Short answer: the Polk T15, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #81 of 90 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 1.9/5, at $149; the Klipsch R-41M ranks #88, rated 1.3/5, and costs $199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 90 bookshelf speakers, and the Neumi BS5, ranked #22 at $139.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the Polk T15 only when the extremely low cost and desktop use outweigh accuracy concerns, and keep the listening height and angle consistent.
Buy the Klipsch R-41M only if its compact cabinet and hardware appeal matter more than sound quality; neither measurement nor listening evidence supports it as the better audio value.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T15 | Klipsch R-41M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 per pair | $199.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #81 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #88 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer | 4” spun-copper IMG woofer, 1” Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each | 7 lbs (3.18 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.34 | 3.04 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 | 6.03 (spinorama.org) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk T15: $149.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. In near-field desktop use, the reviewer found the T15 “didn’t sound that horrible,” partly because nearby desk reflections mask the frequency response dip. Measured bass extension of 88.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89dB.
Cons: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis. Measured impedance ranges from 4-8 ohms, contradicting the specified 6-8 ohm range, and there’s a distortion peak around 400Hz. On- and off-axis response “vary a ton,” making listening position unusually important. The reviewer recommends saving up for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR instead: “I can’t justify recommending the Polk T15 even though subjective performance was not horrible.”
Full Polk T15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Drivers | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch R-41M: $199.00 per pair Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch R-41M vs PMC twenty.21
- Klipsch R-41M vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Klipsch R-41M vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Klipsch R-41M vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Klipsch R-41M vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Klipsch R-41M vs JBL Stage A130
- Klipsch R-41M vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Klipsch R-41M vs Micca RB42
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