Short answer: the Fosi Audio SP601 for better sound quality, the Dayton Audio MK602X for the lower price. The Fosi Audio SP601 ranks #75 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $399.99. The Dayton Audio MK602X ranks #83 at $149, $250.99 cheaper.
What the Fosi Audio SP601 offers: Two-way bookshelf design with a 6.5” paper/aluminum-alloy composite cone woofer and 1.5” silk dome tweeter. Watch for: An unusually erratic, up-and-down frequency response (a scooped midrange followed by an upper-mid bump, a dip, another small bump, then a strong 3-4dB peak around 4-7kHz) makes the speaker’s overall character genuinely hard to…
What the Dayton Audio MK602X offers: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Watch for: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail.
Buy the Fosi Audio SP601 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dayton Audio MK602X 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
| Fosi Audio SP601 | Dayton Audio MK602X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | $149/pair |
| Ranked | #75 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #83 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1.5" Silk Dome Tweeters | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg | - |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 9.1"W x 14"D (368.3 x 231.1 x 355.6 mm) | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 80w RMS Per Speaker | - |
| Sensitivity | 85.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin’s impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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- DIYSG HTM-12 v2 vs Fosi Audio SP601
- ELAC DB63 vs Fosi Audio SP601
The Two Speakers In Full
Fosi Audio SP601: $399.99 Amazon Fosiaudio
Pros: Two-way bookshelf design with a 6.5” paper/aluminum-alloy composite cone woofer and 1.5” silk dome tweeter. Bass reaches a respectable 60-70Hz in most rooms (F3 59Hz, F10 40Hz) for a budget bookshelf speaker. Distortion at 86dB and 96dB measures reasonably well at face value, and compression issues at extreme output are generally in line with what’s expected for a speaker at this price point. The overall tonal character can be substantially improved with basic EQ - the reviewer found a boost around 400Hz plus a cut around 4kHz brought it to an acceptable baseline.
Cons: An unusually erratic, up-and-down frequency response (a scooped midrange followed by an upper-mid bump, a dip, another small bump, then a strong 3-4dB peak around 4-7kHz) makes the speaker’s overall character genuinely hard to characterize - the reviewer compared the experience to a similarly disliked model, the Triangle Borea BR03, which has a comparably inconsistent response. The 4-7kHz peak gives a sharp, sibilant edge to S and T sounds in vocals. A strong diffraction dip around 4kHz followed by a peak can’t be fully corrected with EQ; the reviewer recommends sidewall absorption panels instead, since off-axis energy in the 2-7kHz range actually exceeds the direct sound reaching the listener. Multitone distortion becomes more noticeable and grainy at higher volumes, concentrated in the upper-midrange where hearing is most sensitive. A peaking distortion issue right at the crossover region suggests a possible combination of tweeter distortion and midwoofer/crossover-component strain. The enclosure sounds notably hollow when tapped, and a flashlight inspection suggested a lack of internal damping material, along with likely insufficient bracing. Vertical listening position is fairly tightly constrained around the tweeter axis. Still requires a subwoofer for real kick-drum impact and bass authority.
Full Fosi Audio SP601 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 9.1"W x 14"D (368.3 x 231.1 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1.5" Silk Dome Tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 80w RMS Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 85.4dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Dayton Audio MK602X: $149/pair Amazon Parts Express
Pros: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Erin measured respectable small-box extension—72Hz F3 and 43Hz F10—and roughly 85dB sensitivity. The cabinet and removable grille are tidy for the price, and the response can be made less bright with broad treble EQ when listening close to the reference axis.
Cons: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail. More seriously, the low-order woofer filter creates a 4-5dB directivity discontinuity around 2kHz; because the reflected sound differs from the direct sound, equalization cannot fully fix it. Erin also found multiple resonances around 900Hz and rising distortion/compression from the woofer at higher levels. Its 4-ohm nominal load and modest 85dB measured sensitivity demand more amplifier current than the price suggests, while the 72Hz F3 makes a subwoofer advisable despite the relatively low F10.
Full Dayton Audio MK602X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin's impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons