The Klipsch Reference Premiere floorstanding speaker is having a moment in search this week, and the timing lines up with a changeover. Klipsch has replaced its long-running Reference Premiere II towers with the new Reference Premiere III Series, a nine-model lineup that Klipsch said would reach its own store and authorized retailers in October. So anyone shopping for a pair of Reference Premiere (RP) towers right now has two generations to pick between. Here is what changed, how the floorstanders compare and where to buy.
What Reference Premiere III is
According to Klipsch's official announcement, the RP III Series made its global debut at Audio Advice Live 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of the company's 80th year. The range is tighter than before, with nine models built to cover everything from a two-channel music setup to a full home theater:
- Floorstanding speakers: RP-8263FA with integrated Dolby Atmos height drivers, RP-8203F and RP-6203F
- Bookshelf monitors: RP-6103M and RP-5103M
- Center channel speakers: RP-5203C and RP-5403C
- Surround speakers: RP-5203S and the Dolby Atmos enabled RP-5103SA
What changed on the new towers
Klipsch kept the two-way design but rebuilt the parts that define the sound. The tweeter now sits in a new high-density axial Tractrix horn made from an upgraded bulk molding compound (BMC) material, which Klipsch says reduces resonance. The horn is flush-mounted to the cabinet to cut down on wave breakup and widen the sweet spot off to the sides of the room. The signature copper Cerametallic woofers carry over and handle the bass.
The cabinets changed too. The new knife-edge design is meant to add structural rigidity and look cleaner in a modern living room, and the floorstanders sit on adjustable metal outrigger feet that isolate the cabinet from the floor and steady it on carpet or hardwood. Every model gets copper accents, floating fabric grilles and updated rear input panels, in Ebony or Walnut.
For home theater, the flagship RP-8263FA has upfiring height drivers built in, while the RP-5103SA can sit on top of a tower or bookshelf speaker as a Dolby Atmos elevation module or mount on the wall. Klipsch says the series pairs with its Reference Premiere subwoofers, now offered in compact sealed and full-size ported versions, and with compatible Onkyo audio/video (A/V) receivers through Klipsch Optimized Mode, which applies the right crossover settings automatically for select models. You can see the full lineup on the official Reference Premiere III series page.
RP III or RP II: which floorstanding speaker to buy
The previous generation has not vanished from shelves, and it is still a strong speaker. Klipsch's own product pages describe the RP-8000F II and RP-6000F II with a larger 90 by 90 degree silicone composite hybrid Tractrix horn, a Tractrix port for fast, efficient air movement out of the cabinet, and updated Cerametallic woofers, dual 8 inch on the RP-8000F II and dual 6.5 inch on the RP-6000F II. Both come in Ebony or Walnut vinyl with a removable grille.
- Pick RP III if you want the newest tweeter design, the knife-edge cabinets and outrigger feet, or the flagship RP-8263FA with Dolby Atmos built into the tower.
- Pick RP II if you want a proven tower you can order today, or you are adding a matching pair to an existing RP II system. Retailers clearing out an outgoing generation are often the best place to look for value.
Pricing varies by model and finish, so check the official Klipsch pages for current figures rather than relying on a number from an old listing.
This one is Surfacing. A full generational swap in one of the most popular home audio speaker lines does not happen often, and it gives buyers a real choice between the new design and the outgoing towers.
Shop Klipsch Reference Premiere floorstanding speakers now
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II floorstanding speaker, Ebony
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-6000F II floorstanding speaker, Walnut
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