Klipsch Reference Premiere Rp-150m Rp-160m Best House Speakers
Klipsch Reference Premiere series of dwelling theater speakers was released in 2022 and in three years, it has go i of the most popular and highest rated lines of speakers on the market place. We are presenting to you the largest bookshelf speaker from the Reference Premiere series – Klipsch RP-160M.
Klipsch RP-160M is possibly larger and heavier than an boilerplate bookshelf speaker but it is almost perfect in every other way. It features sophisticated and instantly recognizable Klipsch design with spun copper woofer and Tractrix horn tweeter. It's made of quality materials – MDF was used for the cabinet, polymer veneer was used for the end, the woofer is made of Cerametallic (which is a combination Ceramic and Aluminum) with polymer baffle, and the tweeter is made of Titanium and it'due south placed inside the enhanced ninety×90 Tractrix horn.
What's even better than the build quality is the sound. A pair of RP-160M will deliver an incredible listening experience. The sound is rich, detailed, and powerful. Klipsch fifty-fifty managed to make the upper midrange and high frequencies softer and more neutral by enhancing the design of the Tractrix horn (customers complained about the previous Reference line of speakers considering the treble was too harsh). They will still be a bit too intense, peculiarly in a small room only if your room is large enough, the speakers volition evidence their full potential and you will detect that they really managed to make more neutral (and even wider) frequency response compared to the previous Reference series.
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UPSIDES
- Impressive and recognizable Klipsch design
- Immersive listening experience, powerful sound
- Low impedance, loftier efficiency
- Doesn't require a high-end powerful amplifier
DOWNSIDES
- It needs some infinite to polish (Non a corking pick for small rooms)
VERDICT
If you are looking for a great pair of bookshelf speakers for your habitation theater system or for a home sound organization and if your room is large enough, Klipsch RP-160M is one of the all-time choices under $500 (for a pair). If yous have a smaller room and you nonetheless want Klipsch bookshelf speakers, you might desire to try the smaller version RP-150M .
Official video – Klipsch Reference Premiere Series
What'south in the box?
Both speakers come in one large cardboard box and they are both nicely protected with Styrofoam. Along with the speakers, you will become only user manual and 5-yr warranty. Speaker wire is not included and it'southward recommended to utilise 16, xiv, or 12-approximate wire.
Specs
| Klipsch RP-160M Specifications | |
|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Width | 8.eight inches |
| Pinnacle | 16.7 inches |
| Depth | 12.9 inches |
| Weight | 20lb |
| DRIVERS | |
| Woofers | 6.v-inch x1, Cerametallic cone |
| Tweeters | 1-inch x1, Titanium woofer with a Tractrix horn |
| ENCLOSURE TYPE | Ported, bass reflex port (aka Tractrix port) on the rear console |
| ENCLOSURE Fabric | MDF |
| INPUTS | Dual binding posts - single wire/bi-wire/bi-amp |
| CABINET FINISH | Pianoforte Blackness, Ebony, Walnut, Cherry |
| TECHNICAL DETAILS | |
| Frequency response | 45Hz to 25kHz (+/- 3dB) |
| Nominal impedance | 8Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (at 2.83V/1m) |
| Power handling | 100W – Continuous Power input 400W – Peak Power Input |
| Crossover frequency | 1,500kHz |
Design
It'south not a secret that the Klipsch speakers are easily recognizable and it's not because there's a Klipsch logo on the forepart panel. It's the mixture of high-quality materials and Klipsch patents used in each speaker. When you run across that spun copper woofer and Tractrix horn tweeter, you instantly know that you lot are looking at a Klipsch speaker. We find these trademarks incredibly attractive and sophisticated merely that'due south the affair of taste. The cabinet is made MDF and the finish is made of veneer polymer. In that location are four different stop colors – piano blackness, ebony, walnut, and cherry
The speaker comes with a nice-looking transparent fabric grille. The grille is magnetically attached to the speaker and information technology'due south easily removable.
Moving picture ane – Front console (with the grille)
When you remove the grille, y'all will run into ii drivers – spun copper Cerametallic woofer and a Tractrix horn with an LTS Titanium tweeter. You can use the speaker with or without the grille but we prefer the look without it.
Picture 2 – Front panel (without the grille)
On the rear panel, y'all volition encounter the bass reflex port at the top (it looks similar to Tractrix horn on the front side and information technology'southward chosen Tractrix port) and dual bounden posts at the bottom. These dual binding posts are designed for bi-amp or bi-wire connection only you don't really have to use bi-wiring or bi-amping since these speakers are quite easy to bulldoze. Y'all can but utilize a unmarried 16, 14, or 12-gauge wire with ii banana plugs and plug them into 2 posts (one red and one black).
Picture three – Rear panel (bass reflex Tractrix port and dual binding posts)
The speaker rests on a slightly angled wooden base of operations. The whole enclosure is angled astern.
Features
MDF Enclosure – You won't find any plastic on this Klipsch speaker. The whole enclosure is made of MDF which is the all-time replacement for forest (it'south dense, rigid, and non-resonant and it minimizes the distortion and improves efficiency).
Enhanced 90×xc Tractrix horn and enhanced LTS (linear travel suspension) tweeter – Klipsch paid attention to customers' complaints regarding upper-midrange and treble reproduction on the previous Reference series of speakers. Treble was besides harsh and they decided to make information technology less intense (more natural and accurate). They decided to change the shape of the horn and combined circular shape around the tweeter (horn pharynx) with a square catastrophe (horn oral fissure). They likewise used molded prophylactic to cover the horn surface in order to dampen the treble. Too, Klipsch used titanium for the tweeter in order to make the frequency response more than linear.
Picture 4 – Improved blueprint of the Tractrix Horn (left – RB81 Two, right RP-160M)
Cerametallic vi.5-inch woofer – Unlike the tweeter, the woofer remained basically the same as the woofer on the previous Reference line. The Klipsch used traditional spun copper Cerametallic woofer which combined with the enhanced tweeter and Tractrix horn makes RP-160M one of the most efficient speakers on the marketplace.
Tractrix (bass reflex) port – This is another enhancement compared to the previous line of Reference speakers. The previous line had front end-firing racetrack-shaped bass ports, while the new Reference premiere series has a rear-firing port that's shaped similar to Tractrix horn. That way, Klipsch achieved faster airflow and cleaner depression-end reproduction.
Dual binding posts – You don't have to use all 4 ports simply if y'all desire to experiment with bi-amping (which could bring some improvements) or bi-wiring (which is kind of meaningless), y'all can. In our stance, single wire connection works just fine but the bi-amp connection brings some improvements.
Performance
Beginning, let's discuss a few things about the setup and speaker placement.
When it comes to placement, y'all should follow the guidelines from the Klipsch manual. Klipsch RP-160M bookshelf speakers are supposed to be your front end left and front right channels (but you can also use them equally surround channels). They should be 6-15ft apart. The distance between the speakers and your listening position (couch, sofa) should be 1-1.5 times the distance between the speakers. So, if the altitude betwixt the speakers is 15ft, your listening position should be no more than 23ft away from the speakers. You lot are supposed to direct them toward your listening position and place them on stands so the tweeters are at your ear level. Likewise, the speakers should not be placed besides close to the wall (attempt to identify them 2ft away from the wall).
When information technology comes to the setup and wiring, there are three options – elementary single wire connection, bi-wiring, and bi-amping . All the Klipsch Reference Premiere bookshelf speakers will perform just fine if you connect them to your amplifier via unmarried wire (16-gauge, xiv-gauge, or 12-estimate) with two banana plugs but they are all equipped with dual binding posts which means that you can experiment and try to bi-wire or bi-amp the speaker. Based on the experience of many audiophiles around the world, bi-wire connection doesn't really make a noticeable divergence but the bi-amp connection could amend the speaker performance. In order to bi-amp your speaker yous have to use two sets of wires and two separate amps for one speaker – 1 amp drives the woofers and the other drives the tweeters. Bi-amping is more frequently used for wiring floorstanding speakers but you tin definitely bi-amp your RP-160M bookshelf speakers.
Pic v – Bi-wiring and passive bi-amping the speaker with dual binding posts (provided by Klipsch )
Audio Quality and Listening Experience
When it comes to audio quality and listening experience, we can't really ask for more than. Every blazon of music we have tried sounded authentic and vigorous. It doesn't matter if you are listening to some classical slice performed by a symphony orchestra, power metal song, or a bass-heavy EDM, Klipsch RP-160M will deliver an authentic and powerful sound with an incredible amount of detail. The bass is deeper than you could possibly await from an average bookshelf speaker simply it's as well rich and perfectly clean without any distortion at loftier volumes. Treble was the biggest issue with the previous line of Klipsch Reference speakers but they managed to solve this issue by enhancing the design of the Tractrix horn and by enhancing the tweeter construction. RP-160M delivers much cleaner and less intense highs than the bookshelf speakers from the previous Reference series merely they really need some space to shine. The highs will still audio also harsh in a small room, when your listening position is too shut to the speaker and when the walls are as well close. Midrange and vocals sound perfectly articulate and dynamic. You will be able to hear the smallest detail – it's almost similar you lot are listening to a live event.
To conclude, Klipsch RP-160M delivers a wide and neutral frequency response, wide soundstage and accurate stereo imaging. The audio is very detailed, rich, and powerful.
The Competition
KEF Q100
KEF Q100 is slightly more than expensive than RP-160M and it'south more suitable for small rooms since it's smaller, lighter, and more meaty than RP-160M. They are both stylish but nosotros prefer the design of RP-160M. Q100 is available in four colors – blackness, American walnut, rosewood, and white. Q100 features coaxial drivers (woofer and tweeter on the same axis) and it delivers very counterbalanced sound with a powerful bass, very detailed mids, and sparkling highs. Compared to RP-160M, KEF Q100 delivers ameliorate (less intense) treble but RP-160 can go lower (deeper and more powerful bass).
Wharfedale – Denton
Wharfedale Denton is another neat choice in example you lot need something smaller than RP-160M. This speaker really excels when it comes to midrange and treble simply it's not every bit deep and loud as RP-160M. Denton is priced slightly higher but it's still under $500 (for a pair) and it performs as great. The master reasons for buying Denton instead of RP-160M are the size and more detailed and cleaner treble.
DALI – ZENSOR 3
You would have to pay approx. $100 more for a pair of DALI ZENSOR 3 but y'all won't regret it if you lot are searching for the perfectly balanced audio and controlled punchy bass. DALI ZENSOR 3 is, just like the previous 2 competitors, smaller and lighter than Klipsch RP-160M. Information technology delivers fifty-fifty more neutral sound than RP-160M but Klipsch'southward bookshelf speaker is much louder and delivers deeper and stronger bass. The bass on ZENSOR 3 is more controlled. ZENSOR three delivers perfectly detailed and accurate mids and highs and very wide soundstage.
Comparison Table
| Speaker | Power handling | Impedance |
|---|---|---|
| Klipsch RP-160M Bookshelf Speaker | 100W (RMS) | 8Ω |
| KEF Q100 | 100W (RMS) | 8Ω |
| Wharfedale - Denton | 100W (RMS) | 6 Ω |
| DALI - ZENSOR 3 | 80W (RMS) | 6 Ω |
Final Thoughts
Klipsch RP-160M meets all the sound principles established by the founder of Klipsch corporation (Paul W. Klipsch) and it'southward probably improve than whatsoever previous bookshelf speaker fabricated past Klipsch – it has a wide and neutral frequency response, the distortion is practically nonexistent, and it's highly efficient. A pair of RP-160M volition deliver a wide soundstage with a perfect stereo imaging, excellent directivity, and a overnice residue betwixt low, mid, and loftier frequencies. RP-160M is, without any dubiety, one of the best choices when it comes to bookshelf speakers under $500.
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Klipsch RP-160M can exist a office of your dwelling theater system or home audio system. You lot can employ a pair of RP-160M speakers as your front end left and right channels or fifty-fifty as your surround channels. For the best results, you should combine RP-160M with other speakers from the Klipsch Reference Premiere series. If you need a centre channel, you should bank check out RP-250C or RP-450C . The best choices for environment channels are RP-240S or RP-250S and depending on the size of your room, you can get a 10-inch, 12-inch, or xv-inch Klipsch Reference Premiere subwoofer ( R-110SW or R-112SW or R-115SW ).
In case y'all have a really big room and want even bigger sound, you can ever use Reference Premiere floorstanding speakers instead of bookshelf speakers . There are ii available versions RP-280F (larger) and RP-260F (smaller).
If you want a bookshelf speaker fabricated by Klipsch but you need something smaller, yous might desire to check out RP-150M which comes from the same Reference Premiere line.
All the speakers we've mentioned in the previous chapter (KEF 100, Wharfedale – Denton, and DALI – ZENSOR iii) are great choices, too. Your final decision depends only on your sound sense of taste and your upkeep.
Hi, my proper noun is James Longman.
I'g a writer and editor at AudioReputation. I disassembled my first portable AM/FM radio when I was only 8. At the age of eleven, I burned the circuit board on my onetime boombox cassette player. I'yard non going to explicate how but it was reckless and stupid.
Since and so, I take go much more careful effectually radios, boomboxes, and other audio devices (at least, I like to think and so) but I accept never lost the passion for audio equipment. Throughout 20 years of my professional career, I've been working for diverse audio equipment manufacturers and even started building speakers on my own in my little workshop.
I love the work we exercise here at AudioReputation. Testing, comparing, and evaluating all kinds of audio devices (speakers, soundbars, headphones, home theater systems, etc.) is something I truly enjoy. I try to be unbiased and give you lot my honest opinion on every slice of equipment I test. Even so, you should take my reviews with a pinch of salt and e'er exist just a little bit skeptical. The fact that I liked some speaker or soundbar doesn't mean that you lot are going to dear it. If you take the opportunity, you should test it/hear it before ownership it.
Source: https://www.audioreputation.com/klipsch-rp-160m/
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