In this review, we will be comparing RF-7 III and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Klipsch and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RF-7 III and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Klipsch RF-7 III Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.75" dome Tweeter
- 2 x 10" Cerametallic Woofer
- 32-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 100 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 250watts
- Weight:44.10kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1247.0" x 13-15/16" x 17-15/16"( 1247.0 x 355.0 x 456.0mm )
KLH Kendall Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 5.25" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
- 5.25" Midrange
- 25-23k Hz Frequency Response
- 96 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 250watts
- Weight:22.14kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1021.0" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"( 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch RF-7 III and KLH Kendall compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RF-7 III is a 2-way design whereas the Kendall is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Klipsch RF-7 III |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 10-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
RF-7 III features a 1.75" titanium dome Tweeter and 2 x 10" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1300Hz. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
RF-7 III has a frequency range of 32-25k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RF-7 III's min frequency of 32Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
RF-7 III and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RF-7 III sensitivity is rated at 100 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RF-7 III a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Kendall, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
RF-7 III and Kendall has the same power range of up to 250 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both RF-7 III and Kendall features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch RF-7 III's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch RF-7 III's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Klipsch RF-7 III has external dimensions of 1247.0 x 355.0 x 456.0mm ( 49-1/16 x 13-15/16 x 17-15/16inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm ( 40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) .
Klipsch RF-7 III is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 143mm wider, 226mm taller and 76mm deeper than KLH Kendall.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RF-7 III and KLH Kendall in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RF-7 III and KLH Kendall Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch RF-7 III is approximately 1618.8cm2 / 250.9inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The RF-7 III requires 101% more surface area than the Kendall which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Klipsch RF-7 III weighs 44.10kg / 97lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the RF-7 III 99% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how RF-7 III and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch RF-7 III?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RF-7 III:
Floorstanding loudspeakerPlinthGrille4 Spike feet4 Rubber feet2 Jumpers (pre-installed)4 Machine screwsOwners Manual
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrilleFoam port4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet (with nuts)4 Protective discsManual
 Sensitivity |
100 dB
vs
96 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1021mm
vs
1247mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
1618cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
4398USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference RF-7 III |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 250 watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
100 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
32-25k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.75" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1300Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1247.0mm (49.1") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
355.0mm (14") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
456.0mm (18") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
44.10kg (97lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black ash, Cherry, Walnut |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |