Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II. It ranks #27 of 160 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $389.99. The Fluance Signature HFS ranks #144, rated 2.1/5, at $199.99, $190 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Klipsch RP-500M II is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. 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 2.92 for the Fluance Signature HFS. Its bass reaches about 67Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Fluance Signature HFS. 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.
What the Fluance Signature HFS does well: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. The tradeoff: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange: both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $190 you would save on the Fluance Signature HFS does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500M II | Fluance Signature HFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.99 per pair | $199.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #144 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (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) | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (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” neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5” glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | 2.92 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 | 5.53 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 30-120W recommended |
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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
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 |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Fluance Signature HFS: $199.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Fluance Signature HFF (floorstanding, estimated 2.4/5) and the Fluance Signature HFC (center, estimated 2.1/5).
Pros: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Distortion in the low end is well controlled per the measurements, and the glossy front baffle adds a touch of style well beyond the budget price. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange: both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests. Multiple attempted EQ fixes “could not rescue” the sound, and the reviewer said the result was “close” to the lowest possible rating. Online reviews seeded by the company were positive; the reviewer’s measured and subjective experience was not.
Full Fluance Signature HFS review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Drivers | 1” neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5” glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.92 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.53 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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