Klipsch Reference R 800F vs Klipsch Reference R 605FA Comparison

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Klipsch Reference R 800F

Passive Floor-standing | 34-21k Hz

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Klipsch Reference R 605FA

Passive Floor-standing | 38-21k Hz

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Klipsch Reference R 800F vs Klipsch Reference R 605FA Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Reference R 800F and Reference R 605FA, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch Reference R 800F and Klipsch Reference R 605FA first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	Klipsch Reference R 800F	Klipsch Reference R 605FA
Brand	Klipsch United States · founded 1946	Klipsch United States · founded 1946
Design	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1" Tractrix Horn	1" Tractrix Horn
Woofer	2 x 8"	2 x 6.5"
Frequency response	34-21k Hz	38-21k Hz
Sensitivity	98 dB	96 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Weight	24.49kg / 53.9lbs	22.68kg / 49.9lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	42-3/4" x 10-3/16" x 16-3/4" 1085.9 x 258.8 x 425.5mm	40-3/16" x 9-3/8" x 18-1/4" 1020.8 x 238.1 x 463.6mm

Reference R 800F and Reference R 605FA are members of Klipsch's Reference (R) series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Klipsch Reference (R) Series History

Model	Body	Frequency	Sensitivity	Impedance	Woofer
Klipsch Reference R 600F	Floor-standing	38-21k Hz	96 dB	8Ω	2 x 6.5"
Klipsch Reference R 800F	Floor-standing	34-21k Hz	98 dB	8Ω	2 x 8"
Klipsch Reference R 40SA	Surround			8Ω	1 x 4"
Klipsch Reference R 605FA	Floor-standing	38-21k Hz	96 dB	8Ω	2 x 6.5"
Klipsch Reference R 50M	Bookshelf	58-21k Hz	92 dB	8Ω	1 x 5.25"
Klipsch Reference R 40M	Bookshelf	71-21k Hz	91 dB	8Ω	1 x 4"

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

Drivers

Both Reference R 800F and Reference R 605FA are 2-way speakers.

Klipsch Reference R 800F

Klipsch Reference R 605FA

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 Reference R 800F	Klipsch Reference R 605FA
Driver Setup	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	-
Woofer	2 x 8-inch	2 x 6.5-inch

Reference R 800F features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 8" Woofer. On the other hand, the Reference R 605FA features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer.

Frequency Response

Reference R 800F has a frequency range of 34-21k Hz whereas Reference R 605FA has a frequency range of 38-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the Reference R 800F can go slightly deeper then the Reference R 605FA's min frequency of 38Hz.

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

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Reference R 800F

Reference R 605FA

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.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Reference R 800F and Reference R 605FA have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reference R 800F sensitivity is rated at 98 dB and the Reference R 605FA's is at 96 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch Reference R 800F a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch Reference R 605FA, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

Reference R 800F

Reference R 605FA

Min

Average

Median

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.

Amplifier - change this

Distance

Playing as

Klipsch Reference R 800F

Klipsch Reference R 605FA

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Reference R 800F features Binding post type posts and Reference R 605FA 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 Reference R 800F's and Klipsch Reference R 605FA's external dimensions. Klipsch Reference R 800F has external dimensions of 1085.9 x 258.8 x 425.5mm () whereas Klipsch Reference R 605FA has external dimensions of 1020.8 x 238.1 x 463.6mm ().

Klipsch Reference R 605FA is 20.7mm narrower and 65.1mm shorter than Klipsch Reference R 800F but it is also 38.1mm deeper.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch Reference R 800F and Klipsch Reference R 605FA in scale.

Comparison image of Klipsch Reference R 800F and Klipsch Reference R 605FA 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 Reference R 800F is approximately 1101.2cm² / 170.7inch² and base area of the Klipsch Reference R 605FA is approximately 1103.8cm² / 171.1inch². The Reference R 800F requires 0% less surface area than the Reference R 605FA 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 Reference R 800F weighs 24.49kg / 53.9lbs and the Klipsch Reference R 605FA weighs 22.68kg / 49.9lbs. This makes the Reference R 800F 8% heavier than the Reference R 605FA.

Here is a comparison of how Reference R 800F and Reference R 605FA's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers

Klipsch Reference R 800F

Klipsch Reference R 605FA

Min

Average

Max

Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R 800F over Klipsch Reference R 605FA

Sensitivity	98 dB vs 96 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size	8 inches vs 6.5 inches	Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response	34 Hz vs 38 Hz	Generates deeper bass
Base Surface Area	1101cm² vs 1103cm²	Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R 605FA over Klipsch Reference R 800F

Height	1020mm vs 1085mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Klipsch Reference R 800F vs Klipsch Reference R 605FA Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Klipsch Reference R 800F	Klipsch Reference R 605FA
Brand	Klipsch	Klipsch
Speaker Type	Floor-standing speaker	Floor-standing speaker
Sensitivity	98 dB	96 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Frequency Response	34-21k Hz	38-21k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	2	2
Woofer Size	8"	6.5"
Woofer Composition
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Tweeter Type	Tractrix Horn	Tractrix Horn
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	No
Physical Specs
Height	1085.9mm (42.8")	1020.8mm (40.2")
Width	258.8mm (10.2")	238.1mm (9.4")
Depth	425.5mm (16.8")	463.6mm (18.3")
Weight	24.49kg (53.9lbs)	22.68kg (49.9lbs)
Enclosure
Finish	MDF/Wood-grain vinyl	MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
Available Colors	Black	Black
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years	5 Years

Verdict

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

Area	Better	Why
Bass	A	Klipsch Reference R 800F digs deeper - 34Hz against 38Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Amplifier needs	A	Klipsch Reference R 800F is more sensitive (98dB vs 96dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
Size	depends	Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit.

A Klipsch Reference R 800F B Klipsch Reference R 605FA
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 Reference R 800F has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch Reference R 800F is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.

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.