Klipsch RP-280F Reference Premiere Speaker Review

This article will review the Klipsch RP-280F Reference floor standing speaker. We have put them through our usual range of tests in our optimized testing studio and gone of the usual elements of the build like design and performance. In this review, we will rate the speaker as well as offer some alternatives you might want to consider before purchasing.

The Concept

Klipsch has a lot of speakers, but the Reference Premier line is by far the most popular. People are using these speakers stand-alone for music or in combination with other speakers as part of a Dolby Atmos 7.1 system. Released in 2015, it is their most versatile range designed to work equally well for movies and audio playback.

With a price of under $1000 for a pair of RP-280F (according to Klipsch RRP in the USA) and being available in most markets wide, they have almost become an Apple of the audio world.

Klipsch iconic styling and technologies developed through the years have trickled down from their more expensive speaker lines.

Large floor-standing speakers work in passive mode only, so they will require external amplification via amp or receiver units.

Specification

FR: 32-25kHz +/- 3dB SENSITIVITY 98dB @ 2.83V / 1m

Power: (CONT/PEAK): 150/600

Impedance: 8 Ohms

Drivers: 1" Titanium LTS Tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Tractrix Horn + Dual 8" Cerametallic Cone Woofers

Cabinet Material: MDF

Inputs: Dual binding posts / bi-wire / bi-amp

Dimensions: H 43.125” (109.54 cm) W 10.5” (26.67 cm) D 16.375” (41.59 cm)

Weight: 62.5 lbs (28.35 kg)

Finishes: Ebony, Cherry, Black

Build Quality and Aesthetic Impressions

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that they definitely tick all the boxes of Klipsch's aesthetic design. At this point, the orange/bronze metallic drivers are a bit of a calling card for the company, and most people who know audio will know who they are from.

The other nod to the legacy models is the horn-mounted tweeter that sits at the top. Klipsch is a company that will forever be entwined with the used of horns, and it’s definitely part of their DNA.

Yet despite two such iconic elements, you can’t help just see the Klipsch RP-280F for anything other than it is. A great big hulking monolith of a speaker. In many ways, form follows function with the design. Equipping the model with two huge 8-inch woofers obviously means the cabinet will have to be on the larger side, and that’s definitely what we get here. They are big, and when used in smaller rooms, I personally think they are too big and too dominating to the eye.

Better use cases will be in either a large or medium-sized room where they will look more balanced and stretch their legs sonically.

Three Color options exist, but I really am not a fan of any. The pallets are fairly dark, and I think the range would benefit greatly from having a white or light wood option to fit with modern, more Scandinavian-inspired environments.

Build quality is very good. Klipsch generally has a high standard of quality control, but the finishing is good from the start and aided by construction from good materials.

Sound

Two things struck me right from the start of this review.

First of all, they get very loud with very little power. Being fairly sensitive, I found they were easy to drive, and when given ample power, they get uncomfortably loud. Yet despite being able to crank the volume to infinity and beyond, the distortion level remains very low. Even past the point of comfortable levels, the low end didn’t bleed into the midrange, and clarity remained high.

The second observation was the sheer quantity of bass. The Klipsch RP-280f can get seriously down and dirty in the low end. It delivers a powerful thumping sub bass response to the point that for music, I can recommend their use without the need for a separate subwoofer in your system. An extra growl is always appreciated for movies, but these are up there with some of the best sub $1000 speakers for sub-bass impact.

Clarity and detail are excellent and good, respectively. They display nice open spacing overall, and although not the most transparent speaker I have tested, they have good natural tones and impressive weight and authority to the sound. The midrange sits a bit behind the highs and lows, which perhaps keeps them from being detained monsters, but the slightly warm tone in this area makes a smooth and intimate presentation.

The highs are brilliant and display an energetic yet airy. They display that horn, wall of sound, and quality that we love that helps with the throw in larger spaces. The highs become wider and tall, whereas a regular tweeter is a bit more directionally focussed.

Overall it’s a great-sounding speaker, but the best part was its versatility. Audiophile reference speakers often sound a bit too dry for movies, so by tuning the RP-280f with a slight gain in bass and highs as well as adding some warmth through the midrange, they perform well for music and movies together. Versatile and fun.

Final Verdict

Much of what you get from the Klipsch Reference Premiere speakers comes from how one intends to use them. For me, if I were buying a speaker for the sole purpose of music, I wouldn’t choose the RP-280f. However, if it is to be used as a surround system or for a combination of movies and audio, I think there are very few speakers at this level. Additionally, if you want to start by purchasing just floor-standing speakers as a starting point, you should be able to add more speakers from the range over time to grow your system. Overall a very capable speaker from a brand you can trust.

Official Website of the Klipsch RP-280f: www.klipsch.com