Short answer: the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II. It ranks #8 of 11 surround speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $549.99; the KEF Q8 Meta ranks #10, rated 3.4/5, and costs $899.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
What the KEF Q8 Meta does well: A Dolby Atmos height or wall surround with the same 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver and MAT tweeter as the KEF Q1 Meta, so it blends with the rest of the Q Meta range. Watch for: Bass falls away early in Erin’s measurements, 116Hz at -3dB and 98Hz at -6dB, so it needs a subwoofer crossover around 120Hz.
Buy the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KEF Q8 Meta and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.9, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II | KEF Q8 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.99 per pair | $899.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated | #10 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (manufacturer specified) | 105Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 2x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer | 5.25” 12th gen Uni-Q with 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter and MAT |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (manufacturer specified) | 86dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 25kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 105Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 11.9”W x 7.6”D (360 x 303 x 194 mm) | 6.9”H x 7.1”W x 10.2”D (176 x 180 x 259 mm) |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS (400W peak) handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Enclosure | Sealed MDF | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II:
- SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- DALI Sonik On-Wall vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II
- 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XA2
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs SVS Prime Elevation
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation
KEF Q8 Meta: $899.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the KEF Q1 Meta (smallest bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the KEF Q4 Meta (bookshelf, estimated 3.4/5), the KEF Q3 Meta (bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the KEF Q Concerto Meta (largest bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the KEF Q7 Meta (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5), the KEF Q11 Meta (larger floorstanding, rated 4/5) and the KEF Q6 Meta (center, rated 3.9/5). See every KEF Q Series generation.
Pros: A Dolby Atmos height or wall surround with the same 5.25” Uni-Q coaxial driver and MAT tweeter as the KEF Q1 Meta, so it blends with the rest of the Q Meta range. Erin’s Audio Corner measured a reasonably even listening window, and its preference score with a subwoofer (6.6) sits right next to the KEF Q3 Meta.
Cons: Bass falls away early in Erin’s measurements, 116Hz at -3dB and 98Hz at -6dB, so it needs a subwoofer crossover around 120Hz. Sensitivity is a modest 86dB with a 3.2 ohm minimum impedance.
Full KEF Q8 Meta review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10-150W recommended |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 7.1”W x 10.2”D (176 x 180 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” 12th gen Uni-Q with 1” vented aluminum dome tweeter and MAT |
| Frequency Response | 105Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons