Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II, which measures and ranks better for the money. It ranks #18 of 90 bookshelf speakers at $389.99, with about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz over the original RP-500M for a more resolved midrange, though its 92-93dB sensitivity is an in-room rating and it measures closer to about 85dB anechoically. The Boston Acoustics A25 costs $299.98 and is decent once you ignore a 900Hz peak and a 3kHz dip caused by a port resonance and a fast-rolling-off tweeter.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Boston Acoustics A25 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500M II | Boston Acoustics A25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.99 per pair | $299.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | 3.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 | 6.19 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 10-150W recommended |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch RP-500M II compares with other leading options:
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Audio First Fidelia
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Arendal 1961 Monitor vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Moondrop M4P MTM
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-500M (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5).
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
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Revel M105
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Moondrop M4P MTM
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs KEF Q150
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- See all 39 comparisons
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz: directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.
Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Drivers | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Polk Audio XT15
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs KEF Q150
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Studio 530
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
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- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- See all 30 comparisons