In this review, we will be comparing Kendall 2B and RP-500M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KLH and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Kendall 2B and Klipsch RP-500M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
KLH Kendall 2B Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Aluminum Woofer
- 55-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:200watts
- Weight:5.91kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 337.0" x 7-3/4" x 8-1/2"( 337.0 x 197.0 x 216.0mm )
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 KLH Kendall 2B 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* |
KLH Kendall 2B |
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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KLH Kendall 2B 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.
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Drivers
Both Kendall 2B and RP-500M are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
KLH Kendall 2B |
Klipsch RP-500M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Kendall 2B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 HZ. 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
Kendall 2B has a frequency range of 55-20k Hz whereas RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the RP-500M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Kendall 2B's min frequency of 55Hz.
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
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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
Kendall 2B and RP-500M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Kendall 2B sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the RP-500M's is at 93 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500M a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Kendall 2B, 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. 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.
Kendall 2B can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-500M has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 125 watts less than the Kendall 2B.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Kendall 2B features 5-way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-500M has a Single binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall 2B's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Klipsch RP-500M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Kendall 2B 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 KLH Kendall 2B's and Klipsch RP-500M's external dimensions. KLH Kendall 2B has external dimensions of 337.0 x 197.0 x 216.0mm ( 13-1/4inch x 7-3/4inch x 8-1/2inch ) whereas Klipsch RP-500M has external dimensions of 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm ( 13.5 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) .
KLH Kendall 2B is 6mm shorter and 25mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-500M but it is also 24mm wider.
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 Kendall 2B is approximately 425.5cm2 / 66.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500M is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2. The Kendall 2B requires 2% 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 KLH Kendall 2B weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs and the Klipsch RP-500M weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Kendall 2B 9% heavier than the RP-500M.
Here is a comparison of how Kendall 2B 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 KLH Kendall 2B?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Kendall 2B:
2 x 2B Loudspeaker and Grille Owners Manual Binding Post Wrench Rubber Adhesive Feet
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