Short answer: the Definitive Technology BP-9020 for bass, the Klipsch RP-8000F II for dynamics. The BP-9020’s powered 8-inch side-firing subwoofer and 150-watt Class D amp reach F3 35Hz and F10 29Hz, though its treble runs bright and sibilant. The RP-8000F II measures about 92dB, the highest sensitivity of the RP II line, and stays clean at high output, but its mid-bass is lean and it misses the expected 50Hz in-room.
Buy the Klipsch RP-8000F II. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Definitive Technology BP-9020 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Definitive Technology BP-9020 | Klipsch RP-8000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 per pair Discontinued | $1,159.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #52 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #49 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) | 43.1” x 10.8” x 18.3” (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer | 1” titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8” cerametallic woofers |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each | 61.3 lbs (27.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 5.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 7.12 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1630Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch RP-8000F II:
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Revel F328Be
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Definitive Technology BP-9020: $500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Integrated powered 8” side-firing subwoofer with a 150-watt Class D amplifier provides exceptional sub-bass extension down to an F3 of 35Hz and F10 of 29Hz without requiring a standalone subwoofer enclosure. Forward-Focused Bipolar Array technology (dual 3.5” front midrange drivers + 1” annealed aluminum dome tweeter, plus a 3.5” rear-firing midrange driver) creates a remarkably wide, spacious soundstage with broad room envelopment. On-axis frequency response stays smooth and relatively neutral when listened to directly aligned with the tweeter. Measured average sensitivity of 87.7dB SPL (2.83V/1m) allows comfortable drive from standard multi-channel receivers. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.7dB.
Cons: Significant high-frequency boost creates notable treble brightness and noticeable sibilance on vocal s-sounds. Bipolar rear driver radiation creates a diffuse soundstage that compromises razor-sharp imaging focus and pinpoint instrument placement. DSP-based internal limiter aggressively compresses output below 80Hz at higher listening levels, causing lower mid-bass and sub-bass impact to diminish as volume increases. Midrange clarity shows slight ‘cuppiness’ and upper-frequency directivity irregularities due to front/rear driver interaction. Discontinued.
Full Definitive Technology BP-9020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Polk T50
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Polk Audio XT60
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Infinity Reference 253
- See all 36 comparisons
Klipsch RP-8000F II: $1,159.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load: the cleanest at high output. Dual 8-inch woofers and the highest power handling in the line. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92dB.
Cons: Mid-bass sounds lean despite the dual 8-inch woofers, and bass extension disappointed for its size: expected to reach 50Hz, didn’t get there in-room. Has its own edgy upper-mid bump (2-6kHz) that’s harder to EQ out than the other two models’ issues, since it stems from the vertical horn/woofer offset rather than simple tonal balance. The most placement-critical of the three, with the narrowest horizontal (~40-50 degrees) and vertical (+5/-10 degrees) dispersion.
Full Klipsch RP-8000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.1” x 10.8” x 18.3” (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8” cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.12 |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs (27.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KLH Model Five
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Polk T50
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch Forte IV
- See all 44 comparisons