In this review, we will be comparing S15 and RP-400M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk S15 and Klipsch RP-400M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk S15 | Klipsch RP-400M |
|---|
| Brand | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Mica-reinforced polypropylene | 4" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-40k Hz | 52-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 watts | up to 50 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.90kg / 13lbs | 4.10kg / 9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.0" x 7.4" x 10.2"
304.8 x 190.0 x 260.4mm | 11.7" x 5.6" x 7.5"
298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk S15 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* |
Polk S15 |
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 S15 and RP-400M are 2-way speakers.
Polk S15Klipsch 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 |
Polk S15 |
Klipsch RP-400M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
S15 features a 1" Terylene Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. 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
S15 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz whereas RP-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the S15 can go slightly deeper then the RP-400M's min frequency of 52Hz.
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
S15 and RP-400M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S15 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the RP-400M's is at 93 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-400M a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk S15, 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.
S15 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 S15.
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
S15 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.
Klipsch RP-400M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both S15 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 Polk S15's and Klipsch RP-400M's external dimensions. Polk S15 has external dimensions of 304.8 x 190.0 x 260.4mm (12.0 x 7.4 x 10.2inch) whereas Klipsch RP-400M has external dimensions of 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm (11.7 x 5.6 x 7.5inch).
Polk S15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 46mm wider, 6.8mm taller and 69.4mm deeper than Klipsch RP-400M.
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 Polk S15 is approximately 494.8cm2 / 76.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-400M is approximately 275.0cm2 / 42.6inch2. The S15 requires 80% more surface area than the RP-400M which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Polk S15 weighs 5.90kg / 13lbs and the Klipsch RP-400M weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs. This makes the S15 44% heavier than the RP-400M.
Here is a comparison of how S15 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 Polk S15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S15:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grille (attached)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Wall-mount template
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
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 |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
259USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
298mm
vs
304mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
275cm2
vs
494cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Polk Audio Signature S15 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-100 watts |
up to 50 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-40k Hz |
52-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
304.8mm (12") |
298.0mm (11.7") |
| Width |
190.0mm (7.5") |
144.0mm (5.7") |
| Depth |
260.4mm (10.3") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Weight |
5.90kg (13lbs) |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Meddite MDF |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-30" |
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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (50Hz vs 52Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-400M is more sensitive (93dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Polk S15 takes more power (100W vs 50W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-400M is easier to place; Polk S15 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 | A | Polk S15 is cheaper - $259 against $399, about 35% less. |
A Polk S15 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-400M the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. In a large or open-plan room, Polk S15 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-400M 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.