Short answer: the Klipsch R-41M, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) ranks higher than it (#111 vs #158 of 160 bookshelf speakers, 2.8/5 vs 1.3/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Klipsch R-41M is still sold new at $141.55. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 160 bookshelf speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Neumi BS5 instead, ranked #39 at $139.99.
The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is the more accurate pick. This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued, budget Pioneer SP-BS22-LR: the stock tweeter is swapped for a Peerless BC25TG15 dome and a redesigned 3rd-order crossover is built to match it to the stock 4” woofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.07 against 3.04 for the Klipsch R-41M. Watch for: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency.
What the Klipsch R-41M does well: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis.
Buy the Klipsch R-41M new; the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Klipsch R-41M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 per pair Discontinued | $141.55 per pair |
| Ranked | #111 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) | 4” spun-copper IMG woofer, 1” Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | 7 lbs (3.18 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 3.04 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 | 6.03 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod): $168 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued, budget Pioneer SP-BS22-LR: the stock tweeter is swapped for a Peerless BC25TG15 dome and a redesigned 3rd-order crossover is built to match it to the stock 4” woofer. CEA2034 spinorama shows only small variations from a flat on-axis response with some directivity error near the crossover, a marked improvement over the unmodified Pioneer, which the reviewer notes shows much more variation from flat. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled above 200Hz, and tweeter distortion barely rises even at 96dB SPL/1m. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency. Distortion climbs in the woofer’s range (below 200Hz) at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Minimum impedance dips to about 5 ohms with a couple of resonance peaks. This is a DIY project, not a finished retail product: Murphy sold ~$168 pre-built pairs for a while but no longer does, so it now requires sourcing a used/discontinued Pioneer SP-BS22-LR pair plus building the crossover and swapping the tweeter yourself. The mod itself is public domain, but there is no current turnkey way to buy this speaker.
Full Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.82 |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Klipsch R-41M: $141.55 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch Reference R-40M, ranked higher, estimated 1.4/5.
Same family: the Klipsch R-51M (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 1.6/5).
Pros: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. The horn-loaded tweeter can play loud without strain. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis. Sensitivity is only 85dB through most of the music-energy range despite Klipsch’s horn-loaded reputation for efficiency. In an A/B against a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, the R-41M had “no bass” and all mid-to-treble energy; the reviewer’s verdict was “please avoid the Klipsch R-41M unless you just want a speaker as an ornament.”
Full Klipsch R-41M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Drivers | 4” spun-copper IMG woofer, 1” Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Power Handling | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.04 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.03 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 7 lbs (3.18 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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