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Klipsch makes some of the finest speakers on the market today. Their attention to detail in design and engineering leads to speakers that are elegant in their aesthetics and sophisticated in their sound.
The R-15Ms hold that tradition, with the signature copper-spun powered subwoofer, sleek design, and fantastic sound. Its compact size still sounds huge, with the clean mid-range that is expected from any Klipsch product.
While it’s still a powered bookshelf speaker and, thus, lacking in low-end, it’s a fantastic addition to any setup. Read on to see why we think the Klipsch R-15M is so great.
The short answer, Yes. For the money, I honestly haven't tested a better pair of speakers. I was particularly impressed with the resonant base and dynamic mid-range. These won't disappoint.
Contents
Klipsch R-15M Specifications
| Frequency Response | 62Hz – 24kHz |
| Sensitivity | 94dB |
| Power Handling (Peak) | 340W |
| Impedance | 8 Ohms |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz |
| Woofer size | 5.25” |
| Weight | 10.3lbs |
| Price | $249.99 per speaker |
Klipsch R-15M Design and Build
The first thing that stands out about this speaker is how good it looks. Klipsch has always had a keen eye for design, and the R-15M is a continuation of that sound tradition.
The centerpiece is a copper spun IMG (injection-molded graphite) woofer. This beautiful piece of engineering is a fingerprint of Klipsch speakers. It’s slightly darker than normal copper and reflects like beautifully.
It has a sound advantage as well, though. It’s exceptionally lightweight while maintaining extreme rigidity, able to reproduce low frequencies without cone breakup or distortion. This makes the speaker sound better, yes, but also means power handling is better too.
The rest of the speaker is pure business. Strong lines on an onyx black body accentuate the woofer all the more, with a small Klipsch logo between the subwoofer and the tweeter. It’s a small detail, but the logo placement is something I’m especially fond of as it doesn’t break the look of the speaker while still adding branding.
The back is simple too. You get a rear port and two 5-way binding posts, embedded into the body so you can push it all the way up against a wall.
If it isn’t clear yet, I love Klipsch speakers, and much of the reason why is the design. The R-15Ms are beautiful with a subwoofer that stands out without being bombastic. Tasteful branding makes you proud to show off these speakers, with an overwise black shell that drips elegance.
Klipsch R-15M Features
The R-15Ms are completely passive bookshelf speakers, so there aren’t many features that do much outside of producing great audio. However, so interesting design choices are what help that occur.
The top of the speaker features an LTS (linear travel suspension) tweeter. Like the copper spun woofer, this tweeter helps minimize distortion during playback for enhanced top-end. The two pair together for maximum power efficiency.
The tweeter is aluminum, paired with Klipsch’s proprietary 90×90 Tractrix Horn cutting-edge technology. This horn goes a long way in enhancing not only the top-end response but the imaging of the speaker as well. In the end, this produces a natural and lively top-end.
The speakers are relatively small, coming in at just under a foot tall and only seven inches wide. Despite that size, Klipsch has managed a big sound from these speakers thanks to the thoughtful woofer and tweeter combo.
There aren’t many features to note on the R-15Ms, but there don’t need to be. Klipsch’s smart design makes these speakers handle sources beautifully and that’s all they need to do. A passive speaker with passive features.
Klipsch R-15M Sound Quality
Above all, the sound is what stands out most about these speakers. Klipsch’s attention to detail in crafting and tuning the speaker is apparent with a clear and natural sound that few others can rival for music listening, even true high-end speaker options.
Klipsch’s signature sound shines through. If you haven’t had the pleasure of demoing a speaker from them, let me break down the sound. It’s natural, hitting in all the right spots of the frequency spectrum, without any unnatural peaks or valleys.
This is particularly true in the mid-range. This area is full and rich while still not overpowering the rest of the sound. It manages a smooth response without being too scoop and without being too overpowering.
However, the low-end response is what really shines. Despite the small size, the speakers kick out a decent amount of deep bass. The 5.5-inch woofer manages a fantastic low-end, largely due to Klipsch’s smart engineering. The speaker handles power very well and allows the woofer to operate efficiently, and thus, have a better low-end.
Highs are where people part on Klipsch speakers. Some say they sound too hyped, others say it’s not enough, and the discrepancy is present here too. For my personal tastes, the highs are perfectly placed, slightly recessed, but not too dulled.
Regardless of where you stand, the general consensus is that Klipsch speakers sound great and the R-15Ms are a continuation of that. If you want to fill out your setup with a pair of great-sounding bookshelf speakers for not too much money, look no further.
Klipsch R-15M Alternatives to Consider
Polk Audio Rti A3
As far as speaker options go, Polk always seems to ride right behind Klipsch. So, naturally, a good alternative would be a similar speaker from the loving brand. These speakers are slightly larger, able to handle much more amount of low-end before cutting off.
The design is much different than the Klipsch. Instead of rear-porting, there’s front-porting, with a 6.5-inch woofer and 1-inch soft-dome tweeter. You don’t get the sexy copper spun woofer here, but instead a more traditional look.
If you’re looking for a slightly larger speaker that doesn’t go too far out on a limb in terms of looks, this is a great choice.
JBL Arena 130
JBL isn’t my first choice for many speakers on a relative budget, but this one is actually quite good. Using the HDI waveguide technology, this bookshelf is able to spread the sound around a room like few other speakers can.
It has a 7-inch woofer, plenty of surface area to crank out as much bass as you need. The 1-inch woofer is embedded in the waveguide, helping to disperse high frequencies throughout the room and kill the dreaded “sweet spot”.
While not as pretty as the Klipsch, this speaker still has a sleek look and should be considered for bass-heads.
Edifier S1000DB
These are the perfect speakers to gaming set-ups for PCs and consoles. Easily these are the most visually striking set of speakers among the visually stagnant field of bookshelf speakers made from other brands. Absolutely perfect for hooking up to your TV for mind blowing sound for movies.
Coming in more expensive, but with features to boot, is the Edifier S1000DB. This bookshelf speaker is the same size as the Klipsch, but totally active, meaning no separate amp is required to make it function.
This comes with pros and cons. On the bright end, the speakers are totally contained and open up the possibilities to remote control and Bluetooth input. The downside is, you’re probably running the speakers with a suboptimal amp.
The built-in one of the S1000DBs is quite good, but not as good as separating it out. Even so, this is a great choice for those who want everything under one roof.
Conclusion: Klipsch R-15M Review
The Klipsch R-15Ms are some of the better speakers you could buy for the money. The sound is fantastic, with keen detail in areas that other speakers miss out on. The looks are certainly nice, with the beautiful black edges and copper spun woofer.
If you want a speaker that looks great and sounds great without spending too much money, then the R-15Ms are for you.
The short answer, Yes. For the money, I honestly haven't tested a better pair of speakers. I was particularly impressed with the resonant base and dynamic mid-range. These won't disappoint.
What do you think of these speakers? Let us know in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.
Further Reading on Speakers
- Klipsch Heresy III Review
- Klipsch LS50 Review
- Klipsch KEF R300 Review
- Yamaha HS5 Review
- Audioengine B2 Review
- Audioengine A5+ Review
- Cerwin Vega SL 12 Review
- Polk Audio T15 Review (Top Rated Polk Audio Speakers)
- Dynaudio Focus 260 Review (Excellent Floorstanding Speaker)