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Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Speakers $194.48 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon US via AU

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Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Speakers $194.48 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon US via AUAffiliate
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poppingtags on 13/02/2021 - 00:45 amazon.com.au (4153 clicks)
Last edited 21/02/2021 - 11:56
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Sells for over $500 locally, best ever price according to 3 Camels. As long as you like your music on the bright side (with an elevated treble response) these would make a great budget set-up. Some Amazon reviews mention that they make great desktop speakers as well.

Note - you will have to purchase an amp to drive them. Fosi, Nobsound, SMSL and Topping all make decent ultra low budget ($50-150) amplifiers that have been well reviewed. Here's a Wirecutter roundup of mini amps.

EDIT: Impulse buyers should really read through the comments - as mentioned they have a very bright sound signature, it is not for everyone! I personally wouldn't recommend them unless you know you like that sound.

Review + Sound Demo

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
Electrical & Electronics Klipsch Speakers

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closed Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2021 - 01:06
    +3

    Already have Polks, these are better but can’t justify it. Great deal though.

  • lachhelix on 13/02/2021 - 01:13
    +3

    The temptation is real 🥺

  • Drakesy on 13/02/2021 - 01:25
    +2

    If they're good enough for Harvey Specter then they're good enough for me

    Only, i don't like bright sound.

    Really wish i could like these as well wanted a pair for my setup.

    Going to stick to looking for a pair of B&W's

    • reginald on 13/02/2021 - 08:09
      +1

      Get 805s. You will be set for life.

      • Drakesy on 13/02/2021 - 13:25

        I do have my heart set on a pair, or the floor standing equivalent.

        Definitely one of the sexiest speakers on the market with sound to boot

    • pin4e on 13/02/2021 - 10:16
      +2

      Get the 802s

      • Drakesy on 13/02/2021 - 13:26
        +2

        When I win the lotto, definitely

        • pin4e on 13/02/2021 - 13:49
          +2

          Haha of you win the lotto you have to go with the nautilus

          • Drakesy on 13/02/2021 - 14:56
            +1

            @pin4e: Don't think I'll ever be eccentric enough to warrant buying those unfortunately 😂😂🤣

    • theHMASfriendship on 03/03/2021 - 18:41

      Goddamn.

      It will be hard to enjoy these speakers…. in jail.

  • richmond12 on 13/02/2021 - 01:28
    +2

    What is bright sound. No sub?

    • Drakesy on 13/02/2021 - 01:36
      +12

      As the OP said, the higher frequency's are quite pronounced, some people like this as it provides detail in some instances, others don't as it can be tiring to listen to with the high's accentuated. As for me i prefer a more balanced speaker.

      It all depends on your chosen genre.

      • Zackeroo on 13/02/2021 - 12:31

        It all depends on your chosen genre.

        As I was reading through your comment, I was just about to comment this… And then I realised you beat me to it :)

      • Sxio on 13/02/2021 - 16:13

        But can't you just eq it to reduce the treb? Add a sub and you should be able to craft a great sound…. Right?

        I'm not an expert but I've done the same with a pair of audioengine's and a monoprice sub and it sounds great to me.

        • tukanglistrik on 14/02/2021 - 05:26
          +1

          Nope, you can't change the speaker's sound signature by setting bass/treble only. Similar to how you will still recognise an individual person's voice even though they raised or lowered their pitch.

    • This Guy on 13/02/2021 - 07:54
      +6

      Tweeter (top speaker) is more efficient than to the woofer (bottom speaker). The designer could have skipped the wave guide (the plastic around the tweeter) to slightly reduce this effect, or used a more suitable filter design that produced a more balanced sound.

      Realistically, the speaker is bright because a manager wanted it to look a certain way while hitting a price point and margin.

    • Ryanek on 25/02/2021 - 10:38
      +2

      Harsh sounding, if you have tinnitus it's not ideal.

  • Jazzydazzy on 13/02/2021 - 07:08
    +4

    Centre speaker looks on sale as well - https://www.amazon.com.au/Klipsch-026212-Reference-R-52C-Bla…

    • LayG on 13/02/2021 - 22:49

      Does anyone have feedback on this centre speaker. Reviews are all good in Amazon.

      I have Q accoustics as my front speakers and looking for a Centre speaker.

  • Macky1012 on 13/02/2021 - 07:13

    Wanted the RP-600M, but price is still too high..
    can i start with the R-41M as a bookshelf then later on combine it with the RP-600M to make a 5 channel speaker? And what entry level/mid amp/receiver can i pair with these?

    Sorry noob question guys as i am not that familiar yet with sound systems..

  • p3t0r on 13/02/2021 - 07:41
    +5

    The horn tweeter can be fatiguing, I wouldn't recommend as a computer speaker set up, but otherwise fantastic speakers

    • scuderiarmani on 13/02/2021 - 08:48
      +1

      Yeah wouldn't have thought it'd be at all ideal for near listening set ups.

  • readerr0r on 13/02/2021 - 08:01
    +20

    Great price but I really can’t recommend these. I got caught up in the hype around their bigger brother the RP 51 and they’re genuinely a bad speaker. The horn is very fatiguing and the highs just are way too harsh to have them blasted into your ears like that.

    AudioScienceReview also gave them one of their lowest rankings and their measurements are fantastically robust. I recommend checking any speaker you buy through them.

    https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/klips…

    If you’re looking for a great well priced speaker, go for the JBL stage a130 for $495, it received their highest recommendation and blew me away compared to the RP’s (I own both)

    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/j…

    • readerr0r on 13/02/2021 - 08:14
      +6

      Actually if you want a similar sized speaker that measures well and almost matches this for pice check out the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR's for $239 @ Dick Smith
      https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/pioneer-bookshelf-speake…

      They will also play 'a little bright' but without so many of a caveats of the RP-41's
      https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/p…

      • asausas on 13/02/2021 - 08:59
        +1

        @readerr0r Great bit of education for the under-researched impulse-buyers; thanks for the input.

        • readerr0r on 13/02/2021 - 09:09
          +2

          Thanks a lot asausas I've been looking for more data based audio reviews for yonks. I'm so use to them in the tech and car space and I'm glad someone is able to both collect the data accurately and present in a relatively easy to digest package

      • diamondd on 13/02/2021 - 09:39
        +3

        we pay a huge Australia tax on the Pioneers, they can be had for around $70 in the States, I have a set I got secondhand for 100 bucks and I would probably only recommended them at that price point.

        I replaced the Pioneers with a pair of Dali Zensor 1s for $300 new from grays online in a deal posted here and they blow the BS22's out of the water in every respect IMO. Defintely worth the extra 60 bucks if they can still be found for that price.

      • chilicucumber on 13/02/2021 - 10:57

        The larger Dolby Atmos Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR is also available on ebay for $459, cheaper than Dick Smith/Kogan
        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pioneer-SP-BS22A-LR-Dolby-Atmos-…

        You'd get the most out of them with a Dolby Atmos capable receiver however

      • chis on 13/02/2021 - 16:54

        What are the caveats you speak of? Also, would turning down the treble on the amp help with the 'brightness'?

        • readerr0r on 13/02/2021 - 17:59

          The problem is the directivity of the sound, the horn loaded tweeter means that you get a very different sound depending on where you sit. So applying an eq will produce different results, its a moving target. Plus the speaker requires vastly different work from the amp, depending on the frequency played. It's specced as an 8ohm speaker but 300hz has it requesting only 2ohm, which is very stressing on an amp.

          The Klipsch will 'fill' a room with sound as its not far off a design for PA speakers. But because the woofer doing the bass is so mismatched with that PA style tweeter you're not getting a full, balanced sample of the song and its various issues make it hard to ever achieve that.

          The Pioneers (according to their data/review as I don't own a pair) are more balanced but don't like going loud as much. This is pretty common for 4-inch speakers anyway as they're more for close up listening.

          The Pioneers aren't a silver bullet in this case, If you can stretch your budget to the JBL Stage A120's or even better the A130s you'll get a very loveable system. I've bought a lot of darling of the internet speakers including the B652-airs, the miccas, the elac debut 5.2's and all have ended up measuring poorly. So when the Stage's proved themselves worthy with the cold hard data, I took the plunge and have been very happy.

          • chis on 13/02/2021 - 18:51

            @readerr0r: Thanks for the great explanation. I was kind of eyeing off the Sony ss cs5 as well as they've reviewed similarly however apparently provide a more well rounded experience. Anyhow. Thanks again!

    • snep on 13/02/2021 - 10:48
      +2

      Someone giving well-thought-out audio advice on ozb? That's rare.

      Just to add another option, the JBL 305 II are excellent powered monitors which don't need an external amp, and also come highly recommended by Amir.

      They've gone on sale for under $400 a pair delivered before, which is pretty hard to beat. Just be aware that there is a little tweeter hiss, but even though I use my pair near-field it usually doesn't bother me.

    • poppingtags on 13/02/2021 - 11:01
      +4

      Very fair points - I've added an extra precaution to the description.

      That said, I would also caution people from taking AudioScienceReview as gospel, Amir's approach and conclusions are as polarising as his reviews.

      • snep on 13/02/2021 - 11:25
        +1

        Obviously it's not good to take any one source as gospel. That said, I think Amir's reviews are pretty useful, if only for the consistent and thorough measurements.

        Sbaf can also be useful for sure, and Marv's thoughts are great as an experienced, opinionated source.

        But I feel like their beef with asr is maybe clouding judgment a little. Their examples in the article linked are a bit weak: e.g. saying amir is anti-svs because he didn't enjoy listening to svs's speaker despite it measuring well. But sbaf's main schtick is that what you hear matters more than measurements…

        • poppingtags on 13/02/2021 - 11:46
          +3

          Agreed on all points - I just wanted to add a counterpoint to ASR, as many people new to the hobby could fall for the common tendency to see measurements as the be all and end all once they discover them. I personally find measurements to be their most useful as a comparison tool.

          I think the SBAF post gets it right in saying that ASR is too reliant on measurements and SBAF is too light on them.

        • AlexF on 13/02/2021 - 14:33
          +1

          Amir's reviews are pretty useful, if only for the consistent and thorough measurements.

          another way of putting this: based on objective measurements you know exactly what you’ll get; based on subjective reviews, you may or may not know what you’ll get.

    • 3v3rqu357 on 13/02/2021 - 11:31

      Good to hear! I've got some arena 120's with the same tweeter to hook up and finally got an amp. They won't have the same low end, but for $250 aud when I got them I couldn't resist.

  • C0mbat on 13/02/2021 - 08:26
    +2

    It amazing that speaker manufacturers are still churning out black or mahogany coloured speakers when 90% of people have moved on from that as their colour scheme in their house since the 1990s. It was excusable in the 2000s but I don't understand it in 2021.

    • raybies on 13/02/2021 - 16:32
      +2

      I don't know why you're being down voted, must be the mahogany brigade. I white plastidip'ed my Klipsch RP 150's which sounded pretty good with a sub and a minDSP.

      • C0mbat on 13/02/2021 - 17:06

        Or unmarried? My wife would never allow these things in the house.

    • richmond12 on 14/02/2021 - 01:46

      I agree needs black white option. Editfier same boat

      • C0mbat on 14/02/2021 - 08:02

        Or oak? Sure oak is the most popular wood grain in the living room now?

  • leftspeaker2000 on 13/02/2021 - 08:50
    +7

    Does anyone remember putting unshielded speakers next to their CRT monitor as a kid and it having a huge mark?

    • raybies on 13/02/2021 - 16:33

      Yup, you could reverse it with a bit of practice.

  • mlburnian on 13/02/2021 - 09:30

    Anyone know if this will work in AUS with just an adaptor?
    https://www.amazon.com.au/Klipsch-R-110SW-Subwoofer/dp/B00N4…
    Amazing price

    • chilicucumber on 13/02/2021 - 10:59

      How do you get an Aus price? If I put an Australian postcode no price is showing.

      • mlburnian on 13/02/2021 - 11:10

        Do you have prime? It's 624 with free shipping

  • superforever on 13/02/2021 - 09:37

    Still happy with my infinity reference 162, how is it compare with it?

    • diamondd on 13/02/2021 - 09:41

      keep them.

  • Euthyphro on 13/02/2021 - 09:40

    Using these audiophile speakers, can users tell the difference between MP3 file and WAV file from the same data source?

    • superforever on 13/02/2021 - 09:49
      +2

      You should try high res audio DSD

      • raybies on 13/02/2021 - 16:34

        Yup all 10 albums and mostly Norah Jones.

    • steve84 on 13/02/2021 - 10:13
      +1

      And Masters (MQA) on Tidal. More easily accessible than DSD. I’m a big fan of the sound, beats DSD imho

    • spaceflight on 13/02/2021 - 10:41
      -1

      Only if you use Pear speaker cables

    • umadbrahhhh on 13/02/2021 - 11:00
      -2

      No you need Beats headphones for that.

    • Laserface on 22/02/2021 - 14:43

      You can easily tell the difference between something lossy like Spotify streaming via bluetooth vs plugged in, even if your device uses the 'good' bluetooth audio codecs (AAC/APTX etc).

      the difference was so significant in my car of all places (universally considered the worst audio environment of all the common places we listen to music) when i switched to a carplay head unit that its spurred me on to buy a raspberry pi to turn into an airplay target and hifi streambox (locally stored FLACs) because the difference between bluetooth streaming and Airplay was so dramatic.Both head units were Pioneer and both were in the same price range so similar EQ/Processing settings available and that.

      • more bass
      • more dynamic range/'breathing room' for the individual sounds
      • better volume
      • nowhere near as crunchy when at the higher end of the volume

      my ears are battered after a decade of sports cars and playing in bands yet the difference was so stark I felt like I was listening to my favorite albums for the first time again.

  • Martyroz on 13/02/2021 - 11:24

    How do these compare against my 15 year old Wharfedale Xarus 1000, $213 a pair from JB Hi-Fi?

  • zan5hin on 13/02/2021 - 11:28
    +2

    If we're dropping mentions of reviews of audio science review, I'd like to chip in my thoughts.

    I neglected my audio setup for decades, then 2 years back dropped $2500 on a home theatre setup (including receiver), but recently dropped another $1300 to replace my 15 year old Altec Lansing FX6021 2.1 PC speakers.

    It's life-changing, going to proper studio monitors (I chose PreSonus R65s) and a studio subwoofer (PreSonus T10) running through a Behringer UPhoria USB Audio Interface. It completely destroys my Q Acoustics surround setup with Concept 20s in the front.

    I went into more details here: https://whrl.pl/RgcQWc but I just plugged in the subwoofer last night and it's like a revelation. I seriously am kinda glad I'm back into 5 day lockdown in Melbs even though I won't get paid because I have my new toys :)

    So moral of the story, is budget for the best gear you can afford, my PC speakers lasted 15 years, and these I hope will last a long while too. And if you enjoy learning about AMT tweeters, crossover points, XLR cables, frequency responses, Class D amps, etc. then even better!

    Next project is figuring out how to play Beat Saber using this gear instead of the Oculus Quest headset speakers 😄

    • mlburnian on 13/02/2021 - 12:49
      +1

      Agree, but studio monitors won't be to everyone's liking. Lots of other good bookshelves around 1000 mark

    • SuperGeek on 13/02/2021 - 15:48

      Monitors have a very specific purpose and are no good for hifi listening.

      • zan5hin on 13/02/2021 - 23:00
        +1

        Sure, keep telling yourself that.

        • Laserface on 22/02/2021 - 14:54

          Most hi-fi people will tell you the same thing.

          music is not mixed and mastered with studio monitors in mind. hi-fi speakers? absolutely. UE booms? you betcha. car speakers? sure.

          monitors are for the engineer/producer to hear little tiny details that need fixing, listening for whats missing, etc.

          you can absolutely listen to music on them, they are speakers after all. but they aren't necessarily tuned or designed with home listening in mind.

    • Sxio on 13/02/2021 - 16:16

      Yes. Life is too short for sub par sound. I only spent about 1200 on my setup but it has given me so much joy. So glad i moved on from PC speakers.

  • sessionzero on 13/02/2021 - 11:40
    +5

    Just a note that speakers can be very subjective. It's always good if you can have a listen first.

    I have a full set of Klipsch home theatre speakers, including a pair of the "bigger brother" to the ones in this deal, and I love them. To me, the set sounds far better than any of the local cinemas. Whereas some reviews don't speak that highly of them. And on the other hand I've heard really well-reviewed speakers which I just thought were "meh".

    • diamondd on 13/02/2021 - 15:18
      +1

      I don't know if subjective is the perfect word for it, but they are certainly polarising.

      I would describe them as a bit like having a Rock EQ preset built-in full time. They can be great sounding in that context, cranking AC/DC, Van Halen, Foo Fighters, or whatever your generation grew up on, but typically people getting into more "serious" audio systems for music are looking for something a little more subtle and transparent

      Not only the frequency response is ideal, but also the dynamics. I've heard horns described as being like the accelerator in a racing car vs a road going car and that's pretty apt IMO.

  • congo on 13/02/2021 - 12:23
    +1

    Buy first. Think later.

    • omblygombly on 13/02/2021 - 12:44

      I did that about 6 years ago when I bought a 5.1 surround sound system. The 5 speakers were Acoustic Energy Radiance Ones and the sub is from Paradigm. Bought all new on line for about $ 1700. The bookshelf speakers alone retailed for $1000 a pair and I picked them up for just under half price. Looking at upgrading my amplifier, but no hurry.

      I was a little nervous about buying speakers that I had never listened to before, but after reading a number of reviews, I went for it. Still very happy with my purchase.

  • Lawagetas on 13/02/2021 - 13:14

    Anyone know where they're made?

  • wanderlei on 13/02/2021 - 14:05
    +1

    The last bit of expensive audio gear I bought from amazon was DOA. I suspect getting thrown and kicked around by couriers isnt good for this type of gear. At least returns process was easy.

  • Flognuts on 13/02/2021 - 14:32

    For the same price of these and an AMP to drive them you can buy a pair of Swans Active Speakers MKIII or Similar that will have a warmer sound signature and be much more versatile.

    • diamondd on 13/02/2021 - 15:08
      +1

      keeping everything separate is much more fun for upgrades though…

  • SuperGeek on 13/02/2021 - 15:55
    +1

    Thanks OP. These are a bargain for the price. I got 3 pairs and intend to use all of them.

  • chis on 13/02/2021 - 16:18

    Strongly considering these for front and rear 5.1 setup.

    But I see some reviews also placing the Sony SSCS5's as equal if not better. Only about $50 more on Amazon

    What to do!?

    • SuperGeek on 13/02/2021 - 19:50

      Klipsch v Sony - It’s a no brainer. You can always buy a Sony later if you want and if you like those better, then you could unload the Klipsch and still make a tidy profit.

  • yoshyosh on 14/02/2021 - 21:28
    +1

    Thanks OP.
    I’ve just ordered 3sets to replace my DOLBY ATMOS ceiling speakers, from super cheap mini-compo speaker.

    Rest of all speakers are all KLIPSCH.
    Perfect for me to get light weight KLIPSCH with this price!

  • blorx on 16/02/2021 - 10:06

    More interested in the mini amp conversation.

    • impoze on 16/02/2021 - 10:23
      +2

      been happy with my SMSL AD18

      was also considering the Topping MX3

    • poppingtags on 16/02/2021 - 10:40
      +1

      I've owned the Topping MX3 for about 1.5 years now, been very happy with it. Drives all my headphones with authority and it has enough power to drive my KEF Q100 for desktop use and/or fill a small room.

  • Laserface on 22/02/2021 - 14:36
    +2

    AudioScienceReview is a good resource but its worth pointing out that just because you can measure something on a piece of equipment doesnt necessarily mean that you can necessarily perceive the same difference, or even that the measurement is something you should worry about.

    Just because something measures better with specific equipment does not mean it will sound better to you. sound is subjective, and most people would find truly flat response speakers/headphones/whatever to be a little bit boring or even harsh sounding. I sure did.

    I had a pair of $400 shure IEMs that I couldnt bare to listen to for more than hour before I was 'tired' of listening to music. meanwhile i could wear my $80 sennheiser CX-70 IEMs or whatever they were back in the day for hours on end without issue. I've moved on from both now to other headphones but its a good example that money doesnt always translate to quality, especially with something as subjective as music.

    • poppingtags on 22/02/2021 - 16:13

      I agree - there have been so many audio devices that ASR has readily dismissed but the vast majority of other reviewers have enjoyed. ASRs graphs are most useful as a comparisson tool between devices - his opinion on how it sounds, is just that - an opinion.

      • Laserface on 22/02/2021 - 16:27
        +1

        im talking specifically about the tools used to measure THD/power handling etc. but you're right too (although all reviews are ultimately opinion, even hard data based stuff like benchmarks - because who says what you need to measure for benchmarks?)

        useful measurements maybe, but whether or not you're going to notice a difference between two speakers with slightly different SNR? not so sure on that. theres a lot more to it than just SNR/Sensitivity and so on, and while data can go a long way to supporting which one might sound 'better' ultimately its subjective.

        some people like Beats by Dre. Some people like Sennheiser HD800s. Some people like their 50th pair of Earpods.

  • pformag on 23/02/2021 - 13:56

    Better go for Edifier at this price.

  • axlfan on 01/03/2021 - 22:07

    Would these be good as rear speaker pair for home theater. Looking to upgrade from Voll b44.

  • dynaflow on 09/03/2021 - 14:35

    Any comparison with the Elac Debut B5.2 or it's recent iteration the B6.2?

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