Klipsch R-15M Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)

I previously purchased a set of Klipsch R-15M's for my HTS as rear surround speakers. I currently have the RP-150M's as fronts and the R-25C for center, driven by a Denon AVR-S720W. I really enjoy my HTS with using Klipsch as my surround speakers. I recently set up a "vintage" Kenwood receiver and tuner for some casual listening in another room. The speakers that were used with this system were no good anymore. The foam surrounds were dry rotted. I temporarily hooked up the R-15M's from my HTS and I was quite surprised how well they sounded. The Kenwood is rated at 40WPC and the Klipsch's are very efficient. Nice match for the Kenwood I thought. I set the tone controls at "0". No problem "cranking" the volume up a bit..the speakers produced great sound. I was really impressed with the bass for a bookshelf speaker in a 2 channel system! The mids and uppers were clean. Yes, Klipschs are known for their "forwardness", but I always preferred a dynamic, engaging sound. I ordered a second pair of the R-15M's and also a set of Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2's for comparison. The Elacs are a little more expensive, but thought "lets give the Klipsch's a run for the money". I hooked both sets of speakers up to a AB switch. I know that to do a "real" comparison I would need to let the speakers break-in for a period. Well, if the speakers were being installed in my main 2 channel audio system, and were up in the thousands of dollars range, yes, I would let them break in according to the manufacturer and do longer listening sessions for comparison. In this instance, I decided to give the listening sessions a couple of days with various media. I used a Audioengine B1, Thorens TD160 turntable, and a Adcom GCD-575 CD player. Good quality audio components for their respective price range. I set the speakers up six feet apart at ear level. The room has no special acoustic treatments. Curtains behind the speakers, both side and opposite wall is drywall. Large area rug on floor. Upholstery chair. "Average room" furnishings. Nothing special. Both pairs of speakers were placed right next to each other, four feet from the rear wall just slightly facing in. I was sitting in the sweet spot at 15 feet. Both sets of speakers produced great sound on all of the respective audio components. The Elacs really came through on the Thorens listening to Adele's 25. Definite "wow" factor! The cartridge is a Shure M97. The Elacs were outstanding on this album! They also stood out on Dire Straits Brother in Arms 20th Anniversary Edition on the Adcom CDP. The Klipsch speakers sounded to me, more engaging, dynamic, more punch, and yes, "forward". The Elacs sounded clean, smooth, although not quite as much low end as the Klipschs on this system. Possibly the Elacs lower efficiency rating may have affected the low end? I really liked the Elacs. The mids and highs were much more easy listening to, more accurate, but yet kind of "sterile", I thought. Compared to the Klipsch R-15M in this particular listening comparison, overall the Elacs to me were a little too neutral, not as engaging for my listening preference. After going over the positives and negatives of both excellent sounding speakers, my preference leaned more towards the Klipschs. I felt more "involved" with the music coming from the Klipschs. More dynamic. Either speaker would be a great choice in its price range for quality of sound. FYI. I have no affiliation with either of the speaker manufacturers. Enjoy the music!!

I live in an apartment, which I don't mind for the most part...except I'd really love to have a loud sound system for movies. When I really want to crank it up, I use a nice pair of headphones.However, even when I'm just watching whatever on TV...I want some bass. These TV speakers don't cut it.But I can't have too much bass. Fran in 9B will complain.That's exactly what these are: Bass...but not too much. It's a very punchy, fun bass too.These sound GREAT at low volume. I use them along with my TV speakers and you can really tell the difference. And when you turn them up a little they really shine.The detail is amazing. For the price, I don't think you can beat these. I think they blow sound bars out of the water unless you really want some sub-bass.They add another dimension to sports broadcasts. You can hear so much that mic picks up during game action as well as all of the little sound effects when the graphics fly across the screen lol.They look amazing. Get yourself a couple of decent looking stands and make your living room....stand out.Anyway, the value is off the charts. I think you get more than you pay for here. Five stars.

Love these speakers very good sound quality and clarity for a bookshelf size

For such a tiny speaker you wouldn't expect such a big sound. It's not just about loudness, though these are loud, but the stereo image is full and the low end, though it doesn't extend very low (anyone complaining of a lack of low end is an idiot that can't tell a bookshelf from a tower speaker) is strong and full. The highs resolve good detail and the stereo image is clear enough that the speakers themselves disappear and I keep looking up marvelling that these speakers sound at least four times larger than they look. They fill my listening room of ~13'x18'x8' dimensions adaquately.The one problem I have with them is there seems to be a hump in the frequency response around ~130Hz contributing to a slightly muddy sound there. I'm still experimenting with placement so I may yet resolve my one issue with them. I have them on three foot stands right up against the wall, when I pull them away from the wall that muddiness seems to disappear.[Update: As with all speakers placement is key. I don't have this problem anymore.]Overall it's an impressive and delightful sound in an inexpensive and small package. Given the price/performance ratio they deserve at least 4 stars.[Update: Roughly six months in I'm still impressed. I've been trading my other Klipsch speakers in and out of my system tonight. A pair of Heresy Is and a pair of KG4s. These little bookshelf speakers sound no smaller than the floor standing speakers, and their output as far as sound pressure level keeps up with the bigger ones. Quality is pretty close to the others too.]