awesome soundstage, bass, clarity

To get true sense of this speaker, supply it with power. Though it is a very efficient speaker, i have mine each connected to seperate adcom 555 amp bridged and bi-wired. The sound is incredible. Listening to analog satelite television is great; also the music sounds good also. It help to have a good processing unit(yamaha 3090) to make it all work. My plan is to get 2 more rf3's, 1 rc3, and start charging admission. I recommend these 100% . For the budget conscience, this is as good as it gets.

Similar Products Used:

infinity rs-5

Deep, tight bass, astounding highs and mids, good looks... incredible sound.

Haven't found any yet.

I've been impressed with Klipsch ever since I heard their Promedia speakers on my computer. I found those to be great, so I decided to check out their higher end floor standing speakers. I decided to concentrate on the Reference series because I planned, if they sounded good, to build a home theater around the reference series.

A few months back, I stopped in my local stereo shop and listened to them. I couldn't believe how fantastic they sounded. The bass on them was very deep and tight, not at all boomy. And the sound that was coming out of the horns was unreal.

I picked some up in December, and after about a week of breaking them in, have been listening to them non stop. I use my speakers equally for movies and music, and for both, they are fantastic. I listen to a lot of bands like Nine Inch Nails, Gravity Kills, Tool, along with some drum and bass and electronica. I know it isn't "audiophile" music, but it doesn't matter to me because I have never heard industrial sound so good. The vocals in tracks such as Deeper and Somewhat Damaged have an added edge and depth that I have never heard before. And the clarity of sound from the horns is unsurpassed. For 600 dollars, I have never experienced music that sounds this good.

Movies are the same. The opening scene of Magnolia starts with a music number and then narration, and it is breathtaking. Gladiator and Fight Club were the same. Heck, every DVD I have is great on these speakers, as well as all my music. I seriously have NO complaints. I know many have said that the speaker grills are cheap, but I have had no problems. I remove them from time to time and no problems have occured.

If you're in the market for new L/R speaker for home theater or music, get these. I have yet to find a better set of speakers under 2 grand.

Similar Products Used:

Polk, JBL, Bose, Infinity

The sound is amazing and I would recommend this system to anybody.

None Found

I finally got an upgrade on my stereo system from the junk system I was using. The new system is a killer audio package from www.acousticsounddesign.com. I picked up Klipsch RF-3 Towers, a Klipsch RC-3 center, RS-3 rear surrounds, a new KSW-12 " subwoofer, and a kickin'
Denon Avr-3801AM-FM Audio video receiver for $2459. Just thought you all might be looking for a good price.

Great Sound and a great name

Be careful with the grills

OK, so I’ve only had these RF-3’s 8 hours, but these bloody things really do ROCK! I know that in Australia we pay a premium for all things Klipsh – the recommended retail is $2,200 AUD, which equates to about $1,100 USD! (Yes, sad isn’t it!) I got mine for $2,000 as I had to take the ones off the shop floor because they’d just sold the last set in a box. They’d only just been run in and hell, these speakers are worth it! I rushed home with these babies in the back seat of my car and hooked ‘em up whilst gobbling down my lunch. First song played was my wife’s choice: The Verve, Bitter Sweet Symphony – and I must admit I wasn’t too sure. So I repositioned the speakers, facing them in slightly and selected another track – U2, With or without you. Hell, that was better. Now for some of my music: Stairway to Heaven, a bit of Clapton, and then the big test: try Mike Oldfield’s Liberation and Mastermind from his Millennium Bell CD, followed by Shiver Mix from Tubular Bells III. I gotta tell you these speakers got the hairs on the back on my neck standing on end and butterflies in my stomach – almost as good as sex!! You got to play around with them and use a good amp. I’m using the great Yamaha RX-V2090, which I will shortly replace with the new RX-V1000 or the even better value RX-V800, so I’ll report further when I get that and my first DVD player – can’t wait. I was thinking about upgrading my Yamaha YST-SW500 subwoofer, but these speakers don’t need it. They are great without a sub at volume, but for a little extra bass at low volume I just fine tuned the sub so it could keep up with the Klipsch – it just adds that little bit extra, but these speakers still sound great without. Whilst listening to vocals I couldn’t help but think how great my centre speaker was performing until I realised it wasn’t switched on! The sound stage had placed the vocals in front of me – it’s that good! I’ve used my Bose 601 series II since 1981 and thought they were good. They’re now being reconditioned and may sound better afterwards – I mean, hell, they’re almost family - but even my wife admitted they sounded muddy and flat compared to the Klipsch. Haven’t had the amp past 50% and that was earth moving! I love these Klipsch speakers and will report further after I’ve annoyed the neighbourhood a little bit more.

Similar Products Used:

Bose 601 seriesII, Yamaha NS10

Great sound, good bass, good for music and HT

A little harsh/bright at first, breakin seems to be taking care of that

I had my heart set on the Paradigm System 8 (Monitor 11s, CC-370 center, ADP-370 surrounds, RW-2200 subwoofer). I went and listened to the System 8 and it sounded great for music, nice and warm without any harshness. Home theatre sounded good as well. Well, until I listened to the Klipsch Reference system. I listened to the RF-3 mains, RC-3 center, RS-3 surrounds, and the Klipsh 12 and 15 subs. I loved the sound on home theatre, music was a little bright for my taste. I felt much more emersed in sound during HT and the special effects came through just perfect. I heard things with the Klipsch system I didn't hear with the Paradigms. The salesman said, "Hey you want to even hear something better". I said sure, he activated the Paradigm RW-2200 with the Klipsch system and I was hooked!!!!! The Klipsch subs are good don't get me wrong but the Paradigm sub rocked!!!! So I bought the Klipsch system with the Paradigm sub. I used my old Sony SA-40 sub in combination with the rears. This is a great sub for 200 bucks! I used speaker level wiring with a 100 hz crossover and man does that make a huge difference in 5 channel music and HT!!!!!!!! I am totally pleased with the sound during music and HT. It just rocks the house. U-571 about busted out my windows, I heard things in "The Matrix" I had never heard before, "The Partiot" was awesome. My Harman Kardon AVR 7000 drives this system with ease and I love the sound.

I really don't think you can go wrong with the reference line in the 2000 price range.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Bose

sound quality, highs and mids sound GREAT!

none that I've found so far

First let me just clarify the fact that I am by no means an audiophile and these speakers are the first piece of my first HT system so of course I'm going to be impressed. I auditioned a pair of RF-3's at the local Tweeter and was very impressed with the sound. So I spent quite a few hours reading reviews of various speakers on here and decided to go with the RF-3's based on my one audition and the glowing reviews on here.

Well, I got them about two weeks ago and hooked them up to my roommate's old Technics stereo receiver (still saving for the Yamaha RX-V800). Given the age of the receiver and the fact that it has no surround capabilities, I wasn't expecting too much. I tried a variety of music Cd's from live U2 to Linkin Park and everything sounded great! These speakers are much more efficient than my roommate's Technics speakers. I hooked up the Technics to the A speaker out and the Klipsch to the B outs and switched between them a bit. Not only do the Klipsch play noticably louder with the same receiver output, the sound is SO much cleaner and more distinct.

So then I had to try out a movie. I thought I was impressed with these speakers playing music, I was blown away when I popped in the Matrix (on VHS, mind you)! No surround, just plain old stereo movie viewing and I'm hearing things I've never heard before. The level of detail on the highs and mids is incredible and the bass output is surprisingly good for a 2-way speaker. The bass doesn't go super low and it doesn't have the punch of a separate sub, but these speakers can certainly hold their own without a sub. Given my limited budget and the sound I'm getting from these puppies the separate sub just fell to the very bottom of my list of HT components to buy.

Pretty much everyone else has already pointed out how great these speakers are, but after trying them out myself I had to post another great review. I can't recommend these speakers highly enough. I can't wait to get a new receiver and the rest of the Reference set!

Bass, Soundstage, Highs, Bi-wire capability

The infamous grill (not the grill itself, just the inserts to the speaker body on the grill)

I'm just starting up, i looked up speakers and reviews of speakers on the net for about 2 months, too much competition within the particular price bracket. I got extremely confused. I had heard the horns in the RF-3's were pests, but i hadn't listen to them myself. After demo-ing the above speakers i decided to go with the RF-3's. The infinity alpha series sounded probably next best to my ear. They had a very detailed soundstage and were very powerful in the mids. I needed speakers which were good performers in the lows too. Yet, i was hesitant. I got the Rf-3's and first set them up without biwiring them, bummer, too bright, mids sounded fantastic, but maybe they were a little too loud for my taste, the bass was a little boomy in the beginning. Then lightning struck and i decided to read the manual. The manual said that for optimal performance you would have to have both speakers apart by the same distance as you are from them from your listening position. I also bi-wired them. Bang Bang Bang!!! I can't take the bass at times, its so loud and so punchy, so tight, so bleepin' good, i feel like i really don't need a sub, and i mean it, i'm not just kidding, i really don't feel like i need a sub. The horns mellowed down so much that i thought i needed to turn up the treble control on my reciever, which was fine with me, that's just what the control on the reciever is for. The mids too have become a lot more flat then they were when they weren't bi-wired. I'm so impressed! I don't think any speaker can match them. I can't say thank you enough to the person who finally convinced me to buy them. Lastly, i'd just like to say that the placement of these speakers is extremely important, more so then what you might imagine. These are going to be keepers, and like one friend told me, "just buy the RF-3's, buy something that you can pass on to your kids", i laughed then, but i smile now.

Rao.

BTW, i have 'em hooked up to a Yamaha RX-V620 reciever, i never liked it much before i bought the Klipsch, i love it now! Perfect match.

Similar Products Used:

Demo-ed Infinity Alpha 40, Klipsch KLF-10, JBL 312, Acoustic Research AR-9, Mission 773e.

sound calrity, clear vocals, awesome soundstaging

grills, may be too big for a small apartment.

Excellent bang for the buck, I don't think you could go wrong with this,especially in this price range.

Similar Products Used:

bos1 301- piece of crap

Clarity - Base - Realism

Size and Fininsh Quality

After listening to several speakers at my local Tweeter Center and reading reviews, I decided on a pair of Klipsch RF3 II floorstanding Speakers. Instead of paying $850 + Tax at a local store, I only paid $599 + Shipping at acousticsounddesign.com. Great savings. I love the speakers. Be sure you allow for some floor space, because these speakers are not small. Also, It is recommended that you place them about two feet from the rear wall. This may not always be possible, but try.

Give www.acousticsounddesign.com a try.I was so impresses with the quality of their service. I delt with a man named Mike. He was great. He answered an email I sent in within 10 minutes after sending it (wow) He even called me to tell me when the order was to be shipped. I saved about 30% with them compared to a local Tweeter Center. On a side note, their web site is outstanding. It is very quick and contains all the information I would expect.

Thank you Mike and acousticsounddesign.com

Similar Products Used:

Boston Accoustics and Polk

Sound quality, build quality (USA), appearance

Sound is directional. Not for small rooms.

No subwoofer required! Bass intensive music comes thru strong, loud, and clear. Speakers seem to throw the bass vibes across the room, as the feel is stronger way back, than up close. Heavy drums make those Copper colored woofers throb. Use in a small room would be like two bears in a basement (I tried). Had to relocate in a fairly large dining room. Prefer these in a pure stereo set up, for music, as opposed to the movie room 5.1 configuration, which is better for movies. But I bought the RF3s for music. Aim them right at the primary listening spot. They are more directional, than most speakers.
I like the fact that there is a signature on the back of the speaker. A guy named Miller.
Have never pressed these speakers past the halfway mark on a 100 watt receiver, for fear of shattering glass and internal organ trauma, beyond that point.
These dimunitive towers have huge air ports in the back, and they move a lot of air. With the right music, they can make the drapes move.
The factory packaging was good, and protected the UPS delivery from damage. Would have preferred to buy from a local dealer, but nobody sells quality, higher end stuff on the Mexican border (I am at the southernmost point of the USA...Texas/Mexican border, at Gulf of Mexico).
Love the gold plated binding posts, the absolute nasty black cabinets, the copper colored aluminum woofs, and the top mounted hornbox will drive high ends through your head like a railroad spike. I leave the grills off. It may be my imagination, but it seems the copper woofers were new copper penney-colored, when fresh out of the box. As the break-in progresses, I would swear that the copper is turning to a soft brown (used penney) color.
These speakers are not made for background tea party music. They're much better suited to hairy chested rock, in larger houses, with a heavily carpeted and draped large rooms with insulated (double glazed sound reducing) windows. Even then, they can be heard outside, at half throttle! I would buy them again, in a heartbeat.