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 JBL 4309 ranks #167, rated 3.3/5, and costs $1,299.99, 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 3.32 for the JBL 4309. Watch for: 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 JBL 4309 is the deeper-bass pick. A compact JBL studio style bookshelf speaker with a horn loaded compression tweeter, solid bass extension and an adjustable treble control. Its bass reaches about 60.1Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. Watch for: Measured preference is modest for a roughly $1300 pair, and the four-ohm load needs solid amplification.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 4309 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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 compact JBL studio style bookshelf speaker with a horn loaded compression tweeter, solid bass extension and an adjustable treble control.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | JBL 4309 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $1,299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #123 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #167 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 37.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60.1Hz (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) | 16.5H x 10.25W x 9D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 1-inch compression driver on HDI horn, 6.5-inch pulp woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 3.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 5.33 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way front-ported |
| Frequency Response | - | 42Hz-30kHz (-6dB) |
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