Short answer: the Klipsch RP-6000F II for better sound quality, the Sony SS-CS3 for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-6000F II ranks #44 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $1500. The Sony SS-CS3 ranks #47 at $450, $1050 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.
On the Sony SS-CS3 side: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. Set against that: Severe cabinet and driver resonances plague the passband between 100Hz and 600Hz, imparting audible coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals and acoustic instruments.
Buy the Klipsch RP-6000F II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SS-CS3 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 | Sony SS-CS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1500 | $450.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #44 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #47 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 6.5" cerametallic woofers | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Weight | 49.4 lbs / 22.4 kg | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal |
| 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) | 36.3"H x 9.1"W x 10.2"D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Polk T50
- Dynaudio Emit 30 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs Infinity Reference 253
- Klipsch RP-6000F II vs JBL Stage 2 280F
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 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
Sony SS-CS3: $450.00 Discontinued
Pros: Affordable entry-level floorstanding tower offering solid sensitivity (88.6dB SPL at 2.83V/1m), making it easy to power with standard budget AVRs. Harmonic distortion remains reasonably low at moderate listening levels (86dB SPL) when high-pass filtered above 80-100Hz with a dedicated subwoofer. Front-ported design allows relatively close placement to front boundaries without excessive port occlusion.
Cons: Severe cabinet and driver resonances plague the passband between 100Hz and 600Hz, imparting audible coloration and chesty resonances to male vocals and acoustic instruments. Irregular frequency response peaks and dips make automated receiver room correction difficult to equalize effectively. Poor low-frequency extension (F3 of 72Hz, F10 of 39Hz) for a floorstander, combined with rapid distortion escalation below 80Hz at higher SPLs (96dB+). Supertweeter driver adds crossover complexity without providing audible high-frequency benefit within the human hearing spectrum. Discontinued.
Full Sony SS-CS3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 36.3"H x 9.1"W x 10.2"D (922 x 230 x 260 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 0.75 in. supertweeter, 0.98 in. polyester main tweeter, dual 5.12 in. MRC woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons