To call the basic series a reference one, the manufacturer must be sure of the quality of their products – the public does not forgive empty statements. Acquaintance with Klipsch R-820F Floorstanding Speaker, the junior model from the Reference line, showed that in their price group, these speakers can be taken as a starting point – for several characteristics.
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However, even in the most successful acoustic model, you can always find something that you would like to improve. The younger “references” with their only 6-inch woofer lacked bass depth and the ability to sound large spaces, which provoked a second appeal to the representative of this line. Namely – to the older model Klipsch R-820F.
In double size
If you put the younger model Klipsch R-610F and the older Klipsch R-820F side by side, you can decide that they belong to different lines – the speakers differ so much in appearance and dimensions. Having the same brutal design and structural elements, the 820s look more massive, solid, and larger. They give the impression of real monsters capable of voicing stadiums.
If we talk about numbers, then the older speakers are almost twice as powerful as the younger ones and also have a higher sensitivity, so the specifications fully meet expectations. As for the depth of the bass, the Klipsch R-820F has it more by as much as 10 Hz: 35 versus 45. Provided that the nature of the low frequencies that the younger model demonstrated, the result should be fantastic.
More horn – more sound
The Klipsch R-820F acoustics are equipped with three drivers: one tweeter in the branded Traсtrix horn and two mid-woofers with a caliber of 8 inches or 20 cm. look so different.
In both speakers, the size of the horn is the same as the size of the speaker, which means that the horn of the younger model has an opening of about 16×16 cm, while the horn of the older model opens to a size of 20×20 cm.
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In addition to balancing the visual image of the speakers, this affects the sound, increasing the distance to the listening point and increasing the return of the high-frequency link, reaching its performance to the level of a boosted mid/bass link.
Except for the acoustic design, the tweeter design is similar to other models in the Reference series. The rigid aluminum dome is mounted on an elastic suspension made of Kapton material, which provides a linear cone travel and an exceptional combination of high detail with high overload capacity.
Two in one lane
With mid-woofers, the situation is similar – no special changes other than size. These are the same branded speakers with cones made of lightweight and durable graphite composite, mounted on a classic rubber surround.
The radiator flange functions as a shallow horn waveguide, which eliminates re-reflections and sound dispersion that occur on the surface of the front panel of the acoustics, and most importantly, from the refraction of sound waves on the edges of the case.
The phase inverter is also designed as a horn, the task of which is to eliminate turbulence, which creates overtones, distortions, and time delays when reproducing low frequencies.
The emitter switching circuit is pure two-way. The developers decided to wisely adhere to the principle of “not harm” and simply scaled the two-way design that works perfectly in bookshelves and junior floorstanders.
Pair search
The dual-lane design explains the lack of a second pair of bi-amping/bi-wiring terminals, which the developers believe is an unnecessary and inefficient measure in this configuration.
Indeed, in this situation, amplification is a much more reasonable investment, because large Klipshy require 150 watts of power on an ongoing basis and can digest up to 600 watts at peak. Here you can no longer get by with a modest “integral”, as it was last time. We need to look for something more solid.
Past listening experience with an Emotiva amp has shown that the brands are a great match, both in terms of sound, aesthetics, and, last but not least, in terms of pricing. Therefore, when choosing partners for the Klipsch R-820F, it was decided to change the amplifier model, but not the manufacturer.
The stereo-power Emotiva A-300, delivering exactly 150 watts into an 8-ohm load, seemed like an ideal option. In addition, it has a damping factor of more than 500, which allows us to expect the same perfect bass control.
The powerhouse was paired with a branded Emotiva PT-100 preamplifier, which also served as a DAC and phono stage when working with an analog and digital source. An interesting set was formed – it remains to listen to what came of it.
Justified hopes
Let’s start by confirming quite obvious facts: having the same design as the junior model, the Klipsch R-820F acoustics have the same key properties. They are narrow enough so as not to create a large number of first reflections and do not limit the user in terms of landing height, but to form an ideal picture, they must be oriented strictly to the listening point.
To get the perfect surround soundstage, you need to provide a symmetrical pattern of reflections behind and to the sides of the listener. Or you can simply muffle these areas, sacrificing volume for the sake of focus and purity of sound. The clear and controllable directivity of the radiation of these speakers provides the widest field for experiments while eliminating many typical problems.
Another invariable component of Klipsha: is the concentration, rhythm, and dynamism of sound. The speakers sound truly energetic and perky, thanks to which they perfectly reproduce classic rock and metal, jazz and funk, Latin rhythms, and electronic dance music. All that music, in which energy is important, sounds very exciting.
The entire discography of Daft Punk – from the era of minimalist experimental techno to the disco renaissance – is listened to literally in one breath. And under Rage Against the Machine, you can imperceptibly smash a dressing table or some other piece of furniture. In this case, I recommend immediately switching to Bob Marley. Relaxes.
Nice bonuses
High detail, especially in the upper mids and high frequencies, is what I expected from the Klipsch R-820F by default, but the older model with a more high-end amplification path exceeded these expectations. The sound was not just detailed and accurate throughout the entire range – it also had a certain nobility and the very attention to small shades and fidelity of timbres that was lacking in the younger setup.
As a result, the sound of intricate free jazz and improvised music became truly interesting and exciting, and the timbre-rich voices of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in duets from Porgy and Bess turned out to be especially lively and heartfelt. And it was a regular CD release! And listening to jazz or acoustic music from vinyl on these speakers is a special pleasure. The integrity, warmth, and fluidity of the sound are felt literally and physically.
The bass depth of the Klipsch R-820F turned out to be noticeably greater than that of the mini floorstanders – but there is no feeling of protrusion or dominance of the lower register. Bass notes are simply more audible, and the lowest of them do not lose weight against the background of the middle and upper bass.
Thanks to this, the sound of a double bass or a symphony orchestra is perceived in a completely different way. The feeling of scale, fullness, and fundamentality when listening to the Klipsch R-820F is exhaustive, I don’t want to add or subtract anything. And it’s especially nice that the big floorstanders bass turned out to be just as clear, focused, and fast.
A powerful amplifier with a high damping factor and a large room also contributed to this but also made it clear that the acoustics themselves do not hum and do not suffer from bass hypertrophy. This means that if such problems are identified, their cause should be sought in the acoustics of the room because the bass is in the very frequency range that no horn can direct.
Conclusion
Even though the acoustics and the amplification path belong to the same series, the sound of the junior Klipsch floorstanders with an integrated Emotiva amplifier is extremely difficult to call identical to what I heard with the Klipsch R-820F and a two-block amplifier.
In the older configuration, not only bass and power were added – in general, the sound class has noticeably grown. More details and shades have appeared in the music, the presentation has become nobler, and more refined, and the macro dynamics are beyond praise. Such changes more than cover the difference in price and in some aspects even exceed expectations.
At the same time, all the advantages noted in the sound of the younger Klipsch R-610F model have been preserved in full: a realistic and comfortable top, a three-dimensional stage, rhythm, the ability to perfectly reproduce energetic music, and predictable behavior in the room.
FAQs Klipsch R-820F Floorstanding Speaker
1. What are the key features of the Klipsch R-820F?
The Klipsch R-820F features:
- Dual 8-inch woofers for deep bass response
- 1-inch LTS titanium tweeter for clear high frequencies
- Tractrix horn technology for improved sound dispersion
- Rear-firing port for enhanced bass output
2. What is the power handling of the R-820F?
The Klipsch R-820F has a power handling capacity of 100 watts RMS and can handle up to 400 watts peak power.
3. What is the frequency response of the R-820F?
The frequency response of the Klipsch R-820F ranges from 34 Hz to 24 kHz, providing a broad range of sound for various audio applications.
4. How does the Tractrix horn technology work?
Tractrix horn technology improves sound dispersion and efficiency by allowing the tweeter to project sound more directly into the listening area, resulting in clearer highs and reduced distortion.
5. What is the impedance of the R-820F?
The Klipsch R-820F has an impedance of 8 ohms, making it compatible with most audio receivers and amplifiers.
6. Are the R-820F speakers suitable for home theater setups?
Yes, the R-820F is designed for home theater use, providing excellent performance for both music and movie soundtracks when paired with other Klipsch speakers.
7. What are the dimensions and weight of the R-820F?
The dimensions of the Klipsch R-820F are approximately 42.2 inches (H) x 10.6 inches (W) x 15.7 inches (D), and it weighs around 50 lbs (22.7 kg) each.
8. Can I use the Klipsch R-820F Floorstanding Speaker with a subwoofer?
Yes, while the R-820F delivers impressive bass, it can be enhanced further by pairing it with a subwoofer for a more robust low-end performance.
9. What is the build quality of the Klipsch R-820F Floorstanding Speaker?
The Klipsch R-820F features a premium build quality with a stylish wood veneer finish, making it an attractive addition to any room.
10. Does the Klipsch R-820F Floorstanding Speaker come with a warranty?
Klipsch typically offers a standard warranty on their speakers, which can vary by region. It’s best to check with the retailer for specific warranty details.
11. How should I position the R-820F for optimal sound?
For the best audio performance, place the R-820F speakers at least a few feet away from walls and corners, and angle them slightly towards the listening area.
12. What color options are available for the R-820F?
The Klipsch R-820F is usually available in a few color finishes, such as black, walnut, and cherry, to match various home decor.
13. Can I use the R-820F for music and movies?
Absolutely! The R-820F is designed to deliver exceptional performance for both music and movie audio, making it a versatile choice for any audio setup.
Specification
ADVANTAGES: Deep and accurate bass, detailed and expressive sound, excellent macro dynamics, surround sound stage, controlled sound directionality.
FLAWS: The design still obliges a lot, and the color still has no alternative.
PASSPORT DATA
Number of strips: 2
Tweeter: 25mm aluminum dome with Tractrix compression horn
MF / LF driver: 2x 200 mm, composite cone with graphite filling
Frequency response: 35-21,000 Hz (±3dB)
Sensitivity: 97 dB
Power: 150W (continuous) / 600W (peak)
Impedance: 8 ohm
Crossover frequency: 1700 Hz
Acoustic design: phase inverter
Dimensions: 277x1093x443 mm
Weight: 24.5 kg
Finish: Vinyl, ebony
