Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks #123 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $449.99 and is still sold new; the Harbeth Monitor 30 ranks #207 (rated 2.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Harbeth Monitor 30’s replacement, the Harbeth M30.3 XD2, is rated 2.8/5 at $6,290.
The Klipsch RP-600M II is the more accurate pick. Bookshelf speakers with a large horn tweeter, wide soundstage, high efficiency and bi-amp ready terminals. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.64 against 4.58 for the Harbeth Monitor 30. The catch: 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.
What the Harbeth Monitor 30 does well: A discontinued Harbeth stand mount with a 7.9 inch mid bass driver, reasonably easy to drive with most amplifiers. The tradeoff: CEA2034 spinorama shows a significant on-axis dip starting around 3kHz at the crossover point, which the reviewer sees as a flaw rather than the intentional voicing it is often described as.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Harbeth Monitor 30 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Bookshelf speakers with a large horn tweeter, wide soundstage, high efficiency and bi-amp ready terminals.
A discontinued Harbeth stand mount with a 7.9 inch mid bass driver, reasonably easy to drive with most amplifiers.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Harbeth Monitor 30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $3,200 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #123 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #207 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 18.1”H x 10.9”W x 10.8”D (460 x 277 x 275 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 7.9” bass/midrange driver, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 25.6 lbs (11.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 4.58 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 7.05 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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