Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks #124 of 223 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $449.99; the McIntosh XR50 ranks #156, rated 3.4/5, and costs $4,000, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Klipsch RP-600M II is the more accurate option. 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 4.99 for the McIntosh XR50. 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.
The McIntosh XR50 is the deeper-bass choice. Compact, heavily braced three-way bookshelf speakers with surprisingly weighty bass, wide dispersion and premium build. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. The tradeoff: Erin measured roughly 80-81dB sensitivity, making the XR50 exceptionally power hungry despite its nominal eight-ohm rating.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the McIntosh XR50 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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.
Compact, heavily braced three-way bookshelf speakers with surprisingly weighty bass, wide dispersion and premium build.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | McIntosh XR50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $4,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #124 of 223 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #156 of 223 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 | 5.64 | 4.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 6.80 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Klipsch RP-600M II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and McIntosh XR50 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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