Budget Klipsch Speaker Shock!

[Ammonite Audio]

After a good few months listening solely via headphones (Denon AH-D7000) I have become somewhat hooked on the inherent time and phase purity of single driver transducers; and I find that I cannot listen happily to most multi-driver speakers which often complex crossover networks. In time, I will try a pair of Omega Compact Alnico Monitors, which even have 'proper' whizzer cones, but for now I just need something small and musical for those times when I don't wish to make a conscious decision to sit down with the 'phones.

Justin at Sevenoaks in Norwich suggested the little Klipsch R-51M bookshelf speakers a being unusually musical little things with a really basic crossover. These speakers look hideous and feel pretty cheap with a lightweight vinyl-wrapped cabinet, but they do cost only £249, so I bought a pair. Well, blow me if Justin was right - these things might have a very slightly coloured sound perspective (probably the lightweight cabinet) but other than that they have a nice sonic balance and do musical timing and resolution better than most speakers that I can recall, at any price. The 'tractrix' horn tweeter is a little gem and the top end dispersion is excellent - they image beautifully. Had it not been for the recommendation, I would never have given these little Klipsch speakers a single glance, except in revulsion, but they are a minor audiophile bargain.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Klipsch_R-51M.jpg

https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/products/R-51M

[Haselsh1]

Very good to hear. I had a pair of KG3.5's back in '97 powered by a 300B SE amp and they were a very good match. Lovely sound and sensitivity.

[Sherwood]

After a good few months listening solely via headphones (Denon AH-D7000) I have become somewhat hooked on the inherent time and phase purity of single driver transducers; and I find that I cannot listen happily to most multi-driver speakers which often complex crossover networks. In time, I will try a pair of Omega Compact Alnico Monitors, which even have 'proper' whizzer cones, but for now I just need something small and musical for those times when I don't wish to make a conscious decision to sit down with the 'phones.

Justin at Sevenoaks in Norwich suggested the little Klipsch R-51M bookshelf speakers a being unusually musical little things with a really basic crossover. These speakers look hideous and feel pretty cheap with a lightweight vinyl-wrapped cabinet, but they do cost only £249, so I bought a pair. Well, blow me if Justin was right - these things might have a very slightly coloured sound perspective (probably the lightweight cabinet) but other than that they have a nice sonic balance and do musical timing and resolution better than most speakers that I can recall, at any price. The 'tractrix' horn tweeter is a little gem and the top end dispersion is excellent - they image beautifully. Had it not been for the recommendation, I would never have given these little Klipsch speakers a single glance, except in revulsion, but they are a minor audiophile bargain.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Klipsch_R-51M.jpg

https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/products/R-51M

I agree with you completely. I am on my second pair of Omega speakers. I bought my current ones directly from Louis (Mr Omega) when I was in Connecticut a couple of years back. They were a custom design, built by Louis in 48 hours so I could take them away. They are similar to the Super 7 monitor but with Alnico drivers. The single point design brings a level of coherence close to my Magneplanar speakers but with none of the problems of driving a low impedance load. The Omegas are easy to drive and sound great with SET amps. I am sure that the Klipsch sound great, but the Omegas are in a different league.

[Ammonite Audio]

I agree with you completely. I am on my second pair of Omega speakers. I bought my current ones directly from Louis (Mr Omega) when I was in Connecticut a couple of years back. They were a custom design, built by Louis in 48 hours so I could take them away. They are similar to the Super 7 monitor but with Alnico drivers. The single point design brings a level of coherence close to my Magneplanar speakers but with none of the problems of driving a low impedance load. The Omegas are easy to drive and sound great with SET amps. I am sure that the Klipsch sound great, but the Omegas are in a different league.

That’s very good to hear. I cannot hear the Omega Compact Alnico Monitors before buying, but I suspect that it’s worth splashing out for those, over the Super 7 which I may at some point get to hear over at Divine Audio.

[Sherwood]

That’s very good to hear. I cannot hear the Omega Compact Alnico Monitors before buying, but I suspect that it’s worth splashing out for those, over the Super 7 which I may at some point get to hear over at Divine Audio.

The standard drivers sound excellent but the Alnico drivers are significantly better. There is a weight and fullness to the Alnicos that is very special. I am constantly surprised at the "slam" that can be achieved with such a small driver. The Compact Alnico Monitors are not that compact and are larger than my custom units. I think you will be astounded when you hear them and see how small the drivers are in relation to the big sound they produce.

[Ammonite Audio]

The little Klipsch R-51M speakers now have some hours on them and I have a better handle on what they do well, and what they don't do well! Leaving aside the paltry £249 RRP, these little things portray musical textures almost like nothing else and are hugely enjoyable. Seldom have I hear the character of piano resonances done as well as with these little speakers, but the same thing applies across all sorts of instruments and music genres. They are quick and follow a rhythm beautifully, and with a simple recording go fairly deep with a nicely defined and tuneful bass which really suits 'A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra' by Oscar Peterson.

The R-51Ms start to come undone when cranked up and given complex full-scale orchestral stuff where dynamic crests and peaks result in a somewhat 'compressed' and 'messy' feeling. Indeed, while they will play loud, that's not particularly nice and they are definitely at their best at lowish volumes, which is a nice trait in my view (how many small speakers do low volume stuff really well?).

So, for someone who needs a small, cheap speaker that plays simple classical, jazz etc at modest volumes, the little Klipsch R-51Ms deserve a listen. For larger scale classical and head-banging rock, there are better choices than the R-51M, but within their comfort zone these speakers are unexpectedly delightful, and so inexpensive.

[hornucopia]

A thin case need not be a negative. My Ocellia Calliopes have a pretty thin shell, on purpose, to release the energy. AND they have no cross-over.
I got into full range speakers via a set of Zigmahornets I made http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/zigmahornet/zigmahornet.html
...from polystyrene! Which must also release the energy pretty well, being 95% air?
Did you ever listen to big Klipsches? I had the big ones for 20 years.

[Ammonite Audio]

I live in a small house, so big Klipsch speakers will never fit in here!

[Ammonite Audio]

Fortified with a Lyngdorf TDAi-2170 digital amplifier and RoomPerfect room optimisation system, the little Klipsch speakers impress even more. RoomPerfect has a way of extracting much deeper and better controlled bass from any speaker (a customer has simply stopped using a sub for this reason); and while the tiny Klipsch speakers won't threaten the foundations, there is now a much more palpable standard and quality of bass. These are true budget speakers, of course, so let's be realistic about the limits of their sound envelope, but for what they are, they are amazingly musical. Still butt-ugly though.

[Pepperamip]

The horn looks too big for the box which don't help with the looks and did they really need that colour woofer? I suppose you can just leave the cover on and hide all that tho.

Not suprised they sound decent though. There's something about horns that normal tweets can't match imo.

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[Ammonite Audio]

The tweeter horn is clearly that size for a reason, and in a small box it does not look at all elegant. It's a shame that these little Klipsch R-51M speakers sound so much better with grilles off, but I have learnt to not look at them! If I had not already decided to go for Omega single driver, full range speakers, I'd be interested in exploring other Klipsch models like the RP-600M (same butt-ugly looks as the R-51M).

[Sherwood]

The tweeter horn is clearly that size for a reason, and in a small box it does not look at all elegant. It's a shame that these little Klipsch R-51M speakers sound so much better with grilles off, but I have learnt to not look at them! If I had not already decided to go for Omega single driver, full range speakers, I'd be interested in exploring other Klipsch models like the RP-600M (same butt-ugly looks as the R-51M).

Hugo,

have you had a chance to hear the Omega speakers yet?

[Ammonite Audio]

Not yet - all Divine Audio's last shipment were sold before I had the chance, so I just have to bite the bullet and order a pair of Compact Alnico Monitors. Something tells me that I won't be disappointed.

[Sherwood]

Not yet - all Divine Audio's last shipment were sold before I had the chance, so I just have to bite the bullet and order a pair of Compact Alnico Monitors. Something tells me that I won't be disappointed.

I would be inclined to go for the Super Alnico Monitor which is close to my custom units. I think that the extra cabinet volume gives it a bit more heft! It is a bit pricier but these speakers are keepers!

BTW. These have a ridiculous burn in period. Be prepared for a few weeks for the drivers to loosen up!

[struth]

Full ranges drivers can be very good. preferably paper tho as they do the fast highs better. . Shame i rarely listen to mine at moment and have just been using my nura cans

[Sherwood]

Full ranges drivers can be very good. preferably paper tho as they do the fast highs better. . Shame i rarely listen to mine at moment and have just been using my nura cans

Exactly! There is a coherence to a single point source that is quite addictive. My Omega speakers come close to my Magneplanar speakers at much lower cost and with none of the problems with amplification. They also surpass the Maggies in terms of bass slam?

[Ammonite Audio]

I have chosen the Compact Alnico Monitor (CAM) entirely based largely on its modest dimensions, but also rather lower cost cost compared to the SAM. The CAM is wide, but relatively shallow, which means it fits a small room. I'll be very interested to hear how Lyngdorf RoomPerfect works with such a simple speaker, where time and phase anomalies are largely absent! I strongly suspect that the result will be somewhat magical.


I would be inclined to go for the Super Alnico Monitor which is close to my custom units. I think that the extra cabinet volume gives it a bit more heft! It is a bit pricier but these speakers are keepers!

BTW. These have a ridiculous burn in period. Be prepared for a few weeks for the drivers to loosen up!

[Mike Reed]

Hugo, Don't know if you've ever heard Simon's big Klipsch (Jubilees?) in Reedham. I think Clive did a revamp to the external X-overs and since moving home he hasn't had them properly up and running.

Bloody ugly, of course, but they filled a fair-sized room with his Quicksilver amplification. Sounded good set into corners, but not quite my cup of tea !

[Ammonite Audio]

Hugo, Don't know if you've ever heard Simon's big Klipsch (Jubilees?) in Reedham. I think Clive did a revamp to the external X-overs and since moving home he hasn't had them properly up and running.

Bloody ugly, of course, but they filled a fair-sized room with his Quicksilver amplification. Sounded good set into corners, but not quite my cup of tea !

I'm curious about big Klipsch speakers, but you've seen my house and small speakers are the only things that can be accommodated! Even the Klipsch Heresy would be difficult to fit in.

[Pepperamip]

Grab a pair of kgs 3 or 3.5 not too big. Sound good with upgrades too.

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[walpurgis]

There is an alternative to Klipsch speakers if you like that sort of sound character and that is Triangle speakers from France. Some of their models are pretty compact.

[Mike Reed]

I'm curious about big Klipsch speakers, but you've seen my house and small speakers are the only things that can be accommodated! Even the Klipsch Heresy would be difficult to fit in.

Yes indeed. Unfortunately your wings are well and truly Klipsched in that respect.:)

[southall-1998_mk2]

Very nice write-up, Hugo. Are these little Klipsch really that efficient?

S.

[hifinutt]

John roberts has a pair if anyone tempted

https://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/klipsch-r-51m-order-not-collected.231388/

[Ammonite Audio]

Very nice write-up, Hugo. Are these little Klipsch really that efficient?

S.

Sorry - I've only just seen your post. On paper, they look to be very efficient, but in practice things the volume knob does need to be tweaked further up than expected, given the 93dB specs. I think that's due to their being reflex loaded, which in my view is a good thing.

[Haselsh1]

I used Triangle Titus II speakers back in 1997 and very good they were. At the time I was using an Audion 300B SET integrated and the sound was excellent. I later used them for monitoring in a small music studio, amplification was then Samson.

[Haselsh1]

Keeping with Klipsch, has anyone any experience with their RP-4000F floorstanders ? Can't help but think that they would be good with my valve gear in triode mode for a lot of my listening.

[Ammonite Audio]

Keeping with Klipsch, has anyone any experience with their RP-4000F floorstanders ? Can't help but think that they would be good with my valve gear in triode mode for a lot of my listening.

No experience of those but I did get a pair of Klipsch RP-600M stand mounts in to replace the little R-51M speakers. The RP series titanium horn tweeter is much more refined than those fitted to the R-51M but some of the musical magic of the cheaper speaker is missing and I do prefer the R-51M. You really need to hear the RP-4000F before buying

[martinswimmer]

On the subject of single driver, high efficiency small speakers (unfortunately not cheap) - Rehdeko RK115 would shock and impress.

[hornucopia]

DNM always rated Rehdeko.

I love my Ocellia Calliope .21 full-rangers, though small they ain't!


For reference https://omegaloudspeakers.com/

Was immediately reminded of recent review here https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cubeaudio4/
but at a rather higher strata of price!
Single unit speakers ARE seductive.

[Haselsh1]

No experience of those but I did get a pair of Klipsch RP-600M stand mounts in to replace the little R-51M speakers. The RP series titanium horn tweeter is much more refined than those fitted to the R-51M but some of the musical magic of the cheaper speaker is missing and I do prefer the R-51M. You really need to hear the RP-4000F before buying

Yes Hugo I think a listen could well be on the agenda for this year. Having looked more into this I think that the RP-5000F might be better as it has the option of a 'wood' finish cabinet rather than just black. Back in 1997 I had access to Klipsch's KG3.5 units with a 300B SET amp and I remember the sound being excellent. I remember an amazing level of detail and slam. I also remember them being so good with jazz but I do remember Audio Note's AZ-2 being a lot better.

[martinswimmer]

For reference https://omegaloudspeakers.com/


Beautiful speakers - all sold out apparently!

[Ammonite Audio]

For reference https://omegaloudspeakers.com/


Beautiful speakers - all sold out apparently!

I have a pair of virtually new Omega Compact Alnico Monitors available, in walnut veneer, for £1395 including VAT and UK delivery (UK RRP is £1795). See https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?66550-Omega-Compact-Alnico-Monitor-Speakers

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1000435.jpg

[ReggieB]

I have become somewhat hooked on the inherent time and phase purity of single driver transducers

Based on this criteria, have you heard Fujitsu Eclipse speakers (https://www.eclipse-td.com/uk/products/index.html)? The TD712z have been consistently good when I've heard them at Hi-Fi shows, but they don't come up too often second hand. But the TD510 and TD508 come up on ebay fairly often and are around the price you paid for the Klipsch. I fell in love with the Eclipse sound when I bought a paid of TD508s via this forum. They have now been supplanted by a pair of TD512 and I love them.

https://dt7v1i9vyp3mf.cloudfront.net/styles/news_large/s3/imagelibrary/f/fujitsuteneclipse1-mpKtIryF4UHo29DnbI4AnGtvRRFNFPRW.gif

[Ammonite Audio]

Based on this criteria, have you heard Fujitsu Eclipse speakers (https://www.eclipse-td.com/uk/products/index.html)? The TD712z have been consistently good when I've heard them at Hi-Fi shows, but they don't come up too often second hand. But the TD510 and TD508 come up on ebay fairly often and are around the price you paid for the Klipsch. I fell in love with the Eclipse sound when I bought a paid of TD508s via this forum. They have now been supplanted by a pair of TD512 and I love them.

https://dt7v1i9vyp3mf.cloudfront.net/styles/news_large/s3/imagelibrary/f/fujitsuteneclipse1-mpKtIryF4UHo29DnbI4AnGtvRRFNFPRW.gif

No I haven't. Those things do probably require a sub (or two) and I don't have room for anything like that.

[Pepperamip]

Yes Hugo I think a listen could well be on the agenda for this year. Having looked more into this I think that the RP-5000F might be better as it has the option of a 'wood' finish cabinet rather than just black. Back in 1997 I had access to Klipsch's KG3.5 units with a 300B SET amp and I remember the sound being excellent. I remember an amazing level of detail and slam. I also remember them being so good with jazz but I do remember Audio Note's AZ-2 being a lot better.Shaun you could relieve some of that KG3.5 greatness with my kg4.5s I have for sale on here! :)

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