Short answer: the Moondrop M4P MTM for the higher ranking, the Klipsch RP-500M II for the lower price. The Moondrop M4P MTM ranks #4 of 21 bookshelf speakers at $920. The Klipsch RP-500M II ranks #7 at $389.99, $530.01 cheaper.
What the Klipsch RP-500M II gets right: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response. The tradeoff: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement.
On the Moondrop M4P MTM side: MTM (mid-tweeter-mid) two-way layout with dual 4” carbon-cone woofers flanking a 1” aluminum-magnesium dome tweeter, crossed over at 1.8kHz. The catch: Vertical placement is very fussy: staying within about ±20° of the tweeter axis is essential.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Moondrop M4P MTM if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500M II | Moondrop M4P MTM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.99 | $920 |
| Ranked | #7 of 21 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 21 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz | 60Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz | 1800Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.56"H x 6.81"W x 10.65"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) | 14.96"H x 6.10"W x 7.28"D (380 x 155 x 185 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB |
| Drivers | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn | 2x 4" (87mm) carbon cone woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Rear ported | - |
| Power Handling | - | 75W rated / 150W max |
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 Amazon
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.
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.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.56"H x 6.81"W x 10.65"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 |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Rear ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Moondrop M4P MTM: $920 Shenzhenaudio
Pros: MTM (mid-tweeter-mid) two-way layout with dual 4” carbon-cone woofers flanking a 1” aluminum-magnesium dome tweeter, crossed over at 1.8kHz. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±60° through the midrange and still around ±50° near the tweeter, giving an expansive, enveloping soundstage on well-recorded stereo material. Noticeable mid-bass “thump” around 100-160Hz that adds a sense of punch and kick-drum impact, more pronounced than the reviewer’s Audiofirst Fidelia reference. Rolled-off, laid-back treble (roughly 1-2dB below linear) rather than the 2-5dB high-frequency boost common on speakers marketed as “detailed” - a plus for listeners who find brighter speakers fatiguing. Tonal balance stays consistent whether pointed straight on or toed out about 30°, so side-to-side seating position doesn’t change the sound much. At $920/pair in a compact monitor cabinet (13-14 lbs), reasonably priced for the format.
Cons: Vertical placement is very fussy: staying within about ±20° of the tweeter axis is essential, because the two woofers cancel each other through the crossover region (classic MTM lobing) - sit above or below that window and the upper midrange loses clarity and detail. SPL-limited: noticeable compression showed up both subjectively (thinner-sounding transients at 80-85dB/10 feet) and in measurements, with roughly 1.5dB of dynamic-range loss and about 3dB of added distortion under instantaneous compression testing. Harmonic distortion jumps substantially at 96dB versus 86dB (mostly second-order, so less audible than it looks on paper), and multitone distortion rides right at the reviewer’s 3% threshold at full output. Low impedance (3.7-ohm minimum, 1.7-ohm minimum EPDR) means a Class AB amp may run hot over longer sessions; a Class D amp is recommended for better thermal headroom. Designed primarily for nearfield use (about 1 meter); farfield listening is more of a gamble since dynamic range drops off noticeably at distance. Slight sibilance and a mild upper-midrange dip give a touch of a recessed, warm character alongside the bass emphasis. Bass reaches only about 50-60Hz in-room, and not with much volume before running into the SPL limits noted above.
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz |
| Dimensions | 14.96"H x 6.10"W x 7.28"D (380 x 155 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (87mm) carbon cone woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 75W rated / 150W max |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.