In this review, we will be comparing Concord and RP-280F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KLH and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Concord and Klipsch RP-280F first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KLH Concord | Klipsch RP-280F |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Kevlar | 2 x 8" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-23k Hz | 32-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 98 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 225 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 20.45kg / 45lbs | 28.41kg / 62.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40-3/8" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1026.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm | 43-1/16" x 10-9/16" x 17-3/8"
1094.0 x 269.0 x 442.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both Concord and RP-280F are 2-way speakers.
KLH ConcordKlipsch RP-280F
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KLH Concord |
Klipsch RP-280F |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
Concord features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-280F features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 8" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1750 Hz.
Frequency Response
Concord has a frequency range of 28-23k Hz whereas RP-280F has a frequency range of 32-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Concord can go slightly deeper then the RP-280F's min frequency of 32Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Concord and RP-280F have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Concord sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the RP-280F's is at 98 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-280F a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Concord, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Concord can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS, whereas RP-280F has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the Concord.
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
RP-280F features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Concord has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Concord's 5-Way post terminals
Klipsch RP-280F's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 KLH Concord's and Klipsch RP-280F's external dimensions. KLH Concord has external dimensions of 1026.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/8 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) whereas Klipsch RP-280F has external dimensions of 1094.0 x 269.0 x 442.0mm (43-1/16 x 10-9/16 x 17-3/8inch).
Klipsch RP-280F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 57mm wider, 68mm taller and 62mm deeper than KLH Concord.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KLH Concord and Klipsch RP-280F in scale.
Comparison image of KLH Concord and Klipsch RP-280F Size and External Dimensions
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 KLH Concord is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-280F is approximately 1189.0cm2 / 184.3inch2. The Concord requires 32% less surface area than the RP-280F which gives it a small advantage 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 KLH Concord weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs and the Klipsch RP-280F weighs 28.41kg / 62.5lbs. This makes the RP-280F 39% heavier than the Concord.
Here is a comparison of how Concord and RP-280F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Concord?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Concord:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet (w/ locking nut attached)
- 4 Protective discs
- 4 Rubber feet
- Port plug
- Manual
- ATTENTION! note
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-280F?
Here are the items that come with the RP-280F:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker (Ebony)
- Speaker base
- Detachable magnetic grille
- Four 1-inch #6 Wood screws
- 4 Spike feet
- 6 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Instructions
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1026mm
vs
1094mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
1189cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1000USD
vs
1198USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
98 dB
vs
94 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
| General |
KLH Concord |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F |
| Brand |
KLH |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 225 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
98 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-23k Hz |
32-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1750 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1026.0mm (40.4") |
1094.0mm (43.1") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
269.0mm (10.6") |
| Depth |
380.0mm (15") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
28.41kg (62.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: KLH Concord is the newer design, against a 2015 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 |
KLH Concord digs deeper - 28Hz against 32Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch RP-280F is more sensitive (98dB vs 94dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
KLH Concord takes more power (225W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
KLH Concord is easier to place; Klipsch RP-280F is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
B |
Klipsch RP-280F: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
KLH Concord is cheaper - $1,000 against $1,198, about 17% less. |
A KLH Concord
B Klipsch RP-280F
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-280F has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KLH Concord is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RP-280F is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.