In this review, we will be comparing RP-500M II and RP-500M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-500M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-500M II | Klipsch RP-500M |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hybrid Tractrix Horn | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Cerametallic cone | 5.25" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-25k Hz | 48-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 75 watts | up to 75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.00kg / 13.2lbs | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-9/16" x 6-7/8" x 10-5/8"
345.0 x 175.0 x 270.0mm | 13.5" x 6.8" x 9.4"
343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-500M II 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* |
Klipsch RP-500M II |
Klipsch RP-500M |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both RP-500M II and RP-500M are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-500M IIKlipsch RP-500M
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-500M II |
Klipsch RP-500M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
RP-500M II features a 1" titanium Hybrid Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1530 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
RP-500M II has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz whereas RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the RP-500M can go slightly deeper then the RP-500M II's min frequency of 50Hz.
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-500M II and RP-500M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-500M II sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the RP-500M's is at 93 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500M a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-500M II, 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.
RP-500M II and RP-500M have the same power range of up to 75 watts.
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
RP-500M II features Single binding posts type posts and RP-500M has a Single binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-500M II's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-500M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-500M II 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
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-500M II's and Klipsch RP-500M's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-500M II has external dimensions of 345.0 x 175.0 x 270.0mm (13-9/16 x 6-7/8 x 10-5/8inch) whereas Klipsch RP-500M has external dimensions of 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm (13.5 x 6.8 x 9.4inch).
Klipsch RP-500M II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 2mm wider, 2mm taller and 29mm deeper than Klipsch RP-500M.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-500M in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-500M 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-500M II is approximately 472.5cm2 / 73.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500M is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2. The RP-500M II requires 13% more surface area than the RP-500M which gives it a small disadvantage 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-500M II and Klipsch RP-500M 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-500M II weighs 6.00kg / 13.2lbs and the Klipsch RP-500M weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the RP-500M II 11% heavier than the RP-500M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-500M II 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 Klipsch RP-500M II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-500M II:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
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
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
343mm
vs
345mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
416cm2
vs
472cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
579USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 75 watts |
up to 75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-25k Hz |
48-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hybrid Tractrix Horn |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1530 Hz |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
345.0mm (13.6") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
175.0mm (6.9") |
173.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
270.0mm (10.6") |
241.0mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
6.00kg (13.2lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch RP-500M II is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (50Hz vs 48Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 93dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (75W vs 75W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch RP-500M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($599 vs $579 a pair). |
A Klipsch RP-500M II B Klipsch RP-500M
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.