Search  for anything...
Klipsch

Klipsch Reference Series RB-81 II Bookshelf Speaker (Black)

  • Based on 270 reviews
Condition: New
Checking for the best price...
$279.00 Why this price?
Save $100.99 was $379.99

Buy Now, Pay Later

As low as $46.50 / mo
  • – 6-month term
  • – No impact on credit to apply
  • – Instant approval decision
  • – Secure and straightforward checkout

Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout.

Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, Zip, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Selected Option

Free shipping on this product

FREE 30-day refund/replacement

To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Amazon
Arrives Thursday, Sep 24
Order within 9 hours and 26 minutes
Available payment plans shown during checkout
Protection Plan Protect Your Purchase
Checking for protection plans...

Color: Black


Features

  • Includes single speaker
  • Dynamic 1" titanium Linear Travel Suspension horn-loaded tweeter, 8" high-output Cerametallic woofer
  • Highly efficient design produces more output using less energy
  • Top Of The Line Klipsch Book Shelf Speaker.
  • Fills larger rooms with lifelike music and movie performances
  • Accurate, non-fatiguing sound - Priced and Packaged Each.

Description

A towering achievement in a bookshelf design, the Reference Series RB-81 II is a force to be reckoned with. It provides unrivaled music and movie performances to those who demand the very best, but don’t have the room to accommodate a floorstanding speaker.

Brand: Klipsch


Speaker Maximum Output Power: 600 watts


Frequency Response: 24000 hertz


Connectivity Technology: Wired


Audio Output Mode: Stereo, Surround Sound


Audio Output Mode: Stereo, Surround Sound


Mounting Type: Shelf Mount


Enclosure Material: Cerametallic


Speaker Type: Woofer,Bookshelf, Tweeter


Additional Features: Dynamic 1-inch titanium Linear Travel Suspension horn-loaded tweeter


Antenna Location: Music


Subwoofer Diameter: 8 inches


Color: Black


Is Waterproof: FALSE


Warranty Type: Limited Warranty


Control Method: Touch


Speaker Size: 8 inches


Woofer Diameter: 15.5 centimeters


Tweeter Diameter: 1 inches


Water Resistance Level: Waterproof


EU Spare Part Availability Duration: 7 years


Specific Uses For Product: Indoor, larger rooms, music and movie playback


Battery Average Life: 8 hours


Controller Type: Corded Electric


Unit Count: 1 Count


Item Dimensions D x W x H: 12.3"D x 9.25"W x 19"H


Item Weight: 12.5 kg


Connectivity Technology: Wired


Wireless Technology: Bluetooth


Subwoofer Connectivity Technology: Wireless


Connectivity Protocol: Jack Connector (3.5mm Audio Jack)


Audio Driver Type: Dynamic Driver


Audio Driver Size: 8 inches


Number Of Circuits: 2


Brand: Klipsch


Model Number: 1011850


Model Name: RB-81 II


Built-In Media: Bookshelf Speaker


Warranty Description: Manufacturer


Number of Items: 1


Customer Package Type: Standard Packaging


Series Number: 81


UPC: 743878021820


Manufacturer: Klipsch


Age Range Description: Adult


Speaker Maximum Output Power: 600 watts


Input Voltage: 2.83 volts


Frequency Response: 24000 hertz


Number of Audio Channels: 1


Impedance: 8 ohm


Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 70 db


Compatible Devices: Smartphone, Tablet, MP3 Player, Desktop, Television, Projector, Laptop


Compatible with Vehicle Type: Car


Power Source: DC power supply


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Thursday, Sep 24

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

  • Klarna Financing
  • Affirm Pay in 4
  • Affirm Financing
  • Afterpay Financing
  • Zip Pay in 4
  • Financing through Apple Pay
  • Financing through Google Pay
Leasing options through Acima may also be available during checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Similar Products

Top Amazon Reviews

    • They sound amazing with very little power
They sound amazing with little power
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2026 by jewelanna pursell
    • Don't wait too long...
I have wanted these speakers since getting my first pair of KB-15's, an earlier model made for Best Buy (5.25" LF/1" Al dome driven horn HF) and bargain priced at $130/pr shipped. I was amazed at their sound and sensitivity (efficiency). I A-B-ed them with mythen previous favorites - a pair of NHT SuperOne 2.1's bought new 12/14. Their great sensitivity over the NHT's almost sealed their fate - the small Klipsch speakers were moved to my hobby room, where they have been seriously enjoyed. My NHT's remained in my office, an 11' x 12' room where they are driven by an Onkyo 50 Wpc stereo receiver (TX-8020) and CDP (C-7030). I was pleased with the controlled bass and decent treble of the NHT's - but the midrange appeared lacking - I thought that the RB-81ii, with it's 8" LF driver and 1" Ti horn HF driver might be the answer. They seemed to have evaporated last winter. I checked Amazon for Prime stock of the speakers aperiodically - including a few weeks back, when I found them for $249/ea - a great price for the top of the line bookshelf speaker in their 'Reference' line - so I ordered a pair. I felt guilty - and cancelled the order the next day. Last Saturday, I checked - they were still available - I ordered another pair. I was determined to get them this time and they arrived Tuesday - in a word wow! They are large and heavy, which I was prepared for, having moved the bookcase's next shelf up allowing 22" vertical clearance. They are fed by #14 stranded zip cord, with the HF/LF jumpers in place. The front firing port allows placement of the 12.5" deep speaker in a 12" deep shelf, canted inward.. The coverage is wide - my ears are centered two feet in front of the plane the speakers are in and equidistant from the speakers (~5 ft). The stereo effect is consistent almost to the back wall (8 ft) and covers a cone three feet wide at my seated central position to six ft wide in front of the back wall. The LF is there, while the HF are great - and the MF is now present! It also takes a lot less to drive these speakers - my half-power HD < .03% can be appreciated (<.08% @ 50 WPC). I may have found my ideal speakers! If you think you might like them - don't wait too long - order your's. Oh, if they get any better after break-in... I'll be shocked. Besides being bi-wire capable, they have a nice grill cover that is held in place by magnets. The instruction manual is multilingual and pretty sparse. They come individually well-packed, too. My s/n's were ~100 apart... they looked identical - perfect - and 'factory fresh' - quite decent quality. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2015 by J. R. Tow
    • Outstanding Speakers
Awesome speakers. Perfect condition. Great sound.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026 by Brian
    • GREAT BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS !!!!!!!!
THESE 2 WAY SPEAKERS ARE NOTHING BUT OUSTANDING. THESE Klipsch RB-81 REFERANCE SPEAKERS ARE ON THE DISCOUTINUED LIST, BUILT LIKE A TANK, & THE SOUND IS SO CLEAR EVAN AT THIS PRICE POINT. THE SOUND STANGE IS EXPANSIVE WHEN YOU DRIVE THEM A LITTLE / LIKE A RACE HORSE. THE HIGHS ARE CLEAR & CRISP WHILE THE BASS IS TIGHT WITHOUT BOOMING OR EXHIBITING ANY FLABY DISTORTION. ( EXAMPLE ) GET A PHIL COLLINS CD & PLAY IN THE AIR TONIGHT & YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AT A LIVE CONCERT. TRUE, THE MIDS ARE A LITTLE THIN BUT WHAT DO EXPECT FROM A 2 WAY DESIGN. THESE SPEAKERS ARE IN MY BASEMENT BY THE BAR & EASILY FILL THE ENTIRE ROOM. UPSTAIRS FOR CRITICAL LISTENING I HAVE A SET OF 4 WAY, TOWER, STUDIO MONITOR SPEAKERS WITH A COST OF OVER $ 24,000.00 VERSUS THE Klipsch RB-81 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS DOWNSTAIRS AT A COST OF LESS THAN $ 400.00 IT'S A NO BRAINER. THESE RB * 81 SPEAKERS ARE THE REAL DEAL SO YOU BETTER GRAB THEM WHILE YOU CAN BEFORE THEY ARE GONE. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2020 by BANKERTMP
    • Good for some music
Klipsch horn tweeters are not for everyone. They are very responsive and great for rock and other music genres where the music is driving. If you are looking for smooth, accurate, and warm reproduction of sound, you may want to look elsewhere. If you pair it with a subwoofer and do some EQ and crossover adjustments, the results are pretty good. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026 by Paul Kroushl
    • I will look at IQ Home Entertainment first for my next sound investment.
I am very happy with IQ HOME ENTERTAINMENT, I purchased these as damaged box, but like new, when I received the box was hardly damaged and the speakers were in perfect condition. They play and sound great!
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2025 by Phil Enders
    • LIKE HEARING YOUR FAVORITE ALBUM FOR THE FIRST TIME
Review Image by 64_GTO_LVR
Review Image by 64_GTO_LVR
Review Image by 64_GTO_LVR
Review Image by 64_GTO_LVR
Review Image by 64_GTO_LVR
Review Image by 64_GTO_LVR
The RB-81 ll’s were the final piece to my puzzle and well worth the wait. I started with the Denon AVR-X1800 paired it with RB-61 ll’s and my old Bose 301’s then added the Audio Technica 120 XUSB Direct Drive Turntable with an orange mat.(looks cool:).Next came the Klipsch Next Gen 30C Horn Loaded Center Channel Speaker (WOW)followed by the R-100 Klipsch 10” Subwoofer (med size room)and lastly out with the 301’s in with the RB-81 ll’s. All I have to say is WOW I’ve listened to these albums for 40 years and I actually heard things for the first time and it was mind blowing. Yes it’s a big chunk of change but do it like me a month at a time and you won’t regret it if your first love is music. This is an authentic review and I feel like that12 year old that just got his first stereo so many years ago. Don’t cheap out on the proper wire gauge or any RCA cables you’ll regret it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2025 by 64_GTO_LVR
    • Expect nothing less than great sound from Klipsh!
I bought these Klipsch RB-81 Refence II speakers to replace a pair of vintage Klipsch KG 2.5 speakers. My initial impression after hooking them up was that they were very "tinny" sounding and had too much high end compared to my old speakers. After a couple of weeks of letting them get burned in with various types and levels of music, I still thought that they had too much high end. I had to make some pretty drastic corrections to my EQ to tone down the higher frequencies. Now that I finally have EQ set properly, I can honestly say that these speakers deliver a rich, full sound and pack a serious punch. I attribute the initial tinny sound to 1) using my old EQ settings (for different speakers) and expecting these speakers to be exactly the same. They are not. 2) The horns on these speakers are incredibly efficient and thus provide great output without the need for much EQ boost. Overall, I'm very pleased with these speakers and they look great too (especially with the grilles removed). ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2017 by Ann M Bye

Can't find a product?

Find it on Amazon first, then paste the link below.
Checking for best price...