imaging, dynamics, detail

none

I have always been a huge fan of the older klipsch speakers such as the heresy, forte, chorus, etc. I feel that they, as a whole, posses a sound that is without equal - a sound that really brings out the passion in music. Unfortunately, the more recent models, in my opinion, have lost that unique klipsch sound that pulls you into the music...that is, until the RB-5. This is simply the best bookshelf speaker I have heard! In addition to the RB-5, I auditioned the Polk rt-55, B&W CDM 2se, CDM 1se, 601, KEF (I forget the model) and a few others. The RB-5 blew them away. Don’t get me wrong, the others sounded great, surpassing the RB-5 in 1 or 2 areas, but as a whole they couldn’t compare. The level of detail the RB-5 has is astounding - the listener distinctly hears everything. These speakers faithfully reproduce vocals, percussion and horns with amazing clarity and impact - I have never heard a snare drum sound and feel so real! The bass and mid-bass on the RB-5 is also first rate. These speakers love the bass guitar! Finally, and most importantly, the overall sound that emanates from the RB-5s conveys the full emotional impact of a live performance. The other speakers I auditioned lacked this quality. My system has never sounded so good! My other components include a Sunfire Amp and sub, Acurus RL 11 pre-amp, and a Marantz 67se Cd player

excellent overall performance

none to my ears

I got my magogany RB5's from Unclestereo for $549.. and have loved them from the moment i first heard them..They sound beautiful with my tube amps.. theres a lot to be said about their abilities.. and they do deliver but the qualities i like best about them are their warmth and fantastic realism...the performers seem to be right in the room with me... and in my opinion if a speaker can't deliver that effect i don't want them... i don't care if they cost umpteen thousand..
As far as their bass response is concerned i think they deliver more than adequately but thats a matter of opinion..To my ears even tho they are spec'd down to 48 cycles, they are definitely going quite a bit lower..i have no instrumentation to confirm it but my ears confirm it.. i have a sub that goes down to 20 cycles and i don't feel a need to bring it up with the RB5's That, to me says a lot about their bass response..
In short these RB5's are destined to be classic legends..
check 'em out for yourself and see.. i give them my highest recommendation...

Similar Products Used:

Forte II's SF-2's, Heresy's

Just an FYI post here. I've noticed that there seems to be a theory that the woofer in the RB-5 is superior to the woofers in the RF-3s. I've seen that mentioned here, and at Audio Asylum. Here's what Bob Gassel from Klipsch has to say about that:

"The woofers are virtually identical save for the impedence of the voice coils. In the RF-3, they are 4 ohm each so the net is 8 ohms. In the RB-5 there is just the single woofer so the coil is 8 ohms. Other than that, it's the same driver."

That explains the different part #. The reason for the price of the RB-5 bookshelf model being the same as the RF-3 floorstander is soley due to the wood veneer finish vs. the vinyl finish on the RF-3. I hope that clears up any confusion on that matter for those shopping Klipsch Reference speakers.

I auditioned the RB-5s along with the RF-3s and while both sounded great to me, I chose the RF-3s as they better reproduce my predominate taste in music (fusion jazz and progressive rock) which benefits from the additional slam. (No, not boomy!) IMHO, either speaker choice is a very good one.

Clarity, Imaging, tight accurate bass, Wood finish

What, you mean there are weaknesses with this speaker?

Once every 10 years a product is made that is so good that it is deemed a reference by which all other similar products are made. This year (for speakers) it is the Klipsch RB5's. Finally, after 5 years of being dissapointed with other speakers I have found what I have been looking for.
My review:
1. Wood Finish: There are hundreds of people who buy
Klipsch speakers who are unsatisfied with the black
particle board finish. Not any more! The speakers I
bought are in the Mahogany finish and they passed my
wife test in the first 5 seconds. Real wood.
2. Weight: These are not typical flimsy bookshelf speakers
and they are built solid (and heavy). The wood finish
adds weight to the solid construction.
3. Vocals: This reason is why people buy Klipsch
speakers in the first place. The RB5's make your cd
recordings sound like the artist is in the same room
with you. You can hear when artist take breaths when
they get ready to sing the next note.
4. Clarity: I hear distinct detail from different
instruments even at loud volumes.
5. Bass: You still need a sub but for the bass you
get it is nice and controlled.
**for those of you who were concerned that these cost the same as the RF3 the RB5's kill the RF3's for a couple of reasons. The woofer in the RB5 is not the same as the two woofers in the RF3. It is a better material (check the woofer model #'s. It is a special application woofer and dealers will not tell you this because they do know themselves. The 2 woofers on the RF3 are cheaper quality and they do not handle imaging and clarity with vocals like the RB'5's. The RF3 is meant for the Heavy Rock and Rap
Market. Also the real wood on the RB5's add to the cost. The Klipsch most expensive powered floor model has the same tweeter and woofer design like the RB5 but the 2nd most expensive powered floor model does not have the RB5 woofer hence the lower price. By creating the RB5 Klipsch is finally saying they are ready to compete against the mass produced bigboys.

Similar Products Used:

Polk RT55, Bose 701's, Infinity

Excellent, live, accurate sound.

Nothing that comes to mind.

I've always been partial to Klipsch. I never thought they were too bright, but instead just very accurate. This could just be me, my high-frequency hearing is probably tapering off a bit after playing in a band for years! :-)
Simply put I agree with everything else said in the other reviews. The speakers, like all all Klipsch speakers, are very tight and accurate through the whole spectrum - but the RB5's are even better. Of course a sub is needed in a big home theatre setup (that's what 5.1 is all about anyway) but for two-channel music, these things are just simply fun to listen to.

I apologize in advance for the commercial but I also want to add that if you're interested in buying any Klipsch speakers check out earthstations.com. I think I got a good deal on the RB-5's: $549/pair. The sales person (Chris Taylor) was extremely helpful and seemed to take quite a bit of pride in her work there. I *AM NOT* affiliated with anyone at eathstations.com. I heard of them by a referral from someone else (might have been from this site - I don't remember.) They are an authorized dealer (according to the official www.klipsch.com website) and shipping is free on all Klipsch products! This site is great, a lot of you have been a big help...Thanks!

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch kg1.5, Klipsch "professional" loudspeakers (for my band, not in the home!)

Dynamics, clarity, high-volumes

Nasal sounding, low dispersion

These are very impressive speakers; I would not normally give Klipsch the time of day but I wanted something that could play loud when I practice guitar and drums and these seemed to fit the bill. I was shocked on how balanced and warm they are particulary when compared to earlier Klipsch products. I hooked these up to and ARC Classic-30 Amp and the pair could not be happier; the efficiency of the K's with the sonic sweetness of the ARC is a good match.

These RB-5s tend to fade at low volumes but really speak at moderate and loud settings. Imaging is good, dynamics are outstanding, the Klipsch "nasal/horn" sound is minimal but still present. I tried the SB-2 and SB-3 before buying these and the difference is worth every penny, the SB's bass is muddy and the vocals are flat sounding by comparison.

Similar Products Used:

Martin/Logan, Monitor Audio, M&K, Magnepan, Boston, Paradigm, Energy, Infinity, Klipsch SB-2 and 3.

EVerything..beauty, quality, and sound.

none

This is teh greatest speaker I have ever owned. Why? When teamed up with my new sony 444es they blow away all the above speakers (yes, even the paradign studio 100's)The detail, clarity and bass are remarkable. These mahogany babies are awesome on music and movies. Best I have had. At $549 for the pair they are a tremendous bargain. The review below me is bogus, the poster must have been using a sub par amp becuase these puppy shine on all types of music and movies. I love these speakers more than any previous ones I have owned. My Paradigm studio 40's sound dull and muddy compared to these. I just bought two more! These are destined to be classics. Pure heaven to my ears. If you need some great bookshelfs and want to get $1000-$1300 sound, get these at $549. Earthstations.com sends them with free ups shipping. Got mine in 2 days from teh day I ordered. Also, not the review in a recent HT magazine, the reviewer loved them. You won't be disapointed and it takes very little to drive them.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm studio 100's, studio 40's, polk RT2000, Infinity overture 3

Beautiful looking unit!

Sound quality does not justify price! Burn-in burn out!

I don't know of a bookshelf worthy of a $500.00 speaker and I don't know of a $500.00 speaker that I would want to sit on my bookshelf. This certainly isn't one. While it is very handsome, it lacks accuracy and depth which is quite evident when a/b comparisons are done with similar or higher quality products in this price range. A 10 year old heresy II tops this speaker, the complete klipsch kg series smokes this model, with the synergy 3.1 a close runner up. There is a lot of undeserved hype surrounding this speaker, but he RB-5 is like a georgeous turkey with unseasoned stuffing inside. Gather around. Listen to this speaker next to other klipsch speakers for awhile and you will discover that it is not super-special at all. Ask yourself this question: what is an subwoofer dependent $500.00 speaker going to do in the long run besides piss me off while improving the looks of my bookshelf. This is a $200.00 speaker which is what they will someday sell for on eBay.

Similar Products Used:

klipsch chorus IIs, klipsch kg4s, kg3.2s, kg3s, heresy IIs, fortes, synergy 3.1, 2.1, 1.1s.