In this review, we will be comparing Kendall and BP-9020, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KLH and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Kendall and Definitive BP-9020 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KLH Kendall | Definitive BP-9020 |
|---|
| Brand | KLH
United States · founded 1957 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 5.25" | 3 x 3.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar | 8" Polypropelene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 25-23k Hz | 28-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 250 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs | 13.64kg / 30lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm | 35-9/16" x 11-1/16" x 13-13/16"
904.0 x 281.0 x 351.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Kendall and BP-9020 are 3-way speakers.
KLH KendallDefinitive BP-9020
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KLH Kendall |
Definitive BP-9020 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
3 x 3.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the BP-9020 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter, a 3.5" Midrange and 1 x 8" Polypropelene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz whereas BP-9020 has a frequency range of 28-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go slightly deeper then the BP-9020's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
Kendall and BP-9020 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Kendall sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the BP-9020's is at 92 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive BP-9020, 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.
Kendall can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas BP-9020 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Kendall.
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
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. BP-9020 has a 5-Way post, RCA which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall'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 Kendall's and Definitive BP-9020's external dimensions. KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) whereas Definitive BP-9020 has external dimensions of 904.0 x 281.0 x 351.0mm (35-9/16 x 11-1/16 x 13-13/16inch).
Definitive BP-9020 is 117mm shorter and 29mm less deeper than KLH Kendall but it is also 69mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Definitive BP-9020 needs about 22% more floor or shelf area. KLH Kendall is 29mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KLH Kendall is 117mm 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 KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2 and base area of the Definitive BP-9020 is approximately 986.3cm2 / 152.9inch2. The Kendall requires 18% less surface area than the BP-9020 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 Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs and the Definitive BP-9020 weighs 13.64kg / 30lbs. This makes the Kendall 62% heavier than the BP-9020.
Here is a comparison of how Kendall and BP-9020'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 Kendall?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive BP-9020?
Here are the items that come with the BP-9020:
- Tower loudspeaker
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Top-plate (installed)
- Stabilizer base
- 4 Floor guides
- 4 Carpet spikes
- 4 Screws
- 4 Nuts
- Owners Manual
- What Obsession Sounds Like card
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
986cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Optional
vs
No
|
Dolby Atmos Compatibility |
 Height |
904mm
vs
1021mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1498USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KLH Kendall |
Definitive Technology BP-9020 |
| Brand |
KLH |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 250 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
25-23k Hz |
28-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Polypropelene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
3.5" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
904.0mm (35.6") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
380.0mm (15") |
351.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
13.64kg (30lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Aluminum/Cloth |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | KLH Kendall digs deeper - 25Hz against 28Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 92dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | KLH Kendall takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | KLH Kendall: bi-amping; Definitive BP-9020: Atmos drivers. Definitive BP-9020 sits in a wider range (4 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,500 vs $1,498 a pair). |
A KLH Kendall B Definitive BP-9020
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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?
KLH Kendall has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Kendall 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.