Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II. It ranks #123 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $449.99. The Polk Monitor XT20 ranks #157, rated 3.4/5, at $277.50, $172.49 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Klipsch RP-600M II is the more accurate pick. 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 4.71 for the Polk Monitor XT20. The tradeoff: 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 case for the Polk Monitor XT20: Budget bookshelf speakers with good bass for their size and a fairly wide soundstage. Watch for: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency: a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $172.49 you would save on the Polk Monitor XT20 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Klipsch RP-600M II scores 7.8 against 7.1 for the Polk Monitor XT20 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (70 Hz vs 64.5 Hz, 3 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $277.50 per pair |
| Ranked | #123 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #157 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64.5Hz (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) | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 7.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Klipsch RP-600M II: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and GR-Research.
- Polk Monitor XT20: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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