Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch RP-8000F II if price matters most. The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower ranks #12 of 228 floorstanding speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $5,698. The Klipsch RP-8000F II ranks #138, rated 3.9/5, at $1,099, $4,599 cheaper.
The case for the Klipsch RP-8000F II: A very easy to drive tower with twin 8 inch woofers that stays clean and composed at high home theater volumes. Watch for: 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.
The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Highly accurate three way bamboo towers with a ribbon tweeter, deep tight bass and a long warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.97 against 5.39 for the Klipsch RP-8000F II. Its bass reaches about 38.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 67Hz for the Klipsch RP-8000F II. Watch for: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some smaller passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models.
Buy the Klipsch RP-8000F II if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A very easy to drive tower with twin 8 inch woofers that stays clean and composed at high home theater volumes.
Highly accurate three way bamboo towers with a ribbon tweeter, deep tight bass and a long warranty.
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
| Klipsch RP-8000F II | Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 per pair | $5,698 per pair |
| Ranked | #138 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #12 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8” cerametallic woofers | RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs (27.8 kg) | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | 36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz | - |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 600W peak | 400W continuous, 600W peak |
| Dimensions | 43.1” x 10.8” x 18.3” (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) | 43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.39 | 6.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.12 | 8.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Warranty | - | 7 years parts and labor |
| Country | - | United States |
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