Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks #74 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $449.99; the McIntosh XR50 ranks #85 and costs $2000, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 McIntosh XR50 offers: The compact XR50 produces unexpectedly authoritative bass: Erin measured F3 at 43Hz and praised its low-end weight. Horizontal radiation is exceptionally wide, and the four-driver three-way layout holds distortion and compression together reasonably well through the midband. The sealed-back 2-inch inverted-dome midranges isolate vocals from woofer pressure, while the heavily braced nonparallel cabinet, premium terminals and five-year warranty are genuinely high-grade. Watch for: Erin measured roughly 80–81dB sensitivity, making the XR50 exceptionally power hungry despite its nominal eight-ohm rating. A broad treble excess sounds bright and sibilant on-axis; at least 20° toe-out or EQ is needed, but toe-out increases reflected energy and trades away image focus. Direct and reflected responses diverge through parts of the treble, limiting perfect EQ correction. At $4,000/pair, its tonal flaws and low efficiency are hard to excuse as merely the cost of premium construction.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks higher for sound quality than the McIntosh XR50 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | McIntosh XR50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $4,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #85 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 35.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 43Hz (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) | 17H x 8W x 11.75D inches |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | ~81dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 6-inch woofer; dual 2-inch inverted-dome mids; 0.75-inch titanium dome |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 19.4 lbs (8.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 | 5.93 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch RP-600M II compares with other leading options:
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs AsciLab C6B
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Audio First Cadentia 3
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
- 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
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL Studio 630
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Behringer B2030P
- 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
McIntosh XR50: $4,000 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: The compact XR50 produces unexpectedly authoritative bass: Erin measured F3 at 43Hz and praised its low-end weight. Horizontal radiation is exceptionally wide, and the four-driver three-way layout holds distortion and compression together reasonably well through the midband. The sealed-back 2-inch inverted-dome midranges isolate vocals from woofer pressure, while the heavily braced nonparallel cabinet, premium terminals and five-year warranty are genuinely high-grade. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81dB.
Cons: Erin measured roughly 80–81dB sensitivity, making the XR50 exceptionally power hungry despite its nominal eight-ohm rating. A broad treble excess sounds bright and sibilant on-axis; at least 20° toe-out or EQ is needed, but toe-out increases reflected energy and trades away image focus. Direct and reflected responses diverge through parts of the treble, limiting perfect EQ correction. At $4,000/pair, its tonal flaws and low efficiency are hard to excuse as merely the cost of premium construction.
Full McIntosh XR50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17H x 8W x 11.75D inches |
| Drivers | 6-inch woofer; dual 2-inch inverted-dome mids; 0.75-inch titanium dome |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | ~81dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.93 |
| Weight | 19.4 lbs (8.8 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons