Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ for better sound quality, the Klipsch RP-600M for the lower price. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ ranks #66 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $449. The Klipsch RP-600M ranks #72 at $343.22, $105.78 cheaper.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ offers: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. Watch for: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
What the Klipsch RP-600M offers: More linear horizontal dispersion than the updated RP-600M II - as you move side-to-side, the tonal character changes less, a genuine advantage for off-axis listening consistency. Watch for: A strong, annoying resonance in the lower vocal range around 300Hz stands out clearly (though it can be EQ’d out).
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch RP-600M if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 84 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | Klipsch RP-600M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $343.22 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #66 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 73Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Dimensions | - | 15.7"H x 8"W x 11.9"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 302.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg each |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Revel Performa M22 vs Polk Reserve R100
- KEF Q3 Meta vs Polk Reserve R100
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Chesky LC1
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Yamaha NS-10
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Triangle Borea BR03
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449.00
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch RP-600M: $343.22 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: More linear horizontal dispersion than the updated RP-600M II - as you move side-to-side, the tonal character changes less, a genuine advantage for off-axis listening consistency. Takes exceptionally well to EQ correction (miniDSP or similar), letting a knowledgeable owner fix its tonal shortcomings without needing to upgrade. Standard 6.5” woofer/horn-tweeter two-way design with reasonably gradual bass rolloff (F3 ~70Hz, F10 ~40Hz) rather than a steep vented-enclosure cutoff.
Cons: A strong, annoying resonance in the lower vocal range around 300Hz stands out clearly (though it can be EQ’d out). Overall tonal balance is notably less neutral than the newer RP-600M II, with a roughly 3-4dB suckout in the estimated in-room response. The waveguide doesn’t extend flush to the baffle edge, increasing diffraction compared to the redesigned version. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity spec (about 96dB) is a half-space, in-room-style rating roughly 9dB above the true anechoic figure (closer to 85-86dB), which can mislead buyers comparing spec sheets. Elevated treble on-axis, similar to its successor, benefits from toe-out or careful placement. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Still needs a subwoofer for real bass weight; a boost around 120Hz gives kick drums their “tambour” without the underlying “meat.”. Discontinued.
Full Klipsch RP-600M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8"W x 11.9"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 302.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons