Klipsch is popular among people for their quality speakers and they have different series with different unique features. If you are a Klipsch lover then you may know Klipsch Icon and Klipsch Reference series. We are going to compare Klipsch Icon vs Reference series to see which one has the best speakers and features.
Both of them have the same configuration, a horn-driven tweeter with a low-end woofer. This style now stands out among other speakers that use a speaker cone. Since the horn tweeter is built, every horn instrument will probably sound a little more natural and lively.
The speakers of Klipsch Icon are true examples of high-performance, high-style, and high-value home entertainment with slim black vinyl cabinets and top caps made of wooden furnishings. The sound in the group of lifestyle speakers is superior and inexpensive and that happened because of using the same XT Tractrix Horn technology in the previous Icon lines.
With patented horn-powered technology and IMG woofers built from classic spun-copper, Klipsch Reference series speakers add life-like sound to existence in your music and movies. The exclusive Tractrix horn technology from Klipsch guarantees high-frequency energy of a reference speaker series is concentrated at the listener and decreases the reverb or filtering of the artificial reverb.
Both serve numerous roles. Icon’s sequence has higher artistic appeal and offers you the outstanding sound of home cinema, without needing any host of other speakers to surround you. The reference series targets those who care less about the aesthetics than the proportions, improved volume performance and quality, and a balanced mix of music and movie implementations.
And if you compare Klipsch Icon vs Reference from the vire of price then you will not see much difference.
Model by Model Comparison
Bookshelf Speaker
Bluetooth speakers, due to their smaller scale, are damn good, many of them are portable and sound quality just goes higher than regular wired speakers which are closely rival. In our today’s fast world, Bluetooth speakers are becoming popular for taking our music everywhere we want them. Smartphone and handheld systems are available and can be paired wirelessly. Many of them are mobile or water-resistant and dustproof too.
Klipsch R-15m vs Klipsch Icon Kb-15s
| Klipsch R-15m | Klipsch Icon Kb-15s | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Speaker | Speaker |
| Speaker System Type | left / right channel speakers | left / right channel speakers |
| ASIN | B00AS3X740 | B00LMF41IY |
| Design Features | Brushed polymer veneer | Vinyl veneer |
| Detachable Grilles | Yes | Yes |
| Amplification Type | Passive | Passive |
| Crossover Channel Qty | 2 | 2 |
| Nominal Output Power | 85 Watt | 85 Watt |
| Max (RMS) Output Power | 340 Watt | 340 Watt |
| Frequency Response | 62 - 24000 Hz | 62 - 23000 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 94 dB |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz | 1800Hz |
| Connectivity Technology | wired | wired |
| Recommended Placing | Bookshelf | Bookshelf |
| Body Material | MDF | MDF |
| Driver Type | tweeter driver, woofer driver | tweeter driver, woofer driver |
| Driver Qty | 1 | 1 |
| Driver Diameter | 1 m, 5.25 m | 1 m, 5.25 m |
| Driver Material | aluminum, injection-molded graphite (IMG) | aluminum, injection-molded graphite (IMG) |
| Driver Technology / Design | Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) | Tractrix Horn |
| Dimensions | 8.2 x 7 x 12.5 inches | 8.2 x 7 x 12.5 inches |
| Weight | 10.3 pounds | 11 pounds |
Klipsch R-15m
Pros
- A narrower design for sliding into cramped spaces than other units
- A robust tone that is not affected by low price tags
- Tractrix horn dynamic in the development of natural sound
- At 10 pounds, a light carries
- A brushed polymer finish mixes with home decor and is hard to harm greatly.
- For its scale, Intense Bass
Cons
- Not developed for large venues
- Perhaps the sound needs to be turned higher than average for clarity.
Klipsch Icon Kb-15s
Pros:
- A unique combination of accuracy, clarification, and effortless strength is made.
- Fills small to medium rooms with strong performances that are lifelike,
- With songs and movies, equally impressive
- Highly successful architecture requires fewer resources to generate more production
- Precise, non-fatiguing sound gives hours of listening enjoyment.
- With less distortion than the opposition, it plays louder
Cons:
- The tweeters are absolutely delightful.
- Possibly 2 to 3 dB is higher than the woofer.
Verdict
The Klipsch Icon Kb-15s speaker uses Tractrix® Horn technology in a sound that’s lifelike, more production uses less energy, greater efficiency, decreased distortion, and a large picture soundstage. There are some issues with the ported woofer because when the bass is cranked up through no speaker fault, it makes some notes sound boomy.
The Klipsch R 15-M monitor bookshelf monitor speaker has far more to offer than its unbelievably futuristic look and superb audio efficiency. The R15-M speakers deliver an unprecedented level of flexibility and functionality compared with other bookshelf speakers available at the same price point.
Floorstanding Speaker
A quality floor standing pair would automatically overpower and provide room-filled music to your high-end setup. Members on Board tend to create bigger booths than bookshelf speakers to build greater scale, authority, and bass. But larger cabinets don’t fit the better sound. You would certainly like a specialized floor stander for the home theater system whether you are a dedicated audiophile or a movie lover.
Klipsch KF-28 vs Klipsch RF-82
| Klipsch RF-82 | Klipsch KF-28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker System Type | Floor-standing | Floor-standing |
| Detachable Grilles | Yes | Yes |
| System Components | 1 x Floor-standing speaker | 1 x Floor-standing speaker |
| Amplification Type | passive | passive |
| Crossover Channel Qty | 2-way | 2-way |
| Nominal Output Power | 150 Watt | 150 Watt |
| Max (RMS) Output Power | 600 Watt | 600 Watt |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm |
| Frequency Response | 33 Hz – 24 kHz | 35 - 23000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB | 98 dB |
| Crossover Frequency | 2000Hz | 1800Hz |
| Connectivity Technology | wired | wired |
| Driver Type | tweeter driver, woofer driver | tweeter driver, woofer driver |
| Driver Qty | 1, 2 | 1, 2 |
| Driver Diameter | 1 m, 8 m | 1 m, 8 m |
| Driver Material | Cerametallic, titanium | aluminum, injection-molded graphite (IMG) |
| Driver Technology / Design | Tractrix Horn | Tractrix Horn |
| Dimensions | 9.3 x 43.9 x 16.3" (23.5 x 111.4 x 41.4 cm) | 16 x 9.5 x 43.3 inches |
| Weight | 61.5 lb (32.2 kg) | 59 pounds |
Klipsch KF-28
Pros:
- Completes medium to large spaces with powerful, lifelike performances
- With songs and movies, equally impressive
- Highly successful architecture requires fewer resources to generate more production
- Precise, non-fatiguing sound gives hours of listening enjoyment.
Cons:
- Fatiguing at higher volumes with music
- Midrange a bit thin
Klipsch RF-82
Pros:
- Crispy highs and super accurate lows.
- Really expanded the sound stage.
- Classic finish with a modern texture
- The sound signature provides a full sense of listening.
Cons:
- Quite large and heavy
- Not enough connectivity
Verdict
Klipsch RF-82 speaker is perfect for those who don’t want a lot to buy a speaker but want an incredible experience during the tour. The incredible signature of the sound will take you away. The sound of the big sound stage sounds so normal and genuine.
KF-28 speaker Klipsch excels at the home theatre. It excels in offering a wide variety of musical styles, from heavy rock to jazz, if you have the other device elements. Honestly, it would sound great, along with Klipsch KF-28 speakers, a decent middle speaker, and a subwoofer.
Klipsch WF-35 vs Klipsch RF-52 II
| Klipsch WF-35 | Klipsch RF-52 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker Type | Passive | Passive |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-23kHz +/-3dB | 36 Hz - 24 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB | 96 dB |
| High-Frequency Driver | 1" (2.5cm) titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to a 4.5" 80° x 80° round Tractrix horn | 1" (2.54 cm) titanium diaphragm compression driver mated to 90° x 60° square Tractrix Horn |
| Low-Frequency Drivers | Triple 5.25" (13.3cm) high-output fiberglass cone woofers | Dual 5.25" (13.3 cm) C era metallic cone woofers |
| Enclosure Type | Bass-reflex via dual rear-firing ports | Bass-reflex via rear-firing port |
| Finish | Cabernet furniture-grade wood veneer | Black Ash woodgrain vinyl |
| Dimensions | 43 x 7.25 x 11.75" (109.2 x 18.4 x 29.8 cm) | 6.8 x 36.9 x 14.4" (17.2 x 93.8 x 36.5 cm) |
| Weight | 41 lb (18.6 kg) | 38.5 lb (17.5 kg) |
Klipsch WF-35
Pros:
- Provides a dynamic, detailed sound with crisp highs and punchy, extended bass.
- The fit and finish will impress even the most snobby of buyers, with rock-solid, beautifully finished cabinetry, tight seams, and edges, and top quality parts.
- Provides a big sound overall and will fill bigger rooms nicely.
Cons:
- The midrange lacked ultimate detail.
- It May does not appeal to buyers wanting a more laid back, transparent sound to go along with the gorgeous cosmetics.
Klipsch RF-52 II
Pros:
- Provides a well-balanced, lively sound that stays on the right side of refinement and impresses with its punch and clarity.
- Offers enough speed and musicality to appeal to music lovers.
- Doesn’t require high power to perform optimally.
Cons:
- Top-end got a bit zippy at times and carried that into the midrange, giving the sound a cold quality that exposed itself mostly on classical, vocal, and piano tracks.
- Has some directionality issues that shrink the sweet spot, and could use a little more bass extension.
Verdict
The Klipsch RF-52 presents a convincing value proposition for the audience. In the Klipsch tradition, it definitely rocks the home, but it also gives a little elegance. It is incredibly economical and can fill a good sound space without a huge amplifier in the rack. The RF-52 should certainly be on your audition list if your needs match these attributes.
For its inexpensive price, the WF-35 offers quite a lot. It has rhythm and life, lots of thumps, and also a dose of sophistication. It doesn’t need premium power to sound amazing, or even similar to it, and looks much better than other speakers. It can confuse more than a few people who wouldn’t usually go next to a horn.
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Soundbar
Soundbars provide some benefits over more conventional home theater layouts: They require less space and are therefore more inexpensive and simpler to install. If you’re searching for a Dolby Atmos soundbar or want something to link to your MP3 player, there is a model for you.
Not all soundbars are similar, though and some provide a greater listening experience than others. You would want one that looks decent and is similar to your current gadgets whether you watch a lot of TV or always hear music at home, whether you want to connect it to your mobile television or choose to listen directly from your mobile.
Klipsch Reference R-20B vs Klipsch Icon SB-1
| Klipsch Reference R-20B | Klipsch Icon SB-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Bar | --- |
| Amplification | Self-powered | Self-powered |
| Separate Subwoofer | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Surrounds | No | --- |
| Number Of Channels | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Dolby Digital | Yes | Yes |
| DTS | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| DTS:X | No | No |
| Dialogue Enhancement | No | No |
| Auto Volume | No | No |
| Virtual Surround | 3D Surround | 3D Surround |
| Optical Digital Inputs | 1 | 1 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs | None | None |
| HDMI ARC Input | No | No |
| HDMI eARC Input | No | No |
| 3.5mm Stereo Analog Inputs | None | None |
| RCA Stereo Analog Inputs | 1 | 1 |
| USB Type-A Input | No | No |
| Subwoofer Output | Wireless | Wireless |
| Tweeter | 3/4" Horn-Loaded dome (2) | 0.78" Horn-loaded dome |
| Midrange | 3" Cone (4) | None |
| Woofer | None | 3" Cones (4) |
| Subwoofer Driver | 10" cone | 10" cone |
| Enclosure | Sealed(spkr)/Ported(sub) | Sealed(spkr)/Ported(sub) |
| System Frequency Response | 27-20k Hz | 33Hz-20kHz Hz |
| Sound Bar RMS Power | Not given | Not given |
| Subwoofer RMS Power | Not given | Not given |
| HDMI Video Pass-through Resolution | N/A | N/A |
| HDR Video Compatible | No | --- |
| Includes Remote | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | No | No |
| Control by App | No | No |
| HDMI CEC | No | No |
| Remote IR Passthrough | No | No |
| Learns TV Remote | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Built-in | No |
| Apple AirPlay | No | N/A |
| Chromecast built-in | No | No |
| Files on Your Network | No | No |
| Built-in Wi-Fi Version | None | --- |
| Bands | N/A | --- |
| Wall-mountable | Yes | Yes |
| Mounting Bracket Included | No | Yes |
| Sound Bar Size (inches) | 4-1/8H x 39-15/16W x 2-15/16D | 4-1/8H x 40W x 2-15/16D |
| Sound Bar Weight | 8.5 lbs | 7 lbs |
| Subwoofer Size (inches) | 13-3/4H x 9-1/8W x 19-5/8D | 13-3/8H x 9-3/16W x 19-5/8D |
| Subwoofer Weight | 26 lbs | 25 lbs |
Klipsch Reference R-20B
Pros:
- Great bass
- Good overall sound
- Sleek design.
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Expensive if not on sale
- Bluetooth is vulnerable to other nearby wireless networks.
Klipsch Icon SB-1
Pros:
- Crisp highs
- Great mids and deep bass.
- Easy installation.
- An excellent value compared to more expensive soundbars.
- Good surround sound simulation.
Cons:
- Not as good as 5.1 surround sound systems
- Limited connectivity.
Verdict
The Klipsch R-20B is the best soundbar around for bass loving audiophiles. It can often be found at online retailers for up to half off the retail price and if you are able to find a deal like this you should snatch it up, as you won’t be disappointed. The Klipsch Icon SB delivers very good sound quality and extended bass in a convenient package, but lacks some of the connectivity expected at this price level.
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Conclusion
I know that I’ve given you a lot of details, but we have the best intentions to satisfy your audio needs at home. But the Klipsch Reference speakers will usually provide the strength, the information, and the emotion of live music even if you cannot engage in a live performance.
You just can’t go wrong in our humble view. Klipsch Icon speakers, on the other hand, are of outstanding value for the price, really look as good as many reviewers say, and deliver fantastic sound.
If you’re more into the sound of the music, though, and show yourself as an audiophile, go to the Reference series. But if you only want to arrange a modest but gorgeous speaker inside the budget for your fantastic home theater, the Icon series is the one for you. And Klipsch Company always tries their best to satisfy customer’s needs.
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