Short answer: the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II. It ranks #7 of 11 surround speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $449.99; the SVS Prime Elevation ranks #11, rated 3.3/5, and costs $549, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II: 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. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
What the SVS Prime Elevation does well: An angled height or surround speaker with the 1” aluminum tweeter and 4.5” woofer of the SVS Prime Satellite, mountable on a wall or ceiling or placed on a main speaker. 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. It is rated higher for sound quality than the SVS Prime Elevation and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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; SVS Prime Elevation 3.0 to 3.6). 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 | SVS Prime Elevation | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $549.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated | #11 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified) | 87dB (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) | 9.3”H x 5.4”W x 7.9”D (235 x 138 x 200 mm) |
| Weight | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 1x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 1x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer | 1x 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 1x 4.5” midwoofer |
| Enclosure | MDF, switchable Atmos/Surround crossover | Ported (rear 1” flared port) |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS (300W peak) handling | 20-150W recommended |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 55Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 25kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II:
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs SVS Prime Elevation
- MartinLogan Motion MP10 vs SVS Prime Elevation
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
SVS Prime Elevation: $549.00 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the SVS Prime Satellite (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the SVS Prime Bookshelf (larger bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the SVS Prime Tower (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.6/5), the SVS Prime Pinnacle (larger floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5) and the SVS Prime Center (center, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: An angled height or surround speaker with the 1” aluminum tweeter and 4.5” woofer of the SVS Prime Satellite, mountable on a wall or ceiling or placed on a main speaker.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated from 55Hz, so it relies on a subwoofer.
Full SVS Prime Elevation review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2016 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20-150W recommended |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 5.4”W x 7.9”D (235 x 138 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 1x 4.5” midwoofer |
| Enclosure | Ported (rear 1” flared port) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 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