Klipsch RB-81 Speaker System At A Glance & Ratings

At A Glance: Klipsch RB-81 Speaker system

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Subwoofer: RSW-10d Subwoofer
Connections: Line-level inputs
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 10, Cerametallic cone (2)
Power Rating (watts): 500 RMS, 1,200 peak
Crossover Bypass: Yes
Available Finishes: Cherry or Black vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 13.75 x 12.75 x 17.5
Weight (pounds): 45
Price: $1,199

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Speaker: RB-81
Type: Two-way, loudspeaker
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, titanium dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 8, Cerametallic cone
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): N/A
Available Finishes: Cherry or Black vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 19 x 9.25 x 12.25
Weight (pounds): 30
Price: $698/pair

Speaker: RC-62
Type: 2.5-way, center
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, titanium dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6.5, Cerametallic cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): N/A
Available Finishes: Cherry or Black vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 8 x 23.5 x 12.5
Weight (pounds): 32
Price: $449

Speaker: RS-52
Type: Two-way, dipole surround
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, titanium dome (2)
Woofer (size in inches, type): 5.25, Cerametallic cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): N/A
Available Finishes: Matte Black vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 13 x 12.6 x 8.5
Weight (pounds): 15
Price: $698/pair

Ratings: Klipsch RB-81 Speaker System

Build Quality: 88
• Metal drivers are Klipsch's main material luxury
• The rest is particleboard, plastic, and vinyl
• They have plastic-nut binding posts

Value: 95
• Tradition is amortized, but rethinking costs money
• Klipsch gets extra points for making the subwoofer optional

Features: 90
• Tractrix horn has been redesigned with complex compound curvature
• Woofer is anodized-aluminum, and tweeter is titanium

Performance: 94
• Midrange shows a kinder, gentler Klipsch
• Speakers have extraordinary sensitivity and dynamic capability
• I liked it

Ergonomics: 86
• Tear off the magnetically attached grilles and groove on that retro horn and huge, orange metal woofers
• A bit bulky by today's standards

Overall Rating: 92
I'll admit to trying these speakers for their novelty value, but I got more than I bargained for. They were attractively voiced, played loudly with little power, had little horn coloration, did fine without the sub, and performed well with every kind of listening material I tried.

General Information
RB-81 Loudspeaker, $698/pair
RC-62 Center-Channel Speaker, $449
RS-52 Dipole Surround Speaker, $698/pair
RSW-10d Subwoofer, $1,199
Klipsch Audio Technologies
(800) KLIPSCH
www.klipsch.com
Dealer Locator Code KLI

COMPANY INFO
Klipsch Audio Technologies
(800) KLIPSCH
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