In this review, we will be comparing RP-500M and RP-400M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-500M and Klipsch RP-400M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-500M | Klipsch RP-400M |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Cerametallic | 4" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-25k Hz | 52-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 75 watts | up to 50 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs | 4.10kg / 9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.5" x 6.8" x 9.4"
343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm | 11.7" x 5.6" x 7.5"
298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm |
|---|
RP-500M and RP-400M are members of Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Reference Premiere (RP) Series
History
What size room are the Klipsch RP-500M and Klipsch RP-400M 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 |
Klipsch RP-400M |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both RP-500M and RP-400M are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-500MKlipsch RP-400M
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 |
Klipsch RP-400M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
RP-500M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz. On the other hand, the RP-400M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas RP-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the RP-500M can go slightly deeper then the RP-400M's min frequency of 52Hz.
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 and RP-400M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 93 dB.
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 can handle a max power of 75 watts RMS, whereas RP-400M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the RP-500M.
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 features Single binding posts type posts and RP-400M has a Single binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-500M's Single binding posts terminals
Klipsch RP-400M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-500M and RP-400M 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-500M's and Klipsch RP-400M's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-500M has external dimensions of 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm (13.5 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) whereas Klipsch RP-400M has external dimensions of 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm (11.7 x 5.6 x 7.5inch).
Klipsch RP-500M is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 29mm wider, 45mm taller and 50mm deeper than Klipsch RP-400M.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-500M and Klipsch RP-400M in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-500M and Klipsch RP-400M 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 is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-400M is approximately 275.0cm2 / 42.6inch2. The RP-500M requires 52% more surface area than the RP-400M 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 and Klipsch RP-400M 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 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs and the Klipsch RP-400M weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs. This makes the RP-500M 32% heavier than the RP-400M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-500M and RP-400M'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?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-500M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-400M?
Here are the items that come with the RP-400M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
75 watts
vs
50 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
298mm
vs
343mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
275cm2
vs
416cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
579USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 75 watts |
up to 50 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-25k Hz |
52-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
343.0mm (13.5") |
298.0mm (11.7") |
| Width |
173.0mm (6.8") |
144.0mm (5.7") |
| Depth |
241.0mm (9.5") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Weight |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-30" |
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 |
Siblings in Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Klipsch RP-500M digs deeper - 48Hz against 52Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (93dB vs 93dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
A |
Klipsch RP-500M takes more power (75W vs 50W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Klipsch RP-400M is easier to place; Klipsch RP-500M is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price |
B |
Klipsch RP-400M is cheaper - $399 against $579, about 31% less. |
A Klipsch RP-500M
B Klipsch RP-400M
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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-500M measures better, Klipsch RP-400M costs about 31% 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. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-500M has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-400M is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $180 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.