Short answer: the Perlisten S5m on measured sound quality, the Klipsch RP-600M II on price. The Perlisten S5m ranks #31 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $6495. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #74 at $449.99, $6045.01 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 S5m offers: An on-axis deviation of just 0.156dB, tighter than most standmounts, from the same beryllium-tweeter DPC-Array and THX Dominus certification as Perlisten’s S7t flagship. Both StereoNET and Stereo Magazine praised its bass precision and dynamics as unusual for a monitor this size, and its on-axis response is close to tonally neutral (a mild -0.05dB per octave tilt). Watch for: Listening-window smoothness (0.655) and sound-power smoothness (0.503) are middling for the price, with a bass-alignment Q of 2.0 pointing to a moderately resonant low-end rolloff, and at roughly $12,990-13,990/pair it’s priced closer to a flagship tower than a typical bookshelf speaker.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Perlisten S5m when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Perlisten S5m | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $12,990 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #31 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| 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) | 23.6"H x 9.4"W x 15.7"D (600 x 240 x 400 mm), without stand |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 89.6dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 28mm beryllium dome tweeter, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD dome midranges, 2x 180mm (7") Textreme TPCD woofers |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 41.9 lbs (19.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 | 5.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 | 7.61 |
| Enclosure | - | 3-way, switchable bass reflex / acoustic suspension |
| Power Handling | - | 50-300W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Certification | - | THX Dominus, THX Ultra |
| Warranty | - | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration |
| Country | - | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 117dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
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- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
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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
Perlisten S5m: $12,990 per pair World Wide Stereo eBay
Pros: An on-axis deviation of just 0.156dB, tighter than most standmounts, from the same beryllium-tweeter DPC-Array and THX Dominus certification as Perlisten’s S7t flagship. Both StereoNET and Stereo Magazine praised its bass precision and dynamics as unusual for a monitor this size, and its on-axis response is close to tonally neutral (a mild -0.05dB per octave tilt).
Cons: Listening-window smoothness (0.655) and sound-power smoothness (0.503) are middling for the price, with a bass-alignment Q of 2.0 pointing to a moderately resonant low-end rolloff, and at roughly $12,990-13,990/pair it’s priced closer to a flagship tower than a typical bookshelf speaker.
Full Perlisten S5m review and specifications →
| Certification | THX Dominus, THX Ultra |
|---|---|
| Country | Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin) |
| Dimensions | 23.6"H x 9.4"W x 15.7"D (600 x 240 x 400 mm), without stand |
| Drivers | 28mm beryllium dome tweeter, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD dome midranges, 2x 180mm (7") Textreme TPCD woofers |
| Enclosure | 3-way, switchable bass reflex / acoustic suspension |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 50-300W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 89.6dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 6 with product registration |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons