Klipsch’s Reference Premiere II speakers, side by side. Here is the RP-500M II bookshelf alongside the larger RP-600M II and the RP-8000F II floorstander, showing what your money buys at each step.

The RP-500M II is the compact bookshelf in Klipsch’s Reference Premiere II range, a clear step up from the standard Reference series in both drivers and finish. Reference Premiere is where Klipsch’s horn-loaded philosophy meets its best current driver technology: a titanium-dome tweeter in a hybrid Tractrix horn, and the signature Cerametallic woofer, a lightweight, rigid cone that is as much a visual signature as an acoustic one. The second generation enlarges the horn for a bigger soundstage and fits a 70% larger woofer voice coil for better control and power handling. It is a small speaker with the dynamic, effortless character that defines Klipsch, and it is very easy to drive.

Brief product overview

A two-way rear-ported bookshelf speaker with a 1-inch titanium LTS vented tweeter mated to an enlarged 90 by 90 degree hybrid cross-section Tractrix horn, and a 5.25-inch Cerametallic cone woofer with a voice coil 70% larger in diameter than the previous generation. The Tractrix horn controls dispersion for a focused, accurate soundstage and contributes to the speaker’s high efficiency, while the vented tweeter housing reduces standing waves for cleaner treble. The Cerametallic woofer is light and rigid for efficiency and low distortion, and the rear Tractrix port is shaped to reduce turbulence. Sensitivity is quoted at 92dB, measured by Klipsch’s in-room method, with an 8-ohm impedance, so it is easy to drive; power handling is 75 watts continuous, 300 peak, the crossover is at 1,530Hz, and response reaches 50Hz. The MDF cabinet has furniture-grade ebony or walnut vinyl with a satin-painted baffle, aluminium binding posts, magnetic grilles and cork pads. It measures 345 x 175 x 270mm.

How it sounds

The RP-500M II is dynamic, detailed and effortless, the horn giving it the punchy, lively delivery Klipsch is known for and the second-generation improvements adding midrange clarity and accuracy over the original. The larger horn widens the soundstage, and the Cerametallic woofer, now with its bigger voice coil, gives tighter, more controlled bass that reaches to a genuine 50Hz, lower than the compact Reference models. It is worth being clear about the character: this is a forward, energetic speaker with the lifted treble the horn brings, thrilling on the right material and worth hearing to confirm it suits you. Its high sensitivity is the practical headline: it comes alive on modest power, so it does not demand an expensive amplifier to sing, and it partners happily with everything from a compact integrated to a valve amp.

What we’d partner it with

The Rega io is an excellent match, and its lively, rhythmic character suits the horn well: 30 watts per channel, which the 92dB RP-500M II turns into far more sound than the figure suggests, plus a moving-magnet phono stage inherited from the Brio and no digital circuitry to pay for. Good alternatives from brands we carry are compact integrateds from Audiolab, Arcam and Pro-Ject.

For streaming, the io has no DAC or network audio, so the WiiM Pro adds both: it streams over your network from Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, AirPlay and more, and carries its own DAC, connecting to one of the io’s line inputs.

For vinyl, the io’s moving-magnet phono stage means a turntable connects directly. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is a fine partner, a mass-loaded deck with a carbon-fibre tonearm and a moving-magnet cartridge fitted, which runs straight into the io’s phono input.

For stands, a solid pair places the tweeters near ear level; the RP-500M II also sits happily on a shelf. On cabling, use a well-made speaker cable of appropriate gauge for the run; AudioQuest and Chord are the cable brands we stock.

Who shouldn’t buy it

If your room is larger, the RP-600M II uses a bigger woofer and the RP-8000F II floorstander more still. If you want a laid-back, warm presentation, the RP-500M II’s forward, horn-loaded character is the opposite, so hear it first. And for genuine deep bass, its 50Hz roll-off is good for a compact speaker but a subwoofer suits films and bass-heavy music, which a Klipsch system accommodates easily.

The RP-500M II’s rear Tractrix port means a little space behind it improves the bass, so avoid pushing it hard against a wall. The horn is directional, so toe the speakers towards the listening seat for the sharpest imaging. Set them on solid stands or a shelf, with the tweeters near ear level; cork pads protect the surface beneath them. For streaming, connect the WiiM Pro to one of the io’s line inputs. For vinyl, connect the Debut Carbon EVO to the phono input and its earth to the ground terminal. The io runs warm, so give it air above and around it.