Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks #123 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $449.99; the HUMAN Speakers 81 DK ranks #200, rated 2.8/5, and costs $1,397, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Klipsch RP-600M II is the more accurate choice. 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 2.02 for the HUMAN Speakers 81 DK. 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 HUMAN Speakers 81 DK is the deeper-bass option. Handmade American bookshelf speakers with an 8 inch woofer, real oak veneer, deep bass and easy to drive sensitivity. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. The tradeoff: Local Spinorama scores of 2.02 raw and 3.97 with a subwoofer show major response/directivity shortcomings.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HUMAN Speakers 81 DK and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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.
Handmade American bookshelf speakers with an 8 inch woofer, real oak veneer, deep bass and easy to drive sensitivity.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | HUMAN Speakers 81 DK | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $1,397 per pair |
| Ranked | #123 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #200 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 30.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63.0Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 18.5H x 11.5W x 14.5D in |
| 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) | 89dB |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | HUMAN tweeter and 8-inch woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 2.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 3.97 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Passive 2-way |
| Frequency Response | - | 38Hz-26kHz +/-2dB |
| Power Handling | - | 175W |
| Country | - | United States |
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