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Klipsch Reference RS-42 II Surround speaker

Item # 714RS42IIB

Here's a surround speaker that'll really put you in your favorite movies.

Here's a surround speaker that'll really put you in your favorite movies.

2 questions - 11 answers

Item # 714RS42IIB

Shop all Klipsch Surround (Rear) Speakers

About the Klipsch Reference RS-42 II

Kristen Schaub

Your ticket to thrilling movie effects

Here's a surround speaker that'll really put you in your favorite movies. The RS-42 II delivers rich, lifelike sound that adds dimension to the action you see on-screen. Its angled driver design spreads ambient effects over a diffuse soundfield, completely enveloping you. This design also helps this speaker produce great sound even if you place it in a less-than-ideal location. Building on Klipsch's previous Reference speaker line, the Series II models have updated drivers and a new crossover system for even more spacious sound. You'll enjoy dynamic surround sound that enhances your movie experience, from soft sounds like falling rain to the roar of a dragon flying overhead. Plus, the stylishly curved grille helps soften its appearance in the back of your room.

Your ticket to thrilling movie effects

Klipsch Reference RS-42 II

Angled drivers spread ambient sound effects throughout your room.

Here's a surround speaker that'll really put you in your favorite movies. The RS-42 II delivers rich, lifelike sound that adds dimension to the action you see on-screen. Its angled driver design spreads ambient effects over a diffuse soundfield, completely enveloping you. This design also helps this speaker produce great sound even if you place it in a less-than-ideal location. Building on Klipsch's previous Reference speaker line, the Series II models have updated drivers and a new crossover system for even more spacious sound. You'll enjoy dynamic surround sound that enhances your movie experience, from soft sounds like falling rain to the roar of a dragon flying overhead. Plus, the stylishly curved grille helps soften its appearance in the back of your room.

Horn technology for "front row" sound

All Reference Series II speakers feature a redesigned version of Klipsch's famous horn-loaded tweeter. Because high-frequency sounds are more directional than bass frequencies, it's especially important to target them right toward your ears. Klipsch places their titanium tweeter inside a flared opening, known as a "horn," which disperses the highs evenly across your listening area in a 90°-wide, 60°-high pattern. With their Series II speakers, Klipsch has redesigned the shape and slope of their famous horn enclosure, so your movie soundtracks and music will sound more "open," with improved dynamics and efficiency. All in all, you can count on powerful, "front row" sound that's crystal-clear at all volume levels.

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Product highlights:

  • Wide Dispersion Surround Technology™ enables both direct and ambient sound in just about any position
  • frequency response 62-24,000 Hz (±3dB)
  • power handling: up to 75 watts RMS (300 watts peak)
  • sensitivity 93 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • dual Tractrix® horns with 1" titanium dome tweeters
  • dual 4" Cerametallic™ woofers
  • bass-reflex (ported) design
  • matte black vinyl finish
  • keyhole bracket for easy wall-mounting
  • threaded inserts for optional wall-mount bracket
  • weight: 11.9 lbs.
  • 12-1/2"W x 10"H x 7-1/2"D
  • warranty: 5 years
  • MFR # 1011859

What's in the box:

  • Surround loudspeaker
  • Detachable magnetic grille
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual

Customer reviews for Klipsch Reference RS-42 II

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More details on the Klipsch Reference RS-42 II

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Enclosure Bass Reflex
Bipole or Dipole WDST
Tweeter Type Traxtrix Horn
Tweeter Size (inches) 1
Midrange size (inches) ---
Woofer size (inches) 4
Connector Type Binding post
Power Range 75
Sensitivity 93 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency Response 62-24k Hz
Height (inches) 10
Width (inches) 12 1/2
Depth (inches) 7 1/2
Weight (pounds) 11.9
Wall-mountable ---
Bracket Included Keyhole
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years
The Klipsch Reference RS-42 II replaces these items:

Product Research

Overview: The Klipsch Reference Series RS-42 II is a surround loudspeaker which delivers high-performance sound using Klipsch's advanced technologies and world-class materials. The RS-42 II employs dual 4-inch woofers, dual Tractrix horn-loaded 1-inch titanium tweeters and WDST (Wide Dispersion Surround Technology). The Klipsch Reference Series surround loudspeaker will bring out the power, detail, and emotion in your music, movies, or video games.

Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options

Driver Technology

Highly-Efficient Design: The Klipsch RS-42 II utilizes a highly efficient design to produce more output using less power & energy for louder sound with less distortion. The RS-42 II is able to fill smaller rooms with outstanding, accurate, non-fatiguing surround sound that you can listen to for hours.

Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST): The Klipsch RS-42 II delivers precise sonic detail through the careful positioning of two Tractrix Horn loaded titanium-diaphragm tweeters and two 4-inch woofers. By aligning the two horns at 90 degrees with respect to each other, along with the two woofers, the RS-42 II smoothly covers a 180-degree horizontal arc, allowing maximum placement flexibility. This unique Wide Dispersion Surround Technology delivers a new dimension of reality and convenience, and produces a smooth, seamless broad distribution of sound, which is the perfect vehicle for every surround format.

Tractrix Horn Tweeters: The RS-42 II utilizes dual Tractrix Horns for a more genuine, lifelike sound. The Tractrix Horns deliver a 90-degree wide by 60-degree high dispersion pattern for a broader sound-stage. In addition, behind each horn lies a 1.0-inch titanium tweeter with a linear travel suspension for open, natural, sound.

Cerametallic Woofers: The dual 4-inch woofers of the RS-42 II surround loudspeaker feature Klipsch's distinctive, copper-colored Cerametallic material. Made with an anodized aluminum, this cone is strong and dent resistant. The anodizing process converts its inner and outer surfaces to ceramic. The outcome is a rigid cone with superb damping characteristics that will not flex or resonate at frequencies within the woofer's operating range The 4-inch woofers also employ a rubber surround for added durability.

Crossover Network: The Klipsch RS-42 II's crossover network is constructed using extremely high-quality components including top-of-the-line internal wiring, polyester film-type capacitors and an air-core inductor to ensure signal purity and proper driver integration. The speaker's enhanced crossover frequencies offer smoother on-axis and off-axis integration.

Enclosure Design

Bass Reflex Enclosure: The dual 4-inch Cerametallic cone woofers and dual 1-inch titanium diaphragm compression drivers are mounted in a bass reflex enclosure which features two side-firing ports (one on each side). The twin side-firing ports eliminate turbulence noise, while increased baffle ribbing around the horn mouth dramatically improves acoustics across the sonic range. The bass reflex enclosure features a MDF cabinet finished with a Matte Black vinyl and an aluminum front baffle. The RS-42 II's rigid cabinet offers improved internal cross-bracing to minimize panel vibrations that can color sound.

Magnetic Grille: The surround loudspeaker features a removable magnetic low-diffraction grille which easily snaps into place over its cast-aluminum front baffle. The speaker can be used with or without its grille in place.

Connections

Binding Posts: The Klipsch Reference Series RS-42 II is equipped with sturdy binding posts to ensure a secure connection to many types of cable and connectors. The binding post terminals will accept banana plugs (single only), pin-connectors, spade-connectors, and bare wire.

Mounting Options

Rubber Feet: The surround speaker comes supplied with four self-adhesive rubber feet so you can sit the speakers on a stand or shelf securely. The rubber feet add approximately 0.3125" to the height of the speaker.

Note: There are also two 1/4"-20 threaded inserts on the back of each loudspeaker for mounting the speaker to third-party stands (sold separately). The two threaded inserts are spaced 3.0" apart.

Wall Mounting: The Klipsch Reference surround speaker features a single keyhole slot on the back of the cabinet for wall-mounting the speaker without any additional wall-mount bracket (mounting screws not supplied).

Placement: The Klipsch Wide Dispersion Surround Technology surround speakers in a typical 5.1-channel system can be mounted to side or rear walls. It is recommended that the RS-42 II be mounted above the ear height of seated listeners (between 5 to 7 feet above the floor).

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Customer Q&A

2 questions already asked

Q
Can these speakers be used as front height, surround height and surround in a 9.2 configuration?
erick  Aug 28, 2015
3 answers
A
i would guess yes I have them in 7.2 configuration and they sound great so 2 more for front surround dont see why not
rick r  Aug 31, 2015
A
I have these speakers mounted to the rear just above ear level. Front speakers are 3 way JBL L100t3 which have had for many years but recently refreshed. Center speaker is Klipsch. They sound great with my configuration. Open room with living, dining and kitchen, about 40x17. I would not use these as front speakers.
edward  Aug 30, 2015
A
I have 4 of these; two as rear and and two as surround for my 7.1. I would use them for a 9.2.
jared  Aug 30, 2015
Q
How are these speakers for 5.1 music?
kevin  Dec 26, 2013
8 answers
A
I am not an audiophile but I think they sound great. My couch is on the back wall of an 20'x15' room with 9 ft ceilings. I placed them on the side walls about 2' from the back wall and about 5.5' ft high. They easily help fill the room with awesome enveloping sound. Hope this helps!
jonathan  Dec 31, 2013
A
These speakers are amazing in any application. 5.1 or extended stereo doesnt matter where you sit in the room. They are fantastic!
matt  Dec 28, 2013
A
Bought these for my son for Christmas. I have the older version. Awesome speakers! You won't find better for a better price.
tony  Dec 27, 2013
A
These speakers perform extremely well. they have great imaging with surround. depending on the room size and speaker placement you may need tweak the delay on your receivers rear channels to get them at their best. Been using for a little over month now.
rick r  Dec 27, 2013
A
Hello Kevin, This is the reason I purchased the RS-42 !!'s. I use them as my rear surrounds and they have exceeded my expectations. The 5.1 experience is excellent. I used a much smaller speaker previously to these. The RS-42 II truly encircle you with sound and are accurate. I have a number of live music concerts on Blu-ray and they have never sounded better. It brings the auditorium experience home. I would purchase these again. Regards,
chris  Dec 27, 2013
A
They are outstanding. The sound and appearance are excellent.
jeff  Dec 27, 2013
A
Depends on what else you're using with them. I have a top of the line denon and am runnig them as my sides in a 7.2 all of which are klipsch and they sound great. Really can't go wrong with klipsch. Hope his helps.
dennis  Dec 27, 2013
A
These speakers are not bad at all for 5.1 music in my opinion. I was originally tempted to go with the bookshelf pair, but now I am glad that I decided against it.
christopher m  Dec 27, 2013

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