Short answer: the Perlisten R4b if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch RP-600M II if price matters most. The Perlisten R4b ranks #21 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $2695. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #74 at $449.99, $2245.01 cheaper.
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 Perlisten R4b offers: The Ear’s dedicated review called it excellent value that punches well above its weight, and the measurements back it up: a 0.209dB on-axis deviation and 0.676 listening-window smoothness that are strong for a sealed standmount this size, with a fairly neutral on-axis tonal balance (a mild -0.16dB per octave tilt) and a predicted in-room smoothness of 0.66. THX Ultra certified, with a 3-way DPC-Array design (dual midrange domes flanking the tweeter) that’s unusual at this price. Watch for: Sealed acoustic-suspension loading trades reach for control: the measured -3dB point is 80.3Hz, shallow bass extension for a standmount this size. It’s sold only in Piano Black through specialty AV dealers rather than mainstream retail.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Perlisten R4b if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Perlisten R4b | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $5,390 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #21 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| 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) | 15"H x 9.1"W x 9.3"D (382 x 230 x 236 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 84.6dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 165mm (6.5") HPF woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 | 5.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 | 8.04 |
| Enclosure | - | 3-way, sealed (acoustic suspension) |
| Power Handling | - | 50-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | - | 45Hz-32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Certification | - | THX Ultra |
| Warranty | - | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration |
| Country | - | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 107.6dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Perlisten R4b compares with other leading options:
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Perlisten R4b
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- MoFi SourcePoint 8 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL L100 Classic MKII
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 Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL 708i
- 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
Perlisten R4b: $5,390 per pair Audio Advice eBay
Pros: The Ear’s dedicated review called it excellent value that punches well above its weight, and the measurements back it up: a 0.209dB on-axis deviation and 0.676 listening-window smoothness that are strong for a sealed standmount this size, with a fairly neutral on-axis tonal balance (a mild -0.16dB per octave tilt) and a predicted in-room smoothness of 0.66. THX Ultra certified, with a 3-way DPC-Array design (dual midrange domes flanking the tweeter) that’s unusual at this price.
Cons: Sealed acoustic-suspension loading trades reach for control: the measured -3dB point is 80.3Hz, shallow bass extension for a standmount this size. It’s sold only in Piano Black through specialty AV dealers rather than mainstream retail.
Full Perlisten R4b review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Certification | THX Ultra |
| Country | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 9.1"W x 9.3"D (382 x 230 x 236 mm) |
| Drivers | 3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 165mm (6.5") HPF woofer |
| Enclosure | 3-way, sealed (acoustic suspension) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | 45Hz-32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 107.6dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 50-200W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 84.6dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.04 |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons