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Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

Bookshelf speakers

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  • Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

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  • Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

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  • Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

    Black ash finish

  • Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

    Front

  • Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

    Front with grille off

  • Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

    Shown with grille off

Item# 714RB51IIB offer details

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Klipsch

Why choose bookshelf speakers?

Bookshelf speakers may be small in size, but they can deliver surprisingly big sound. Some ultra-compact models even fit on a desktop. Most are right at home in tight spaces like shelves, so they're usually good choices for your home theater's rear channels. For the best performance, try placing bookshelf speakers on solid speaker stands to help the sound really "open up." If you want full bass impact, add a powered subwoofer and enjoy punchy sound that's as deeply satisfying as that of floor-standing speakers.

Our take on the Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

by Kristen Schaub

A smart balance of performance, size, and value

Klipsch® has a no-compromise attitude when it comes to speaker performance — which is why the conveniently sized, modestly priced RB-51 II bookshelf speaker can sound so good. They offer up dynamic, full-bodied sound that makes them ideal for medium-sized rooms. 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. So they're equally impressive whether you're watching a movie or listening to music.


Grille off

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.


Cabinet construction

High-tech driver design

The RB-51 IIs also use newly machined, light-yet-rigid Cerametallic woofers with a folded edge to produce smoother mids and tighter bass. The specially treated aluminum in the cones help to dampen unwanted vibrations and distortion, while an integrated dustcap gives them a cleaner look and adds stability. And the rigid, braced cabinets come in a handsome woodgrain vinyl finish.

Check out the rest of our Klipsch lineup, and build a complete Reference Series II home theater or stereo speaker system. And don't forget to add a Klipsch subwoofer for high-impact bass.


Got wire?

Most speakers don't include any. Learn about choosing and installing speaker wire at the Crutchfield Learning Center.
Shop our selection of speaker wire.

Highlights:

  • frequency response 50-24,000 Hz (±3dB)
  • handles 25-75 watts
  • sensitivity 92 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • Tractrix® horn with 1" titanium dome tweeter
  • 5-1/4" Cerametallic™ woofer
  • bass-reflex (ported) design
  • black ash woodgrain vinyl finish
  • keyhole slots for easy wall-mounting
  • dual threaded inserts for optional wall-mount brackets
  • 6-1/2"W x 11-3/8"H x 10-15/16"D
  • warranty: 5 years
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
Enclosure
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Bass Reflex
Video Shielded
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No
Tweeter Type
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Tractrix Horn
Tweeter Size (inches)
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1
Midrange Size (inches)
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---
Woofer Size (inches)
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5.25
Woofer Composition
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Cerametallic
Woofer Surround
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Rubber
Power Range
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25-75
Sensitivity
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92 dB
Impedance (Ohms)
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8
Frequency Response
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50-24k Hz
Connector Type
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Binding post
Bi-amp Inputs
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No
Height (inches)
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11-3/8
Width (inches)
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6-1/2
Depth (inches)
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10-15/16
Weight (pounds)
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10.45
Mounting Bracket Included
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Keyhole
Recommended Stand Height (inches)
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28-31
Parts Warranty
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5 Years
Labor Warranty
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5 Years

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • 2 Black two-way bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Detachable magnetic grilles (attached)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options

Driver Technology

Highly-Efficient Design: The Klipsch RB-51 II utilizes a highly efficient design to produce more output using less power & energy for louder sound with less distortion. The RB-51 II is able to fill smaller rooms with outstanding, accurate, non-fatiguing sound that you can listen to for hours.

Tractrix Horn Tweeter: Each Klipsch RB-51 II features a professional-grade 1.0-inch titanium-diaphragm compression driver inside a square Tractrix Horn for smoother high-end response with greater extension, enhanced imaging, and more powerful dynamics. The Tractrix Horns deliver a 90-degree wide by 60-degree high dispersion pattern for a broader sound-stage. Behind each horn lies a 1.0-inch titanium tweeter with a linear travel suspension for open, natural, sound.

Cerametallic Woofer: The 5.25-inch woofer of the RB-51 II features Klipsch's distinctive, copper-colored Cerametallic cones. Made with an anodized aluminum, these cones are strong and dent resistant. The anodizing process converts their 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 5.25-inch woofer also employs a rubber surround for added durability.

Crossover Network: For signal purity and perfect driver integration, the crossover on the RB-51 II features the finest components and Klipsch custom internal wiring.

Enclosure Design

Bass Reflex Enclosure: The dual 5.25-inch Cerametallic cone woofer and 1.0" titanium diaphragm compression driver are mounted in a bass reflex enclosure which features a single rear-firing port. The RB-51 II's rigid cabinet offers improved internal cross-bracing to minimize panel vibrations that can color sound and a rear-firing port to eliminate turbulence noise. A black metallic finished baffle around the horn mouth and woofer dramatically improve acoustics across the sonic range. The bass reflex enclosure features a MDF cabinet finished with a Black Ash wood-grain vinyl veneer.

Magnetic Grille: The bookshelf loudspeaker features a removable magnetic 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: Each bookshelf loudspeaker is equipped with one pair of sturdy binding posts to ensure a secure connection to many types of speaker cables and connectors. The binding post terminals will accept banana plugs (single only), pin-connectors, spade-connectors, and bare wire.

Mounting Options

Rubber Feet: Each bookshelf speaker comes supplied with eight self-adhesive rubber feet (4 for each speaker) so you can sit the speakers on a stand or shelf securely. The rubber feet add approximately 0.3125" to the height of each speaker. 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).

Note: The two threaded inserts are spaced 3.0" apart.

Wall Mounting: Each Klipsch Reference bookshelf speaker feature 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 Reference Series bookshelf loudspeakers are designed to perform well in a wide variety of locations but you will get the most out of the speakers by following these simple guidelines.

  • Place the front left and right speakers on shelves or stands with their tweeters at approximately ear height for a seated listener. When used surround sound speakers, they normally perform best when placed slightly higher than ear level.
  • The bookshelf loudspeakers should be equal distance from the floor and the wall behind them. It can also helps to have the left and right speakers at different distances from their nearest side walls. This sort of staggering helps smooth the bass range.
 

Product Reviews

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Reviews for the Klipsch Reference RB-51 II

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5 out of 5

Klipsh RB-51 review

Written By JimC, Charlottesville, VA on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
 
I just purchased and wall mounted these speakers in my home. I listened to a number of speakers in the store they have set up in the "speaker room." These were the best to my ear. They are crisp at the high end and do a very thorough job throughout the low and mid-range.
Pros:
Quality made, attractive, and priced right.
Cons:
None.
4 out of 4 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
3 out of 5

ehhh

Written By Todd, TN on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
These are ok speakers. Not very musical but good for movies in a home theatre setup. I had these with the matching center RC52II and returned them all. They just did not do it for me. The surrounds are awesome though. I did keep the RS42II but decided to go with a different brand fronts and center. The customer service is absolutely fantastic with Crutchfield. The receiver I bought (Yamaha Aventage 1010) with these did not turn on so they sent me a new one. That one has a loose HDMI port, guess what... they are sending me a new one no questions asked. It is not Crutchfield's fault the product has a defect. The 60 day return policy is industry leading.
Pros:
Good for movies. Very handsome looking speaker. They just don't sound very good. Crutchfield customer service is top notch so when you do make your decision on speakers etc... Crutchfield will take care of you. No they did not pay me to write this review, I just know how it is to get bad service. Do not worry about that with Crutchfield.
Cons:
The titanium tweeters are not as musical as the aluminum tweeters. Voices sound muffled even after much PEQ manipulation. I really tried to like the Reference II series speakers but B&W just sound so much better. I wish they (B&W) allowed Crutchfield to be a mail order seller, but it is not their (B&W) business model to allow mail order sales.
7 out of 20 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
1-2 of 2

Accessories

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You'll need speaker wire to connect your speakers to your amp or receiver. No wire is included with this speaker. See all categories & accessories

Original Monster Cable With gold pin connectors (15-foot pair)
20 people say 
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Monster Cable SuperFlat™ Mini Decor-friendly speaker cable with gold pin connectors (50-foot spool)
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AudioQuest Type 4 Speaker cables with pre-attached banana connectors (10-foot pair)
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AudioQuest CV-4 Speaker cables with pre-attached banana plugs (10-foot pair)
 
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Monster XP Mini Twist-on Pin Connectors 4 pair, 16-gauge (4 pair)
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AudioQuest X2 Speaker Cable 14-gauge cable, connectors optional (30 feet, Gray)
9 people say 
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AudioQuest G2 Speaker Cable 16-gauge cable, connectors optional (30 feet, Gray)
8 people say 
Your Price: $38.99
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Monster XPHP™ MKII Speaker cable with clear jacket (100 feet)
5 people say 
Your Price: $99.95
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Monster XP® Speaker cable with clear jacket, connectors optional (100 feet)
17 people say 
Your Price: $64.95
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Monster XP Navajo White Speaker cable, connectors optional (30 feet)
4 people say 
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Monster XP® Navajo White MkII Speaker cable (50 feet)
 
Your Price: $39.95
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Sanus BF31B Speaker Stands Basic Foundations® — 31"
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Your Price: $49.99
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Sanus NF30 Speaker Stands Natural Foundations Series IV — 30" (Black lacquer)
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Bell'O SP-224 24" speaker stands
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Bell'O SP-300 30" speaker stands
 
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Sanus UF26 Speaker Stands Foundations® Ultimate Series — 26"
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Your Price: $249.99
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Pinpoint AM40 Side-clamping speaker wall mounts
26 people say 
Your Price: $79.99
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Smart people protect with SquareTrade- The best warranty at the best price

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100% parts and labor - no deductibles

All mechanical and electrical failures covered, includes normal wear and tear.

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Runs concurrent with manufacturer's warranty

Rated 5-stars by consumers

For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Klipsch Reference RB-51 II, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/S-EMlrBsSeJDj/p_714RB51IIB/Klipsch-Reference-RB-51-II.html ).

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Klipsch Reference RB-51 II
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Compare with other Klipsch models

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  • Klipsch Reference RB-81 II
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  • Front

    Klipsch Reference RB-51 II
  • Back

    Klipsch Reference RB-51 II
  • Black ash finish

    Klipsch Reference RB-51 II
  • Front

    Klipsch Reference RB-51 II
  • Front with grille off

    Klipsch Reference RB-51 II
  • Shown with grille off

    Klipsch Reference RB-51 II