Klipsch RF-62 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed

Published On: February 24, 2010
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Klipsch RF-62 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed

Third from the bottom of Klipsch's vast Reference Series the RF-62 still maintains the sonic lineage packing all of Klipsch's signature sound in an affordable, compact design that Home Theater Review finds to be a capable home theater loudspeaker.

Klipsch RF-62 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed

By Author: Home Theater Review
The staff at HomeTheaterReview.com is comprised of experts who are dedicated to helping you make better informed buying decisions.

Klipsch-RF62-review.gifPart of its diverse Reference Series of slightly upmarket loudspeakers featuring a staggering twenty models, the Klipsch RF-62 Floorstanding Loudspeaker sits third from the bottom in its six-model floorstanding class (RF-83, RF-63, RF-82, RF-62, RF-52, RF-10).

 

The $878.00 per pair (MSRP) RF-62 utilizes a 1-inch titanium tweeter with a ceramic motor structure (as opposed to the neodymium structure used in the RF-52), mated to a 90 by 60 degree square Tractrix® Horn, the latest generation of its famous horn loudspeaker technology. Klipsch believes in using the least amount of amplifier power as possible when driving a loudspeaker, in that it minimizes amplifier effort and, therefore, distortion.

Additional Resources
• Read more floorstanding speaker reviews on HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Find a subwoofer to pair with the RF-62.

Analogous to the cheerleader's bullhorn effect, Klipsch attaches a horn to the front of a driver to mechanically amplify its output. While this type of design has certainly fueled more than one argument over the years, it offers a few unequivocal advantages. Klipsch speakers play loud and clear with very little power, and offer sensational dynamic peaks and crispness. According to the company, Tractrix® refines the shape of the horn to improve smoothness and detail. Horn manufacturers have had to refine their basic design in order to reduce the honkiness typically associated with horns, along with directionality and lack of dispersion. The tweeter crosses over at 1.8kHz to two 6.5-inch copper-colored woofers composed of Klipsch's Cerametallic• material (anodized aluminum with a ceramic-like coating) which exhibits a very high stiffness-to-mass ratio and superb damping characteristics, according to the company.

The RF-62 employs two wide rear-firing ports, which fit nicely into the cabinet with plastic fittings. The RF-62 provides dual sets of high-end, five-way gold-plated binding posts for bi-wiring/bi-amping, plastic-coated and mounted on a plastic fitting inset beautifully into the cabinet. As with the other models in this series, Klipsch did an excellent job with the rear panel. The RF-62 employs good looking claw-style feet that protrude from the sides of the cabinet, and the company includes spikes for easy coupling to the floor. The RF-62 has a Black Woodgrain Vinyl finish, and offers magnetically-attached grills which make removal easy for those that like the slightly aggressive look of the copper woofer, driver arrangement, plastic baffle and set screws. Measuring 40.6 inches high by 8.5 inches wide by 15.5 inches deep and weighing in at a hefty 54 pounds, the RF-62 tries to keep a low profile but its squatty shape can't help but let you know it's there. Overall, the RF-62 provides a very good level of fit and finish, with the baffle's smooth plastic complemented nicely by the woodgrain vinyl, and the cooper woofers providing an interesting, aggressive look.

Sound
The RF-62 presents a nominal 8 ohm load with a very high 97dB efficiency. The speakers only needed average quality power to open up properly, with better quality power sources having little effect.

The RF-62s threw a very deep and wide soundstage with pretty crisp imaging. The typical hot treble associated with Klipsch speakers was still there, but a little less so. That may have been due to the big bass that pervaded the sound. The RF-62 sounds big, above all else. That has its advantages, but also limits overall speed and incisiveness. The top end sounded better than some other Klipsch offerings, with great detail that rarely sounded edgy, again likely because it got a little "lost" amidst the big low end.

Continue reading about the RF-62 on Page 2.

The midrange sounded a little fat overall, with nice bloom and
warmth but lacking some speed and detail, especially on piano. This
quality didn't show itself as much on rock and electronic music. Moving
into the bass, the RF-62 sounded really good, with maybe a little too
much flab but still punchy and tight (Interestingly, the low frequency
response of the smaller RF-52 is rated at 34Hz, with the RF-62 at
38Hz.). Overall the bass carried the presentation, which made for some
great sound with rock and electronic music. Acoustic material needed
more detail, speed, and transparency. At higher volumes, the RF-62
performed wonderfully. Expectedly, the RF-62 sounded much better away
from walls, with the already big sound getting a little too bloomy and
slow when moved closer.

High Points
• The RF-62 provides a big, dynamic sound with good top end detail.
• The RF-62 sounds great at high volumes, and can fill a large room with ease.
• The RF-62 doesn't require high power to perform optimally.

Low Points
• The RF-62 lacked speed and transparency, especially on acoustic material.
• The RF-62's big sound sometimes overwhelmed the presentation, with a fuzzy midrange and blooming bass.
• The RF-62 only comes in a Black finish.
• The RF-62's copper woofers may not appeal cosmetically to those wanting to listen without the grills.

Conclusion
The Klipsch RF-62 is a bit of a mixed
bag. It certainly is not for the refined, audiophile crowd. It provides
a big sound with great dynamics that really delivers the goods on rock
and electronic music. On the other hand, it lacks overall speed and
transparency and rarely gets out of the way. Its flaws don't blend into
the whole in every case, but those cases will only register with those
with audiophile expectations. For a lot less than a grand, for somebody
with a large room and a lot of hard rock, rap, and metal material in
their catalog, it would likely work. For those with different
requirements, other options exist that might fit better.

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