Battle of the Generations: Klipsch RF-7III VS RF-7II Part 1

Buy the Klipsch RF-7 III here: paducahhometheater.com/collec...
This is it. The battle of the generations. After tons of requests, we are finally here. The king of the Reference line VS his older brother. Gen 2 vs Gen 3.
If you have the second gen, should you upgrade? If you have the option to purchase one over the other, which will you choose? It was for sure a tough battle but super interesting in ways that we had no idea would present themselves. Check it out an let us know in the comments what you think!
This one ended up going super long so we are cutting it into a 2 parter. The first half today, the next half next weekend.
As always, thanks for watching!
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Special thanks to all of these artists, who have given us permission to use their music. We love you guys!
Artist: Jason Helms Band
Song: My Kind of Woman
www.reverbnation.com/jasonhel...
Artist: Matt Sommers
Song: Mycelium
Album: Crunch Roll
Mastered: Matt Whatley at Combover Mastering
www.mattsommers.net/
www.mattsommers.net/crunch-roll/
PHT Testing playlist (The ones we can't air without being sued):
open.spotify.com/playlist/6iR...
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/ klipschmuseum​
www.klipschmuseum.org/​
/ paducahhometheater
www.paducahhometheater.com/

[@matthewaugsburger536]

Great video. Can't wait for part 2

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! Part 2 will be here on Saturday at noon. :) -Jason

[@P-LOWN1997]

😍love the rf7 videos keep em coming🔥🔥

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@Linkone7]

Love this video's...keep up the great work!

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! -Jason

[@paulofoliveira]

Great video, waiting for part 2… 👌😎

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! Part 2 will be live Saturday at noon. :) -Jason

[@dannyvanlaarhoven]

Great video I own a RF7-II since launch and still running these in my living room atm. I also had the RF 82-II's back in the day but they are now sold. Always enjoyed both speakers. It is hooked on a Marantz 8015 AVR though. Sounds nice for me still after all these years. Great video guys!

[@TopShelfAudio]

thanks man

[@bkrhino1]

RF-7iii’s for the win. If you support them with a quality amplifier as I have - Parasound A-52+, it is magical.

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! We love our Parasounds here too. :) -Jason

[@daveycrockett5738]

@@TopShelfAudio honestly you guys should just run these comparison videos with a parasound. For the rf7iii they love parasound and that clean class a power. An a21 or a21+ would be perfect

[@coyoteproject999]

I've try many amps, but the only that give you chills with the RF7 are tubes amp ! now I've got a Cayin150 and will never change ^^ I love this combo sooo much

[@JOHNNYJAMS08]

I much preferred the 2's.

[@AudioGearhead]

Comming back to this video a year later because my wife is picking up a pair of 🍒 RF7 II's for me! Can't wait to get home and set them up. I enjoy seeing the amazement towards the II's, holding their own against the III's. Will be a huge upgrade from my R-820f's. Though I'll have to a/b with the AL-3's.

[@TopShelfAudio]

call us for some rf-7iii next time. :)

[@AudioGearhead]

@@TopShelfAudio I did get the RZ50 I'll be using from you guys 😁. I spent my spending money on the RF7 II's, RZ50, and a 77" LG C3 TV. Maybe looking for some atmos speakers that will match better with my RB-51 II and RC-62 II. I've got four R-41SA's that need upgraded.

[@sergeygorodnyak]

please tell me, I couldn’t find it in the instructions, what kind of thread for the studs does the RF 7 II have? I want to buy Soundcare Superspikes, but I don’t know what thread.

[@daveycrockett5738]

Running this on my jtr caprivator4000ulf I can notice in some cuts the rf7ii have more bass and maybe slightly deeper, the bass is more powerful than the iiis. Also the iis seem a little thinner in the midrange and highs than the iiis I think that’s why some people are thinking they sound cleaner. This is very interesting, tbh I liked the sound of the iis on some cuts and the iiis on others. I would love to hear these comparisons on a much better mic would help us determine differences much better, there is random static from time to time for no apparent reason and the overall quality just seems poor not horrible but not the best. The iiis are more full sounding with better control and almost a better representation of what the artist intended for the songs to sound. Can’t wait for part 2. One thing that is surprising is how high spl levels you are hitting, quite impressive indeed. Love these videos I am also looking forward to the redo comparison with the iiis and heritage line if you do end up doing them with a stronger better amp… also what amp are you using I heard its 2000watts or sum sum holy smolly, what’s the name of it!!!???!!

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! The re-do of the Heritage is a possibility for the future. The original was a great test in itself as, it's telling of how the different speakers utilize the power provided. There is a definite difference that I'm not sure completely comes through over the recording. As you mentioned, the Mic isn't perfect but, no mic is. We want to give listeners an idea of what they sound like but, a perfect recreation is impossible. We always recommend if considering purchasing, to hear them in person. While both performed amazingly, the IIIs just felt overall more refined. Part two coming this saturday! As for Trey's amp, he uses a Crown XTi 4000. That said, I believe there are multiple in his setup/rack and I'm not sure if, in this video, he was running bridged mono and one per speaker or what. I will have to get with him and get back with you on that one. :) -Jason

[@daveycrockett5738]

@@TopShelfAudio thanks Jason appreciate everything. Can’t wait for pt2 and beyond!! Cheers

[@astuteventures]

Hi great video. I have a question for you, hooe you can give advice/opinion. I have been looking at onkyo rz70 and i like the look of the rf73 and for my living room, once i get a centre speaker, wouid i need a sub too? My room is 16 foot by 10 feet. Thanks

[@TopShelfAudio]

home theaters always need a sub. you can get by without it but the problem is that you're throwing away the entire LFE channel. Most more affordable processors don't consciously reroute the LFE channel to your mains when you say there is no sub. Even if they did those towers are lucky to make it to 30 hz, you're losing an entire octave and all infrasonic material. Call us sometime and we can discuss options assuming you're still looking. 270-556-8427

[@AudioGearhead]

No way! This is awesome 😁 I have that same Lazer ball mouse, it's 20 years old 🤣

[@bigelile07]

I don't know how anyone can use those damn things. I had a wired one about 20 years ago ($1 garage sale) it went into the trash after about 3 days. 😂

[@TopShelfAudio]

I thought I was the only one that was still using them. Got used to using it for gaming in high school which translated over to my video editing career later on. I've probably had at least 10 of this identical one and cant change to anything else. Anything else slows my workflow. -Jason

[@bigelile07]

@@TopShelfAudio I can't work the ball and neither can my wife, but my wife unlike me, can type on an ergonomic keyboard. 😂

[@pawelm.4485]

Great test, I am already waiting for the second part, I have had the rf-7 iii for about 2 months, during this time I play for several hours every day and in my opinion the sound has changed a lot compared to what it was at the beginning, I have such an impression. Therefore, I would like to know if your rf-7 iii that you use for the test is new? or have they been playing for some time? that because fair. I do not ask about rf-7ii because I think your wife Trey has already warmed them up properly, 2000w per channel is a real power plant, beautiful 🔥🔥🔥🔥🚀💪🎸

[@TopShelfAudio]

Thanks for watching! At this point, the IIIs were used in several other of our videos when discussing heritage vs 7s. They were also set up in my studio/theater through the process of these videos and by the time we got to this video, had a couple months of run time. -Jason

[@pawelm.4485]

@@TopShelfAudio Great, thank you for the answer, you cleared my doubts. I'm waiting for the second part of the generation battle, so far it's 1: 1 for me, the first track sounds better on rf7 2 and the second on rf7 3. 🤘🔥🚀👏🎸

[@troysalter9625]

very good, tended i lean to the 2 for the high and mids and the 3 for the bottom end, just me though.

[@TopShelfAudio]

There is a definite difference that I'm not sure comes through over the recording. While both performed amazingly, the IIIs just felt overall more refined. Check out part two this upcoming weekend! We will dive a bit deeper. Don't think anyone could go wrong with either one though. -Jason

[@andrewsayers6490]

2s sound brighter up top with a bit of mid suckout? 3s a flater frequency response...

[@erics.4113]

That was my impression too. I don't know if it was just my playback speaker, but to me the 3s sounded hornier... Like they were more shouty through a horn. Conversely, the 2s sounded more compressed but I'm guessing that is more due to my playback experience vs actual in room ..

[@TopShelfAudio]

There is a definite difference that I'm not sure comes through over the recording. While both performed amazingly, the IIIs just felt overall more refined. Check out part two this upcoming weekend! We will dive a bit deeper. -Jason

[@salvourzi1641]

The 2 seem richer and more detailed, I would like to listen to the comparison between 3 and 1

[@bigelile07]

And the 1's will probably sound even better.

[@TopShelfAudio]

There is a definite difference that I'm not sure comes through over the recording. While both performed amazingly, the IIIs just felt overall more refined. Check out part two this upcoming weekend! We will dive a bit deeper. We hope to do a 1 comparison as well but finding the 1s is a bit more difficult. The further back you go, the harder they are to locate in "Battle ready condition." -Jason

[@salvourzi1641]

@@TopShelfAudio the two I feel more 'rich in details and maybe one even more '

[@LoganRicardo]

What are the chances of hearing the 8000's vs R-820F's?

[@TopShelfAudio]

It's a possibility in the future. We've been diving a lot into old versions vs new. This would be a fun one! -Jason

[@irlandesjr]

i liked the 2s more, but maybe the Room size dont fit well with the 3s

[@treycannon2275]

It fit well...and it was a hard choice to make...the recording showed more differences than in live listening. I want to go back to Jason's room with my amp...bet things change a lot.

[@TopShelfAudio]

There is a definite difference that I'm not sure comes through over the recording...or maybe just changes completely over the recording. The IIIs just felt overall more refined. Check out part two this upcoming weekend! We will dive a bit deeper. -Jason

[@VinnieMoore1986]

Please please test the Classic version vs RF7 mk1 our mk3.I have rf7 classic.🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

[@treycannon2275]

Thats the plan...have to borrow some for that test.

[@TopShelfAudio]

We hope to do a 1 comparison as well but finding the 1s is a bit more difficult. The further back you go, the harder they are to locate in "Battle ready condition." -Jason

[@VinnieMoore1986]

@@treycannon2275 There is already a comparison test between Youthman on KZbin between rf7 vs 2 vs version and I think the first version is the best but I would like to know how the RF 7 Classic VS 1 or 2 or 3 plays. Thanks

[@aarongiorno6566]

I do like piercing voice in general, 2's might have that but don't sound as balanced, interesting to see what it sounds like there live.

[@bphilbac]

I like the ll’s. They sound cleaner.

[@TopShelfAudio]

There is a definite difference that I'm not sure comes through over the recording. While both performed amazingly, the IIIs just felt overall more refined. Check out part two this upcoming weekend! We will dive a bit deeper. -Jason

[@bphilbac]

@@TopShelfAudio Okay, will do. Thanks

[@OscarSanchez-tk3hx]

I don't know man but the RF ll sounded more natural cleaner and sweet in the top end

[@TopShelfAudio]

There is a definite difference that I'm not sure comes through over the recording. While both performed amazingly, the IIIs just felt overall more refined. Check out part two this upcoming weekend! We will dive a bit deeper. -Jason

[@aarongiorno6566]

The 3's sound like he is sitting on the stage surrounded by the instruments. Thru my phone speaker lol

[@TopShelfAudio]

Using phone speakers is always the superior way to audition speakers. ;)

[@aarongiorno6566]

@@TopShelfAudio lol

[@toddgrimes3710]

Find a pair of klipsch KLF-30s. Reglue the inside of the cabinets. Recap the crossovers using Dayton caps. Change the tweeter diaphragms over to titanium from crites. They will blow away the rf7's. No problem 😊.

[@TopShelfAudio]

no problem...except for the long list of potential problems/obstacles you just mentioned lol. The 30s were beasts for sure though! -Jason

[@prayingmantiskung-fu2037]

Wow so glad I did not upgrade. The RF-7ii sound better to my ears , Seems like the iii are muffled.

[@TopShelfAudio]

Probably just using random musical terms, such as Chorus, which came out about the same time.

[@treycannon2275]

The better low end comes from all the power in the amp...totally different speaker than when using the receiver. There isn't a receiver made that can push these speakers like they want.

[@TopShelfAudio]

We will use the NAD as processor next go and the Parasound JC5 for the amp.

[@coyoteproject999]

the sound is clearly better on the '3 !!! more acute on the old ones. More balanced on the new

[@bigelile07]

It seems like every time Klipsch make "improvements" to a speaker it gets further away from the Klipsch Heritage sound.

[@TopShelfAudio]

I would tend to disagree. The idea is to get closer to what PWK wanted by using new tech to improve efficiency and overall performance. That concept (imo) stays true in every design. -Jason

[@bigelile07]

@@TopShelfAudio Paul wanted a life like / live sound. Of course all Klipsch speakers sound good, but none of them match up to the Heritage series sound, IMO. Have you ever heard the Palladiums? I haven't but for 20k a pair they should blow away every speaker Klipsch ever made. I would love to hear a pair of those in person.

[@aarongiorno6566]

3 sounded better louder. 2 better softer.

[@scooterinvegas1]

I feel bad for the fish.

[@TopShelfAudio]

They love the music. I asked em once and they said we should go louder. -Jason

[@MT-fw6zp]

7-two sounds clearer to me

[@TopShelfAudio]

They are different beasts for sure. Check out part 2 if you haven't already! -Jason