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AE500 vs Klipsch RP-500M Comparison

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AE500

Passive Bookshelf | 45Hz - 28kHz

Acoustic Energy AE500
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Klipsch RP-500M

Passive Bookshelf | 48-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
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 AE500 AE500
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Klipsch RP-500M Klipsch RP-500M
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AE500
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Klipsch RP-500M
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AE500 vs Klipsch RP-500M Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing AE500 and RP-500M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Acoustic Energy and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of AE500 and Klipsch RP-500M first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

AE500 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" dome with waveguide Tweeter
  • 5" carbon fibre cone Woofer
  • 45Hz - 28kHz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:up to 120watts
  • Weight:8.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 310.0" x 7.3" x 10.2"( 310.0 x 185.0 x 260.0mm )

Klipsch RP-500M Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer
  • 48-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 93 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 75watts
  • Weight:5.40kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 343.0" x 6.8" x 9.4"( 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm )

What size room are the AE500 and Klipsch RP-500M speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* AE500 Klipsch RP-500M
Near-field Average Good
Small Room Good Good
Mid-size Room Average Average
Large Room Poor Poor
Very Large Room Bad No way

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the AE500 and Klipsch RP-500M compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both AE500 and RP-500M are 2-way speakers.

Driver AE500 Klipsch RP-500M
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

AE500 features a 1" carbon fibre dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5" carbon fibre cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the RP-500M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.

Frequency Response

AE500 has a frequency range of 45Hz - 28kHz whereas RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the AE500 can go slightly deeper then the RP-500M's min frequency of 48Hz.

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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

AE500
RP-500M
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

AE500
Klipsch RP-500M
Min
Average
Max

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

AE500 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the RP-500M which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. AE500 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the RP-500M's is rated at 93 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500M a more sensitive speaker compared to AE500, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

AE500
RP-500M
Min
Average
Max

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.

AE500 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-500M has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the AE500.

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.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both AE500 and RP-500M have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.

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 AE500's and Klipsch RP-500M's external dimensions. AE500 has external dimensions of 310.0 x 185.0 x 260.0mm ( 12.2 x 7.3 x 10.2inch) whereas Klipsch RP-500M has external dimensions of 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm ( 13.5 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) .

Klipsch RP-500M is 12mm narrower and 19mm less deeper than AE500 but it is also 33mm taller.

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 AE500 is approximately 481.0cm2 / 74.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500M is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2. The AE500 requires 15% more surface area than the RP-500M 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 AE500 weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs and the Klipsch RP-500M weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the AE500 48% heavier than the RP-500M.

Here is a comparison of how AE500 and RP-500M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
AE500
Klipsch RP-500M
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-500M?

Here are the items that come with the RP-500M:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • User Manual
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose Acoustic Energy AE500 over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Max Input Power 100 watts vs 75 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Low Frequency Response 45 Hz vs 48 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 310mm vs 343mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M over Acoustic Energy AE500

    Sensitivity 93 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
    Base Surface Area 416cm2 vs 481cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 579USD vs 1499USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    AE500 vs Klipsch RP-500M Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Acoustic Energy AE500 Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Brand Acoustic Energy Klipsch
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range up to 120 watts up to 75 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 93 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 45Hz - 28kHz 48-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition carbon fibre cone Cerametallic
    Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type dome with waveguide Tractrix Horn
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2800Hz 1500Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 310.0mm (12.2") 343.0mm (13.5")
    Width 185.0mm (7.3") 173.0mm (6.8")
    Depth 260.0mm (10.2") 241.0mm (9.5")
    Weight 8.00kg (17.6lbs) 5.40kg (11.9lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish Resonance Suppression Composite (RSC) MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Piano Gloss Black, Piano Gloss White, American Walnut wood veneer Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black
    Mounting Bracket Keyhole
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 28-30"
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs n/a No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years

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