In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Klipsch. Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5103M is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the RP-5203C is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-5103M and Klipsch RP-5203C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-5103M | Klipsch RP-5203C |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Cerametallic | 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-25k Hz | 56-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 94 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 75 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-9/16" x 6-13/16" x 10-5/8"
344.0 x 173.0 x 270.0mm | 6-7/8" x 19-5/16" x 10-9/16"
174.0 x 491.0 x 269.0mm |
|---|
RP-5103M and RP-5203C are members of Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) III series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Reference Premiere (RP) III Series
History
What size room are the Klipsch RP-5103M and Klipsch RP-5203C 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-5103M |
Klipsch RP-5203C |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both RP-5103M and RP-5203C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-5103MKlipsch RP-5203C
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-5103M |
Klipsch RP-5203C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
RP-5103M features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1530 Hz. On the other hand, the RP-5203C features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1630 Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-5103M has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz whereas RP-5203C has a frequency range of 56-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RP-5103M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-5203C's min frequency of 56Hz.
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-5103M and RP-5203C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-5103M sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the RP-5203C's is at 94 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-5203C a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-5103M, 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-5203C can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas RP-5103M has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the RP-5203C.
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-5103M features Binding post type posts and RP-5203C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-5103M and RP-5203C 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-5103M's and Klipsch RP-5203C's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-5103M has external dimensions of 344.0 x 173.0 x 270.0mm (13-9/16 x 6-13/16 x 10-5/8inch) whereas Klipsch RP-5203C has external dimensions of 174.0 x 491.0 x 269.0mm (6-7/8 x 19-5/16 x 10-9/16inch).
Klipsch RP-5203C is 170mm shorter and 1mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-5103M but it is also 318mm wider.
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-5103M is approximately 467.1cm2 / 72.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-5203C is approximately 1320.8cm2 / 204.7inch2. The RP-5103M requires 65% less surface area than the RP-5203C which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.