Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks #114 of 203 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $449.99 and is still sold new; the Focal Aria 906 ranks #150 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Focal Aria 906’s replacement, the Focal Aria Evo X N°1, is rated 3.5/5.
The Klipsch RP-600M II is the more accurate pick. Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.64 against 4.64 for the Focal Aria 906. The tradeoff: 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.
The Focal Aria 906 is the deeper-bass pick. CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. Watch for: 3dB dip around 2.8kHz.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Focal Aria 906 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Focal Aria 906 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $2,199.00 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #114 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #150 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (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) | 15.4”H x 8.9”W x 11”D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 39.9 lbs (18.1 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 4.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 7.00 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-600M II: $449.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-600M (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (largest floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5) and the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5).
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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 | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- 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)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF Q1 Meta vs Emotiva vs Klipsch | The Real Differences
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Focal Aria 906: $2,199.00 per pair used Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Focal Aria Evo X N°1, ranked higher, estimated 3.5/5.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. Horizontal dispersion of about ±60 degrees is good and stays even out to about -12dB before getting erratic. Woofer distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL/1m. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: 3dB dip around 2.8kHz. Some resonance around 800Hz, small directivity error around 7kHz. A dip in the upper midrange also shows up in the predicted in-room response. Distortion becomes problematic at 96dB SPL/1m, with a notable peak around 1.3-1.5kHz alongside broader midrange elevation. Discontinued.
Full Focal Aria 906 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 8.9”W x 11”D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.00 |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs (18.1 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Aria 906 vs Revel Performa M22
- Focal Aria 906 vs Polk Reserve R100
- Focal Aria 906 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
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- Focal Aria 906 vs KEF Q3 Meta
- Focal Aria 906 vs Polk R200
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