Klipsch RS-42 Reference IV Horn-Loaded Surround Speakers, Pair

$345.00

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Description

Klipsch RS-42 Reference IV Horn-Loaded 4 Driver Surround Speakers, Pair

A very-good-condition pair of Klipsch RS-42 Reference IV surround speakers — highly efficient, horn-loaded 4-driver dipole/bipole-style surrounds engineered to deliver the kind of dynamic, room-filling ambient effects that transform a home-theatre system from good to genuinely cinematic.

Here’s your ticket to thrilling movie effects. The Klipsch RS-42 surround speakers feature two sets of drivers angled 90 degrees apart from each other. This clever design delivers ambient effects in a full 180-degree arc, for a diffuse soundfield that completely envelops the listener. It also allows these speakers to deliver great sound even when placed in less-than-ideal locations — a real advantage in real-world rooms where the textbook surround position simply isn’t available. You’ll enjoy dynamic surround sound that enhances your movie-watching experience, from soft sounds like crickets chirping to the roar of a jet plane flying overhead.

The RS-42 uses horn-loaded tweeters. Flared openings in the enclosure project high frequencies toward your listening area and prevent sound waves from simply spilling out in all directions — the same principle that makes your voice easier to hear when you cup your hands around your mouth. This horn design brings out details in everything you listen to, while reducing reflections that can colour the sound. It also improves dynamics and efficiency, for powerful, front-row sound that remains crystal-clear at all volume levels.

Klipsch’s signature high-sensitivity design (93 dB) means these surrounds will play effortlessly loud with even modest amplifier power, and they integrate beautifully with any Klipsch Reference front-stage system as well as with a wide range of other brands. Wall-mounting is straightforward thanks to integrated keyhole slots and dual threaded inserts for optional brackets, making installation in a finished room genuinely simple.

Product highlights:

Wide Dispersion Surround Technology — dual driver arrays angled 90 degrees apart for full 180-degree dispersion

Dual Tractrix horns with 1-inch titanium tweeters

Dual 4-inch Cerametallic woofers

Bass-reflex (ported) cabinet design

5-way binding posts, suitable for banana plugs, spades, or bare wire

Keyhole slot for easy wall-mounting

Dual threaded inserts for optional wall-mount brackets

Matte black vinyl cabinet finish

Specifications:

Frequency response: 52 Hz – 23 kHz (±3 dB)

Sensitivity: 93 dB

Nominal impedance: 8 ohms

Power handling: up to 75 watts continuous

Tweeters: dual 1-inch titanium, Tractrix horn-loaded

Woofers: dual 4-inch Cerametallic

Cabinet: bass-reflex (ported)

Finish: matte black vinyl

Condition: Very Good

Dimensions (W x H x D): 10.75 x 10 x 7.75 inches (273 x 254 x 197 mm)
Weight: 10 lbs (4.5 kg) each / 20 lbs (9.1 kg) per pair

A very-good-condition pair of Klipsch RS-42 Reference IV horn-loaded surround speakers — high efficiency, wide dispersion, and the unmistakable Klipsch dynamic punch, ready to plug into your existing surround setup and deliver an immediate upgrade to the immersion and impact of every movie night.

Backed by Radique Audio’s 90-day warranty and our perpetual trade-back policy, you can purchase with confidence.

Additional information
Weight24 lbs
Dimensions22 × 14.75 × 14 in
About brand
Klipsch at Radique
We service Klipsch, too. Bring us your own Klipsch speakers and subwoofers for repair, servicing or restoration (speakers up to 80 lbs each), with a 90-day warranty on the work. See our Audio Service page

Klipsch began in Hope, Arkansas, in 1946, when Paul W. Klipsch started building his corner-horn Klipschorn, and its Heritage speakers are still built by hand in Hope. We carry Klipsch towers, centre channels, bookshelf speakers and subwoofers. We've had more than 160 Klipsch listings so far. Every used Klipsch here is inspected, tested and serviced as required, then photographed in-house and covered by our Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and Perpetual Trade-Back Program. Don't see the model you want? Tell us on First Dibs and we'll email you when one arrives.

The Klipsch story, 1946 to today

Paul W. Klipsch was posted to Hope, Arkansas, in 1941 as an Army officer. He patented his corner-horn design in the mid-1940s and founded Klipsch in Hope in 1946; Klipsch says its first speaker was built by hand there that year, with the horn made in a tin shed. He hired his first employee in 1948.

The Heritage line. The Klipschorn of 1946 was followed by the Heresy (1957), designed as a centre speaker to sit between a pair of Klipschorns, the Cornwall (1959), the La Scala (1963) and the Forte (1985).

A new generation. Fred Klipsch bought the company from Paul Klipsch in 1989, and headquarters later moved to Indianapolis. Paul Klipsch died in 2002 at 98. The Reference Series arrived in 1999.

A Canadian connection. In 2006 Klipsch bought Audio Products International of Toronto, with its Energy and Mirage brands. Audiovox, later VOXX, bought Klipsch in 2011, and Gentex bought VOXX in 2025.

Which Klipsch is which?

Heritage: the Klipschorn, Heresy, Cornwall, La Scala and Forte, built to order by hand in Hope. Drivers change between generations, so identify the version.

KG series (mid-1980s to early 1990s): lower-priced horn-tweeter floorstanders such as the KG 4 (1985 to 1992) and KG 5.5.

Reference (1999 onward): horn-tweeter towers, bookshelf speakers and centres, from the RB-5 and RF-7 to the later RF, RB and RC models.

Synergy (late 1990s and 2000s): such as the KSF 8.5 and the SF-1.

Subwoofers: powered models such as the RPW-10.

Buying used Klipsch: what to check

Horn diaphragms. The compression drivers in older Klipsch speakers age; owners report tired midrange diaphragms on Heritage models and raspy tweeters on some KG pairs. Listen to each horn on its own at a moderate level.

Reference tweeters. A crackling tweeter can be a loose connection, and owners say these tweeters can fail if played very loud.

Crossovers and passive radiators. Many Heritage and KG owners recap their crossovers, and KG passive radiators can have cracked surrounds.

Modifications. Aftermarket diaphragms and crossovers are common upgrades on Heritage and KG models. Ask what has been changed.

Where it was made. Heritage models are built in Hope. Check the label before calling any other Klipsch "made in USA".

Everything we list is inspected, tested and serviced as required here, and comes with our warranty.