SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch Reference R-51PM
x
Speaker to replace
Change

Klipsch The Fives

Powered Bookshelf | 50-25k Hz

Klipsch The Fives
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
Klipsch R-51PM

Powered Bookshelf | 68-21k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-51PM
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch R-51PM Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing The Fives and R-51PM, two Powered Bookshelf speakers by Klipsch 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 The Fives and Klipsch R-51PM first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Klipsch The Fives Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 160-watt RMS( 320-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 4.5" Fiber-composite Woofer
  • 50-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 192 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 5.0 Bluetooth
  • App Control Feature
  • Weight:4.85kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 314.3" x 6.5" x 11.125"( 314.3 x 165.1 x 282.6mm )

Klipsch R-51PM Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 120-watt RMS( 240-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 1.0" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer
  • 68-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 96 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 3.0 Bluetooth
  • Weight:4.80kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 330.2" x 7.0625" x 10.25"( 330.2 x 179.4 x 260.3mm )

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch The Fives and Klipsch R-51PM compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


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



Drivers

Both The Fives and R-51PM are 2-way speakers. The Fives features a 1" Titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Fiber-composite Woofer . On the other hand, the R-51PM features a 1.0" Aluminum LTS Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1663Hz.

Frequency Response

The Fives has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz whereas R-51PM has a frequency range of 68-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the The Fives can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-51PM's min frequency of 68Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

The Fives
R-51PM
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Klipsch The Fives
Klipsch R-51PM
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both The Fives and R-51PM 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.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 The Fives's and Klipsch R-51PM's external dimensions. Klipsch The Fives has external dimensions of 314.3 x 165.1 x 282.6mm ( 12.375 x 6.5 x 11.125inch) whereas Klipsch R-51PM has external dimensions of 330.2 x 179.4 x 260.3mm ( 13 x 7.0625 x 10.25inch) .

Klipsch The Fives is 14.3mm narrower and 15.9mm shorter than Klipsch R-51PM but it is also 22.3mm 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 The Fives is approximately 466.6cm2 / 72.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-51PM is approximately 467.0cm2 / 72.4inch2. The The Fives requires 0% less surface area than the R-51PM 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 The Fives weighs 4.85kg / 10.7lbs and the Klipsch R-51PM weighs 4.80kg / 10.6lbs. This makes the The Fives 1% heavier than the R-51PM.

Here is a comparison of how The Fives and R-51PM's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch The Fives
Klipsch R-51PM
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Klipsch The Fives?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of The Fives:
  • Powered speaker (right)
  • Passive speaker (left)
  • 6-inch AC power cord
  • 13-feet Proprietary speaker cable
  • 58-inch HDMI cable
  • 59-inch USB-A to USB-B cable
  • Remote control
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • Instruction Booklet
  • Need Help? card
  • What's in the Box of Klipsch R-51PM?

    Here are the items that come with the R-51PM:
  • Powered speaker (right)
  • Passive speaker (left)
  • 2 Grilles
  • 68-inch AC power cord
  • Remote control
  • 2

  • Reasons to choose Klipsch The Fives over Klipsch Reference R-51PM
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 68 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 21k Hz Generates higher frequency
    App-Based Control Apple iOS, Android vs None Control the speaker via an app
    Height 314mm vs 330mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 466cm2 (165x282mm) vs 467cm2 (179x260mm) Takes less floor space
    USB Port USB-B vs No USB port adds flexibility
    HDMI Input ARC vs No Connect HDMI sources directly
    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-51PM over Klipsch The Fives
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 4.5 inches Larger woofer
    Price per pair* 599USD vs 969USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    USB Port USB-B vs No USB port adds flexibility
    RCA Connection Yes vs No Connection via RCA input


    Klipsch The Fives vs Klipsch R-51PM Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Klipsch The Fives Klipsch Reference R-51PM
    Brand Klipsch Klipsch
    Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Powered Stereo Speakers
    Frequency Response 50-25k Hz 68-21k Hz
    Amplifier
    Watts RMS (Continuous) 160-watt RMS 120-watt RMS
    Watts Peak (Max) 320-watt RMS 240-watt RMS
    Max Bit Depth 24-bit 24-bit
    Max Sample Rate 192 kHz 96 kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 4.5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Fiber-composite Copper-spun IMG
    Tweeter Size 1" 1.0"
    Tweeter Type Tractrix Horn Tractrix Horn
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency n/a 1663Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 314.3mm (12.4") 330.2mm (13")
    Width 165.1mm (6.5") 179.4mm (7.1")
    Depth 282.6mm (11.1") 260.3mm (10.2")
    Weight 4.85kg (10.7lbs) 4.80kg (10.6lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF with genuine wood veneer n/a
    Available Colors Black,Walnut n/a
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Aux Inputs 3.5mm 3.5mm, RCA
    USB Port USB-B USB-B
    Phone Input Yes Yes
    Subwoofer Output mono-RCA Wired
    Digital Input Optical, HDMI Optical
    HDMI Input ARC No
    Headphone Jack No No
    Ethernet Port No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 1 Year 1 Year
    Labor Warranty 1 Year 1 Year

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way Bookshelf | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way Bookshelf | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way Bookshelf | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way Bookshelf | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way Bookshelf | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way Bookshelf | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way Bookshelf | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M
    Klipsch RP-400M
    2-way Bookshelf | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2023 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Camera Decision

    Report a Correction