Short answer: the Klipsch RP-8000F II for better sound quality, the Polk T50 for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-8000F II ranks #42 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $1800. The Polk T50 ranks #45 at $249, $1551 cheaper.
The case for the Klipsch RP-8000F II: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load - the cleanest at high output. The tradeoff: 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.
What the Polk T50 gets right: Pretty deep bass for the price. The catch: 5dB peak at 1khz, 4dB bright top end from 11khz on up.
Buy the Klipsch RP-8000F II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk T50 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 floorstanding speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-8000F II | Polk T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1800 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #42 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #45 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8" cerametallic woofers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs / 27.8 kg | 75.4 lbs / 34.2 kg |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz | - |
| Output Power | 150W continuous, 600W peak | - |
| Dimensions | 43.1" x 10.8" x 18.3" (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) | 40.4"H x 9.3"W x 12.5"D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Monolith THX-365T
- KEF Q11 Meta vs Monolith THX-365T
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Infinity Reference 253
- Polk T50 vs JBL Studio 590
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-8000F II: $1800 Amazon
Pros: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load - the cleanest at high output. Dual 8-inch woofers and the highest power handling in the line.
Cons: 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. Has its own edgy upper-mid bump (2-6kHz) that’s harder to EQ out than the other two models’ issues, since it stems from the vertical horn/woofer offset rather than simple tonal balance. The most placement-critical of the three, with the narrowest horizontal (~40-50 degrees) and vertical (+5/-10 degrees) dispersion.
Full Klipsch RP-8000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz |
| Dimensions | 43.1" x 10.8" x 18.3" (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs / 27.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KLH Model Five
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Sony SS-CS3
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KEF Q11 Meta
- See all 14 comparisons
Polk T50: $249.00 Amazon
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1khz, 4dB bright top end from 11khz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 40.4"H x 9.3"W x 12.5"D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs / 34.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons