Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II. It ranks #27 of 160 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $389.99 and is still sold new; the Dynaudio Emit M10 ranks #102 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Dynaudio Emit M10’s replacement, the Dynaudio Emit 10, is rated 3.2/5.
The Dynaudio Emit M10 is the deeper-bass option. CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. Its bass reaches about 60.1Hz before falling 3dB, against 67Hz for the Klipsch RP-500M II. The catch: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange: the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t.
The Klipsch RP-500M II is the more accurate option. Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.22 against 4.56 for the Dynaudio Emit M10. Watch for: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Dynaudio Emit M10 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Emit M10 | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 per pair Discontinued | $389.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #102 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) | 7.84 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1530Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dynaudio Emit 10, ranked higher, estimated 3.2/5.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.5dB.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange: the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
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Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-500M (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5).
Same family: the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (largest floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5) and the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. More neutral and linear overall than its sibling RP-600M II, which carries about 2-3dB more high-frequency energy and a touch more bass but less overall balance. Very precise soundstage imaging and instrument placement. Distortion through the midrange is cleaner than the previous generation. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies. Horizontal dispersion of about ±40-50° is narrower and more directive than the reviewer’s preference for a wider, more enveloping soundstage. Toeing the speaker out to widen the soundstage or soften on-axis brightness comes at some cost to imaging precision. Slightly less clean in the tweeter region than the midrange, likely tied to crossover placement, though not considered a dealbreaker. Low-frequency output is limited: measured around 95dB at 4 meters for the pair before the woofers started to unload, so a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting real bass rather than stepping up to a larger model.
Full Klipsch RP-500M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Super Denton
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