Efficient speaker, big bad tight bass?


Any reccommendations out there for this criteria:

1) Conservative looking, wood finish a must
2) Smaller (no 100-150pound behemoths need apply)
3) Can be run nicely with 30 watts class A power
4) Great for Rock and dynamic slam
5) $3-$4k used

I am looking at the new Klipsch Palladians. They seem to fit the bill, look nice and conservative. Anyone hear them?

Thanks all
arbuckle

Showing 2 responses by undertow

Hi,
Well I think you mean Palladiums, and it would be really rare to even find them used I believe, and definitely considering they are 20 k new you would not find them for 3-4k if you do find a used pair!

However I will offer this, definitely klipsch is the only track down which you will probably find what you seek overall for the money, look at the Reference series from them or the old KLF series, far cheaper than even 3 or 4k used, and bass with the correct amps will blow your doors down, but you will save about 2000 of what you want to spend on used pairs, and still have plenty to just add a good sub if necessary in your room, this will be totally room dependent however via size and power requirements to get that full range bass load from rock music, and the other recordings that lack it.

There is always the heritage series such as the Khorns, but due to the type of look (design) corner placement and bass power you explain no older klipsch heritage series will fit the bill in all your requirments. By the way absolutley the new Palladiums would be the top dog in your search and fit all criteria accept the pricing is not even remotely close unfortunatley.

Take a look at these models.. They rock hard, tons of good bass power... Take about 5 watts to do it... I have had RF3's, RF5's, and RF7's, along with several others, including the KLF series and they can all do it under the correct conditions.. And all can be had for under about 800 bucks a pair. See this link to a newer version, but I would go with the RF83's which come up for about 1800 a pair when available used, or as store demos.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1231210883&/Klipsch-RF-82-EFFICIENT-HORN-F
Okay I have not seen or read on the newest editions, only knew about the Top Palladiums, so yes those could be pretty sweet for 8 k new.. However I would venture to say the RF83 is as good a speaker and cheaper, with better low end and efficiency… Bottom line the palladium holds probably one thing over the reference series in this case and that is a slightly higher grade crossover part, and the fact they are true 3 ways over a 2.5 way.. I can tell you this, go listen if you can, I think you will be very suprised for the money what the reference series offers, and again I don't think you will find many used pairs of palladiums in the next couple years anyway unless you order from somebody overseas…You could get a street price on the RF83 I am sure for 1700 to 2100 a pair brand new possibly, or floor demos.

Thats still the one thing klipsch has advantage of vs. most other recommendations you will get here, they will have pairs in stock somewhere that you can go and listen! Or even take home to demo and still get a killer price on them. Most of these other brands are more esoteric, custom and direct order or very few dealers, so its up to you to simply try what you can first.