Klipsch KLF-30 to RP-600M to RP-280F and finally back to KLF-30

Some time back I sold my Klipsch KLF-30. Big Mistake !! But today I got lucky. I found another pair of KLF-30's at a pawn shop not too far away. And for a good price. So now my world is in order again. So I decided to make this rather boring video clip because I just want to share the joy. And by the way, No, I do not sound test speakers in youtube clips. Because that makes no sense. How can anyone think that the highly compressed youtube videos can sound anywhere close to the real thing?

[@dcaseng]

I have owned a pair of KLF 30s for over 30 years, and i have NEVER found anything that can match them for the price range. I rebuilt them around 5 years ago, and replaced the original drivers with Crites Titanium Tweeters and Ciare HW321 woofers, and they sound so much better. The original woofers performed really well due to the overall cabinet design and specifications, but are actually junk. The Ciare 321s blow them away. I don't know why everyone moved away from the larger cabinet designs with larger woofer arrangements, because even the best modern day floor standing speakers can't reproduce the same bass levels. KLF 30s will forever be my favorite speakers of all time.

[@teuton77777]

I feel the same about the sound of the KLF-30's. Small cabinets can never create the same sound as the big ones. No matter how much technology and amp power you throw at them. It's just simple physics. Clean and powerful bass needs volume. Highs and Mids could basically do without a cabinet. As clean and pleasant the smaller speakers sounded, they simply had no soul. I could hear the music but not feel it. The 30's put me into a whole body experience. I think even a total deaf person could enjoy music coming from those speakers. I always wanted to replace the K-31-K with the Ciare HW321. But a while back they weren't available due to the plan - demic. And now the prices are thru the roof and I simply can't afford them at the moment. But eventually it's coming as I heard from many sources that the upgrade to Ciare is basically a must. Thank you for your great and informative comment.

[@dcaseng]

@@teuton77777 You're welcome. For the record, i believe i was the first to use the Ciare woofers, and posted about it on the Klipsch forums. The price is definitely worth it, as the performance is night and day better. I also got the upgraded crossover setup from Crites as well. There is no substitute for larger cabinets, unless you use dedicated subs.

[@BrokenOcktive2]

*DISCO-INFERNO-80* DAM STRAIGHT!! the old Klipsch Legend 20s & 30s were the best home stereo speakers ever made when it comes to just outright kick ass raw clear sounding loud music.

[@jasonvasquez3088]

Where do I find the woofers you speak of?

[@dcaseng]

@@jasonvasquez3088 I ordered them from usspeaker online.

[@kingtrance307]

Welcome back home… 👍

[@vitocorlione3219]

sold my first 20 and i was sad but i have been blessed yes 20 again i love them your vid was sweet.....

[@teuton77777]

I hear you. I'm holding on to my 30's for the rest of my life. I recently did all the usual upgrades, Crites Titanium Highs, crossover caps and Klipsch titanium mid range. The difference in sound is amazing.

[@l.b.stringfellow2413]

Great choice to get them back !!

[@l.b.stringfellow2413]

I thought about selling my 30s and LaScallas but OMG. Everything else I heard seemed soooo small. Auditioned dozens of high end and very expensive bookshelve speakers. Nothing came close. Bought crites crossovers for both. Put a55g mids and Ti tweets in both. I’m soo glad I kept them. Even my Hereseys sounded better than 90% of all those high $ bookshelf speakers. Man they have replacement parts for everything Klipsch. I am in Arkansas. Home to Klipsch and Crites. Message me if I can help you and IM GLAD you have them back !!

[@teuton77777]

Thank you for the nice reply. I actually posted another clip where I did the epoxy cabinet repairs like I did on previous 20'. and 30's. I also (again) upgraded to Crites TI highs, installed new Crites Caps and also TI original Klipsch upgrades for the mids. Even though it's all still in the break in phase I totally enjoy to have this sound back. And size DOES matter. And I totally agree with you, none of the HIGH END bookshelf speakers comes even close. I do admire the beauty and built quality of some of them, but in the end it comes down to simple physics. The cabinet of the speakers is what has the greatest impact on the sound. The bigger the cabinet the bigger the sound output. Like a string instrument needs it's body to create the sound. I've never heard the LaScallas, all I heard from people who owned them that compare to the KLF 30's their sound is more refined and bass more smooth but the KLF's are supposed to have a more brutal punch when you lay in to them. Is that true? Since you own both I would like to hear your opinion on it. Another question I have, have you heard about upgrading the woofers (k-31-k) with the italian made CIARE HW321? I've read that everyone swears those improve the bass and mid bass on the KLF-30's. They are fairly expensive and currently the only way to get them is from dealers in Europe. One last thing, DO NOT!!! Sell your KLF's. I made the mistake because I thought my RP-600M paired with a sub will to it for me. The moment my KLF's left my house I was depressed. They sounded good but just couldn't produce the sound stage I was used to. Then I found the RP-280F's for a good deal and thought that's the bridge. It was a bridge alright, back to searching for the KLF's. And a few weeks later I got lucky. Found this pair in a pawn shop about 30 miles from me for a very low price. I never knew that there wasn't any speed limits on the local roads. At least they seemed suspended till I got to this pawn shop. I'm sure every cop would've seen the emergency here. From here on forward I know that one day those KLF-30's will play at my funeral. Most likely at a sound level that I may come back to life :)

[@memocruz2802]

Lucky you my friend that live in Klipsch house…..

[@memocruz2802]

Whats better than one pair of Klipsch klf30, two pair of klf30, I own I am so happy with it, congrats bro

[@davidsierra8520]

I to made the mistake of getting rid of my klf30s. Best speakers I've ever had

[@trumps-not-rightfor-us5603]

I have two pair of the KLF 20s and I have two pair of the KLF tents I could never find a replacement for them they are the most awesome rock and roll speakers you will ever hear or want to buy white clips decided to dispose of them I will never understand they were the penultimate of rock speakers for your home and they'll handle massive as amounts of power .. Y k o i p s c h discontinued the speaker line I have no clue they made a big huge colossal mistake by doing so... Klipsch needs to bring them back desperately now

[@michaelcharles5273]

I have a pair of 280 rp, and I thought they were good but there was something missing. So I acquired a pair of the KLF 20s and wow, they are amazing, I put the 280f,s as my rear speakers and I love the sound.

[@chuifaiwu7668]

I also have have KLF 20s to match with the Copland CDA 266 CD player and 300B parallel tubes amplifier for over 10 years. I agree with you and DSD that the speaker is amazing and will keep it.

[@jeffcarbello9115]

KLF-20 owner here and I am asking the same questions too and was looking at the RP-8000 that sound to be very good. How did you upgrade your center as I use these for home theater not so much music.

[@yournightmare9999]

You should try Klipsch RF7III instead of RP280F

[@tbone8839]

I know you can always get subwoofers but for having two 12 inch woofers the low end on these KLF 30's should be way better.

[@l.b.stringfellow2413]

Everything I mean every speaker seems tiny after owning a 30 or some of the heritage line.