About the Klipsch Reference R-40M

Affordable speakers that can rock the house
Affordable speakers that can rock the house
Klipsch's Reference speakers have always offered a tremendous value, serving up room-filling, detailed sound without straining your wallet. Their new R-40Ms are affordable bookshelf speakers that work well in both home theater systems and two-channel music systems. These solidly built speakers feature a new 4" woofer and an upgraded horn and tweeter for enhanced, articulate sound.
Next-generation drivers
The R-40M's 4" woofer uses spun-copper TCP (thermoformed crystalline polymer) for its cone material. Klipsch chose this material because of its smooth response and transparency. The woofer also uses some trickle-down technology from the company's more expensive Reference Premiere line. It has a similar cone shape and uses additional ribbing for extra rigidity, which reduces distortion at higher frequencies.
The hallmark 90°x 90° Tractrix® horn features an upgrade too. Klipsch widened it's opening for more high-frequency directivity. That means the 1" LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) tweeter inside the horn has a wider "sweet spot" and delivers more detail inside that sweet spot.
Got speaker stands and wire?
While these speakers work well when placed on a table or shelf, you'll get the best sound out of them when they're placed on a pair of speaker stands. You'll also need some speaker wire since the R-40M doesn't come with any. Read our article about choosing and installing speaker wire.
Shop our selection of speaker wire.
Product highlights:
- 1" LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) titanium diaphragm tweeter with Tractrix® horn
- 4" spun-copper TCP TCP (thermoformed crystalline polymer) woofers
- frequency response: 71-21,000 Hz (± 3dB)
- power handling: up to 50 watts RMS
- sensitivity: 91 dB
- impedance: 8 ohms
- bass-reflex design with rear-firing port
- magnetic grille protects drivers and looks stylish
- scratch-resistant textured wood grain vinyl finish
- single gold-plated binding post speaker terminals
- dimensions (measured by Crutchfield): 5-13/16"W x 11-3/4"H x 8-7/16"D
- weight: 7 lbs. (each)
- warranty: 5 years
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # 1069855
What's in the box:
Klipsch Reference R-40M owner's manual
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
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More details on the Klipsch Reference R-40M

Features & specs
Enclosure | Ported | |
Finish | MDF/Wood-grain vinyl | |
Color | Black | |
Tweeter Type | Tractrix Horn | |
Tweeter Size (inches) | 1 | |
Midrange Size (inches) | N/A | |
Woofer Size (inches) | 4 | |
Woofer Composition | Spun-Copper TCP | |
Woofer Surround | Rubber | |
Power Range | up to 50 | |
Sensitivity | 91 dB | |
Impedance (Ohms) | 8 | |
Frequency Response | 71-21k Hz | |
Connector Type | Binding post | |
Bi-amp Inputs | No | |
Height (inches) | 11-3/4 | |
Width (inches) | 5-13/16 | |
Depth (inches) | 8-7/16 | |
Weight (pounds) | 7 | |
Wall-mountable | With optional bracket | |
Bracket Included | No | |
Recommended Stand Height (inches) | 28-32 | |
Parts Warranty | 5 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 5 Years |
Product Research
Features
1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter: The R-40M bookshelf loudspeaker features Klipsch's proprietary Tractrix Horn technology mated with a 1" LTS aluminum tweeter, for impressive high-frequency response and greater extension, enhanced imaging and powerful dynamics.
- 90°x90° Tractrix Horn: The square Tractrix Horn delivers a 90° (w) x 90° (h) dispersion pattern and features an increased "edge-to-edge" outer horn dimension that allows for directivity control over a larger bandwidth of frequencies, resulting in improved high frequency directivity and a more accurate soundstage. Klipsch exclusive Tractrix horn technology ensures that the speaker's high frequency energy is aimed at the listener and reduces artificial reverb or filtering caused by indirect sound bouncing off of walls. Using this proprietary focused technology provides clarity, dynamics, and detail for your movies and music.
- LTS Aluminum Tweeter: Behind each horn lies a 1" LTS aluminum tweeter with a Kapton suspension. Klipsch exclusive Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) minimizes distortion for enhanced, detailed performances. Aluminum is an extremely light and rigid material used in the tweeter assembly to provide high efficiency and improve resolution and detail.
4" Spun-Copper TCP Woofer: The Klipsch R-40M houses one 4" Spun-Copper TCP (Thermoformed Crystalline Polymer) woofer for deep, smooth, and accurate bass. TCP woofers have steeper angling of the cones for a smoother response and improved accuracy and transparency. The additional ribbing increases the overall rigidity for less cone breakup at higher frequencies.
Rear Tractrix Port: The rear Tractrix port of the R-40M bookshelf loudspeaker is perfectly matched to the cabinet and woofer, creating ideal airflow with minimal distortion and turbulence even at the lowest frequencies. Klipsch Tractrix ports have custom designed inner flares that help reduce air turbulence entering the port. Less turbulent air helps reduce port noise for cleaner, more powerful bass.
MDF Cabinet: The Klipsch R-40M bookshelf speaker features a MDF cabinet with a scratch-resistant, textured wood grain vinyl that seamlessly integrates into almost any room or decor. The enclosure's reinforced MDF construction reduces cabinet vibration for less audible coloration and improved sonic accuracy. The MDF enclosure also features a satin painted baffle with a scratch resistant design for an elegant look without the grille.
Acoustically Transparent Grille: The Klipsch R-40M bookshelf loudspeaker comes with a removable, black cloth grille that is magnetic and acoustically transparent. This strong magnetic grille provides protection and a sleek aesthetic look to compliment your home's decor.
Binding Posts: The Klipsch Reference III series bookshelf speaker is outfitted 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-lugs and bare wire (up to 12AWG).
Mounting Options: The Klipsch R-40M bookshelf loudspeaker can be placed on a speaker stand, bookshelf, table, or other flat surface. It can also be wall-mounted using an optional wall-bracket
- Tabletop: The bookshelf loudspeaker comes with an integrated cork pad on the bottom of the speaker enclosure to secure the speaker in place and prevent any damage to your stand's or shelf's surface.
- Wall-Mount: The R-40M features a 1/4"-20 threaded insert on the back of the cabinet for wall-mounting the speaker with an optional bracket (sold separately).
Application & Placement: The Klipsch R-40M bookshelf loudspeaker can be used in a dedicated stereo application or in a home theater application as front and/or rear speakers.
- Front Placement: For optimum performance in a stereo application or as front speakers in a home theater application, Klipsch suggests placing the loudspeakers 6' to 15' apart. They may also be toed-in slightly for better stereo imaging. The listening position should be about 1 to 1.5x the distance separating the speakers.
- Rear Placement: When used as surround speakers in a home theater setup, the loudspeakers should be placed approximately 2' above the listening position. Typically this will be approximately 5' to 7' above the floor. The surrounds should be placed on the walls directly adjacent to the listening position. Another option would be on the wall behind the listening position
Reference III Series: Klipsch's new Reference III series features updated Tractrix Horn technology, a new Spun-Copper TCP (Thermoformed Crystal Polymer) woofer design, and Tractrix geometry port technology to create a wide soundstage that is smooth, controlled and accurate. The Reference III series by Klipsch consists of a variety of floorstanding (R-800F / R-600F / R-605FA), bookshelf (R-50M / R-40M), center (R-50C / R-30C), and Atmos speakers (R-40SA) - all sold separately.
Optional Powered Sub: For bigger & deeper bass response, pair the Klipsch Reference III series loudspeaker with one of Klipsch's powered subwoofers (sold separately - click on Accessories Tab).
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Customer Q&A
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I'm using these as surrounds. They replaced an old pair of Klipsch speakers that I retired. I bought a new receiver and wanted to upgrade. These R-40's are a huge improvement! I didn't know surrounds we're supposed to sound that robust. Buying the R-40's was a good move.
William from Virginia Beach, VA