Klipsch RP-280F is the successor of the Premier line of the reference speakers. It is the enhanced version of the Klipsch RP-28 and the largest floor-standing speaker in the series. With deep bass, flattened frequency, and comprehensive mids and voices it boasts all the traits you would expect in a home theatre speaker. Before we jump into detail let’s take a glance at its specs:
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Klipsch RP-280F Review
Klipsch has grown into a well-trusted speaker brand by decades of hard work and dedication. They are recognized to produce speakers with phenomenal sound quality.
Design: Its outlook is quite similar to its other siblings in the Reference Premiere line and will be easily recognized by the Klipsch fans. The cabinet material is also the same as previous ones- it is made up of MDF (medium-density fibreboard) finished with polymer veneer. It comes in three different tones i.e. ebony, cherry, and black.
The speaker is mounted on a pedestal which is slightly tilted towards the back. Magnetically stick, detachable transparent grill covers the front panel. On removing the grille you will find 90° x 90° tractrix horns finished with copper spun.
Like other floor-standing speakers by Klipsch, it also offers a flexible connection scheme-thanks to dual binding posts in the rear port area. Although it works great with a single wire connection still you can create a bi-wire or bi-amp connection to enhance your experience.
Specs:
- Sensitivity: 98 dB
- Impedance:8 ohms
- Frequency response:32-25,000 Hz (±3dB)
- Power: can handle upto 150 watts
What’s new in Design?
Apart from outskirt, there are some modifications that have been made in order to improve the new model. The base of speakers is redesigned in a way that lifts the speakers a few inches above from the ground. Unlike their predecessors, the whole chassis is elegantly tilted back to degrees which helps to maximize the angle adjustment. We can see a rear-firing bass reflex port instead of a front-firing bass reflex port as in RP-280F.
The called Tranctix horn has got the redesigned geometry. Instead of a simple horn, it’s a blend of circular horn throat and square horn mouth this time. Additionally, it is glazed with a rubber material. The bass reflex port has also been redesigned in this new version.
In addition to structural changes, some alterations have also been done in the built quality. In this new edition, the aluminum LTS tweeters are replaced by titanium LTS tweeters and graphite woofers by the cerametallic woofer.
You won’t see any screw holes-thanks to hidden magnets. The grille is attached to the frame by hidden magnets and can also be detached easily. There is an open port that allows easy and smooth air circulation.
How Do These Changes Work?
All the design features synergetically work to enhance your auditory experience-everything there is for purpose.all the alterations in design and material resulted in comprehensive and flatter frequency response. You might be wondering what is a flatter frequency response? Flatter frequency response means the output sound is the same as that of input and there is very less loss in processing
Users often complain about the highs being too harsh and ear piercing in the previous editions. The tractrix horn is made up of molded rubber which puts the damper on resonance and makes the sound pretty clear and comprehensive. Treble response has also been carefully managed by changing the geometry and material of the tractrix horn, tractrix port, and tweeters.
The newly added features are capable of producing turbulence-free, detailed sounds with neutral bass.
Performance:
The RP-280F is a large floor-standing speaker and is the best one in the premier line by Klipsch. When it comes to delivering, Klipsch RP-280F will never disappoint you. The listening experience of a simple 2.0 system is simply incredible. For more improvement, you can simply add a subwoofer and make your system 2.1-this is optional.
The RP-280F is amazingly loud. The 98db sensitivity enables the woofers to play loud without any twist. The sound is pretty clear, smooth, and loud even though the volume is low.
You will notice that Highs are no more fatiguing, mids and vocals are smooth and dynamic as tractrix horns have perfectly removed all the resonance and neutralizes the frequency response.
Furthermore, the speakers are highly powered efficiently. You don’t need any additional amplifiers. They spread sweetness even working with low power amps.
It handles the bass and at the same time accommodates the mid-range where many sound instruments are supposed to fall. Therefore all music genres play well at this sound system.
What are the Downsides?
The major downside of the speakers is their size and the rear-firing port. It makes it difficult to find an ideal position to place the system. Rear-firing ports need a room in order to minimize the interactions with the wall and get a smooth and balanced output.
It doesn’t sound great in the small room due to the dense and powerful base and you need to tune the EQ in order to adjust the bass response. But it is naturally understood that one who is short of space wouldn’t like to buy huge tower speakers like them
- Great power efficiency.
- Deep and powerful bass.
- Technically improved design.
- Flatter frequency response.
- Clear and comprehensive sound with detailed mids and highs.
- Extremely large size.
- Can be placed near wall due to rear-firing port.
Conclusion:
RP-280F is the best tower powerhouse in this price range which will fill your room with a mesmerizing sound and also makes your parties loud and rocking. With a sensitivity upto 98dbs, they can be connected to any amplifier. Klipsch took a lesson from the previous versions and this time they made the product with improved design. The speaker is deep in bass but strikes extremely loud when it has to.
By adding more resolution Klipsch has delivered a well-executed product that sounds pretty clean and smooth. Mids and vocals are perfectly smooth, highs are sparkling and the overall output is detailed and comprehensive.
Klipsch RP-280F is the best option for home theater systems under $1000. The output is incredible by just a 2.0 system and you can expand it 2.1, 5.0, or 5.1 to multiply the output. When compared with the expensive competitors in the market the RP-280F competes well. To me, this improved version of the reference premiere series by Klipsch is a perfect choice for the home theatre system.
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