Klipsch R-14M Reference Speaker Review: Powerful Speakers
Klipsch R-14M Review: Powerful SpeakersThe Klipsch R-14M bookshelf speakers are classic with lots of bass and all the reliability that you would expect from a well-respected brand.
We like this
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Bass response in full
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Sleek, impressive look
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Prices point reasonable
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Low volumes of detail leave out details
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Small speaker drivers
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For full experience, subwoofer is required
Although the Klipsch R-14M is a powerful speaker, there are some things you need to be aware of when it comes audio quality.
- Design
- Durability and build quality
- Installation and sound quality
- Price
- Concurrence
- Final Verdict
- Specifications
Klipsch R-14M Reference Speaker was purchased to allow our expert reviewer to thoroughly evaluate and test it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.
Klipsch's R-14M reference shelves speakers are as classic as they come for speakers. Klipsch is a well-known brand for its classic approach to professional and domestic audio. Although they aren't as high-end brands such as Bose or B&O in the last few years, their quality has been excellent.
You can see the R-14Ms as a good example. They were great! We had a wonderful week in our apartment, using them for both the main TV and as a movie sound system. They didn't have much I/O, which is pretty standard for passive speakers. There were also some issues with the sound quality. These are an excellent choice, provided you have an amp.
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Design: Simple and elegant, but with a hint of class
A legacy brand of audio brands is skilled in building enclosures and speakers with good design. At face value the R-14Ms are quite basic. The R-14Ms measure just less than 10 inches in height and 6 inches width, which puts them within the same range as most speakers of their class. They offer a fairly substantial depth at about 7.5 inches—a factor that plays into the sound quality.
Klipsch calls the enclosure a "brushed black polymer veneer", which Klipsch describes as giving it a stealthy, sleek look while still retaining some wood grain characteristics. Klipsch's rose-gold logo is the only contrast color in the unit's mesh grille. It adds a touch of sparkle to the otherwise all-black look.
These speakers are best if taken out of their boxes and put on your own grille. The grille is a must for protection and dust control. Most speakers aren't very attractive. Klipsch used the same brushed veneer for the interior, however they chose to make the woofer cone from a metallic copper. These speakers stand out with their flashy, bright color choice. While sound quality is affected by material (we'll discuss that later), it's hard not to admire the design of Klipsch's speakers.
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High Quality and Durability: Beautiful
These speakers look great, as we've already said. These speakers look great in premium living rooms. The build quality is also excellent. MDF stands for Medium Density Fibroboard. The enclosure was constructed entirely from MDF. MDF is made up of wood fibers and resin. This material is chosen because it can withstand the stresses of life, and also allows for some flexibility with sound. Although it sounds fantastic on paper, our testing revealed that there was a little bit of muddiness when the volume is low. This allowed too many low frequencies and middle-low frequencies of sound to be projected.
We found that the material caused a little bit of muddiness in low volume tests.
Linear Travel Suspension's tweeter is made of aluminum and feels heavier than silk. It is made of injection-molded graphite and spun copper, which allows for an extremely powerful, rigid response at the low end. This is true according to what we have heard. The copper woofer can sing at lower volume levels. Klipsch also added a front-facing bass port and a premium mesh grille.
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Sound Quality and Setup: Very well-rounded but lacking a little detail
A mid-range speaker can only perform one thing well. They either sound full and powerful or they are crisp and clear. Klipsch's R-14M speakers tend to be more powerful, but that depends on their intended purpose. The speaker can handle 50W continuous use, and reaches a maximum of 200W. These are 4-inch woofer cones, so this is quite loud.
These speakers have a power output of about 90 decibels and 8 ohms respectively. We were impressed with their power when they were connected to our home theatre setup. These speakers worked great with a subwoofer to listen and watch movies. The sound they produce is good across the frequency range, from 64Hz to 24kHz. So long as your subwoofer covers 20Hz to 63Hz, then you will get great performance.
These speakers have a power output of approximately 90 decibels and 8 ohms respectively. We were impressed with their power when they were connected to our home theatre setup.
If you plan to use these speakers for listening to talk shows, or music with loud accompaniments sound effects or high dynamic range, it might get lost in the noise. The Tractrix Horn, a 1-inch aluminum Tractrix Horn that acts as a polished speaker is why we aren't sure. We were able to hear the voice of the human speaking clearly when we increased the volume.
However, it proved difficult to distinguish this portion of the spectrum when listening at average volumes. Even though we had adjusted our EQ quite a bit, This isn't a huge issue, as the overall sound is powerful, and full—great for movie nights when you're going to keep the headroom high on your sound system. Be aware, however that low volume can cause loss of detail.
Pricing: The right price, based on the performance
We were on the fence on the price for the R-14M—the $200 list price on Amazon is just too high for the lack of detail in the sound. They were able to withstand high volume and provide an amazing sound quality in a compact footprint. We believe that their standard price of $100 is a fair value for what they offer. These passive speakers don't have a lot of frequency range at the lower end, so you will need to pair them with a powered receiver. They don't include their speaker wire. They are most valuable when used with a subwoofer. These speakers are great for brand recognition and cinematic performances.
Competitors: Only the top can compete with them.
Klipsch R-15M If you need something louder with more detail and response at low volumes, the R-15M is a better choice.
Yamaha NS-64990 :Yamaha offers many options. However, we prefer the three-way NS-64990 , if you're willing to spend a little more and like the futuristic appearance.
Polk T15 The R-14M is better than the T15 for high volume performance and build quality, however the T15 does better at detail work in low volumes. They are also usually $30 less.
Reputable brand that delivers solid results for its price.
The Klipsch R-14M is the perfect choice if you are looking for passive speakers that will fit your classic sound system. Even at higher volumes, the audio response was very good for 4-inch drivers. Low volumes did not provide enough detail, so be aware of that. These speakers are excellent for the price.