Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES15. It ranks #69 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $299; the Klipsch RP-500M ranks #74, rated 3.4/5, and costs $299.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Polk Signature Elite ES15 is the deeper-bass option. A compact 5.25-inch passive bookshelf speaker designed for hi-res stereo music and home theater surrounds. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Klipsch RP-500M. The catch: The 5.25-inch woofer has lower sensitivity (88dB) and less low-bass extension than its larger sibling, the 6.5-inch Polk Signature Elite ES20.
Why pick the Klipsch RP-500M: The original Reference Premiere 2-way bookshelf, still sold new alongside the newer Klipsch RP-500M II at a lower price. Watch for: Independently measured by Erin’s Audio Corner with a very rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.961dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.216, well behind the revised tuning Klipsch gave the newer Klipsch RP-500M II.
Buy the Polk Signature Elite ES15. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-500M and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES15 | Klipsch RP-500M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 per pair Passive | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #69 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #74 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 51.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.5” x 10.2” (305 x 191 x 259 mm) | 13.50H x 6.81W x 9.50D in |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene high-res dome tweeter, 5.25” mica-reinforced polypropylene woofer | 1” Titanium LTS tweeter (Hybrid Tractrix Horn), 5.25” Spun Copper Cerametallic woofer |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (4-8 ohm compatible) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Passive | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V @ 1m) | 93dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, ported |
| Country | - | United States (Klipsch design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.00 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Signature Elite ES15 compares with other leading options:
- Jamo S7-15B vs Polk Signature Elite ES15
- Polk Signature Elite ES15 vs PSB Alpha P3
- KEF Q150 vs Klipsch RP-500M
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Klipsch RP-500M
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Klipsch RP-500M
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM 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
Polk Signature Elite ES15: $299.00 per pair Passive Amazon eBay
Older model: the Polk Audio Signature S15 (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES55 (floorstanding, estimated 4/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (largest floorstanding, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer (smallest subwoofer, estimated 3.2/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer (largest subwoofer, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: A compact 5.25-inch passive bookshelf speaker designed for hi-res stereo music and home theater surrounds. Features a 1-inch Terylene dome tweeter capable of extending up to 40kHz alongside a 5.25-inch mica-reinforced polypropylene woofer and Polk’s patented Power Port bass-reflex technology. Erin’s Audio Corner Klippel NFS testing demonstrates excellent directivity control and smooth listening-window response with very low distortion. Power Port reduces turbulent air noise and provides clean low-frequency reinforcement down to approximately 58Hz. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 5.25-inch woofer has lower sensitivity (88dB) and less low-bass extension than its larger sibling, the 6.5-inch Polk Signature Elite ES20. A dedicated subwoofer is recommended for home theater action dynamics and full-range orchestral playback.
Full Polk Signature Elite ES15 review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.5” x 10.2” (305 x 191 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene high-res dome tweeter, 5.25” mica-reinforced polypropylene woofer |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (4-8 ohm compatible) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch RP-500M: $299.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch RP-500M II, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released May 2022. See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Same family: the Klipsch RP-600M (larger bookshelf, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: The original Reference Premiere 2-way bookshelf, still sold new alongside the newer Klipsch RP-500M II at a lower price. Klipsch’s signature Hybrid Tractrix Horn tweeter loading is unmistakable and the price has dropped from its original $579/pair to roughly $300/pair. Measured bass extension of 67.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Independently measured by Erin’s Audio Corner with a very rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.961dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.216, well behind the revised tuning Klipsch gave the newer Klipsch RP-500M II. Directivity-index standard deviation of 4.24, a pronounced +0.26dB per octave upward tilt, and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.16, the worst of any speaker measured here, all point to an inconsistent, brighter-leaning presentation. Full sensitivity and impedance specs aren’t published on Klipsch’s own product page.
Full Klipsch RP-500M review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 51.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | United States (Klipsch design) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.50H x 6.81W x 9.50D in |
| Drivers | 1” Titanium LTS tweeter (Hybrid Tractrix Horn), 5.25” Spun Copper Cerametallic woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way, ported |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.00 |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons