In this review, we will be comparing MilleniaOne 1.0 and RP-400M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Paradigm and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 and Klipsch RP-400M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 | Klipsch RP-400M |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" S-PAL Aluminum | 4" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 120-20k Hz | 52-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-100 watts | up to 50 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.45kg / 5.4lbs | 4.10kg / 9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-3/4" x 4-9/16" x 5-3/4"
197.0 x 116.0 x 147.0mm | 11.7" x 5.6" x 7.5"
298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 and Klipsch RP-400M 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* |
Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 |
Klipsch RP-400M |
| Near-field |
Average |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
No way |
(* 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.
Drivers
Both MilleniaOne 1.0 and RP-400M are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0Klipsch RP-400M
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 |
Klipsch RP-400M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
MilleniaOne 1.0 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" S-PAL Aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-400M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
MilleniaOne 1.0 has a frequency range of 120-20k Hz whereas RP-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the RP-400M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MilleniaOne 1.0's min frequency of 120Hz.
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.
Impedance and Sensitivity
MilleniaOne 1.0 and RP-400M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. MilleniaOne 1.0 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the RP-400M's is at 93 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-400M a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
MilleniaOne 1.0 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas RP-400M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the MilleniaOne 1.0.
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
MilleniaOne 1.0 features Single binding posts type posts and RP-400M has a Single binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0's Spring post terminals
Klipsch RP-400M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both MilleniaOne 1.0 and RP-400M 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.
Klipsch RP-400M Tractrix horn-shaped 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 Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0's and Klipsch RP-400M's external dimensions. Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 has external dimensions of 197.0 x 116.0 x 147.0mm (7-3/4 x 4-9/16 x 5-3/4inch) whereas Klipsch RP-400M has external dimensions of 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm (11.7 x 5.6 x 7.5inch).
Klipsch RP-400M is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 28mm wider, 101mm taller and 44mm deeper than Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0.
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 Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 is approximately 170.5cm2 / 26.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-400M is approximately 275.0cm2 / 42.6inch2. The MilleniaOne 1.0 requires 38% less surface area than the RP-400M 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 Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 weighs 2.45kg / 5.4lbs and the Klipsch RP-400M weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs. This makes the RP-400M 67% heavier than the MilleniaOne 1.0.
Here is a comparison of how MilleniaOne 1.0 and RP-400M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of MilleniaOne 1.0:
- Satellite loudspeaker
- Grille
- Tabletop stand
- Wall-bracket
- Owner's Manual
- Online Registration Card
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-400M?
Here are the items that come with the RP-400M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
50 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
197mm
vs
298mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
170cm2
vs
275cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-100 watts |
up to 50 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
120-20k Hz |
52-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
S-PAL Aluminum |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
197.0mm (7.8") |
298.0mm (11.7") |
| Width |
116.0mm (4.6") |
144.0mm (5.7") |
| Depth |
147.0mm (5.8") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Weight |
2.45kg (5.4lbs) |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Die-cast aluminum |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Gloss White |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
Yes |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
30-32" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 costs roughly 1.8x what Klipsch RP-400M does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Klipsch RP-400M digs deeper - 52Hz against 120Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-400M is more sensitive (93dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 takes more power (100W vs 50W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 is easier to place; Klipsch RP-400M is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch RP-400M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-400M is cheaper - $399 against $700, about 43% less; arguably a different class. |
A Paradigm MilleniaOne 1.0 B Klipsch RP-400M
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 RP-400M 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 a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 120Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-400M the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.