In this review, we will be comparing R-41PM and HD3, 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-41PM and Audioengine HD3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-41PM | Audioengine HD3 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Audioengine
United States · founded 2005 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) | 30-watt RMS (60-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0" Tractrix Horn | 0.75" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.0" Copper-spun IMG | 2.75" Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite |
|---|
| Frequency response | 76-21k Hz | 65-22k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 48 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 3.0 | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 3.70kg / 8.1lbs | 1.55kg / 3.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.0625" x 5.8125" x 9.5"
281.0 x 147.6 x 241.3mm | 7" x 4.25" x 5-1/2"
177.8 x 108.0 x 139.7mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both R-41PM and HD3 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-41PMAudioengine HD3
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-41PM |
Audioengine HD3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.0-inch
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
R-41PM features a 1.0" Aluminum LTS Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4.0" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1770Hz. On the other hand, the HD3 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 2.75" Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-41PM has a frequency range of 76-21k Hz whereas HD3 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the HD3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-41PM's min frequency of 76Hz.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
R-41PM has a rear firing port whereas HD3 has a front firing ports. Audioengine HD3's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Klipsch R-41PM with its rear-firing 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 R-41PM's and Audioengine HD3's external dimensions. Klipsch R-41PM has external dimensions of 281.0 x 147.6 x 241.3mm (11.0625 x 5.8125 x 9.5inch) whereas Audioengine HD3 has external dimensions of 177.8 x 108.0 x 139.7mm (9.125 x 4.25 x 7.25inch).
Klipsch R-41PM is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 39.6mm wider, 103.2mm taller and 101.6mm deeper than Audioengine HD3.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch R-41PM needs about 136% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-41PM is 102mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-41PM is 103mm taller.
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-41PM is approximately 356.2cm2 / 55.2inch2 and base area of the Audioengine HD3 is approximately 150.9cm2 / 23.4inch2. The R-41PM requires 136% more surface area than the HD3 which gives it a small disadvantage 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-41PM weighs 3.70kg / 8.1lbs and the Audioengine HD3 weighs 1.55kg / 3.4lbs. This makes the R-41PM 139% heavier than the HD3.
Here is a comparison of how R-41PM and HD3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-41PM?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-41PM:
- Powered speaker (right)
- Passive speaker (left)
- 2 Grilles
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2
What's in the Box of Audioengine HD3?
Here are the items that come with the HD3:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- AC power supply (attached 6-feet DC cord)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Bluetooth antenna
- 5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable
- 6.5-feet Speaker cable (banana connectors on each end)
- 5-feet Stereo minijack cable
- 2 Microfiber speaker bags
- MIcrofiber cable bag
- Quickstart Guide
- Product Line Brochure
 Woofer Size |
4.0 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 USB Port |
USB-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 |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
76 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
177mm
vs
281mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
150cm2
vs
356cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Headphone Output |
3.5mm
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-41PM |
Audioengine HD3 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
76-21k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
70-watt RMS |
30-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
140-watt RMS |
60-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.0" |
2.75" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1770Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
281.0mm (11.1") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Width |
147.6mm (5.8") |
108.0mm (4.3") |
| Depth |
241.3mm (9.5") |
139.7mm (5.5") |
| Weight |
3.70kg (8.1lbs) |
1.55kg (3.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm, RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-B |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
3.5mm |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your sources and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Audioengine HD3 digs deeper - 65Hz against 76Hz. |
| Built-in power | A | Klipsch R-41PM has the bigger amplifier (70W vs 30W RMS). |
| Connections | A | Klipsch R-41PM adds phono and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Audioengine HD3 is easier to place; Klipsch R-41PM is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch R-41PM: a sub output; Audioengine HD3: a sub output. |
| Price | B | Audioengine HD3 is cheaper - $349 against $499, about 30% less. |
A Klipsch R-41PM B Audioengine HD3
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?
Klipsch R-41PM is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 43% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Audioengine HD3 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch R-41PM appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 76Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch R-41PM has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Audioengine HD3 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.