Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II. It ranks #27 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $389.99; the Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #120, rated 3.7/5, and costs $449.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Klipsch RP-500M II: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original Klipsch RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. 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 Klipsch RP-600M II does well: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original Klipsch RP-600M. The catch: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original Klipsch RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-600M II and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500M II | Klipsch RP-600M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.99 per pair | $449.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #27 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #120 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 | 7.77 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Klipsch RP-500M II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Klipsch RP-600M II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
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 (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5), the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II (smaller surround, estimated 3.5/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II (larger surround, estimated 3.5/5).
Pros: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original Klipsch 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 Klipsch 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 →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
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- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs KEF Q150
- See all 41 comparisons
Klipsch RP-600M II: $449.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-600M (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), 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 (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5), the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II (smaller surround, estimated 3.5/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II (larger surround, estimated 3.5/5).
Pros: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original Klipsch RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original Klipsch RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on: the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original Klipsch RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original Klipsch RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight: a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.
Full Klipsch RP-600M II review and specifications →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M II
- GR-Research: We Bought The "NEW" RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?! More from GR-Research →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF Q1 Meta vs Emotiva vs Klipsch | The Real Differences
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Why I think the Klipsch RP-500M II is BETTER than RP-600M II.
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