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
  • SMART FIND

Paradigm 800F vs Klipsch R-820F Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Paradigm 800F

Passive Floor-standing | 43-25k Hz

Paradigm Premier 800F
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
Klipsch R-820F

Passive Floor-standing | 35-21k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-820F
CHECK PRICE
Paradigm 800F Paradigm 800F
See at AMAZON
Klipsch R-820F Klipsch R-820F
See at AMAZON
Paradigm 800F
See at AMAZON
Klipsch R-820F
See at AMAZON
Paradigm 800F vs Klipsch R-820F Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing 800F and R-820F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Paradigm and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Paradigm 800F and Klipsch R-820F first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Paradigm 800F Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 6.5" Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer
  • 43-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 92 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-250watts
  • Weight:24.27kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1070.0" x 9-1/4" x 13-7/8"( 1070.0 x 235.0 x 353.0mm )

Klipsch R-820F Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 2 x 8" Copper-spun IMG Woofer
  • 35-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 97 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 150watts
  • Weight:24.55kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1096.0" x 10-7/8" x 16-3/4"( 1096.0 x 277.0 x 426.0mm )

What size room are the Paradigm 800F and Klipsch R-820F 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 800F Klipsch R-820F
Near-field Bad Bad
Small Room Poor Poor
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Good Good
Very Large Room Average 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Paradigm 800F and Klipsch R-820F 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that 800F is a 3-way design whereas the R-820F is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver Paradigm 800F Klipsch R-820F
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 6.5-inch -
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 2 x 8-inch

800F features a 1" Tweeter , a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the R-820F features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 8" Copper-spun IMG Woofer .

Frequency Response

800F has a frequency range of 43-25k Hz whereas R-820F has a frequency range of 35-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the R-820F can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 800F's min frequency of 43Hz.

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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

800F
R-820F
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Paradigm 800F
Klipsch R-820F
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.

Impedance and Sensitivity

800F and R-820F have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 800F sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the R-820F's is at 97 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-820F a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm 800F, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

800F
R-820F
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

800F can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R-820F has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the 800F.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

800F features Posts posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. R-820F has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Paradigm 800F Terminals
Paradigm 800F's Posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

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 Paradigm 800F's and Klipsch R-820F's external dimensions. Paradigm 800F has external dimensions of 1070.0 x 235.0 x 353.0mm ( 42-1/8 x 9-1/4 x 13-7/8inch) whereas 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) .

Klipsch R-820F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 42mm wider, 26mm taller and 73mm deeper than Paradigm 800F.

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 800F is approximately 829.6cm2 / 128.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-820F is approximately 1180.0cm2 / 182.9inch2. The 800F requires 30% less surface area than the R-820F 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 800F weighs 24.27kg / 53.4lbs and the Klipsch R-820F weighs 24.55kg / 54lbs. This makes the R-820F 1% heavier than the 800F.

Here is a comparison of how 800F and R-820F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Paradigm 800F
Klipsch R-820F
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Paradigm 800F?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of 800F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker Grille 4 Rubber feet 4 Spike feet 4 Hex-nuts 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed) Owner's Manual Online Registration Card Unboxing Instructions
  • What's in the Box of Klipsch R-820F?

    Here are the items that come with the R-820F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Grille (installed)
  • 2 Feet
  • 4 Screws
  • Quick Setup Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information
  • Loudspeaker Feet note

  • Reasons to choose Paradigm Premier 800F over Klipsch Reference R-820F
    Max Input Power 250 watts vs 150 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    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 1070mm vs 1096mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 829cm2 vs 1180cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-820F over Paradigm Premier 800F

    Sensitivity 97 dB vs 92 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 8 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 35 Hz vs 43 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Price per pair* 1198USD vs 2200USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Paradigm 800F vs Klipsch R-820F Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Paradigm Premier 800F Klipsch Reference R-820F
    Brand Paradigm Klipsch
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 15-250 watts up to 150 watts
    Sensitivity 92 dB 97 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 43-25k Hz 35-21k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 6.5" 8"
    Woofer Composition Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Copper-spun IMG
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 6.5" No
    Firing Direction rear n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 1070.0mm (42.1") 1096.0mm (43.1")
    Width 235.0mm (9.3") 277.0mm (10.9")
    Depth 353.0mm (13.9") 426.0mm (16.8")
    Weight 24.27kg (53.4lbs) 24.55kg (54lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Lacquer MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Gloss Black Black
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction