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9.2 out of 10

Klipsch RB-81

First seen: 16 october 2006

Information found in: from 32 sources in 14 countries.

Best Price: 339.99 USD

  • User Score (5)
    9.1 9.1 from 5 reviewers
  • Expert Score (4)
    8.2 8.2 from 4 reviewers
  • Value for money (2)
    9.4 9.4 from 2 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • spirited and upfront sound, and punchy, very punchy, but the sound, compact and attractive
  • a lack of neutrality

Klipsch RB-81

The Klipsch RB-81 is an Ultra-high-performance floor standing bookshelf loudspeaker designed with high-end materials and cosmetic elegance that offers an exceptional combination of sound and style. It comes with Tractrix® Horn technology to eliminates acoustic interference from shelf installations, high-output Cerametallic woofers providing intense bass response with astonishing speed and accuracy, also Professional-grade titanium dome compression driver and it is available in either …

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Klipsch RB-81

The Klipsch RB-81 is an Ultra-high-performance floor standing bookshelf loudspeaker designed with high-end materials and cosmetic elegance that offers an exceptional combination of sound and style. It comes with Tractrix® Horn technology to eliminates acoustic interference from shelf installations, high-output Cerametallic woofers providing intense bass response with astonishing speed and accuracy, also Professional-grade titanium dome compression driver and it is available in either Cherry or Black Ash wood grain vinyl finish and comes with a knife-edge back and low-diffraction, magnetically attached grille.

Features

The Klipsch RB-81 is designed with Tractrix® Horns technology that includes improved throat geometry for a more genuine, lifelike sound combined with a professional-grade 1-inch titanium diaphragm compression driver a large ceramic motor structure to provide a unique combination of precision, clarity and effortless power. The Klipsch RB-81 is fitted with 8-inch high-output woofers for a solid bass foundation and greater control, output and power handling. These Cerametallic woofers with inverted copper dust caps exhibit a very high stiffness-to-mass ratio and superb damping characteristics. The RB-81’s front-firing port eliminates turbulence noise and makes installation into custom cabinetry a breeze. Increased baffle ribbing around the horn mouth dramatically improves acoustics across the sonic range. For signal purity and perfect driver integration, the crossover on the RB-81 features the finest components and Klipsch custom internal wiring. The Klipsch RB-81 has a response bandwidth of up to 46Hz-23000Hz, approximately 3dB and peak power handling of 150W RMS, nominal power of 600W RMS. It also comes with 97dB @ 2.83V / 1m sensitivity, 8 ohms compatible nominal impedance and high frequency crossover of 1800Hz. Apart from that, the RB-81 has an amplification type of 2-way passive and it uses the wired connectivity technology. The RB-81 measures at 23.5cm in width, 31.1cm in depth and 48.3cm in height and it weights in at 13.6kg.

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  • Reviews of Klipsch RB-81

  1. Klipsch RB-81 Speaker System

    Reviewer: Home Theater
    16 October 2006
    Overall 9
    9.2
    Value for money 10
    9.5
    Features 9
    9.0
    Performance 9
    9.4
     

    When I ran across the Klipsch RB-81—in the newly renovated Reference Series—I couldn't resist ordering a set. It's been years since I've reviewed a two-way design with a great big 8-inch woofer. The very concept brought on one of my increasingly frequent bouts of nostalgia. Read more

  2. Reviewer: What Hi-Fi?
    8 August 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    For people who like to party hard and fill their place with bass, these big boys are ready to to audition Read more

  3. Reviews: Klipsch RB-81 Review : Reference Series Bookshelf Loudspeaker with titanium diaphragm compression driver

    1 September 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Reference series speakers are a top of the line Klipsch product, so quality is expected. These loudspeakers are not for the budget conscious, but you may have cause to consider them if you are after long lasting quality for your home theater. Crisp sound quality, great performance across low, mid and high sound ranges means that there is real value in adding in a pair of these to your setup. Depending on your intentions, there may be better value for money in previous... Read more

  4. Klipsch RB-81 Main / Stereo Speaker Review

    Reviewer: Digitaltrends
    27 January 2010

    Cable, Main / Stereo, 150 Watt RMS Read more

  1. Reviewer: Review Centre
    25 April 2008
    Overall 10
    10
    Value for money 5
    5.0
    Sound quality 4
    4.0
     

    We are classical musicians who researched blogs and review sites like this, as well as looking at the specs of many speakers. I had experience with Klipsch hearing some older enormous ones in a friend's house, which were impressive. I purchased the little Promedia speakers for my computer---also impressive and I'm sad they aren't making them if I'm correct. Anyway, we got the speakers and are knocked out with them. The most significant reason is that they don't add what... Read more

  2. Small package, incredible sound

    Reviewer: snelly, J&R
    28 January 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    If you desire small speakers that produce large sound, these are for you. These speakers are the most capable speakers I have ever owned or heard. Many years ago, I wanted to purchase some Klipsch speakers, but I was turned off by the large size. Now, one can have the incredible sound of Klipsch without the room consuming speaker cabinets. I do recommend a powered subwoofer to compliment these outstanding speakers. Read more

  3. Reviewer: moistek, What Hi-Fi?
    2 September 2009

    Although these speakers are VERY efficient at 97 db, do not make the mistake of driving them with a budget amp. The will expose it's shortcommings in no uncertain terms. They may sound bright with cheap front-ends and they need a good amp to control that bass ! Also, be extra careful when choosing speaker cable, use something very neutral. That horn loaded tweeter exposes bright cable in a jiffy ! Read more

  4. klipsch synergy

    Reviewer: Amazon
    24 March 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    hi thre last week I recieved the box what was there only 1 item but when conected to my reciever the saund was very good I know is not cheap at all but is possible the best saund compere my ather 5 spekers I have also TDL ther are also dear but can't compere I am planing to buy one more next week in general if you have extra £££ to buy 2 get it ASAP Comment (1) Read more

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