In this review, we will be comparing 255c-LS and R-5502-W II, two Passive In-wall speakers from Polk Audio and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk Audio 255c-LS and Klipsch R-5502-W II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk Audio 255c-LS | Klipsch R-5502-W II |
|---|
| Brand | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0" Ring radiator | 1" Horn-loaded |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" Aerated polypropylene | 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 44-29kHz | 46-20kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-150 watts | up to 75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.12kg / 6.9lbs | 2.95kg / 6.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.6250" x 13.1250" x 7-3/8"
194.0 x 334.0 x 187.5mm | 16.3750" x 6.5000" x 3.3750"
416.0 x 166.0 x 86.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk Audio 255c-LS and Klipsch R-5502-W II 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* |
Polk Audio 255c-LS |
Klipsch R-5502-W II |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Good |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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 255c-LS and R-5502-W II are 2-way speakers.
Polk Audio 255c-LSKlipsch R-5502-W II
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Polk Audio 255c-LS |
Klipsch R-5502-W II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
255c-LS features a 1.0" Ring radiator Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aerated polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the R-5502-W II features a 1" Horn-loaded Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200 Hz.
Frequency Response
255c-LS has a frequency range of 44-29kHz whereas R-5502-W II has a frequency range of 46-20kHz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the 255c-LS can go slightly deeper then the R-5502-W II's min frequency of 46Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall 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
255c-LS and R-5502-W II have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 255c-LS sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the R-5502-W II's is at 92 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-5502-W II a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk Audio 255c-LS, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall 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.
255c-LS can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas R-5502-W II has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the 255c-LS.
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
255c-LS features Spring post type posts and R-5502-W II has a Spring 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 Polk Audio 255c-LS's and Klipsch R-5502-W II's external dimensions. Polk Audio 255c-LS has external dimensions of 194.0 x 334.0 x 187.5mm (7.6250-inch x 13.1250-inch x 0.0000-inch) whereas Klipsch R-5502-W II has external dimensions of 416.0 x 166.0 x 86.0mm (16.3750-inch x 6.5000-inch x 3.3750-inch).
Klipsch R-5502-W II is 168mm narrower and 101.5mm less deeper than Polk Audio 255c-LS but it is also 222mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Polk Audio 255c-LS needs about 339% more floor or shelf area. Polk Audio 255c-LS is 102mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-5502-W II is 222mm taller.
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 Polk Audio 255c-LS weighs 3.12kg / 6.9lbs and the Klipsch R-5502-W II weighs 2.95kg / 6.5lbs. This makes the 255c-LS 6% heavier than the R-5502-W II.
Here is a comparison of how 255c-LS and R-5502-W II's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk Audio 255c-LS?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 255c-LS:
- In-wall loudspeaker
- White metal grille
- Mounting template
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-5502-W II?
Here are the items that come with the R-5502-W II:
- In-wall speaker
- White metal mesh grille
- Cardboard template
- Owners Manual (En/Fr/Sp)
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
29k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
194mm
vs
416mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Base Surface Area |
142cm2
vs
626cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
498USD
vs
598USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio 255c-LS |
Klipsch R-5502-W II |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Power Range |
10-150 watts |
up to 75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
44-29kHz |
46-20kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerated polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Ring radiator |
Horn-loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200 Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
194.0mm (7.6") |
416.0mm (16.4") |
| Width |
334.0mm (13.1") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
187.5mm (7.4") |
86.0mm (3.4") |
| Weight |
3.12kg (6.9lbs) |
2.95kg (6.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
Lifetime |
Ltd. Lifetime |
| Labor Warranty |
Lifetime |
Ltd. Lifetime |
A generation apart: Klipsch R-5502-W II is the newer design, against a 2010 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (44Hz vs 46Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Polk Audio 255c-LS takes more power (150W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-5502-W II is easier to place; Polk Audio 255c-LS is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch R-5502-W II sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-5502-W II is cheaper - $498 against $598, about 17% less. |
A Polk Audio 255c-LS B Klipsch R-5502-W II
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?
The usual trade-off: Polk Audio 255c-LS measures better, Klipsch R-5502-W II costs about about 20% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. Match it to your room: we rate Polk Audio 255c-LS the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch R-5502-W II for near-field listening and a small room. In a large or open-plan room, Polk Audio 255c-LS has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch R-5502-W II is the easier speaker to get right.
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.