Klipsch RP-502S Surround Speakers (Pair) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The RP-502S is a two-way surround loudspeaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of the Reference Premiere series, the RP-502S pairs dual 1-inch Titanium LTS Vented Tweeters with Hybrid 90° x 90° Tractrix Horns and dual 5.25-inch Spun Copper Cerametallic woofers in a Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST) enclosure, achieving a sensitivity of 95 dB at 2.83V/1m and a frequency response extending from 58 Hz to 25 kHz. Drawing on the same acoustic engineering principles behind Klipsch's professional cinema systems, the RP-502S brings theater-caliber surround immersion to 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1-channel home theater installations with no compromise in placement flexibility.

Hybrid Tractrix Horn and LTS Titanium Tweeter

The Hybrid 90° x 90° Tractrix Horn is the acoustic centerpiece of the RP-502S high-frequency system. A compressed molded silicon face mates directly to the horn throat, damping resonance and producing a smoother frequency response than conventional hard-wall horn designs. Klipsch computer-modeled phase plugs act as a mechanical filter ahead of the tweeter diaphragm, further flattening response and protecting the driver from accidental damage. The 1-inch titanium diaphragm itself is suspended on Klipsch's Linear Travel Suspension (LTS), a piston-motion geometry that keeps the voice coil aligned through its full excursion range to minimize harmonic distortion and preserve micro-detail in film soundtracks and music alike. A vented tweeter housing eliminates standing waves that build behind the diaphragm, eliminating the coloration those resonances introduce at the top of the frequency range.

Spun Copper Cerametallic Woofers

The dual 5.25-inch Spun Copper Cerametallic woofers are the visual and acoustic signature of the Reference Premiere series. The Cerametallic cone material combines extreme rigidity with very low mass, reproducing midrange and bass down to 58 Hz with maximum efficiency and minimum distortion. Each cone is bonded to a dual-layer, copper-wound voice coil for exceptional conductivity, and the entire driver assembly is suspended in a precision-cast chassis for consistent performance across its operating range. The spun copper finish is not merely aesthetic; it identifies the specific alloy and winding specification Klipsch uses throughout the Reference Premiere line to ensure tonal consistency when the RP-502S is paired with RP-series floor-standing, bookshelf, or center channel speakers.

Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST)

Klipsch Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST) is the foundational surround array design employed across the RP-502S enclosure. The bi-directional configuration positions each tweeter and woofer set on opposing angled baffles within the sealed cabinet, radiating sound simultaneously across a wide arc rather than from a single forward-facing point. This delivers the deep, room-filling ambience associated with diffuse-radiating surround designs while retaining the precise directional localization of direct-radiating models. The result is convincing, seamless surround coverage across multiple seating positions, even in rooms where ideal side-wall or rear-wall speaker placement is not achievable. The sealed, internally braced MDF enclosure keeps transients tight and eliminates the port noise that can compromise effect clarity in demanding action soundtracks.

Key Features

• Dual 1-inch Titanium LTS Vented Tweeters: Linear Travel Suspension piston-motion geometry minimizes distortion across the full tweeter excursion range, while a vented housing eliminates standing waves behind the diaphragm for cleaner, more detailed high-frequency reproduction.
• Hybrid 90° x 90° Tractrix Horns: Silicon composite face matted to the horn throat damps resonance and delivers controlled, wide 90° x 90° horizontal and vertical dispersion directly at listeners, reducing unwanted reflections off walls and ceilings.
• Dual 5.25-inch Spun Copper Cerametallic Woofers: Exceptionally rigid and lightweight Cerametallic cones bonded to dual-layer copper-wound voice coils reproduce bass and midrange down to 58 Hz with high efficiency and minimal distortion.
• Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST): Bi-directional opposing baffle array delivers diffuse surround coverage and precise effect localization simultaneously, providing convincing immersion even with less-than-ideal placement.
• 95 dB Sensitivity: High-efficiency rating enables powerful, dynamic surround output from standard AV receiver power levels, preserving dynamic headroom throughout the full 100W RMS / 400W peak power handling range.
• Sealed, Internally Braced MDF Enclosure: Eliminates port noise and keeps transients clean for precise reproduction of short-duration surround effects in film and gaming soundtracks.
• Keyhole Wall Mounting System: Integrated rear-panel keyhole slots allow fast, tool-minimal wall mounting for side-surround, rear-surround, or height/elevation channel positions.
• Audiophile-Grade Aluminum Binding Posts: Easily accessible single aluminum binding posts accept spade, banana, and bare wire terminations for secure, low-resistance connections.
• Magnetic Grille: Strong, flexible, scratch-resistant magnetic grille attaches and removes cleanly without pins or clips, preserving the baffle finish and allowing rapid switching between open-baffle and grille-on presentation.
• Premium Scratch-Resistant Finishes: Available in Ebony vinyl and Walnut vinyl with satin-painted baffles, matching the Reference Premiere floor-standing, center, and bookshelf speaker range for a cohesive system aesthetic.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch RP-502S?

The Klipsch RP-502S is a two-way surround loudspeaker sold as a pair, belonging to the Reference Premiere series from Klipsch, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Each speaker houses dual 1-inch Titanium LTS Vented Tweeters on Hybrid 90° x 90° Tractrix Horns and dual 5.25-inch Spun Copper Cerametallic woofers, with a sensitivity of 95 dB at 2.83V/1m and a frequency response of 58 Hz to 25 kHz. The RP-502S is designed for 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1-channel home theater use and employs Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST) to maximize surround coverage and localization regardless of room shape or placement constraints.

How does the Klipsch RP-502S compare to the Klipsch THX-5000-SUR?

The Klipsch RP-502S and the THX-5000-SUR are both Klipsch WDST surround speakers with dual woofer and horn-loaded tweeter arrays, but they serve different system tiers. The THX-5000-SUR carries formal THX Ultra2 certification and uses 96 dB sensitivity titanium-dome compression drivers on 5-inch square Tractrix Horns with a 2,100 Hz crossover, targeting large, dedicated custom home theater installations. The RP-502S sits within the Reference Premiere consumer series, offering 95 dB sensitivity with LTS vented tweeters on Hybrid 90° x 90° Tractrix Horns and a lower 1,400 Hz crossover, making it the natural surround companion to the RP-8000F, RP-6000F, and RP-504C speakers in a living room or media room system. Against competitors such as the KEF Q50a, Polk Audio Reserve R35, and Monitor Audio Silver FX, the RP-502S differentiates through its dual-horn WDST array and high 95 dB efficiency.

Can the Klipsch RP-502S be used as a height or elevation speaker in a Dolby Atmos system?

Yes, the Klipsch RP-502S can be wall-mounted and angled to serve as on-wall height or elevation speakers in a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X configuration. Its integrated keyhole mounting system makes positioning on side walls or rear walls straightforward, and the 90° x 90° Hybrid Tractrix Horn dispersion pattern ensures adequate coverage across the overhead soundstage when the speaker is aimed toward the listening position. For dedicated ceiling-bounce Atmos use, Klipsch offers purpose-built Atmos elevation modules within the Reference Premiere line, but the RP-502S functions effectively as an on-wall height speaker in systems where ceiling installation is not practical.

What is Klipsch Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) technology?

Klipsch Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) is a tweeter voice coil suspension design that constrains the diaphragm to a precise piston motion throughout its full excursion range. By preventing the lateral rocking motion that conventional tweeter suspensions allow, LTS keeps the voice coil centered in the magnetic gap at all output levels, reducing harmonic distortion and preserving fine detail in high-frequency reproduction. Combined with the vented tweeter housing that eliminates standing waves behind the diaphragm, LTS produces cleaner, more accurate highs than comparably specified tweeters using traditional suspension geometries, and the titanium diaphragm material adds rigidity without the added mass that degrades high-frequency extension and transient speed.

Where can I buy the Klipsch RP-502S in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch RP-502S Surround Speakers are available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Klipsch dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound serves customers across the Greater Toronto Area and ships across Canada, with full manufacturer warranty support and access to Klipsch's authorized Canadian service network. Purchasing from an authorized dealer ensures genuine product, warranty validation, and expert system-matching advice for pairing the RP-502S with the correct RP-series front speakers, center channel, and subwoofer.

What AV receiver power does the Klipsch RP-502S require?

The Klipsch RP-502S is highly efficient at 95 dB sensitivity and operates on a nominal 8-ohm impedance, making it compatible with virtually any modern AV receiver. It handles up to 100 watts RMS continuous and 400 watts peak per speaker, but its high sensitivity means it reaches reference listening levels from as little as 20 to 30 watts per channel. Popular AV receivers from Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, and Onkyo at the mid-range and above drive the RP-502S without reservation, and the 8-ohm load presents no challenge to any modern multichannel amplifier.

How is the Klipsch RP-502S mounted on a wall?

The Klipsch RP-502S uses an integrated keyhole mounting system built into the rear panel of each enclosure. Keyholes accept standard wall-mount screws or brackets and allow the speaker to be hung quickly without specialized hardware. For ceiling-angled or tilting installations, any standard speaker wall bracket rated for the speaker's weight can be used with the keyhole slots. The sealed enclosure design means the RP-502S can be placed flush against a wall surface with no concern about port obstruction, and the magnetic grille remains fully functional in any mounted orientation.

Which Klipsch speakers pair best with the RP-502S for a complete home theater system?

The Klipsch RP-502S is designed as the surround speaker companion to the full Reference Premiere series. For a 5.1 system, it pairs directly with the RP-8000F or RP-6000F floor-standing speakers at the front left and right positions, the RP-504C or RP-402C at the center channel, and a Klipsch SPL-120 or R-120SW subwoofer for bass management. Expanding to 7.1 requires two additional pairs of the RP-502S at rear surround positions. The shared Cerametallic woofer material and Tractrix Horn geometry across the Reference Premiere family ensures tonal continuity from the front soundstage through to the surrounds, which is audible as seamless panning of effects around the room.