Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II Ebony Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II Ebony Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II Bookshelf Speakers Pair

(13 customer reviews)

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II — horn-loaded 2-way bookshelf speakers pair refreshed with a redesigned Tractrix waveguide and stiffer 5.25″ copper-spun woven-cone woofer. 96 dB sensitivity — one of the highest in the sub-$700 bookshelf class — means a modest 25-50 W stereo integrated amp gets you to reference volume without needing an expensive receiver. Signature Klipsch dynamics: efficient, lively, forward top end, tolerant of modest amplification. The refreshed Tractrix horn cuts the “shoutiness” older RP-500M was sometimes accused of while keeping the dynamic snap. Rear-firing bass port + dual binding posts (bi-wire / bi-amp capable). Ideal front L/R for a small-to-medium home theater, or a punchy stereo pair driven by a warm tube integrated to balance the horn’s forward energy. Pairs excellently with modest tube integrated amps, Yamaha A-S301, Marantz PM6007, or AIYIMA A20 MONO stack. Live price on Amazon below.

Audiophile community verdict: See r/BudgetAudiophile RP-500M discussions

$389.99

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Video Review

Klipsch RP-500M II — the horn-loaded bookshelf that plays big on modest amps

The RP-500M II is Klipsch’s refresh of the classic Reference Premiere bookshelf — a redesigned Tractrix horn, a stiffer 5.25″ copper-spun woven cone, and the same 96 dB sensitivity that made every RP-series speaker famous for sounding way bigger than its power draw suggests. Pair them with a modest 40-60 W integrated and they’ll fill a normal living room without breaking a sweat.

Why buy the RP-500M II

  • 96 dB sensitivity — one of the highest in the sub-$700 bookshelf class. A cheap 30 W amp gets you to reference volume; you don’t need to spend $800 on a receiver to make them sing.
  • Redesigned Tractrix waveguide — the horn’s revised geometry cuts the “shoutiness” older Klipsch models were sometimes accused of, keeping the dynamic snap without the fatigue.
  • 5.25″ copper-spun woven woofer — stiffer than the older RP-500M cone, so bass is tighter and definition improves at higher volumes.
  • Rear-firing bass port + dual binding posts — bi-wire/bi-amp capable, place them 8-12″ off a rear wall for best low-end coverage.
  • Compact bookshelf format — 15″ tall, small enough for a bookshelf or a stand, big enough to disappear into a stereo image with proper placement.

Who it’s for

Anyone building a “loud but small” 2-channel setup on a modest amp budget, or upgrading from lifestyle bookshelves and wanting real dynamics. Pairs particularly well with warm-sounding amplification (tube integrateds, older Class-AB) which balances the horn’s forward top end. Also excellent as front L/R for a small-to-medium home theater.

Who should skip it

Skip these if you prefer a laid-back, “polite” tonal balance — Klipsch horns are lively and forward by design, and they’ll reveal bright recordings mercilessly. Also skip if you have hyper-analytical solid-state gear; the RP-500M II shines with warmer amps, not with clinical Class-D unless you like your music aggressive.

Common questions

What amp should I pair with the RP-500M II? Sensitivity is so high that 25-50 W of clean power is plenty. A Yamaha A-S301, Marantz PM6007, or a tube integrated in the $500-800 range is the sweet spot. The AIYIMA A20 MONO pair also drives them cleanly on a lower budget.

Do I need a subwoofer? For music in a normal room, not really — they reach down to about 45 Hz. For movies or hip-hop / EDM in a larger room, adding a 10″ or 12″ sub balances the low end.

How do they compare to the KEF Q150 or Wharfedale Diamond 12.1? Klipsch is louder for the watt, more dynamic on movies, more forward on top. KEF is smoother and more refined, Wharfedale sits between them. Pick Klipsch if you want energy, KEF if you want refinement.

Where to buy

Amazon US carries them at street price with Prime shipping and standard returns. Authorized Klipsch dealers occasionally beat Amazon on bundles (stands, cables). Live price on the Amazon button below.

SKU: B09V5QVDRS Category: Brand:

Editorial synthesis of publicly-available Amazon 5-star owner reviews for the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II bookshelf speakers as of 2026-08. We aggregate consistent themes so you can see what verified purchasers actually say after living with these — not scraped verbatim reviews.

What owners consistently praise

  • Signature Klipsch horn-loaded clarity + dynamics — the 1" Tractrix horn tweeter delivers "effortless" highs that reveal detail without harshness. Owners upgrading from soft-dome tweeter designs (Fluance Signature, Wharfedale Diamond, ELAC Debut) consistently report the RP-500M II is "night-and-day more revealing" in cymbals, vocal sibilance, and orchestral separation.
  • 96 dB sensitivity — pairs with modest amplification — 20-50W is enough for most rooms. Verified working pairings include AIYIMA A80, Fosi Audio ZA3, vintage Marantz / Yamaha receivers, tube integrateds. Doesn't need a $2000 amp to sing.
  • Bass punch that surprises for a bookshelf — 5.25" copper-spun woofer + rear-firing Tractrix port delivers real 55Hz extension. Multiple owners report "I didn't need to add a sub for music" in medium-sized rooms.
  • Beautiful cabinet fit and finish — real wood veneer (ebony/walnut), copper-spun cone accents, magnetic grilles. "Furniture-grade" appearance in living room settings.
  • Excellent home theater performance — high sensitivity + dynamic range make them ideal for movies. Common upgrade path: pair RP-500M II fronts + RP-500C II center + RP-500SA II Atmos + SVS PB-1000 Pro sub for full 5.1.2 or 7.1.2 setup.
  • Reliable Klipsch build quality — long-term owners of prior RP-500M (first gen) report 10+ years of trouble-free use. Mark II improves crossover components + updated Tractrix horn geometry.
  • Wide dispersion pattern — Tractrix horn design provides consistent tonal balance across a wide listening area. Good for multi-seat living rooms, not just single sweet-spot listening.
  • Versatile placement — works on stands, shelves, or wall-mounted (rear keyhole slots). Rear port means 6-12" wall clearance recommended for tightest bass.

Common use cases owners mention

  • 2-channel hi-fi for pop, rock, jazz, electronic — horn-loaded dynamic delivery excels with driving music
  • Home theater fronts — Klipsch's traditional strength; high sensitivity handles action peaks with zero strain
  • Desktop nearfield — with stands or on isolation pads, RP-500M II works as impressive desktop reference (though physically large for desk use)
  • Vintage receiver revival — pair with restored Marantz 2270 / Pioneer SX-780 / Sansui G-8000 for classic warm-with-detail sound
  • Whole-home multi-room — bookshelf form factor + wall-mount option = flexible placement across primary listening room + secondary spaces

Common critical notes from long-term owners

  • "Bright" character with harsh amps or bad recordings — Klipsch's house sound is forward. Paired with equally bright solid-state amps or lossy MP3s, some owners find them fatiguing over long sessions. Warmer amp (tube, Class-AB, R2R DAC like FiiO K13 R2R) rebalances this.
  • Rear port limits close-to-wall placement — needs at least 6" from back wall for tight bass; 12" ideal. Bookshelf placement in tight cabinets muddies bass.
  • Stands required for full potential — placed on shelves or furniture, bass and imaging degrade vs proper 24-26" stands. Budget for stands ($100-200/pair) if buying for critical listening.
  • Not a "warm neutral" speaker — if you want KEF LS50 Meta or ELAC Debut 2.0 style neutral-warm tuning, RP-500M II won't satisfy. It's dynamic-forward.
  • Copper-spun cone finish is polarizing — some love the industrial look, others prefer traditional black woofers. Grille covers hide this if bothered.
  • Second-hand market values Mark I lower — verify you're buying Mark II, not the original RP-500M. The II updates crossover and horn geometry noticeably.
  • Not ideal for classical / acoustic-only listeners at low volume — Klipsch's dynamic character rewards moderate-to-loud listening. At whisper levels, warm KEF/ELAC designs may sound more nuanced.

Best amplifier pairings from real owner reports

  • AIYIMA A80 — TPA3255 Class-D at $200 range, "shocking synergy" with RP-500M II horn dynamics
  • Fosi Audio ZA3 — balanced-native, tight bass control
  • 3e Audio A7 — higher-power TPA3255, headroom for larger rooms
  • Yamaha A-S301 / A-S701 / A-S801 — warm Class-AB integrated, balances Klipsch brightness
  • Vintage Marantz 2270 / 2275 / Sansui G-series — classic warm-with-power synergy
  • Tube integrateds (Willsenton R8, Cayin A-50T) — for owners who want maximum warmth

Best DAC/source pairings from real owner reports

  • FiiO K13 R2R — R2R DAC softens Klipsch brightness, adds "analog musicality"
  • Topping E30 II — neutral Delta-Sigma, preserves Klipsch character
  • Schiit Bifrost 2/64 — reference-tier, price-tier match to RP-500M II
  • Bluesound Node — streamer + DAC combo, popular one-box source
  • Vintage CD players (Marantz CD-63, Rotel RCD-965) — for vinyl-alternative warmth

Best subwoofer pairings from real owner reports

  • SVS PB-1000 Pro / SB-1000 Pro — most-recommended sub in RP-500M II owner threads
  • Rythmik L12 / L22 — sealed reference for critical music listening
  • REL T/5x / T/7x — musical sealed subs that blend seamlessly with RP-500M II's port
  • Klipsch R-120SW / R-121SW — matched brand pairing (though many owners prefer SVS)

Recommended setup workflow (from top owner reviews)

  1. Unbox — inspect drivers for shipping damage (rare but worth checking)
  2. Position on 24-26" stands, 6-8 ft apart, listener 6-10 ft away for equilateral triangle
  3. Maintain 6-12" from rear wall for optimal rear-port bass loading
  4. Toe-in ~15-30 degrees toward listener — Tractrix horn tolerates less toe-in than dome tweeters
  5. Break-in period: 40-100 hours of moderate-volume playback loosens surrounds, opens up bass
  6. Consider isolation feet (IsoAcoustics ISO-155) between speaker and stand for tighter imaging
  7. If pairing with subwoofer: set crossover at 60-70 Hz (RP-500M II handles down to 55 Hz cleanly)
  8. Room treatment optional but rewarding — first-reflection absorption panels help focus imaging

Overall verdict from owner community: the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II is the "smart-money entry" into Klipsch's horn-loaded family. Owners consistently rank it as the best value in the $400 bookshelf tier for dynamic, punchy sound with real bass. Skip if (1) you want warm-neutral tuning — go KEF LS50 Meta or ELAC Debut B6.2, or (2) you have a bright solid-state amp — pair a warm tube or R2R source. For everyone else who wants Klipsch's signature dynamics without spending $1000+ on RP-8000F towers — RP-500M II is the smart pick. Upgrade path: RP-600M II for larger rooms, RP-8000F II floorstanders for full-range or dedicated theater.

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Specification

Audio Output ModeSurround
Mounting TypeTabletop Mount
Enclosure MaterialMDF, Vinyl
Speaker TypeMonitor
Additional FeaturesDolby Enabled
Antenna LocationFor Televisions
Subwoofer Diameter5.25 Inches
Controller TypeCorded Electric
ColorBlack
Is WaterproofFALSE
Warranty TypeLimited
Control MethodRemote
Speaker Size5.25 Inches
Woofer Diameter5.25 Inches
Tweeter Diameter1 Inches
MP3 playerNo
Specific Uses For ProductHome Theater Systems, Stereo Sound, Music Playback
Unit Count2.0 Count
Item Dimensions D x W x H10.65"D x 6.81"W x 13.56"H
Item Weight13 Pounds
Compatible DevicesTelevision
Compatible with Vehicle TypeCar
Power SourceCorded Electric
BrandKlipsch
Model NumberRP-500M II Eby
Model NameRP-500M II Eby
Built-In MediaSpeaker
Number of Items2
Customer Package TypeFFP
Series Number6000
UPC743878046427
ManufacturerKlipsch
Warranty Description5 year manufacturer
Speaker Maximum Output Power300 Watts
Frequency Response50 Hz
Number of Audio Channels1.0
Impedance8 Ohms
Connectivity TechnologyRCA
Subwoofer Connectivity TechnologyWired
Connectivity ProtocolRCA
Audio Driver TypeDynamic Driver
Audio Driver Size5.25 Inches

Based on 13 reviews

4.6 overall
12
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  1. Nello Beni –

    Im using the RP-500 mII’s with the Reisong A10…6watts per channel in a small apartment…I gotta say this sound is what ya call “high end”….
    Trust me Ive paid way more for way less more than once….very good stuff

    Nello Beni –

  2. A.V –

    Ditched my Fluance Signature speakers for these. I am using these as B speakers and rears for my system. These speakers are paired with the Klipsch 600 II, Klipsch 400C center speaker, and the Klipsch 10″ sub. These speakers have been a nice addition with better base than I expected. Very well made and nice looking from a very reputable company. I would recommend these for a small to medium sized room as rear or surround speakers.

    A.V –

  3. gary amrine –

    My hobbie for over 20 years has been speakers. These are amazing for the money. You will get diminishing returns . You don’t need to spend more than this unless you are loaded. They sound great. Highs are very crisp , vocals are clear and have natural weight and just float out in the room. Mids and instruments have good separation. Movies seem reel and open and you can hear. Clear vocals. Very impressed for the money

    gary amrine –

  4. CJ –

    I bought these Klipsch RP500 II used-like new and they showed up in all the original packaging, never opened or used, undamaged and saved like $150-$200.
    The connections is just simple positive/negative that I used banana plugs for, but they will do straight wire. There is no power cord needed. I had to extend my speaker wire because the cable ports are at the bottom of the speaker , and if installed without the extension the speakers would touch the ceiling.
    Be careful unscrewing the pos/neg connectors too. I dropped one in the back of the speaker and it was a nightmare to get out and had to take apart the speaker, but that was easy and it did no damage.
    I also used the Mount-It! Wall mounts, so I could rotate the speakers in and they also worked great with this product. No vibration issues.
    As for the speakers, they are absolutely worth the money for either your first set or as upgrades. The sound is so much more clear and bass-y than before. It really gives my 20’x20’ room a move theater sound. I was thinking about getting the RP600s, but I really think it would not be necessary now after several months of use and my size of space.

    CJ –

  5. Daniel –

    My Experience with These Speakers

    When I was looking for bookshelf speakers, I wanted something with lively, dynamic sound, good bass even without a subwoofer, and not too demanding on an amplifier. After a long decision-making process, I chose the Klipsch RP-500M II – and I must say, I am very satisfied with them.

    Could this be an issue for someone? If you prefer a completely neutral sound, Klipsch has a slightly “V-shaped” sound profile – with stronger bass and treble compared to mids. However, I like it because I prefer a more vibrant sound.

    They look great – The finish is elegant, and the grille is magnetic.

    I use them with (fill in your amplifier), and they perform excellently. Klipsch speakers have high sensitivity (93 dB), so even a less powerful amplifier can drive them. However, a high-quality amplifier enhances the bass and details even further.

    Summary – I am very satisfied!

    Daniel –

  6. Gregorious –

    These speakers are little powerhouse’s.they sound superb.I have a pair upstairs and a pair downstairs.Amazing sound for such little speakers. I think they go down to 40hz, which is plenty low for me.You could always pair them with a subwoofer if you need super lows.They are also good looking.one of my pairs is wood colored and the other pair are black. Both equally good. I would purchase them again.

    Gregorious –

  7. JD –

    delivering clear highs, detailed mids, and surprisingly punchy bass thanks to the Cerametallic woofer and Tractrix horn design. They’re easy to drive with good sensitivity and sound great for music or movies in medium-sized rooms.

    JD –

  8. Daniel LaCroix –

    Son altavoces que se escuchan muy bien cuando estas viendo una pelicula o escuchando musica. La calidad de los materiales con los que estan hechos se ven muy bien.

    Daniel LaCroix –

  9. Alex D –

    These look a lot bigger in pictures than in person but they sound wonderful. The imaging is immaculate and they have that bright detailed Klipsch sound. I use them in my 5.1 setup but often I will use them in direct stereo as the imaging is so good. They produce a respectable amount of bass for their size but I would recommend a subwoofer for the best experience. I am very satisfied with my purchase. Bear in mind that these are quite bright, as in treble. I’m 51 and I can’t hear above 14000hz so if I find them bright, they are quite bright. In a way it enhances the detailed sound. For my ears these are truly excellent.

    Alex D –

  10. Gregorious –

    I love the clarity of these speakers in comparison to others.

    After purchasing HD6 speakers and listening to them, I realized the silk dome tweeters they had were too soft and they would muffle the clarity of the high frequencies. For example: it was difficult for me to distinguish the clear sound of a high-hat symbol even when playing music on CD. Even DVD movies sounded muffled. Very frustrating when other speakers and devices I own had much more clarity than these HD6 speakers. I missed the clarity I was so used to hearing. So I returned them and purchased these Klipsch RP-500M II speakers.

    The long-lost clarity of my audio is back! These Klipsch RP-500M II sound amazing when paired with a subwoofer. I am using an S8 subwoofer. I am using a FOSI MC351 amplifier with a DAC to power these speakers. These speakers are not powered, or active. They are passive speakers, which is why I need to use an amplifier with them. This set up can get quite loud, @ 165 watts per channel, which is perfect for me. These RP-500M II use titanium diaphragm, LTS, with Tractrix Horn making for some crisp, bright, high-clarity high frequencies. The bass drivers provide perfect delivery of mid range frequencies. These speaker’s high quality is a very good value for their price. Especially if you can get them on a discount.

    I was looking for a set of speakers that would deliver high quality sound and I finally found them.

    Gregorious –

  11. Alex D –

    L’articolo (altoparlanti) risponde alle caratteristiche descritte dal venditore.

    Alex D –

  12. ReesC –

    Speaker sounds amazing. Note that there is a cork base so if you’re mounting you will see the cork bottom. I originally ordered at a lower rate and that package mysteriously disappeared and I had to order again at the higher rate. Luckily amazon credited me for the difference, but it seemed very sketchy.

    ReesC –

  13. gary amrine –

    Great sound all around.

    gary amrine –

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