In this review, we will be comparing RP-400M and Crystal 4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-400M | Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Soft-dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Cerametallic | 5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-25k Hz | 60-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 50 watts | 20-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.10kg / 9lbs | 4.20kg / 9.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.7" x 5.6" x 7.5"
298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm | 10-7/16" x 7-1/8" x 8-5/8"
266.0 x 181.0 x 220.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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-400M |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both RP-400M and Crystal 4.2 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-400MWharfedale Crystal 4.2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch RP-400M |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
RP-400M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz. On the other hand, the Crystal 4.2 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz whereas Crystal 4.2 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the RP-400M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Crystal 4.2's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
RP-400M and Crystal 4.2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-400M sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the Crystal 4.2's is at 88 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-400M a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Crystal 4.2, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Crystal 4.2 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas RP-400M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Crystal 4.2.
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
Crystal 4.2 features 5-way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-400M has a Single binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-400M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-400M and Crystal 4.2 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.
Klipsch RP-400M Tractrix horn-shaped Port
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 Klipsch RP-400M's and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-400M has external dimensions of 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm (11.7 x 5.6 x 7.5inch) whereas Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 181.0 x 220.0mm (10-7/16 x 7-1/8 x 8-5/8inch).
Klipsch RP-400M is 37mm narrower and 29mm less deeper than Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 but it is also 32mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 Klipsch RP-400M is approximately 275.0cm2 / 42.6inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is approximately 398.2cm2 / 61.7inch2. The RP-400M requires 31% less surface area than the Crystal 4.2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 on a Media Console
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-400M weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs and the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 weighs 4.20kg / 9.2lbs. This makes the Crystal 4.2 2% heavier than the RP-400M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-400M and Crystal 4.2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-400M?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-400M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Crystal 4.2?
Here are the items that come with the Crystal 4.2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- User-feets Manual
- Installation Guide
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Base Surface Area |
275cm2
vs
398cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
50 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
266mm
vs
298mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 50 watts |
20-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
52-25k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Soft-dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
298.0mm (11.7") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
| Width |
144.0mm (5.7") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
191.0mm (7.5") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Weight |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
4.20kg (9.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-30" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch RP-400M is the newer design, against a 2014 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 | Klipsch RP-400M digs deeper - 52Hz against 60Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-400M is more sensitive (93dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 takes more power (100W vs 50W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-400M is easier to place; Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Wharfedale Crystal 4.2: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-400M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is cheaper - $349 against $399, about 13% less. |
A Klipsch RP-400M B Wharfedale Crystal 4.2
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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RP-400M measures better, Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 costs about about 14% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-400M the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.