Short answer: the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II. Both are rated 3.5/5 for sound quality (#7 and #8 of 11 surround speakers), and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II costs $449.99 against $549.99 for the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II does well: A Dolby Atmos elevation speaker that also works as a surround, with the 5.25” Cerametallic woofer and horn loaded titanium tweeter of the Klipsch RP-500M II. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Why pick the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II: A wide dispersion surround with two horn tweeters and two 5.25” Cerametallic woofers on angled baffles, rated at 94dB, so it is very easy to drive. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100 less than the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II 3.1 to 3.9; Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II 3.1 to 3.9). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II | Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $549.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated | #8 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified) | 94dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 6.9”W x 12.7”D (218 x 175 x 322 mm) | 14.2”H x 11.9”W x 7.6”D (360 x 303 x 194 mm) |
| Weight | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each |
| Drivers | 1x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 1x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer | 2x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer |
| Enclosure | MDF, switchable Atmos/Surround crossover | Sealed MDF |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS (300W peak) handling | 100W RMS (400W peak) handling |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 62Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | - | 62Hz - 25kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II:
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs SVS Prime Elevation
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs SVS Prime Elevation
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II: $449.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II (larger surround, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Pros: A Dolby Atmos elevation speaker that also works as a surround, with the 5.25” Cerametallic woofer and horn loaded titanium tweeter of the Klipsch RP-500M II.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Its angled cabinet suits only height or surround duty, and it needs a subwoofer for bass.
Full Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS (300W peak) handling |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 6.9”W x 12.7”D (218 x 175 x 322 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 1x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer |
| Enclosure | MDF, switchable Atmos/Surround crossover |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II: $549.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II (smaller surround, ranked higher, estimated 3.5/5). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Pros: A wide dispersion surround with two horn tweeters and two 5.25” Cerametallic woofers on angled baffles, rated at 94dB, so it is very easy to drive.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It is wall mount only and rated from 62Hz, so it is not a main speaker.
Full Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS (400W peak) handling |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 11.9”W x 7.6”D (360 x 303 x 194 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer |
| Enclosure | Sealed MDF |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 25kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs DALI Sonik On-Wall
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs KEF Q8 Meta
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs Emotiva Airmotiv XA2
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs SVS Prime Elevation
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation