Short answer: the Polk Audio XT60. It ranks #36 of 59 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $229; the Klipsch RP-8000F II ranks #45 and costs $1800, 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. Set against that: 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-8000F II offers: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load - the cleanest at high output. The catch: Mid-bass sounds lean despite the dual 8-inch woofers, and bass extension disappointed for its size - expected to reach 50Hz, didn’t get there in-room.
Buy the Polk Audio XT60. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-8000F II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Klipsch RP-8000F II. It ranks near the bottom of the 59 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT60 | Klipsch RP-8000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229 | $1800 |
| Ranked | #36 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #45 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 92dB (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 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8" cerametallic woofers |
| Weight | 20 lbs / 9.07 kg (20 lb) each | 61.3 lbs / 27.8 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 | 43.1" x 10.8" x 18.3" (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1630Hz |
| Output Power | - | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
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- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Monolith THX-365T
- KEF Q11 Meta vs Monolith THX-365T
- Dynaudio Emit 30 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Polk T50
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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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Klipsch RP-8000F II: $1800 Amazon
Pros: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load - the cleanest at high output. Dual 8-inch woofers and the highest power handling in the line.
Cons: Mid-bass sounds lean despite the dual 8-inch woofers, and bass extension disappointed for its size - expected to reach 50Hz, didn’t get there in-room. Has its own edgy upper-mid bump (2-6kHz) that’s harder to EQ out than the other two models’ issues, since it stems from the vertical horn/woofer offset rather than simple tonal balance. The most placement-critical of the three, with the narrowest horizontal (~40-50 degrees) and vertical (+5/-10 degrees) dispersion.
Full Klipsch RP-8000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz |
| Dimensions | 43.1" x 10.8" x 18.3" (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs / 27.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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