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GoldenEar Aon 3 vs Klipsch Reference R-51M
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor

Passive Bookshelf | 38-35k Hz

GoldenEar Aon 3
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Klipsch R-51M

Passive Bookshelf | 62-21k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-51M
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs Klipsch R-51M Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and R-51M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from GoldenEar and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features of GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Klipsch R-51M first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Key Specs

  • " Folded Ribbon Tweeter
  • 7" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 38-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:10-250watts
  • Weight:6.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 356.0" x 9" x 11-1/16"( 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm )

Klipsch R-51M Key Specs

  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer
  • 62-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 93 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:85watts
  • Weight:5.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 338.0" x 7.0" x 8.4"( 338.0 x 178.0 x 215.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and Klipsch R-51M compares 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 GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and R-51M are 2-way speakers. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 7" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, R-51M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1660Hz.

Frequency Response

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a frequency range of 38-35k Hz whereas R-51M has a frequency range of 62-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-51M's min frequency of 62Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers under Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Klipsch R-51M
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Klipsch R-51M
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and R-51M has the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and R-51M's is at 93 dB. This 3 dB difference makes Klipsch R-51M a more sensitive speaker compared to GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor
Klipsch R-51M
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has a power range of 10-250 watts RMS whereas R-51M has a power range of 85 watts.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way type posts and R-51M has a Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Terminals
GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's 5-way post terminals

Klipsch R-51MSingle Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way Terminals
Klipsch R-51M's Single Gold Plated Binding Posts - 5-way terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor and R-51M have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generlly need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

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 GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's and Klipsch R-51M's external dimensions. GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has external dimensions of 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 11-1/16inch) whereas Klipsch R-51M has external dimensions of 338.0 x 178.0 x 215.0mm ( 13.3 x 7.0 x 8.4inch) .

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 51mm wider, 18mm taller and 66mm deeper than Klipsch R-51M.



Reasons to choose GoldenEar Aon 3 over Klipsch Reference R-51M
Max Input Power 250 watts vs 85 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
Woofer Size 7 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 38 Hz vs 62 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 35k Hz vs 21k Hz Generates higher frequency
Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
Passive Radiator two 8-inch side-mounted vs None Increases the bass performance
Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-51M over GoldenEar Aon 3
Sensitivity 93 dB vs 90 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Height 338mm vs 356mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Width 178mm vs 229mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Depth 215mm vs 281mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor vs Klipsch R-51M Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General GoldenEar Aon 3 Klipsch Reference R-51M
Brand GoldenEar Klipsch
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
Power Range 10-250 watts 85 watts
Sensitivity 90 dB 93 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Frequency Response 38-35k Hz 62-21k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 7" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Polypropylene Copper-spun IMG
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 1660Hz
Firing Direction rear rear
Physical Specs
Height 356.0mm (14") 338.0mm (13.3")
Width 229.0mm (9") 178.0mm (7")
Depth 281.0mm (11.1") 215.0mm (8.5")
Weight 6.82kg (15lbs) 5.00kg (11lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Bass Reflex
Finish MDF/Lacquer MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
Available Colors Black Black
Mounting Bracket Yes No
Recommended Stand Height 24-26" 24-28"
Grille n/a magnetic
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs No No
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years


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