Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It ranks #69 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $359; the Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #74 and costs $449.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
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 Polk Signature Elite ES20 offers: A full-size, efficient 6.5-inch bookshelf pair with unusually deep bass for the price. ASR measured 41Hz estimated in-room extension, a well-damped Q of 0.66, broad horizontal coverage to roughly +/-60 degrees and a 5.54 preference score with a subwoofer. Watch for: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading. The deep cabinet needs substantial shelf or stand space, and its Power Port still requires rear clearance.
Buy the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-600M II and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Polk Signature Elite ES20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $359 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #69 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) | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5" polypropylene woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 | 5.54 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
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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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Polk Signature Elite ES20: $359 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A full-size, efficient 6.5-inch bookshelf pair with unusually deep bass for the price. ASR measured 41Hz estimated in-room extension, a well-damped Q of 0.66, broad horizontal coverage to roughly +/-60 degrees and a 5.54 preference score with a subwoofer.
Cons: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading. The deep cabinet needs substantial shelf or stand space, and its Power Port still requires rear clearance.
Full Polk Signature Elite ES20 review and specifications →
| Country | United States (design) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5" polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.54 |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Signature Elite ES20 vs Ascend CBM-170 SE2
- Polk Signature Elite ES20 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Polk Signature Elite ES20 vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
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- Polk Signature Elite ES20 vs Mission LX-3 MKII
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