Short answer: the Polk Audio XT60. It ranks #36 of 59 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $229; the Klipsch RP-5000F II ranks #41 and costs $1199.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Polk Audio XT60 side: Passive-radiator-loaded design (6.5” woofer plus two 6.5” passive radiators) gives deeper bass than the driver size alone would suggest - 43.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, genuinely competitive extension for a budget tower. The tradeoff: Bass alignment Q is the highest, least-controlled figure in this entire batch, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes.
What the Klipsch RP-5000F II offers: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. The catch: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer.
Buy the Polk Audio XT60. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-5000F II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT60 | Klipsch RP-5000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229 | $1199.98 |
| Ranked | #36 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #41 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5" bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5" passive radiators | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers |
| Weight | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg (20 lb) each | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1900Hz |
| Output Power | - | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
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- KEF Q11 Meta vs KLH Model Five
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio XT60: $229 Amazon Bhphotovideo Crutchfield
Pros: Passive-radiator-loaded design (6.5” woofer plus two 6.5” passive radiators) gives deeper bass than the driver size alone would suggest - 43.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, genuinely competitive extension for a budget tower. Hi-Res Audio certified, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs.
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is the highest, least-controlled figure in this entire batch, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes. On-axis deviation (nbd_on_axis 0.512) is also the roughest measured figure in the batch. The vinyl-wrapped (not wood veneer) cabinet reads as budget up close per owner reviews, and at least one owner reported blowing a driver under sustained heavy bass - some caution is warranted with bass-heavy source material at volume.
Full Polk Audio XT60 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5" bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5" passive radiators |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg (20 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Klipsch RP-5000F II: $1199.98 Amazon
Pros: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Precise imaging thanks to the controlled horn/waveguide directivity.
Cons: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees) trades soundstage width for imaging precision. A mild high-frequency tilt and a slight lack of detail around 1-1.5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-5000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz |
| Dimensions | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
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