Klipsch Reference R-26FA

9.4

Design

9.0/10

Features

10.0/10

Value

9.0/10

Performance

9.5/10

Pros

  • Great Full Sound
  • Dolby Atmos Built-In
  • Great Bass Response
  • Highly Efficient

Cons

  • Bass Could be a Tad Deeper, but that's Nitpicking

Klipsch R-26FA Construction

First of all, the MDF cabinet gives the R-26FA a sleek and modern look. It’s not too bulky or clunky like some older speakers can be, and it’s available in a variety of finishes so it can match any decor.

But the real magic happens when it comes to sound quality. MDF is a great material to use for speaker cabinets because it helps to eliminate any unwanted vibrations or resonances. This means that the sound you hear is crisp and clear, without any distracting buzzing or rattling. It’s perfect for those who want to really immerse themselves in their music or movies.

MDF is also a dense and heavy material, which helps to protect the speaker from any accidental bumps or scrapes. It’s built to last and withstand the test of time.

Klipsch R-26FA Inside

One of the key features of the R-26FA is its 90×90 square Tractrix horn. This horn is engineered to evenly distribute sound throughout the room, ensuring that everyone in the audience can hear the same high-quality audio. The horn also helps to reduce distortion and improve overall sound clarity, making it perfect for both movies and music.

The Klipsch Reference R-26FA has dual 6.5″ Copper Spun Magnetically Shielded IMG woofers. These babies are specially made to give you deep and powerful bass and midrange frequencies, making it perfect for music lovers and movie buffs alike.

IMG woofers, short for injection-molded graphite, are known for being lightweight and super strong. This means that these woofers can handle a lot of power without distorting the sound, making the R-26FA an efficient speaker. The copper spun design of these woofers also helps to make the sound clearer and more accurate. Plus, the magnetically shielded design means you can place the speaker near electronic devices without any interference.

The dual 6.5″ woofers in the R-26FA also work together to give you a balanced and well-rounded listening experience. Having two woofers means that the speaker can produce more sound and less distortion, making it perfect for bigger rooms or if you just like to feel like you’re in the middle of the action.


Read Our Review of the Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Speaker


Unlike some speakers, the Klipsch R-26FAs utilize a front-firing port design which is great for placement. Many speakers have their ports on the back, which can make it hard to place them in a room. With a front-firing port, you don’t have to worry about the speaker being too close to a wall or in a corner, which can cause distortion. The R-26FA can be placed anywhere in the room and still sound great. This makes it perfect for music lovers who want to hear their favorite songs the way they’re supposed to sound.

Built-in Elevation Channel

Klipsch R-26FA Review

One of the things that make R-26FAs unique is the built-in elevation channel. Basically, the elevation channel allows sound to be directed upwards, towards your ceiling. This creates a more immersive listening experience, as the sound can bounce off the ceiling and create a more three-dimensional soundstage. It’s like having speakers in the ceiling without actually having to install them.

The best part is that it’s super easy to set up. All you have to do is connect the elevation channel to your receiver and then select the Dolby Atmos setting. The R-26FA will automatically adjust the sound so that it’s coming from all around you, not just from the front or rear of the room.

Klipsch Reference R-26FA Performance

These Klipsch’s have a frequency response of 38Hz – 24kHz which means these bad boys can go pretty deep in the bass department. To go lower, we’d recommend pairing this with a subwoofer to really fill-out the sound. They have a sensitivity of 97dB which makes them highly efficient speakers so most av receivers can push these speakers easily.

When listening to classical music, the Klipsch Reference R-26FA shines. The horn-loaded tweeter provides a detailed and clear sound, allowing the listener to hear all the intricacies of the music. For example, when listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, the speaker does an excellent job of reproducing the different instruments in the orchestra, making it easy to distinguish between the violins, cellos, and horns.

When it comes to rock music, the Klipsch R-26FA does not disappoint. The dual 6.5-inch woofers provide a powerful and punchy bass, making it perfect for listening to music with a heavy bassline. For example, when listening to Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog,” the speaker delivers the driving bassline and guitar riffs with precision and power.

The Klipsch R-26FA also excels when it comes to R&B music. The speaker’s detailed and clear sound allows the listener to hear all the nuances in the vocals, making it perfect for listening to music with intricate harmonies and melodies. For example, when listening to R&B artist Frank Ocean’s “Thinking Bout You,” the speaker reproduces the intricate harmonies and falsetto vocals with ease, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the music.

When it comes to movies with intense action scenes, the Klipsch R-26FA’s bass capabilities shine. The dual 6.5-inch woofers provide a deep and powerful bass, making it easy to feel the impact of explosions and gunfire. For example, when watching the movie “Mad Max: Fury Road,” the speaker delivers the intense action scenes with precision and power, making it feel like you are right in the middle of the action.

The R-26FA’s elevation channels also enhance the movie watching experience by allowing the sound to come from above, providing a more immersive surround sound experience. This feature is particularly effective in movies that utilize Dolby Atmos technology, such as “Blade Runner 2049”. The elevation channels make it feel like the futuristic sounds and flying vehicles are moving around and above you.

The Klipsch R-26FA also performs exceptionally well when it comes to movies with intricate soundtracks. The horn-loaded tweeter provides a detailed and clear sound, allowing the listener to hear all the nuances in the music and dialogue.

Conclusion

Overall, the Klipsch Reference R-26FA is an excellent choice for movie and music enthusiasts looking for a speaker that offers high-quality sound and an immersive audio experience. The powerful bass and elevation channels make it perfect for action-packed movies and those that utilize Dolby Atmos technology. The speaker’s detailed and clear sound makes it easy to fully immerse oneself in whatever you’re listening too!