Short answer: the Monolith Encore B6. It ranks #63 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $360; the Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #74 and costs $449.99, 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 Monolith Encore B6 offers: For its budget price, the B6 delivers useful midbass punch and a long reflex tail: Erin measured F3 at 68Hz and F10 near 37Hz. The revised tweeter assembly yields broadly smooth horizontal directivity and an early-reflections trend that accepts EQ well. At sane levels, its 6.5-inch pulp woofer provides satisfying attack, and gloss top/bottom panels plus a braced MDF cabinet are unusually substantial for the class. Watch for: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling. Low-frequency compression reaches about 2dB and distortion rises rapidly when driven full-range; use an 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Response variation is roughly +2.7/-3.7dB, with residual crossover/treble irregularities that keep it from true neutrality without EQ. The listening window tightens vertically, so ear height matters.
Buy the Monolith Encore B6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-600M II and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Monolith Encore B6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $360 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 68Hz (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) | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 | 3.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 | 6.02 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Monolith Encore B6 compares with other leading options:
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Monolith Encore B6
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Monolith Encore B6
- StarkSound Beta 5 vs Monolith Encore B6
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk Signature Elite ES20
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Klipsch RP-600M
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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
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- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL Studio 630
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs PS Audio Aspen FR5
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Behringer B2030P
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Theory Audio sb25
- See all 116 comparisons
Monolith Encore B6: $360 per pair Amazon Monoprice eBay
Pros: For its budget price, the B6 delivers useful midbass punch and a long reflex tail: Erin measured F3 at 68Hz and F10 near 37Hz. The revised tweeter assembly yields broadly smooth horizontal directivity and an early-reflections trend that accepts EQ well. At sane levels, its 6.5-inch pulp woofer provides satisfying attack, and gloss top/bottom panels plus a braced MDF cabinet are unusually substantial for the class. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.3dB.
Cons: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling. Low-frequency compression reaches about 2dB and distortion rises rapidly when driven full-range; use an 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Response variation is roughly +2.7/-3.7dB, with residual crossover/treble irregularities that keep it from true neutrality without EQ. The listening window tightens vertically, so ear height matters.
Full Monolith Encore B6 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.02 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons