Klipsch RP-600M II vs Buchardt Audio E50

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 130 bookshelf speakers at $4600. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #74 at $449.99, $4150.01 cheaper.

What the Klipsch RP-600M II offers: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on - the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Watch for: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot - even hotter than the original RP-600M in some respects - and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight - a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.

What the Buchardt Audio E50 offers: Exceptional bass extension for a bookshelf - F3 at 40Hz, F10 at 34Hz - with genuinely low-end weight the reviewer kept noticing track after track, not just a single room-boosted note. Mid and lower-midrange are very neutral with no coloration and well-executed baffle-step compensation, so it doesn’t need to sit close to a wall like many bookshelf designs. Low distortion throughout the midrange, controlled ~60-degree horizontal directivity, and a striking driver/waveguide integration that looks genuinely upscale. Watch for: 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. Sounds too bright pointed directly at the listener; needs about 10-20 degrees of toe-out to tame the treble and slightly smooth (not eliminate) that dip. Below-average sensitivity (measured 83.1dB vs 85dB spec) calls for a beefier amp, and the speaker’s tonal balance is unusually sensitive to amplifier output impedance - a poor tube amp can shift the midrange by up to 2dB.

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.

Specifications Side By Side

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• ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Buchardt Audio E50

Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full

Klipsch RP-600M II: $449.99 per pair Amazon eBay

Pros: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on - the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.

Cons: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot - even hotter than the original RP-600M in some respects - and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight - a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.

Full Klipsch RP-600M II review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)	41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	70Hz (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)
Drivers	6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn
Impedance	8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner)
Sensitivity	86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score	4.75
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	6.88
Weight	13 lbs (5.9 kg) each
Woofer Cabinet	ported

• Links
  • Official Klipsch RP-600M II Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M II
  • GR-Research: We Bought The "NEW" RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?! More from GR-Research →
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
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  • Klipsch RP-600M II vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
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  • Klipsch RP-600M II vs Ascend CBM-170 SE2
  • Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity Reference R162
  • Klipsch RP-600M II vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
  • Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity IL10
  • See all 72 comparisons

Buchardt Audio E50: $4600 per pair Buchardt Audio eBay

Pros: Exceptional bass extension for a bookshelf - F3 at 40Hz, F10 at 34Hz - with genuinely low-end weight the reviewer kept noticing track after track, not just a single room-boosted note. Mid and lower-midrange are very neutral with no coloration and well-executed baffle-step compensation, so it doesn’t need to sit close to a wall like many bookshelf designs. Low distortion throughout the midrange, controlled ~60-degree horizontal directivity, and a striking driver/waveguide integration that looks genuinely upscale. Measured bass extension of 40Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.1dB.

Cons: 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. Sounds too bright pointed directly at the listener; needs about 10-20 degrees of toe-out to tame the treble and slightly smooth (not eliminate) that dip. Below-average sensitivity (measured 83.1dB vs 85dB spec) calls for a beefier amp, and the speaker’s tonal balance is unusually sensitive to amplifier output impedance - a poor tube amp can shift the midrange by up to 2dB.

Full Buchardt Audio E50 review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)	34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Country	Denmark
Crossover Frequency	2000Hz
Dimensions	15.6" x 7.5" x 11.2" (395 x 190 x 284 mm)
Drivers	1" Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5" Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5" passive radiators
Frequency Response	36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified)
Impedance	4 ohms nominal
Recommended Power	60W - 200W
Sensitivity	83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score	5.03
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	6.80
Weight	19 lbs (8.6 kg) each
Woofer Cabinet	Passive radiator loaded

• Links
  • Official Buchardt Audio E50 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: Buchardt Audio E50 Bookshelf Speaker Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Buchardt Audio E50 vs KEF R3
  • Buchardt Audio E50 vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
  • Buchardt Audio E50 vs March Audio Sointuva
  • Buchardt Audio E50 vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
  • Buchardt Audio E50 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63