Short answer: the Klipsch RP-6000F II. It ranks #44 of 56 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $1500; the JBL Studio 590 ranks #54 and costs $2000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Klipsch RP-6000F II: Highest power handling and clean, well-behaved compression at typical volumes. The tradeoff: Worse baffle-step coloration than the smaller RP-5000F II (3-4dB swing vs 2dB), plus a sibilance issue the 5000F doesn’t have - a real regression in tonal balance despite the higher price.
What the JBL Studio 590 offers: Pretty deep bass. Watch for: 3dB peak at 1.7khz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top.
Buy the Klipsch RP-6000F II. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Studio 590 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 floorstanding speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-6000F II | JBL Studio 590 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1500 | $2000 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #44 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #54 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 6.5" cerametallic woofers | 2x 8" (200mm) PolyPlas cone woofers, 1x 1" (25mm) Teonex dome tweeter on Bi-Radial horn (2.5-way) |
| Weight | 49.4 lbs / 22.4 kg | 107.8 lbs / 48.9 kg |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1770Hz | - |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 500W peak | - |
| Dimensions | 39.6" x 9.3" x 17.6" (1006 x 236 x 446 mm) | 49.7"H x 12.7"W x 16.3"D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-6000F II: $1500 Amazon
Pros: Highest power handling and clean, well-behaved compression at typical volumes. Precise imaging from the controlled horn directivity.
Cons: Worse baffle-step coloration than the smaller RP-5000F II (3-4dB swing vs 2dB), plus a sibilance issue the 5000F doesn’t have - a real regression in tonal balance despite the higher price. Bass extension is mixed - less deep at -3dB (67Hz) than the 5000F - and needs a subwoofer regardless. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees).
Full Klipsch RP-6000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1770Hz |
| Dimensions | 39.6" x 9.3" x 17.6" (1006 x 236 x 446 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 6.5" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 500W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 49.4 lbs / 22.4 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Polk T50
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Sony SS-CS3
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Infinity Reference 253
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs JBL Stage 2 280F
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JBL Studio 590: $2000 Discontinued
Pros: Pretty deep bass. CEA2034 spinorama is flat on-axis at a high level, with high sensitivity around 89-90dB. Predicted in-room response is good aside from a dip between 800Hz-1.5kHz. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is good outside of the 8.5kHz resonance.
Cons: 3dB peak at 1.7khz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top. Just okay vertical off axis. Really bad resonance at 8.5khz, which shows up as a sharp distortion spike at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) reveals many fine resonances across the midrange and treble. At 96dB SPL/1m the midrange and treble get notably messier, with broad distortion elevation from 2-8kHz. Discontinued.
Full JBL Studio 590 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 49.7"H x 12.7"W x 16.3"D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 8" (200mm) PolyPlas cone woofers, 1x 1" (25mm) Teonex dome tweeter on Bi-Radial horn (2.5-way) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs / 48.9 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Studio 590 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
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- JBL Studio 590 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
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- JBL Studio 590 vs Sony SS-CS3
- JBL Studio 590 vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- JBL Studio 590 vs Polk T50
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