In this review, we will be comparing Aon 2 and RP-500M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from GoldenEar and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar Aon 2 and Klipsch RP-500M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar Aon 2 | Klipsch RP-500M |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | Folded Ribbon | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" Polypropylene | 5.25" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-35k Hz | 48-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-200 watts | up to 75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.45kg / 12lbs | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12" x 8" x 10-1/8"
305.0 x 204.0 x 258.0mm | 13.5" x 6.8" x 9.4"
343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the GoldenEar Aon 2 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* |
GoldenEar Aon 2 |
Klipsch RP-500M |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Good |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Aon 2 and RP-500M are 2-way speakers.
GoldenEar Aon 2Klipsch RP-500M
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
GoldenEar Aon 2 |
Klipsch RP-500M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Aon 2 features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 6" Polypropylene Woofer. 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
Aon 2 has a frequency range of 42-35k Hz whereas RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Aon 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-500M's min frequency of 48Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Aon 2 and RP-500M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Aon 2 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the RP-500M's is at 93 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500M a more sensitive speaker compared to GoldenEar Aon 2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Aon 2 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas RP-500M has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 125 watts less than the Aon 2.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Aon 2 features Single binding posts type posts and RP-500M has a Single binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
GoldenEar Aon 2's 5-way post terminals
Klipsch RP-500M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Aon 2 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
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare GoldenEar Aon 2's and Klipsch RP-500M's external dimensions. GoldenEar Aon 2 has external dimensions of 305.0 x 204.0 x 258.0mm (12 x 8 x 10-1/8inch) 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 31mm narrower and 17mm less deeper than GoldenEar Aon 2 but it is also 38mm 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 GoldenEar Aon 2 is approximately 526.3cm2 / 81.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500M is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2. The Aon 2 requires 26% 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 GoldenEar Aon 2 weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs and the Klipsch RP-500M weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Aon 2 1% heavier than the RP-500M.
Here is a comparison of how Aon 2 and RP-500M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar Aon 2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Aon 2:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
Key-hole hanger
2 Screws
Owner's Manual
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
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 6-1/2
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
305mm
vs
343mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Base Surface Area |
416cm2
vs
526cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
579USD
vs
898USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
GoldenEar Aon 2 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
10-200 watts |
up to 75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42-35k Hz |
48-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Ribbon |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
305.0mm (12") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
204.0mm (8") |
173.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
258.0mm (10.2") |
241.0mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
Yes |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch RP-500M is the newer design, against a 2012 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
GoldenEar Aon 2 digs deeper - 42Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch RP-500M is more sensitive (93dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
GoldenEar Aon 2 takes more power (200W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch RP-500M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
B |
Klipsch RP-500M is cheaper - $579 against $898, about 36% less. |
A GoldenEar Aon 2
B Klipsch RP-500M
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
GoldenEar Aon 2 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 36% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Klipsch RP-500M looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the GoldenEar Aon 2 appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 48Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Klipsch RP-500M much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate GoldenEar Aon 2 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch RP-500M for near-field listening and a small room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.