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Klipsch RP-4000F vs Paradigm SE 3000F Comparison

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Klipsch RP-4000F

Passive Floor-standing | 37-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-4000F
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Paradigm SE 3000F

Passive Floor-standing | 55-21k Hz

Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F
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Klipsch RP-4000F Klipsch RP-4000F
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Paradigm SE 3000F Paradigm SE 3000F
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Klipsch RP-4000F
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Paradigm SE 3000F
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Klipsch RP-4000F vs Paradigm SE 3000F Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing RP-4000F and SE 3000F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Klipsch and Paradigm.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch RP-4000F and Paradigm SE 3000F first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Klipsch RP-4000F Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 2 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer
  • 37-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 95 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 75watts
  • Weight:13.18kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 870.0" x 7-3/8" x 11-3/8"( 870.0 x 188.0 x 289.0mm )

Paradigm SE 3000F Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 5.5" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.5" Mineral-filled polypropylene Woofer
  • 5.5" Midrange
  • 55-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-100watts
  • Weight:15.91kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1007.0" x 8-15/16" x 10-15/16"( 1007.0 x 228.0 x 278.0mm )

What size room are the Klipsch RP-4000F and Paradigm SE 3000F 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* Klipsch RP-4000F Paradigm SE 3000F
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Average Average
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Average Poor
Very Large Room No way Bad

(* 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 Klipsch RP-4000F and Paradigm SE 3000F compare 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RP-4000F is a 2-way design whereas the SE 3000F is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver Klipsch RP-4000F Paradigm SE 3000F
Driver Setup 2-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - 1 x 5.5-inch
Woofer 2 x 4-inch 2 x 5.5-inch

RP-4000F features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer . On the other hand, the SE 3000F features a 1" Tweeter , a 5.5" Midrange and 2 x 5.5" Mineral-filled polypropylene Woofer .

Frequency Response

RP-4000F has a frequency range of 37-25k Hz whereas SE 3000F has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the RP-4000F can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SE 3000F'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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

RP-4000F
SE 3000F
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Klipsch RP-4000F
Paradigm SE 3000F
Min
Average
Max

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

RP-4000F and SE 3000F have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-4000F sensitivity is rated at 95 dB and the SE 3000F's is at 91 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-4000F a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm SE 3000F, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

RP-4000F
SE 3000F
Min
Average
Max

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.

RP-4000F can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-4000F has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the SE 3000F.

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

RP-4000F features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SE 3000F has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Paradigm SE 3000FPost Terminals
Paradigm SE 3000F's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both RP-4000F and SE 3000F 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 Klipsch RP-4000F's and Paradigm SE 3000F's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-4000F has external dimensions of 870.0 x 188.0 x 289.0mm ( 34-1/4 x 7-3/8 x 11-3/8inch) whereas Paradigm SE 3000F has external dimensions of 1007.0 x 228.0 x 278.0mm ( 39-5/8 x 8-15/16 x 10-15/16inch) .

Klipsch RP-4000F is 40mm narrower and 137mm shorter than Paradigm SE 3000F but it is also 11mm deeper.

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 Klipsch RP-4000F is approximately 543.3cm2 / 84.2inch2 and base area of the Paradigm SE 3000F is approximately 633.8cm2 / 98.2inch2. The RP-4000F requires 14% less surface area than the SE 3000F 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 Klipsch RP-4000F weighs 13.18kg / 29lbs and the Paradigm SE 3000F weighs 15.91kg / 35lbs. This makes the SE 3000F 21% heavier than the RP-4000F.

Here is a comparison of how RP-4000F and SE 3000F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Klipsch RP-4000F
Paradigm SE 3000F
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-4000F?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-4000F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Stabilizer feet (installed)
  • Grille (installed)
  • 2 Terminal jumpers (installed)
  • User Manual
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information
  • What's in the Box of Paradigm SE 3000F?

    Here are the items that come with the SE 3000F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker 4 Rubber feet 4 Spike feet Owner's Manual Online Registration Card Unboxing Instructions

  • Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-4000F over Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F
    Sensitivity 95 dB vs 91 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Low Frequency Response 37 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 21k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Height 870mm vs 1007mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 543cm2 vs 633cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 698USD vs 700USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-4000F

    Max Input Power 100 watts vs 75 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Woofer Size 5.5 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Klipsch RP-4000F vs Paradigm SE 3000F Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-4000F Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F
    Brand Klipsch Paradigm
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range up to 75 watts 15-100 watts
    Sensitivity 95 dB 91 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 37-25k Hz 55-21k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 4" 5.5"
    Woofer Composition Cerametallic Mineral-filled polypropylene
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Tractrix Horn n/a
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No 5.5"
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 870.0mm (34.3") 1007.0mm (39.6")
    Width 188.0mm (7.4") 228.0mm (9")
    Depth 289.0mm (11.4") 278.0mm (10.9")
    Weight 13.18kg (29lbs) 15.91kg (35lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Vinyl
    Available Colors Walnut, Black Black
    Grille Yes n/a
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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