Are you looking for a pair of the very best affordable freestanding speakers? If so, then you should check out Klipsch’s new line of reference speakers.
The company has created a series of high-quality, freestanding speakers that are perfect for anyone who wants to get the most out of their music listening experience.
But are they worth the money? Read on…
Klipsch was founded in 1945 and is now owned by Harman International Industries, Inc., a Fortune 500 company.
The company specializes in audio equipment, such as speakers, amplifiers, receivers, microphones, and headphones.
Klipsch Reference R-Series speakers are designed to be used as a surround system. These speakers are very reasonably priced for a pair of high-quality floor standing speakers.
They are built to a high standard, and they’re durable. A pair of these speakers should last you a lifetime of music listening. Due to the size of these speakers, they aren’t exactly designed for casual listening, however.
In terms of aesthetics, these great-looking speakers won’t look out of place in even the most modern of apartments.
This speaker system is designed for high fidelity sound reproduction. It uses an LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) tweeter and an IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) woofer. These two components work together to produce superior sound quality, for a very reasonable price.
Table of Contents
Design
For pretty much any Klipsch product, the design is the biggest selling point. Each of their products have a similar overall aesthetic, which makes all of their products feel homogenous.
The R-series speakers use a 5 way binding post design. This allows them to fit into any standard home stereo setup.
This flexible range of connectivity makes the Klipsch R-28Fs a system that will easily fit into almost any stereo setup.
This Klipsch R-28F floor standing reference speaker features a unique crossover network with four bands. With a frequency range of 40 Hz—20 kHz, the R-28F delivers exceptional clarity and detail.
Its high performance drivers deliver full-bodied, dynamic sound that fills your room with rich, deep bass. The R-28F has a sleek black powder coat finish that complements any decor.
The Klipsch R-28Fs are designed to be used in medium to large-sized rooms. They are big and loud enough to fill a large room with high-fidelity sound.
Floor standing speakers are designed to be placed on a flat surface. These speakers are perfect for your listening room.
The Klipsch range doesn’t offer much room for personalization or modification, but their sleek and modern design doesn’t really call for it.
The cabinets for these speakers are made of a high-quality, durable MDF that’s covered in black vinyl.
Features
Let’s look into more detail about the specific features of the R-28F.
IMG Woofer
The Klipsch R-28F speakers feature an injection molded graphite woofer. This component provides an incredible natural-sounding low-end with minimal distortion or cone breakup.
The bass response thanks to these IMG woofers is punchy and yet it has a high level of clarity.
The IMG woofers are 8” in diameter, and each speaker features not one but two of them. For floor standing speakers, sound quality and clarity along with a wide frequency response is very important.
The bass frequencies provided by the two IMG woofers in each speaker make the R-28Fs perfect for large rooms, regardless of the acoustic quality of the room itself.
LTS Tweeter
The R-28Fs feature a linear travel suspension tweeter that’s manufactured by Kapton Industries. This provides incredibly detailed high-end frequencies, in addition to plenty of volume.
You’ll find these particular LTS tweeters in the whole Klipsch range of high-end speaker systems. This is what gives Klipsch products their signature sound, with a wide frequency range and natural-sounding balance.
In conjunction with the IMG woofers, the LTS tweeters provide a punchy, wide, balanced sound that will fill a large room with ease.
Front Port
The R-28Fs feature a couple of front-firing ports. In most cases, you’ll normally find the firing ports on the back of the speakers.
Due to the increased bass frequencies thanks to the dual IMG woofers, Klipsch have designed the R-28Fs with the firing ports on the front to reduce unwanted vibrations and turbulence.
This design makes the system more dynamic and stable.
Tractrix Horn
The R-28Fs feature Klipsch’s hallmark Tractrix horn, which greatly improves the acoustics of the speaker system and provides more balance to the overall sound.
In conjunction with the woofers and tweeters, the Tractrix horn is responsible for giving this speaker system a natural sound, and it’s what gives all Klipsch audio systems their unique signature sound.
Dual 5-Way Binding Posts
The R-28F’s sturdy terminals are made from high quality materials, and they also give you the benefits of both bi-wiring and bi-amping.
MDF Cabinet
The cabinets of the R-28F have a brushed polymer veneer finish that gives them a modern aesthetic, which can be integrated into any decor.
Removable Grille
The R-28F comes with a sturdy and flexible grille that is removable and entirely acoustically transparent.
Specifications Of The R-28F
Frequency Response – 35 Hz—24 kHz +/- 3dB
Sensitivity – 98 dB @ 2.83 V / 1 m
Power Handling (Cont/Peak) – 150 W / 600 W
Normal Impedance – 8 Ohms Compatible
Low Frequency Extension – 32 Hz
Crossover Frequency – 1800 Hz
High Frequency Driver – 1” (2.54 cm) Aluminum diaphragm compression driver
Low Frequency Driver – Dual 8” (20.2 cm) copper spun magnetically shielded IMG woofers
Enclosure Material – MDF
Enclosure Type – Bass-reflex via front-firing port
Inputs – Dual binding posts / bi-wire / bi-amp
Height – 42” (106.6 cm)
Width – 9.5” (24.1 cm)
Depth – 15.7” (39.8 cm)
Weight – 56.67 lbs (25.68 kg)
Finish – Brushed Black Polymer Veneer
Built From – 2014
Review
For the price range, the Klipsch R-28F is by far the best floor standing speaker we have tested.
The sound quality is simply awesome, and we couldn’t expect more from such a reasonably priced speaker setup. The bass response is superb, and the highs are crystal clear. We love how durable they are, too.
We recommend that you place these speakers at least 6 feet (1.83 m) away from each other. That way, you'll get a nice surround effect. The ultra-wide soundstage that these speakers provide is really something to behold.
Each speaker has two woofers, so they give you more bass than one would typically get in speakers of this size.
The punchy, solid sound makes this speaker perfect for larger sized rooms, where the room acoustics aren't that important for a good sound.
The Linear Travel Suspended tweeter made by Kapton Industries is embedded into the Klipsch R-28F for a more enhanced, detailed volume performance.
All Klipsch tweeters are made from the same material and give them their signature warm, natural sound. The tweeters and IMG woofers together create an extremely stable, bass-rich sound that is ideal for its intended audiophile user base.
There are a pair of front-firing ports located dynamically on the front of each speaker to reduce vibration, turbulence, and in turn making the speakers more stable and dynamic.
Usually, the firing port is located at the back of the unit, but with the increased power of this model, the port was placed on the face to compensate for the turbulence caused by the extra power. It also makes it easier for the user to keep them in a smaller workspace.
The R-28 has the trademark Klipsch Tractrix horn. It improves the speaker's acoustics and creates a more balanced response.
This acoustic technology is used to enhance the sound quality, and it is an important part of the Klipsch Signature Series sound signature.
The R28 also features a brushed black polymer finish that provides a beautiful appearance as well as protection against scratches. Aesthetically, these speakers look superb and will fit well amongst any decor.
We're impressed with the Klipsch R-28F floor standing speakers. Their bass response is outstanding, and the tower design looks great too.
These speakers performed exceptionally well in all of our listening tests. They don't have an internal midrange driver, but the tweeter does most of the work.
These speakers are highly efficient, and they have a great sound quality.
Although these speakers come at a very reasonable price for a set of floor standing speakers, any audio fanatic would be happy with their performance.
It has many features that make it a better choice for those who want to start out as an audiophile.
Pros
Great frequency response with a lot of bass
The LTS twitter provides plenty of high end and volume
Incredible clarity and definition
Compatible with all Klipsch audio systems
Long-lasting, durable construction
Cons
No Bluetooth connectivity
Large, bulky size
Lack of choice of different colors
Heavy and difficult to move at 56 lbs
Our Verdict
For those who are starting out as audiophiles, or looking to improve on their current stereo setup without busting the bank, the Klipsch R-28F floor standing speakers are the ideal place to start.
These speakers perform exceptionally well, and they look superb. Additionally, it comes with all the features one would expect from a high-quality set of professional floor standing speakers.
For the price tag, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better set of floor standing speakers than the Klipsch R-28F.
FAQs
What Is The Difference Between 1 Watt And 2 Watts?
It takes twice the power to get a 3db gain in volume.
What Is The R-28F Floorstanding Speaker?
The R-28F is an outstanding product that is geared towards a more high-end clientele that are searching for a powerful tower speaker that also does not sacrifice in the audio department.
What Is The Size Of Klipsch R-28f?
With dimensions of 42” by 9.5” by 15.7”, and a mass weight of 56.7 pounds (25.72 kg), these floor standing speakers are relatively large and bulky.
What Is The Best Receiver To Drive Klipsch R-28f Speakers?
Generally, Yamaha receivers pair well with Klipsch speakers.
Do You Need A Subwoofer When Using Klipsch R-28F?
The Klipsch R-28F has two bass drivers in each speaker that provides plenty of low-end, so there is no need to include an additional subwoofer.
What Is The Difference Between A Speaker Driver And A Woofer?
A woofer is designed to move air, while a speaker driver moves sound waves through air. The woofer is used for low frequencies, while the tweeters or other drivers take care of the mid to high frequencies.
What Is The Advantage Of Using A Subwoofer?
Subwoofers can be used to add extra low frequencies to a system.
