Klipsch’s next-generation Reference range speakers, side by side. Here is the compact R-46M bookshelf besides a smaller R-40M standmount and the larger R-800F floorstander, showing what your money buys at each step.

The R-60M is the larger of the 2 bookshelf speaker in Klipsch’s next-generation Reference range, and it carries the two things that make a Klipsch a Klipsch: a horn-loaded tweeter and exceptionally high sensitivity. Klipsch has built its reputation over more than seventy-five years on horns, which turn a little amplifier power into a lot of sound, and the R-60M scales that philosophy up to fill medium and large rooms. It is a substantial standmount with a big, authoritative character, designed to deliver the physical impact of a floorstander without sacrificing floor space, and it remains exceptionally easy to drive.

Brief product overview

A two-way rear-ported bookshelf speaker with a 1-inch aluminium LTS tweeter mated to an enlarged 90 by 90 degree square Tractrix horn, and a 6.5-inch spun-copper Thermoformed Crystalline Polymer (TCP) woofer drawn from the Reference Premiere series. The Tractrix horn is the heart of the design: it controls the tweeter’s dispersion for a focused, accurate soundstage and contributes to the speaker’s high efficiency, while the Linear Travel Suspension tweeter minimises distortion. Sensitivity is a very high 93.5dB with an 8-ohm impedance, so it is easy to drive with almost any amplifier, and power handling is 85 watts continuous, 340 watts peak, with a crossover at 1,560Hz and a response extending down to 50Hz. The MDF cabinet has a textured wood-grain vinyl finish, hidden fasteners, low-profile magnetic grilles, and single gold-plated binding posts. It measures 400 x 203 x 336mm and weighs 7.75kg each, designed and built on Klipsch’s American heritage.

How it sounds

The R-60M is dynamic, detailed and lively, the horn giving it the effortless, punchy delivery Klipsch is known for and a clarity that makes music and film effects leap out. The Tractrix horn keeps the treble focused and the soundstage well defined, while the larger 6.5-inch spun-copper woofer produces a substantial, weighty low end. At 50Hz, its bass reach is deep enough to handle most genres of music with genuine authority, meaning a subwoofer is optional rather than strictly necessary for two-channel listening. The defining quality is that 93.5dB sensitivity: this is a speaker that comes alive and delivers immense scale with minimal effort. Its forward, energetic character is the definitive Klipsch signature, and it demands your attention from the first note.

What we’d partner it with

The WiiM Vibelink Amp is a formidable match in capability and modern design: a high-performance integrated amplifier delivering 100 watts into 8 ohms via Class-D PFFB technology, which takes absolute control of the R-60M’s larger drivers. Its built-in ESS 9039Q2M DAC handles high-resolution digital inputs effortlessly, while its pure analog RCA input bypasses digital conversion entirely for absolute fidelity.

For vinyl, that pure analog path makes the Rega Planar 1 Plus the natural partner. Because the Planar 1 Plus features an integrated moving-magnet phono stage, it connects directly into the Vibelink’s RCA inputs without requiring a separate preamplifier, retaining the warmth of the vinyl format.

For placement, the R-60M is a substantial cabinet that belongs on a dedicated speaker stand; a solid pair of stands anchors the bass and sharpens the stereo image. On cabling, use a well-made speaker cable of appropriate gauge; AudioQuest and Chord are the cable brands we stock.

Who shouldn’t buy it

If your room is very small, the R-60M’s ability to move air might overpower the space, making the smaller R-40M or R-50M a more sensible choice. If you want a laid-back, warm, or heavily recessed presentation, the R-60M’s forward, horn-loaded character is the exact opposite, so it is worth hearing first. And while its bass is authoritative for a standmount, dedicated electronic music or home cinema enthusiasts seeking true sub-bass extension will still benefit from adding a dedicated Klipsch subwoofer.

The R-60M requires a robust stand for optimal acoustic performance; its rear-firing Tractrix port means a little space behind it, roughly 20 to 40cm, tightens the bass and prevents boominess. The horn is directional, so toe the speakers towards the listening seat for the sharpest imaging. Connect your digital sources to the WiiM Vibelink Amp’s optical or coaxial inputs to leverage its premium ESS DAC. For vinyl, connect the Rega Planar 1 Plus directly to the Vibelink’s RCA input; the turntable’s built-in phono stage and the amplifier’s pure analog path ensure the signal remains pristine. The Vibelink Amp features advanced thermal management and runs cool, but it should still be given adequate ventilation on your media console.