Tower Speaker Reviews

Comparisons & Conclusion
The XF-48 Home Theater System was designed with the lifestyle-oriented buyer in mind, and judged on that score, it's a contender. Still, it's no match for Klipsch's bigger and bulkier Reference Series speakers and subwoofers.

Yes, friends, size still matters. Klipsch's RF-63 Home Theater System ($5894) doesn't have the trendy charisma of the XF-48 system, but I'd bet it's more of a thrill ride. Okay, I haven't heard the complete RF-63 system, but based on my hands-on experience with RF-63 towers and many other Klipsch Reference Series home-theater systems, the RF-63 should be a more musical system.

In any event, I commend Klipsch for offering its customers lifestyle and performance-oriented systems such as the XF-48.

Highs
Sleek style designed to complement flat-screen TVs
Killer subwoofer goes deep and still offers above-average definition
Powered towers ease the load on wattage-challenged receivers

Lows
Not quite as musical as Klipsch's more traditional designs