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Klipsch RP-400M vs Wharfedale Denton 85 Comparison

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Klipsch RP-400M

Passive Bookshelf | 52-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M
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Wharfedale Denton 85

Passive Bookshelf | 45-20k Hz

Wharfedale Denton 85
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Klipsch RP-400M Klipsch RP-400M
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Wharfedale Denton 85 Wharfedale Denton 85
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Klipsch RP-400M
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Wharfedale Denton 85
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Klipsch RP-400M vs Wharfedale Denton 85 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing RP-400M and Denton 85, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Wharfedale.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Denton 85 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Klipsch RP-400M Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 4" Cerametallic Woofer
  • 52-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 93 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 50watts
  • Weight:4.10kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 298.0" x 5.6" x 7.5"( 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm )

Wharfedale Denton 85 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
  • 45-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:20-120watts
  • Weight:9.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 342.0" x 9-7/16" x 11-15/16"( 342.0 x 240.0 x 304.0mm )

What size room are the Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Denton 85 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 Denton 85
Near-field Good Poor
Small Room Good Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Average
Very Large Room No way Poor

(* 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-400M and Wharfedale Denton 85 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

Both RP-400M and Denton 85 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Klipsch RP-400M Wharfedale Denton 85
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 4-inch 1 x 6.5-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 Denton 85 features a 1" woven textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz.

Frequency Response

RP-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz whereas Denton 85 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Denton 85 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-400M's min frequency of 52Hz.

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

RP-400M
Denton 85
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Klipsch RP-400M
Wharfedale Denton 85
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-400M is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Denton 85 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Denton 85 can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-400M sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the Denton 85's is rated at 88 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-400M a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Denton 85, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

RP-400M
Denton 85
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-400M can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-400M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS , 70 watts less than the Denton 85.

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

Denton 85 features 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 Terminals
Klipsch RP-400M's Single binding posts terminals

Wharfedale Denton 85 Terminals
Wharfedale Denton 85's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both RP-400M and Denton 85 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  Port
Klipsch RP-400M Tractrix horn-shaped Port

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-400M's and Wharfedale Denton 85'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 Denton 85 has external dimensions of 342.0 x 240.0 x 304.0mm ( 13-7/16 x 9-7/16 x 11-15/16inch) .

Wharfedale Denton 85 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 96mm wider, 44mm taller and 113mm deeper than Klipsch RP-400M.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Denton 85 in scale.

Klipsch RP-400M vs Wharfedale Denton 85 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Denton 85 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 Denton 85 is approximately 729.6cm2 / 113.1inch2. The RP-400M requires 62% less surface area than the Denton 85 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

Klipsch RP-400M vs Wharfedale Denton 85 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Klipsch RP-400M and Wharfedale Denton 85 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 Denton 85 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs. This makes the Denton 85 120% heavier than the RP-400M.

Here is a comparison of how RP-400M and Denton 85's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch RP-400M
Wharfedale Denton 85
Min
Average
Max

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 Denton 85?

    Here are the items that come with the Denton 85:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Pair of white cloth gloves
  • User Manual

  • Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M over Wharfedale Denton 85
    Sensitivity 93 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
    Height 298mm vs 342mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 275cm2 vs 729cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 399USD vs 999USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Wharfedale Denton 85 over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M

    Max Input Power 120 watts vs 50 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 45 Hz vs 52 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Klipsch RP-400M vs Wharfedale Denton 85 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M Wharfedale Denton 85
    Brand Klipsch Wharfedale
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range up to 50 watts 20-120 watts
    Sensitivity 93 dB 88 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance n/a 3.8 ohms
    Frequency Response 52-25k Hz 45-20k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 4" 6.5"
    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 3100Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 298.0mm (11.7") 342.0mm (13.5")
    Width 144.0mm (5.7") 240.0mm (9.4")
    Depth 191.0mm (7.5") 304.0mm (12")
    Weight 4.10kg (9lbs) 9.00kg (19.8lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Wood Veneer
    Available Colors Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black Walnut, Mahogany, Black
    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

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