Designed as main speakers for a compact living space or surround sound to support a Reference speaker system, the R-41M bookshelf speakers are the ideal choice for your home theater system.
Many audiophiles snub the smaller bookshelf models, often opting for more powerful and refined larger models.
However, the R-41m is one of the best selling budget bookshelf speakers on the market and also one of the leading models in the Reference series by Klipsch so there are certainly reasons behind their success.
Today I’ll be looking at the R-41m Bookshelf speakers by Klipsch and telling you why you shouldn’t underestimate them because of their size.
Specifications
- Frequency response: 68Hz - 21kHz +/- 3dB
- Sensitivity: 90dB @ 2.83V/1M
- Power Handling: 50W/200W
- Nominal Impedance: 8ohms compatible
- Crossover frequency: 1,730Hz
- High-frequency driver: 1” Aluminum LTS tweeter mated to a 90 x 90 square Tractrix® Horn
- Low-frequency driver: Single 4” spun-copper IMG woofer
- Enclosed material: MDF
- Enclosure type: Bass-Reflex via rear-firing ports
- Inputs: Single Gold Plated Binding Posts
- Height: 11.3”
- Width: 5.75”
- Depth: 7.9”
- Weight: 7lbs
Features
- 1" Aluminum LTS tweeters
- 90x90 Square Tractrix Horns
- 4" Spun-Copper IMG Woofers
- Bass-Reflex via Rear-Firing Port
- Strong, Flexible Removable Magnetic Grille
- Rubber feet included
Klipsch R-41m Bookshelf Speakers Buying Guide
Price
I got mine for a price that is an absolute steal for a pair of speakers of this quality.
If you’re looking for a new addition to your home theatre surround system but not wanting to break the bank, then the R-41ms will be a great choice as they offer great sound and serve well as being good front and right speakers despite being the smallest in the Reference series.
Set-up
The R-41m’s are quick and easy to set-up straight out of the box and will take you less than 15 minutes to have them up and running and playing your favorite music.
Those who are unfamiliar with this sort of tech may find it daunting to sort out the best arrangement for your speakers, but the manual will help you come to grips with how everything works and how to get the best use out of them.
Design
They are pretty small for bookshelf speakers, but this works in my favor as they integrate perfectly into my living room and can be positioned on top of the other speakers in my surround sound collection.
Each speaker weighs 7lbs each and is lightweight enough to move around day-to-day depending on what way you want to use and connect them.
They have a stylish aesthetic, which consists of the clean finish of the black wood (MDF) vinyl and also the copper woofer which makes them look extremely high-class in my home.
The black wood vinyl is also scratch-resistant so will endure all the wear and tear required to get the full use of these speakers.
The reinforced MDF construction also reduces the vibration of the speaker which reduces audio distortion. They also feature low profile magnetic grills which are easy to remove and place back on whenever you want, but they also give the speaker a polished and seamless appearance.
There are 8 silicone pads included to be placed on the bottom corners of the speakers, which we recommend placing on before you put your speakers in place.
The silicone pads will help stabilize the speakers on your chosen surface and they will also help reduce the bass vibrations. If you already have your own foam or vibration pads then you’ll be able to use your own.
The speaker is rear fired from behind, which seems a weird positioning considering there are wall mount holes on the back to put it on the wall.
If you do intend to wall mount these speakers, make sure they are not right against the wall as they are rear fired. Being mounted flush to the wall will also muffle some of the bass that comes out the back of the speaker.
Do what I did and upgrade your connectivity cables to ones of a higher-quality and heavy gauge to get the best sound possible. I recommend getting 12 AWG or 14 AWG and investing in some banana plugs.
The R-41m I bought from Amazon does not have Bluetooth connectivity, but there are newer models of these speakers called the R-41Pm which will allow you to connect to your phone, other devices via Bluetooth.
You will also need an AMP to connect to your R-41ms as they are passive speakers.
Power
The IMG woofer and the LTS tweeter can handle 50W of continuous power but also has a 200W of peak power handling so they can handle a lot of power without distorting or compromising safety risks.
However, due to the 90dB sensitivity, these speakers don’t necessarily need tons of power to distribute substantial sound.
Sound
It’s very surprising how good these speakers sound considering they’ve only got 4” drivers. The highs are very bright and have a crisp sound signature.
The speakers produce good mid-bass but nothing lower than that as the frequency range is only 68Hz -21kHz +/- 3dB. However, if you’re seeking something super deep then you always have the option to connect a subwoofer if you wish.
I connected my own and it definitely helps to give them a helping hand in the bass department. Regardless, the single 4” spun copper woofer still offers an impressive output despite not being able to reach the deep lows of an additional sub.
The LTS tweeter minimizes distortion and can help reach high volumes whilst still maintaining enhanced, detailed performances.
I don’t use these Klipsch r-41m primarily for home cinema use but they do offer a broad sound when combined with my sub and floor standing speakers when our film choice is deserving of such effort.
I mainly use them for my stereo and connected to my desktop when working and they’ll handle all my genres of music without having to adjust them continuously.
The speakers won’t connect directly to your computer without an amp or AV receiver, so you’ll need to make sure you have one if you intend to use the speakers on your computer.
They’re best suited for a smaller room and mine are situated in the lounging den in my house. If you don’t have one already, a decent amp will help you get the maximum volume out of these speakers, so don’t opt for a super cheap one as you’ll be disappointed in what you can achieve.
Warranty
Klipsch offers a limited 5-year warranty on their passive speakers
Pros:
- Sleek design
- High-quality audio performance
- Decent bass
- Loud for their size
- Good for home theatre
Cons:
- Can’t be used on their own to achieve deep bass
What I love the most
For the price, of under $200 depending on which retailer you buy it from is just something I can’t complain about.
The quality of these speakers, which produce crisp, detailed, and high volume audio without distortion at a price like that is hard to find.
It also gives you leeway for an additional budget to upgrade cables or buy a subwoofer to pair with it.
Downfalls
The only downfall of the R-41ms is unjustifiable considering they are budget bookshelf speakers and not intended for crazy bass.
As I own an additional subwoofer, there is no inherent need for my R-41m’s to provide room-shaking bass, but for those who are starting to create their collection or looking for something that will be a complete all-rounder the bass capabilities will disappoint.
If you want to join me in enjoying high-quality and high volume sound but at a reasonable price then you can take a gander and find the Klipsch r-41m speakers right here.
They are definitely up there with some of the best budget bookshelf speakers on the market and should be a contender on everyone’s list of speakers to buy.
