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  1. Home
  2. Passive Surround Speakers
  3. Klipsch RP-5103SA vs Klipsch RP-5203S

Klipsch RP-5103SA vs Klipsch RP-5203S Comparison

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Klipsch RP-5103SA

Passive Surround |

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5103SA
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Klipsch RP-5203S

Passive Surround | 62-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5203S
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Klipsch RP-5103SA Klipsch RP-5103SA
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Klipsch RP-5203S Klipsch RP-5203S
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Klipsch RP-5103SA
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Klipsch RP-5203S
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Klipsch RP-5103SA vs Klipsch RP-5203S Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing RP-5103SA and RP-5203S, two Passive Surround speakers by Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch RP-5103SA and Klipsch RP-5203S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsKlipsch RP-5103SAKlipsch RP-5203S
BrandKlipsch
United States · founded 1946
Klipsch
United States · founded 1946
Design2-way2-way
Tweeter1" Tractrix Horn1" Tractrix Horn
Woofer5.25" Cerametallic2 x 5.25" Cerametallic
Frequency response—62-25k Hz
Sensitivity—94 dB
Impedance8 ohms8 ohms
Power rangeup to 75 wattsup to 100 watts
Dimensions (H x W x D)8-9/16" x 6-13/16" x 12-5/8"
217.0 x 173.0 x 320.0mm
14-3/16" x 11-15/16" x 7-5/8"
360.0 x 303.0 x 194.0mm

RP-5103SA and RP-5203S 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
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Klipsch RP-5203C
  
Center Channel 56-25k Hz 94 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Klipsch RP-8263FA
  
Floor-standing 35-25k Hz 98 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Klipsch RP-8203F
  
Floor-standing 35-25k Hz 98 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Klipsch RP-6203F
  
Floor-standing 38-25k Hz 96 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Klipsch RP-6103M
  
Bookshelf 44-25k Hz 94.5 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Klipsch RP-5103M
  
Bookshelf 50-25k Hz 92 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
Klipsch RP-5403C
  
Center Channel 50-25k Hz 96 dB8Ω 4 x 5.25"
Klipsch RP-5203S
Surround 62-25k Hz 94 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Klipsch RP-5103SA
Surround 8Ω 1 x 5.25"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both RP-5103SA and RP-5203S are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
Klipsch RP-5103SA
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
Klipsch RP-5203S

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-5103SA Klipsch RP-5203S
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 2 x 5.25-inch

RP-5103SA features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-5203S features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500 Hz.

Frequency Response

RP-5103SA has a frequency range of whereas RP-5203S has a frequency range of 62-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of Hz, the RP-5103SA can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-5203S's min frequency of 62Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Surround class in our database.

Low Frequency

Surround Speakers

RP-5103SA
RP-5203S
Min
Average
Median

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-5203S can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas RP-5103SA has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the RP-5203S.

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.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

RP-5103SA features Binding post type posts and RP-5203S has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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-5103SA's and Klipsch RP-5203S's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-5103SA has external dimensions of 217.0 x 173.0 x 320.0mm (8-9/16 x 6-13/16 x 12-5/8inch) whereas Klipsch RP-5203S has external dimensions of 360.0 x 303.0 x 194.0mm (14-3/16 x 11-15/16 x 7-5/8inch).

Klipsch RP-5103SA is 130mm narrower and 143mm shorter than Klipsch RP-5203S but it is also 126mm deeper.

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-5103SA is approximately 553.6cm2 / 85.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-5203S is approximately 587.8cm2 / 91.1inch2. The RP-5103SA requires 6% less surface area than the RP-5203S which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.


Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5103SA over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5203S

Minimum Impedance 3.2 ohms vs 3 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
Low Frequency Response Hz vs 62 Hz Generates deeper bass
Dolby Atmos Drivers Built-in vs No Dolby Atmos Compatibility
Height 217mm vs 360mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 553cm2 vs 587cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 650USD vs 850USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5203S over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5103SA

Max Input Power 100 watts vs 75 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs k Hz Generates higher frequency

Klipsch RP-5103SA vs Klipsch RP-5203S Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5103SA Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-5203S
Brand Klipsch Klipsch
Speaker Type Surround speaker Surround speaker
Power Range up to 75 watts up to 100 watts
Sensitivity n/a 94 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Impedance 3.2 ohms 3 ohms
Frequency Response 62-25k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 2
Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Cerametallic Cerametallic
Tweeter Size 1" 1"
Tweeter Type Tractrix Horn Tractrix Horn
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Crossover Frequency n/a 1500 Hz
Physical Specs
Height 217.0mm (8.5") 360.0mm (14.2")
Width 173.0mm (6.8") 303.0mm (11.9")
Depth 320.0mm (12.6") 194.0mm (7.6")
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Acoustic Suspension
Finish MDF (internally braced) MDF (internally braced)
Available Colors Ebony, Walnut Ebony, Walnut
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

Verdict

Siblings in Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) III series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

AreaBetterWhy
HeadroomBKlipsch RP-5203S takes more power (100W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room.
SizedependsKlipsch RP-5103SA is easier to place; Klipsch RP-5203S is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
ExpandabilityAKlipsch RP-5103SA: Atmos drivers.
PriceAKlipsch RP-5103SA is cheaper - $650 against $850, about 24% less.

A Klipsch RP-5103SA  B Klipsch RP-5203S
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. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-5203S has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-5103SA is the easier speaker to get right.

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.


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