Klipsch RB-61 II Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeakers, Black (Pair)

You looking to find the "Klipsch RB-61 II Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeakers, Black (Pair)" Good news! You can purchase Klipsch RB-61 II Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeakers, Black (Pair) with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $549.99 $509.99   

Product Feature

• A great balance of performance, size and value
• Fills medium-sized rooms with outstanding sound reproduction
• Equally impressive with music and movies
• Highly efficient design produces more output using less energy
• Accurate, non-fatiguing sound provides hours of listening pleasure

Product Description

The Klipsch RB-61 II captures all the thrills and intensity of our floorstanding speakers in an appealing bookshelf design. In fact, this dynamic, compact speaker delivers a sound so powerful and detailed that it does the no-compromise Reference Series proud. The RB-61 II is complete with Klipsch proprietary Tractrix Horn technology which produces a unique combination of precision, clarity and effortless power. Finished in a beautiful black woodgrain vinyl veneer, the RB-61 II is guaranteed to complement any d cor.

Features Plays louder with less distortion than the competition Enhanced 1 titanium horn-loaded tweeter, 6.5 high-output woofer Dual threaded inserts for use with third-party stands Beautiful wood-grain vinyl cabinetSpecifications Frequency Response - 45Hz-24KHz +- 3dB Power Handling - 100W RMS / 400W Peak Sensitivity - 95dB @ 2.83V / 1m Impedance - 8 ohms compatible High Frequency Drivers - 1 (2.54cm) Titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to 90 x 60 square Tractrix Horn Low Frequency Drivers - 6.5 (16.5cm) Cerametallic cone woofer Enclosure Type - Bass-reflex via front-firing port Inputs - Dual binding posts / bi-wire / bi-amp Finish - Black Ash woodgrain vinyl Dimensions (HxWxD) - 15.4 x 8.5 x 12.3 in. Weight - 35.2 lbs. per pair

Klipsch RB-61 II Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeakers, Black (Pair) Review

I struggled to decide how many stars to give these excellent speakers. I settled on 5 but would have selected 4.5 if that was an option. I have been on an upgrade spree for the home theater:

1. Samsung 5000 Series LED (review: [...] )
2. Yamaha RX-V667 for AV receiver (review: [...] )
3. Klipsch RC-62 II for center channel (review: [...] )
4. Denon DBP-1611UD for spinner (review: [...] )

...and finally, I have to write something about the L/R front speakers. I waited on the front speakers, because I wanted to give them a chance to break in and to have a chance to 'get used to them' (which is what I think a lot of the break-in period really is). I've moved the previous speakers upstairs (the M&Ks) and purchased these, because I wanted the fronts to be timbre matched with the center. Trust me, you really, really want the fronts matched with the center or movies will not sound right (I didn't realize what a huge difference matching the fronts and center would make until I brought home the RB-61 IIs and hooked them up).

I have the RB-61 IIs bi-amp connected to the Yamaha AVR; you can read all about "fools bi-amping" on the Internet, but I spoke with a support engineer at Yamaha that encouraged me to connect them this way; his statement was that it will add a little bit of extra power and clarity; I would now agree.

The sound characteristics are similar to the matching center (see my review of the RC-62 II), with a LOT of depth and warmth, as well as a lot of sound. I re-ran the Yamaha automated setup and then manually tweaked the settings to allow more bass to go to the speakers. These things have 6.5" woofers, so why not use 'em? (the default setup was setting the speakers to 'small' and the bass x-over to 160 Hz - I changed the x-over to 90 and set the fronts/center to large. Big improvement, but YMMV - and, I may have sacrificed clarity in doing this, as I will describe below with regards to listening to classical music.

I broke in these speakers with a bunch of movies, mostly sci-fi, like Alien, and crime dramas, like Goodfellas and Casino. Phenomenal playback for action movies, really. If all you do is watch movies (drama, action, whatever) with your theater, the Klipsch Reference series is a winner.

I then put the speakers through some listening tests, using my new Denon spinner and a bunch of DVD Audio and SACD disks. Again, it depends on what you listen to and what you are used to... for pop, rock or jazz, I was thrilled with the sound. Especially when I played Metallica's Black Album from DVD Audio in full 5.1 glory and reference volume - yikes, it was spine tingling.

However, when I listened to SACD versions of the classical music I like, I was less impressed. I have a number of DG pressings featuring Hillary Hahn that I enjoy and am familiar with... Hmmm... In fact, so much 'hmmm', that I unplugged the speakers and took them upstairs to my music listening system.

The music system is has an NAD C375BEE integrated amp and an Onkyo C-S5VL SACD spinner (review: [...] ) with Miller & Kreisel S-80 sats and a V-90 powered sub. Love this system for music playback and the room acoustics far outperform the theater room.

I placed the RB-61 IIs on stands next to the M&K sats and did a bit of switching back and forth. The M&Ks have tremendous high-end clarity - some would say they are too bright - next to the Klipsch bookshelf speakers. Conversely, the Klipsch models have great warmth and depth in the mid-range. Again, for heavy metal, I loved the Klipsch sound... for classical music, the M&Ks were head and shoulders above.

I reconnected the RB-61 IIs to the theater system and have not looked back.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Klipsch RB-61 II Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeakers, Black (Pair)" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Klipsch RB-61 II Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeakers, Black (Pair) ...