Klipsch RP-3 Floorstanding Speakers

Klipsch RP-3 Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

powered tower

USER REVIEWS

Showing 21-28 of 28  
[Jan 25, 2002]
Chris
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

A warm and crystal clear sound. When I listen to CD's, I feel like I am at the concert or in the studio. When I watch movies, I feel like I am part of the action.

Weakness:

None.

When I decided that it was time to upgrade my old system, I committed that I would find the best deal that was within my budget. I was willing to spend up to $1200 for new speakers, so that offered a very wide range of products. In my search for speakers, I was not willing to buy anything that I had not listened to previously, so I went to several of the better sound and home audio stores in the area. These included the Home Theatre Store, The Great Indoors, and Tweeters. I also looked through the reviews in this forum to get opinions of others. When it came to listening to all of the different speaker pairs above $600, the differences in sound were fairly subtle, but what sold me on this set of speakers was the fact that it did tend to have a little better and more realistic sound to it than others that I had listened to. The Denon AVR-3802 that I used as my receiver seemed to have been designed specifically to complement the Klipsch speakers. I could not find a better combination for the price.

I can't say that what I liked best is what you will like best. All I can say is that this is an excellent pair of speakers and that before you buy anything, you really should take some time to go listen to the different brands (hooked up to identical receivers).

Similar Products Used:

Boston Acoustics, M&K, Bose, Sony

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 13, 2002]
Michael Schelb
Audiophile

Strength:

Very efficient, base response down to 27Hz, good detail and soundstage, bi-wire option, spikes,

Weakness:

None for the money

I have always been a fan of high-efficiency speakers and the RP 3 is no exception at 95 db watt/meter. I am a die-hard 2 channel person and thus my application is primarily audio. With the proper components, line conditioner, cable and interconnects the Klipsch RP3 is a powerful speaker capable of surprising detail and deep base. Some reviewers complained of the lack of base from this unit - I suspect that this is due to cheap speaker cable or inadequate amplification - possibly even source.

Equipment used:

Power:
Parasound P/HP-850 Preamp
Parasound HCA-750a Amp
Vans Evers Mod 80 Line Conditioner
MIT Terminator 4 Interconnects and Speaker Cables

Source:
Pioneer DV-440 DVD 24-bit, 192 kHz DAC
Tranparent Audio Music Link Plus Interconnect

Test CDs:
Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions
Earl Klugh - Solo Guitar
Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause

The Trinity Sessions were recorded live with a single microphone. The RP-3s exhibited an open, airy sound stage reproducing the cathedral environment well - limited only by my budget equipment. The reproduction of Margo Timmins' voice was more than adequate, howbeit somewhat flat. This could also be due to the speaker not being completely "broken in" - I was not able to run white noise through it to speed up the process.

Earl Klugh's wonderful Solo Guitar album was not disappointing on the RP - 3s. I was looking for a precise center image and being able to actually hear the sound of his fingers sliding down the strings. The Klipsch speakers reproduced everything just fine.

Finally Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause is a good recording with a lot of special music effects - Remember the Memorex commercial of the guy getting blown away by his speakers? Klipsch Speakers love rock music and I had to turn the subwoofer DOWN, because it was simply too much on this CD. Truly a dynamic speaker!

Finally, workmanship and finish is typical mass-production, but I don't mind that at all. Over the past 20 years I have never been disappointed by Klipsch speakers - and despite some minor shortcomings they represent some of the very best value on the market. With poor and average equipment they will sound good, with good equipment they will sound great. All they need is a little tweak here and there.

Since I paid only $600 for this $1500 pair (NEW!) the Klipsch is a giant killer indeed.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch Chorus II, Klipsch CF3, Klipsch KSF 8.5, etc.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 10, 2001]
Christopher
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great base, unbelievable sound

Weakness:

None so far

I've always owned old stereo equipment, so this was my first real leap into new, high tech merchandise. I can't really offer too much in the way of comparisons to other products, but what I can say is that for around $1,000 dollars, I don't know how you could ask for much better speakers. They are truly incredible, and for anyone looking for speakers for a home theater system, I would highly recommend these. I was real nervous with my purchase of the speakers, not having that much experience and what not, but I'm completely satisfied with them.

Similar Products Used:

First set of "nice" speakers

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 14, 2001]
Richard Huang
Audio Enthusiast

This is the update for my previous review.
I returned this speaker because the noise from build-in amp. The noise was hardly noticeable but it really bothered me especially at night. The only way to got rid of problem was to unplug the power cord. I probably got the defective unit. Overall, I still like the speaker.

I just place an order for a pair of RF-5. I did the comparison for RP-3, RF-3 and RF-5 at store. As much as I like Klipsch, the highs for RF-3 is a little bit too harsh for my taste. RF-5 is pretty good. The price is almost double compared to RF-3. But I rather spend the money for something I won't regret. Both RF-3 and RP-3 are great value. No doublt about it.

Hopfully, RF-5 will matches fine with my RC-3, RS-3,mirage BPS-400 sub and Denon 3802. This setup should give me more flexibility to position the bass better.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 20, 2001]
Steven Van Schultz
Audiophile

Strength:

Everything. Great Sound and Looks.

Weakness:

None, except for the Grills

I have had these Speakers (RP 3's) for less than 1 month and allready know that these are the best speakers that I have ever owned.

I use these speakers as my main front speakers for my home theater system. I soon want to buy the matching center channel (RC 3).

They sound fantastic. Watching T2, Gladiator and Caligula and other great movies is now a real home theater experience.

The Opal 100's are now my main speakers in my bedroon (these are also good speakers).

I am now a Klipsch person for life.

Note: one of the grills was broken when I recieved the speaker. I was able to fix the grill. I assume that all grills no matter how good the speakers are, are real cheap.

5s all the way.



Similar Products Used:

Wharfedale Opal 100's

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 03, 1999]
John M.
an Audio Enthusiast

Exceptional clarity and separation. Powered subwoofers deliver crisp punch in the lower octaves while the titanium tweeter and mid-bass aluminum cone emit true flat responses that Klipsch is famous for. These are the best speakers that I've ever heard under $1500.00 I have 3 home stereo listening areas and right now all I'm using is a little Kenwood KR-A5070 with these speakers and I can"t wait til I match them with my pro equipment in my main music room.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[May 20, 2001]
Jason
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clear midrange and highs, tight strong bass

Weakness:

Very dependent on position

These speakers are fantastic! They deliver crisp clean mids/highs without being overbearing. The 10" sidefiring subs more than balance out the upper range in this speaker. One caution, however, is that these speakers don't perform well in corners. This is to be expected, but, I was not prepared for how overbearing the bass reinforcement would be. If you're willing to experiment with placement, these speakers will astound you!

Similar Products Used:

comparable Boston Acoustics and Definitive

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 26, 2000]
CarlC
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Wide Music Stage, Presence, Ability to do a lot with a little

Weakness:

Can become harsh at high volumes

I purchased these after having used the B&W 602s for almost a year and a half. I missed the in your face sound of the Heresys (which I still have) but also wanted more bass. I'm sure I will soon miss the mid and uppermid range clarity of the B&Ws soon, but these speakers are much more refined than my old Heresys (model 1 from 1981). Gone is the sound which is so overpowering that it creates its own distortion waves after leaving the speaker and which causes a loss in clarity at that range.

I believe that the switch from a horn loaded midrange (as in the Heresys) to a somewhat cheesy looking, but evidently superior performing aluminum midrange driver is the cause of this improvement.

The I believe the tweeter horn also handles a wider range than the tweeter of the old Heresy, maintaining that in your face horn loaded sound.

Topping it all off (or should I say bottoming..) is the integral 10" powered sub. Somehow the 10" woofer of the Heresy was never capable of doing what this driver does. The bass is solid and well integrated into the range of this speaker. I keep my crossover settings at the "flat" setting and the volume at about a third. This results in a solid fooundation without being overly boomy or colored. In the wrong hands the bass can become thunderous though so watch out.

Overall, I am very happy with this speaker. Perhaps only a few tweaks would yeild my perfect speaker. Hmmm... I wonder what would happen if I replaced the cheesy looking aluminum midrange driver with the Kevlar driver from my B&W 602s???

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch Heresy, B&W 602

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 21-28 of 28  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com