Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50 if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch RP-600M II if price matters most. The Buchardt Audio E50 ranks #16 of 223 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $4,600. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #124, rated 3.7/5, at $449.99, $4,150.01 cheaper.
What the Klipsch RP-600M II does well: Bookshelf speakers with a large horn tweeter, wide soundstage, high efficiency and bi-amp ready terminals. The tradeoff: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original Klipsch RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced.
The Buchardt Audio E50 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. The catch: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Buchardt Audio E50 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Bookshelf speakers with a large horn tweeter, wide soundstage, high efficiency and bi-amp ready terminals.
A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 29, 2026 at 4:42 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Buchardt Audio E50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $4600 per pair |
| Ranked | #124 of 223 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 223 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | Passive radiator loaded |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 7.61 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2000Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 60W - 200W |
| Country | - | Denmark |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Klipsch RP-600M II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Buchardt Audio E50 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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