RP-8000F crossover upgrade impressions
First, I want to say, the neck around the crossover frequency was not as noticeable as one might think. The speakers did play the full range, you just needed to be at least 2 or 3 meters away…
Also, I want to say, I did enjoy these speakers before this upgrade but there is also no doubt in my mind that with this new crossover in place, in my room, the upgrade made a huge improvement for listening to 2 channel music.
Here are the things that I noticed changed with this upgrade
1. Imaging: Before Upgrade
a. Getting a center lock on an image was possible with the speakers, as they were, but only really 1500Hz and above.
i. This could sometimes make male vocals sound a bit like they were coming from the room rather than the center image.
b. Localization of the speakers was far to easy which effected imaging.
i. Probably due to the 2-way configuration across such a large area as pointed out by Danny Richie
c. With the upper frequency being tilted up, you ended up pointing these speakers strait out into the room which helped on that front a lot, surprisingly you still got a center lock on that horn with this layout.
d. The more I think about it the more I think these speakers were build for Theater use only.
i. They worked best closer together pointed straight out into the room (think between a 65 inch tv and only 4 feet apart with the listener being 9 feet away)
ii. With them being so localizable having them close together allows for a better perceived separation when using this in a 3.1 or higher setup.
2. Imaging: After upgrade
a. Getting a center lock now seems good well below 1500Hz.
b. Localization of the speaker while still a little present (the speakers don’t completely disappear) is much much better
c. Toe in is now recommended which also allows for better imaging and placement of instruments and vocals withing the soundstage
i. Not perfect but much better than it was.
3. Soundstage:
a. Prior to the upgrade the soundstage was wide, as one would expect but not very deep. In fact, vocals and singers sounded as if they were right in your face
b. After the upgrade the width gave in a bit to a more narrow but deeper soundstage
i. Vocals feel like they are further away recessed about a few feet back.
ii. Sound effects from music like the talking heads can sound like they are further off in the distance or behind you, something that these speakers were never able to do before.
4. Tone:
a. With the top in completely in check now, the upper range sounds extremely crisp and clear but not fatiguing.
b. The midrange is more present now and makes a warmer richer overall sound from the speakers
c. The bass is much better (I was surprised at how much this upgrade improved the bass) Its tighter faster and has more punch now.
5. Klipsch sound:
a. In a lot of ways, they pretty much sound like the same speakers, just better
b. So, for people who are worried they will no longer sound like Klipsch’s don’t.
So would I recommend this upgrade, hell yes I would, but there are caveats.
If you are someone who uses these speakers in a theater setup only and pushes your speakers close together on either side of your tv facing strait out into the room, these upgrades may not be best for you..
If you are someone like me who listens to music 30 percent or more and then uses them as part of a theater setup and has room to properly separate the speakers, then yes definitely do it.