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  1. Home
  2. Powered Stereo Speakers
  3. Klipsch R-15PM vs Audioengine A5+

Klipsch R-15PM vs Audioengine A5+ Comparison

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Klipsch R-15PM

Powered Bookshelf | 62-24k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-15PM
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Audioengine A5+

Powered Bookshelf | 50-22k Hz

Audioengine A5+
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Klipsch R-15PM Klipsch R-15PM
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Audioengine A5+ Audioengine A5+
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Klipsch R-15PM
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Audioengine A5+
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Klipsch R-15PM vs Audioengine A5+ Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing R-15PM and A5+, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Audioengine. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch R-15PM and Audioengine A5+ first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsKlipsch R-15PMAudioengine A5+
BrandKlipsch
United States · founded 1946
Audioengine
United States · founded 2005
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier100-watt RMS50-watt RMS (75-watt peak)
Tweeter1.0" Hard-Dome0.75" Soft-Dome
Woofer5.25" Copper-spun IMG5" Kevlar
Frequency response62-24k Hz50-22k Hz
Max depth / sample rate24-bit / 96 kHz—
BluetoothBuilt-in 3.0No
Weight4.67kg / 10.3lbs4.40kg / 9.7lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)12.5" x 7" x 9.875"
317.5 x 177.8 x 250.8mm
10.875" x 7.1888" x 9.75"
276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6mm

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


Drivers

Both R-15PM and A5+ are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
Klipsch R-15PM
Tweeter - 0.75 inchWoofer - 5 inch
Audioengine A5+

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 R-15PM Audioengine A5+
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1.0-inch 0.75-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 1 x 5-inch

R-15PM features a 1.0" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz. On the other hand, the A5+ features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer.

Frequency Response

R-15PM has a frequency range of 62-24k Hz whereas A5+ has a frequency range of 50-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the A5+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-15PM'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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

R-15PM
A5+
Min
Average
Median

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.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both R-15PM and A5+ 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 R-15PM's and Audioengine A5+'s external dimensions. Klipsch R-15PM has external dimensions of 317.5 x 177.8 x 250.8mm (12.5 x 7 x 9.875inch) whereas Audioengine A5+ has external dimensions of 276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6mm (10.875 x 7.1888 x 9.75inch).

Audioengine A5+ is 41.3mm shorter and 3.2mm less deeper than Klipsch R-15PM but it is also 4.8mm 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 R-15PM is approximately 445.9cm2 / 69.1inch2 and base area of the Audioengine A5+ is approximately 452.1cm2 / 70.1inch2. The R-15PM requires 1% less surface area than the A5+ which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

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 R-15PM weighs 4.67kg / 10.3lbs and the Audioengine A5+ weighs 4.40kg / 9.7lbs. This makes the R-15PM 6% heavier than the A5+.

Here is a comparison of how R-15PM and A5+'s weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch R-15PM
Audioengine A5+
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Klipsch R-15PM?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-15PM:
  • Powered speaker (right)
  • Passive speaker (left)
  • 68-inch AC power cord
  • Remote control
  • CR2025 3V battery (installed in remote)
  • 16-feet Length of 18AWG speaker wire (bare tinned wire on each end)
  • 6.5-feet USB-A to USB-B cable
  • 6-feet Stereo RCA cable
  • 5-feet Optical digital cable
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Instruction Booklet
  • Warranty Information
  • Important Safety Instructions

What's in the Box of Audioengine A5+?

Here are the items that come with the A5+:
  • Powered left speaker
  • Passive right speaker
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • Remote control (with installed CR2025 battery)
  • 12.5-feet Length of 16 gauge speaker wire
  • 6.5-feet Stereo mini-jack cable (3.5mm mini-jack on both ends)
  • 6-feet Stereo RCA cable
  • Cloth drawstring cable bag
  • 2 Cloth drawstring speaker bags
  • Setup guide
  • Audioengine product brochure


Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-15PM over Audioengine A5+

Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
High Frequency Response 24k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
Base Surface Area 445cm2 vs 452cm2 Takes less floor space
USB Port Type-B vs No USB port adds flexibility
Phono Input Yes vs No Connect your turntable directly
Digital Input Optical vs No Connect digital inputs directly

Reasons to choose Audioengine A5+ over Klipsch Reference R-15PM

Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 62 Hz Generates deeper bass
Height 276mm vs 317mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Price per pair* 399USD vs 499USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
USB Port Charge only vs No USB port adds flexibility

Klipsch R-15PM vs Audioengine A5+ Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Klipsch Reference R-15PM Audioengine A5+
Brand Klipsch Audioengine
Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Powered Stereo Speakers
Frequency Response 62-24k Hz 50-22k Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 100-watt RMS 50-watt RMS
Watts Peak (Max) n/a 75-watt RMS
Max Bit Depth 24-bit n/a
Max Sample Rate 96 kHz n/a
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 5.25" 5"
Woofer Composition Copper-spun IMG Kevlar
Tweeter Size 1.0" 0.75"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Soft-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Crossover Frequency 1800Hz n/a
Firing Direction rear rear
Physical Specs
Height 317.5mm (12.5") 276.2mm (10.9")
Width 177.8mm (7") 182.6mm (7.2")
Depth 250.8mm (9.9") 247.6mm (9.7")
Weight 4.67kg (10.3lbs) 4.40kg (9.7lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
Available Colors n/a Black, Bamboo, White
Mounting Bracket No No
Grille Yes n/a
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Aux Inputs 3.5mm, RCA 3.5mm, RCA
USB Port Type-B Charge only
Phone Input Yes No
Subwoofer Output Wired Wired
Digital Input Optical No
HDMI Input No No
Headphone Jack No No
Ethernet Port No No
Other
Parts Warranty 1 Year 3 Years
Labor Warranty 1 Year 3 Years

Verdict

A generation apart: Klipsch R-15PM is the newer design, against a 2011 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBAudioengine A5+ digs deeper - 50Hz against 62Hz.
Built-in powerAKlipsch R-15PM has the bigger amplifier (100W vs 50W RMS).
ConnectionsAKlipsch R-15PM adds Bluetooth, phono and digital inputs.
SizedependsSimilar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit.
ExpandabilitydependsKlipsch R-15PM: a sub output; Audioengine A5+: a sub output.
PriceBAudioengine A5+ is cheaper - $399 against $499, about 20% less.

A Klipsch R-15PM  B Audioengine A5+
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?

The usual trade-off: Klipsch R-15PM measures better, Audioengine A5+ costs about about 25% more% 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. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 62Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.

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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