Short answer: the Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM. It ranks #6 of 21 bookshelf speakers at $383; the Klipsch RP-500M II ranks #7 and costs $389.99, 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 RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response. Set against that: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement.
What the Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly smooth on-axis response. The catch: Predicted in-room response is tilted upward toward the treble, which the reviewer flagged as a likely audible brightness.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500M II | Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.99 | $383 |
| Ranked | #7 of 21 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #6 of 21 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 40Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz | 60Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 13.56"H x 6.81"W x 10.65"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) | 14"H x 8"W x 9.5"D (355.6 x 203.2 x 241.3 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 82dB |
| Drivers | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn | 5" ZA14W08 aluminum cone woofer, 1" DQ25SC16-04 titanium dome tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Rear ported | - |
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 |
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Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM: $383 Madisoundspeakerstore
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly smooth on-axis response. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) is clean overall, with only minor lingering energy around 400-700Hz.
Cons: Predicted in-room response is tilted upward toward the treble, which the reviewer flagged as a likely audible brightness. Low sensitivity of about 82dB requires more amplifier gain than typical. Relative harmonic distortion is excessive in the low frequencies, climbing to 6-8% under a 10-volt test signal in the 60-150Hz region - notably worse than typical two-way designs in this price range. Impedance runs close to 7 ohms through much of the audible range, with additional peaks that make it a moderately demanding load for a low-sensitivity design. Vertical directivity narrows unevenly above about 1kHz, typical of this MTM-adjacent tweeter/woofer spacing.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 8"W x 9.5"D (355.6 x 203.2 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" ZA14W08 aluminum cone woofer, 1" DQ25SC16-04 titanium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82dB |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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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.