Short answer: the KEF LS50 Meta on measured sound quality, the Klipsch RP-500M on price. The KEF LS50 Meta ranks #4 of 179 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $1,599.99. The Klipsch RP-500M ranks #78, rated 3.4/5, at $299.99, $1,300 cheaper.
The KEF LS50 Meta is the more accurate choice. An iconic compact KEF speaker with highly accurate sound, pinpoint imaging and a coaxial driver that keeps tone even across the room. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.74 against 4.38 for the Klipsch RP-500M. The tradeoff: F3 of 67Hz and F10 of 42Hz mean it doesn’t get much below 50Hz in-room; a subwoofer is recommended for real bass.
What the Klipsch RP-500M does well: Bookshelf speakers with Klipsch’s signature horn loaded titanium tweeter, still sold new at a lower price than the newer version. The catch: Independently measured by Erin’s Audio Corner with a very rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.961dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.216, well behind the revised tuning Klipsch gave the newer Klipsch RP-500M II.
Buy the KEF LS50 Meta if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch RP-500M if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
An iconic compact KEF speaker with highly accurate sound, pinpoint imaging and a coaxial driver that keeps tone even across the room.
Bookshelf speakers with Klipsch’s signature horn loaded titanium tweeter, still sold new at a lower price than the newer version.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF LS50 Meta | Klipsch RP-500M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,599.99 per pair | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 51.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 11.9”H x 7.9”W x 11”D (302 x 200 x 280.5 mm) | 13.50H x 6.81W x 9.50D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 93dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Drivers | 130 mm (5.25 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption tweeter | 1” Titanium LTS tweeter (Hybrid Tractrix Horn), 5.25” Spun Copper Cerametallic woofer |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.88 | 7.00 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, ported |
| Country | - | United States (Klipsch design) |
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