Short answer: the Klipsch RP-6000F II for better sound quality, the Polk T50 for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-6000F II ranks #44 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $1500. The Polk T50 ranks #45 at $249, $1251 cheaper.
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 Polk T50 offers: Pretty deep bass for the price. Watch for: 5dB peak at 1khz, 4dB bright top end from 11khz on up.
Buy the Klipsch RP-6000F II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk T50 if the price matters more than sound quality.
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 | Polk T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1500 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #44 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #45 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 6.5" cerametallic woofers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Weight | 49.4 lbs / 22.4 kg | 75.4 lbs / 34.2 kg |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by 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) | 40.4"H x 9.3"W x 12.5"D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Dynaudio Emit 30 vs Sony SS-CS3
- Dynaudio Emit 30 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Dynaudio Emit 30 vs Infinity Reference 253
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Infinity Reference 253
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Sony SS-CS3
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 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
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- See all 12 comparisons
Polk T50: $249.00 Amazon
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1khz, 4dB bright top end from 11khz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 40.4"H x 9.3"W x 12.5"D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs / 34.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons