Short answer: the PSB Imagine T65 for better sound quality, the Klipsch RP-5000F II for the lower price. The PSB Imagine T65 ranks #28 of 59 floorstanding speakers at $2699. The Klipsch RP-5000F II ranks #41 at $1199.98, $1499.02 cheaper.
What the PSB Imagine T65 gets right: Three-way design with dual 6.5” woven carbon fiber woofers delivers genuinely strong, extended low end for a $2,699 tower - among the better performers Erin has measured in this price class. Watch for: Noticeable dip in the midrange/crossover region that Erin flagged as affecting dialogue and vocal clarity, though he notes a couple bands of EQ smooths it out.
The case for the Klipsch RP-5000F II: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Set against that: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer.
Buy the PSB Imagine T65 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch RP-5000F II if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| PSB Imagine T65 | Klipsch RP-5000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699 | $1199.98 |
| Ranked | #28 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #41 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Drivers | 1" titanium dome tweeter, 5.25" woven carbon fiber midrange, 2x 6.5" woven carbon fiber woofers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers |
| Crossovers | 600Hz & 2000Hz, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley | - |
| Dimensions | 38-13/16"H x 8-3/8"W x 13.5"D (986 x 213 x 343mm) | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Weight | 44 lbs each | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; manufacturer specifies 4 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-200W | - |
| Bass Reflex | Dual rear slot ports, individual woofer chambers | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1900Hz |
| Output Power | - | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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- Arendal 1961 Tower vs KLH Model Five
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- Morel Avyra 633 vs KLH Model Five
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs PSB Imagine T65
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs PSB Imagine T65
The Two Speakers In Full
PSB Imagine T65: $2,699 The Audio Factory
Pros: Three-way design with dual 6.5” woven carbon fiber woofers delivers genuinely strong, extended low end for a $2,699 tower - among the better performers Erin has measured in this price class. Distortion shows a clean second-order character with clear separation from third-order all the way up to 96 dB, indicating a well-controlled motor. Compression data shows enhancement rather than compression below about 50-60 Hz, so the bass can sound louder as you turn it up rather than choking off. Wide, forgiving vertical listening window (about ±25°) thanks to the 3-way layout, giving more seating and placement flexibility than most towers. Plenty of dynamic headroom for home theater use or a two-channel system - 100W drove it comfortably in Erin’s room.
Cons: Noticeable dip in the midrange/crossover region that Erin flagged as affecting dialogue and vocal clarity, though he notes a couple bands of EQ smooths it out. Some horizontal dispersion mismatch (about 10-15° of ballooning between 1-3 kHz) between the midrange and tweeter can add extra perceived attack or detail if your room’s sidewalls are reflective. Dips to 4 ohms, so it wants an amplifier comfortable driving a 4-ohm load. Distortion climbs above 3% around 60 Hz at 96 dB, though it’s benign second-order distortion.
Full PSB Imagine T65 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Reflex | Dual rear slot ports, individual woofer chambers |
| Crossovers | 600Hz & 2000Hz, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley |
| Dimensions | 38-13/16"H x 8-3/8"W x 13.5"D (986 x 213 x 343mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium dome tweeter, 5.25" woven carbon fiber midrange, 2x 6.5" woven carbon fiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum measured by Erin's Audio Corner; manufacturer specifies 4 ohms minimum) |
| Recommended Power | 20-200W |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 44 lbs each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- PSB Imagine T65 vs Q Acoustics 5040
- PSB Imagine T65 vs ELAC DF63
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- PSB Imagine T65 vs Polk Reserve R500
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- PSB Imagine T65 vs JBL HDI-3600
- PSB Imagine T65 vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
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Klipsch RP-5000F II: $1199.98 Amazon
Pros: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Precise imaging thanks to the controlled horn/waveguide directivity.
Cons: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees) trades soundstage width for imaging precision. A mild high-frequency tilt and a slight lack of detail around 1-1.5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-5000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz |
| Dimensions | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
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- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch Heresy IV
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Polk Audio XT60
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
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