Sometimes the most interesting things happen not at the moment of a loud presentation of a new line, but a little later. When engineers listen to feedback and return to an already successful model to refine the details. This is exactly how the Klipsch Reference Premier RP-8000F II floorstanding speakers came about.
Their predecessors, the original RP-8000F, were already favorites of many music lovers. They were renowned for their dynamics, energetic sound, and Klipsch's signature “liveliness.” It would seem, why change anything? But the Klipsch team decided that something good could be made even better by focusing on the important details.
In this review, we will not simply list the technical specifications. We will look at what has actually changed in the new version of these speakers and how these seemingly insignificant improvements affect the sound in your living room. Has Klipsch taken the next confident step, or is this just a cosmetic upgrade? Let's find out.
Klipsch of different calibers
The modest selection of Klipsch passive speaker series is more than compensated for by the variety of models included in them. For example, the Reference Premier line offers three floor-standing speaker options and two bookshelf speakers, giving you a total of five stereo system configurations to choose from.
And for lovers of cinema sound, there is a fantastic abundance of models: in addition to the five mentioned above, I counted six more special cinema speakers, one of which is essentially the older RP-8000F II floorstanding speaker, with Dolby Atmos acoustics built into the upper part. If Klipsch wanted to please movie lovers, they definitely succeeded. But we, humble stereo enthusiasts, have nothing to complain about either — just choose the right “caliber” of speakers and listen.
Since the listening room is quite large, it was only natural to choose the largest floorstanding model, the RP-8000F II, for testing.
The Klipsch Reference Premier RP-8000F II speakers are not a breakthrough, but a thoughtful refinement of an already good model. They don't scream for attention, but they have grown noticeably where it really matters: the sound has become cleaner, deeper, and more accurate, especially in detail and staging. If you're looking for decent home audio with character and power, these floorstanding speakers are one of the best options in their class.
Find 10 differences
If you liked puzzles like “find 10 differences in the pictures” as a child, I highly recommend testing your skills by comparing Klipsch speakers. You can take two models of the same type from the updated series or a new model and a similar old one — it makes no difference. In any case, an interesting quest awaits you.
With an established brand identity and a large army of fans around the world, the company's developers prefer not to take risks. They even decided not to change the name and numbering, limiting themselves to adding the index II. In short, they are preserving successful and established solutions as much as possible, only slightly adjusting the overall appearance of the speakers. And the finer the work, the more skill it requires and the more interesting it is to observe the result.
One of the main design decisions that can be seen in the design of the new Reference Premier speakers is the pronounced edges of the front panel. Their cut has become much clearer and also extends to the grilles, making the front of the speaker appear pointed and forward-facing, while the already deep cabinets feel even more elongated.
If it weren't for the horns, one might assume that the acoustic engineers were trying to minimize the refraction of sound waves occurring at the edges of the cabinet, but given the specific design of the drivers, this version seems implausible. The main goal here seems to be purely aesthetic.
Speaking of aesthetics, all speaker mounts are hidden from view, so the front panel looks completely seamless, and the grill-less speakers look flawless. The Reference Premier series is finished with high-quality vinyl film, which is visually and tactilely indistinguishable from veneer. In addition, there are two colors to choose from: the obligatory black (ebony) wood and walnut. By Klipsch standards, this is luxury.
The most revolutionary and innovative innovation in floorstanding speakers, familiar to us from the junior Reference series, is the Dolby Atmos speaker cable line integrated into the cabinet. The main terminals are located at the bottom and allow you to connect the speakers as aesthetically as possible without dangling wires and other unsightly elements. The Reference Premier floorstanding speakers have more terminals than the junior Reference speakers, as the Premiers support bi-amping and bi-wiring.
The only issue regarding ease of use that the developers have surprisingly persistently ignored is the speaker stands. The sharp, aggressively spaced legs look impressive, of course, and also provide the necessary tilt for the speakers, raising the axis of the drivers slightly upward toward the listener's ears.
The Reference Premier also has cast aluminum supports, which, combined with their pointed shape, provide good vibration isolation, for example, when installed on a stone floor. However, as with the previous generation, these attractive legs are not adjustable. The height, angle, and unevenness of the floor will again have to be adjusted in completely non-standard ways — by placing coins or other objects of suitable thickness under them.
The bookshelf speakers have a completely different approach: the bottom of the speaker has a large cork pad, which is extremely practical when placing them on any stands or surfaces. Very practical and sensible.
The power is in the horn
The main technology and constant source of inspiration for Klipsch developers since 1946 has, of course, been horns, and it is these that have been gradually modified from generation to generation. In the updated models, both the junior and senior versions, the modern Tractrix horns have increased significantly in size and now occupy the entire front panel.
The basic concept remains unchanged: the square shape and 90-degree vertical and horizontal dispersion provide a sufficiently wide listening area while eliminating the negative effects of early reflections in the room. Considering that these speaker series are designed for use in homes, where measures to minimize reflections are rarely taken, the importance and value of this approach cannot be overstated.
In the new Reference Premier speakers, the horn is made of a silicone composite, and its inner surface is slightly soft to the touch, similar to a soft-touch coating. The physical reason for this approach is that the silicone composite is sufficiently acoustically inert and dampens vibrations that are inevitably transmitted from the cabinet with a pair of large woofers. Any micro-vibrations on the surface of the horn will inevitably lead to coloration of the upper frequencies, since the wavelength in this range is small.
As for the driver itself, located deep inside the proprietary horn, the developers applied the oldest rule of upgrading, which can be summarized as follows: “If it works well, don't touch it!” The titanium dome mounted on a long-throw LTS suspension, which ensures a linear response of the moving system to the useful signal, is exactly what horns need, and there is no need to improve anything in this area yet. We remember that all the power is in the horn!
But the midrange/bass drivers have been redesigned more thoroughly. Their diffusers are made from the company's proprietary Cerametallic material, which is lightweight, durable, and resistant to deformation. The updated version of the magnetic system uses an aluminum Faraday ring, which reduces distortion and makes the speaker's response more accurate across the entire operating range.
The RP-8000F II model features two 205 mm speakers, each with its own acoustic volume loaded onto a phase inverter of original design. The rectangular phase inverter ports are made using Tractrix technology. In this case, the task of the horns is to minimize turbulence. And, by the way, they are installed not only on the outside, but also on the opposite side of the phase inverter inside the enclosure.
By dividing the enclosure into isolated acoustic volumes, the number of partitions connecting the side walls has naturally increased. In addition, a stiffening rib runs vertically through the entire enclosure approximately in the middle. As a result, the enclosures are less prone to vibration and do not emit unnecessary overtones that can color the sound.
Focus
The most striking first impression when getting acquainted with the new Reference Premier floorstanding speakers is their incredible informativeness and accuracy. From the very first notes, you notice how clearly and in detail the sound images are rendered, how many small details these speakers extract from the recording.
This may lead to the hasty and incorrect conclusion that the sound will be exclusively monitor-like. As soon as you get used to the abundance of sound information (and this happens quite quickly), you imperceptibly sink into the process of engaged, emotional listening. And this is a sure sign that the sound of the speakers is neither overheated for the sake of comfort nor overdried for the sake of informativeness. And the more diverse music you manage to listen to on these speakers, the more objective and accurate your impression will be.
Changing components provides even more objectivity in the evaluation. For example, switching from a digital source to vinyl added softness and fluidity to the sound. The character changes just as noticeably when the amplifier is changed. Using a tube or hybrid device instead of a transistor one can add warmth and characteristic tube softness to the sound. However, I liked the combination with the Parasound transistor amplifier better, because the system allows the listener to enjoy the numerous nuances and subtleties of the recording.
In Dave Brubeck's famous recording “Take Five,” you can hear a lot of subtle sounds, such as the rattling of double bass strings and long reverberations after cymbal hits. For rock and metal, the Klipsch combo with transistor amplification is ideal: the sound is as dense and driving as possible, without a hint of muddiness, even in complex guitar riffs. When listening to free jazz and diverse improvisational music, the rhythmic patterns are not confused, and the essence of the most complex compositions is not lost.
The sound of the RP-8000F II is surprisingly balanced, accurate, and well-calibrated. The highs sound open and free, and the soundstage is perfectly focused at the listening point. The mids are detailed, clear, and articulate—just like good monitor bookshelf speakers. And all this is based on a solid and clearly defined bass foundation that only floorstanding speakers can create. The bass of the RP-8000F II 8000 feels as smooth and clear as possible, and the overall sound of the speakers is solid and expansive.
As for its depth, it was difficult for me to imagine how a subwoofer could help these speakers when playing music. Moreover, I got the feeling that the low frequencies that these speakers can reach are not accessible to every subwoofer. Perhaps in a home theater system it makes sense to increase the sound pressure in the low frequencies, but when listening to music, this is not necessary at all, even if 90% of your music library consists of BSO recordings.
The Klipsch Reference Premier RP-8000F II speakers are a great example of how evolution is better than revolution. The company did not break with its successful concept, proven over many years, but focused on subtle but important refinements. The result is the same powerful, lively, and dynamic Klipsch sound that many have come to love, but now even more refined and detailed.
The main impression of these floorstanding speakers is their energy and engagement. They don't sound neutral or boring, but add a special emotionality to music and movies, making any content truly exciting. At the same time, innovations such as a smoother high-frequency edge and an improved phase inverter remove any possible harshness and make the bass clearer. This is a serious step forward in sound management.
All in all, the RP-8000F II is a solid recommendation for those looking for bright, “wide awake” speakers for home theater and music. They offer a recognizable, charismatic sound in a modern, improved package. This is not just a model number update, but a thoughtful upgrade that justifies the investment and delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience.
