a little bright. I recommend them to anyone who want to have real close to high end sound at a mid price range and quality that is second to none. My whole family (my sister & mother) own Klipsch speakers. I've had my speakers since April, and they sound better and better as time progresses.

System set up:

Main amp; Proceed HPA 2 250 wpc
Center & Surround amp; Acrus 200 X 3
Center channel speaker Klipsch C-7
Surrounds Klipsch RS-3
Better cables as interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch RF-3, KSP 3.1 & 2.1 MONITORS