Hi-Fi: Klipsch RB-61 Bookshelf Speakers Review – 69

Klipsch RB-61 Bookshelf Speakers

$1299

This story goes back to last October. I had just picked up the flea-powered Kingrex T-20 Class D integrated amplifier. My moaning to the Ed about ‘insensitive’ loudspeakers led to a call to local Klipsch importer Sound Group Holdings for a pair of Reference Series RB-61s. With a high 95dB efficiency, combined with the Kingrex amp these speakers made some very serious sounds indeed. Fortune smiled and I have managed to hang on to them for quite some time; they have seen active service in both my main music room (driven by a 250wpc Korsun integrated amp) and in the bedroom connected to my tiny 12wpc Kingrex. I even had the pleasure of the excellent Sugden A21a Mk2 integrated amp for a few weeks, and this also produced some very involving listening sessions in tandem with the RB-61s. It’s very unusual to have a review product for such an extended period, and this has given me real insight into the performance of the beefy Klipsch stand-mounts.

There’s a snobbery about the choice of loudspeakers in the world of hi-fi. Speakers from the US are often derided as ‘American-sounding’ – meaning that they offer brash and unruly bass and treble with nothing in between. This sentiment has sometimes been justified, but it’s definitely not the case with the Klipsch RB-61s. They are upbeat and fast sounding, but at the same time communicative and refined.

The latest Goldfrapp CD, Seventh Tree, has the wacky English band returning to a more acoustic sound, and this was an extremely enjoyable listen on the Klipsches: upper registers were nice and sweet with an absence of shrillness or stridency, while there was good detail and presence through the mid-band. Bass quality was refined and articulate, and I was impressed with the control and depth – they go down quite low for a bookshelf speaker. I didn’t notice much in the way of colouration or boxiness, meaning the hefty 10kg enclosure must be very well braced internally. Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! has Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds reinventing themselves with humour and infectious fun, and the RB-61s captured the essence of the recording with a toe-tapping, hip-shaking fury. Very nice.

This smallish stand-mount/bookshelf speaker uses a 25mm titanium compression driver tweeter fed into Klipsch’s trademark Tractrix horn, and a 16.5cm cerametallic driver for bass/midrange duties. The front-ported enclosure will allow placement in close proximity to a rear wall, but I’d advise keeping them away from side walls or corners for them to perform at their best.

All in all, a thoroughly recommendable performance.

GARY PEARCE

Specifications

Frequency Response: 43Hz-23kHz +/- 3dB

Power Handling: 100W RMS/400W Peak

Sensitivity: 95dB at 2.83V/1m

Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms compatible

High Frequency Drivers: 1-inch Titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to 90°x 60° square Tractrix horn

Low Frequency Drivers: 6.5-inch cerametallic cone woofer

Enclosure Type: Bass-reflex via front-firing port

Finish: Cherry or black ash woodgrain vinyl

Dimensions: 39.1 x 21.6 x 31.1cm (H/W/D)

Weight: 10kg

Pros

• Very upbeat and enjoyable sound quality

• Easy to drive

• Great for low-powered amplification

Cons

• Vinyl wrap

• Slightly compressed soundstage

Verdict

Good speakers at a good price. Tone reviewers give is 4/5.

This review is from Tone issue #69.