In this review, we will be comparing R-820F and RP-280F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-820F and Klipsch RP-280F first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-820F | Klipsch RP-280F |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 8" Copper-spun IMG | 2 x 8" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 35-21k Hz | 32-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 97 dB | 98 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 150 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 24.55kg / 54lbs | 28.41kg / 62.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 43-1/8" x 10-7/8" x 16-3/4"
1096.0 x 277.0 x 426.0mm | 43-1/16" x 10-9/16" x 17-3/8"
1094.0 x 269.0 x 442.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-820F and Klipsch RP-280F 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 R-820F |
Klipsch RP-280F |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* 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 R-820F and RP-280F are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-820FKlipsch RP-280F
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-820F |
Klipsch RP-280F |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
R-820F features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 8" Copper-spun IMG Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-280F features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 8" Cerametallic Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-820F has a frequency range of 35-21k Hz whereas RP-280F has a frequency range of 32-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the RP-280F can go slightly deeper then the R-820F's min frequency of 35Hz.
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
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
R-820F and RP-280F have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R-820F sensitivity is rated at 97 dB and the RP-280F's is at 98 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-280F a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch R-820F, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
R-820F and RP-280F have the same power range of up to 150 watts.
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-280F features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. R-820F has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-280F's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or 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 R-820F's and Klipsch RP-280F's external dimensions. Klipsch R-820F has external dimensions of 1096.0 x 277.0 x 426.0mm (43-1/8 x 10-7/8 x 16-3/4inch) whereas Klipsch RP-280F has external dimensions of 1094.0 x 269.0 x 442.0mm (43-1/16 x 10-9/16 x 17-3/8inch).
Klipsch RP-280F is 8mm narrower and 2mm shorter than Klipsch R-820F but it is also 16mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-820F and Klipsch RP-280F in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-820F and Klipsch RP-280F 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 R-820F is approximately 1180.0cm2 / 182.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-280F is approximately 1189.0cm2 / 184.3inch2. The R-820F requires 1% less surface area than the RP-280F 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-820F weighs 24.55kg / 54lbs and the Klipsch RP-280F weighs 28.41kg / 62.5lbs. This makes the RP-280F 16% heavier than the R-820F.
Here is a comparison of how R-820F and RP-280F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-820F?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-820F:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 2 Feet
- 4 Screws
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
- Loudspeaker Feet note
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-280F?
Here are the items that come with the RP-280F:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker (Ebony)
- Speaker base
- Detachable magnetic grille
- Four 1-inch #6 Wood screws
- 4 Spike feet
- 6 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Instructions
 Base Surface Area |
1180cm2
vs
1189cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
98 dB
vs
97 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1094mm
vs
1096mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-820F |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 150 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
97 dB |
98 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35-21k Hz |
32-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1096.0mm (43.1") |
1094.0mm (43.1") |
| Width |
277.0mm (10.9") |
269.0mm (10.6") |
| Depth |
426.0mm (16.8") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Weight |
24.55kg (54lbs) |
28.41kg (62.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Both are Klipsch, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Klipsch RP-280F digs deeper - 32Hz against 35Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (97dB vs 98dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (150W vs 150W). |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
B |
Klipsch RP-280F: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-280F sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
evenly matched |
Much the same money ($1,198 vs $1,198 a pair). |
A Klipsch R-820F
B Klipsch RP-280F
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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 RP-280F has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does.
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.