Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II. It ranks #27 of 160 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $389.99 and is still sold new; the Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #132 (rated 2.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Q Acoustics 3020i’s replacement, the Q Acoustics 3020c, is rated 2.6/5.
Why pick the Q Acoustics 3020i: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Watch for: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot.
The Klipsch RP-500M II is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.22 against 3.86 for the Q Acoustics 3020i. Its bass reaches about 67Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Q Acoustics 3020i. The tradeoff: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Q Acoustics 3020i is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3020i | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.99 per pair Discontinued | $389.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #132 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 125mm (5”) bass driver, 22mm (0.9”) tweeter | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 6.7”W x 11.1”D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | 1530Hz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 | 7.84 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch RP-500M II:
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Audio First Fidelia
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Arendal 1961 Monitor vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Moondrop M4P MTM
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 3020i: $314.99 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Q Acoustics 3020c, ranked higher, estimated 2.6/5.
Same family: the Q Acoustics 3030i (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5).
Pros: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Vertical directivity is good enough that the tweeter doesn’t need to be exactly at ear level. With EQ correction, especially high-frequency shelving and a sub-40Hz high-pass filter, Amir found performance “improves substantially.”. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot. Horizontal directivity is narrow and uneven due to a woofer/tweeter beamwidth mismatch. Amir cautions the speaker is “merely a distortion generator” if played too low, and its low impedance demands a quality amplifier. Without EQ, Amir “can’t recommend the Q Acoustics 3020i.”. Discontinued; Q Acoustics now sells the 3030i and 3010c in its place.
Full Q Acoustics 3020i review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 6.7”W x 11.1”D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 125mm (5”) bass driver, 22mm (0.9”) tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs KEF Q100
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A120
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Micca RB42
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A130
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL L52 Classic
- See all 35 comparisons
Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-500M (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5).
Same family: the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (largest floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5) and the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. More neutral and linear overall than its sibling RP-600M II, which carries about 2-3dB more high-frequency energy and a touch more bass but less overall balance. Very precise soundstage imaging and instrument placement. Distortion through the midrange is cleaner than the previous generation. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies. Horizontal dispersion of about ±40-50° is narrower and more directive than the reviewer’s preference for a wider, more enveloping soundstage. Toeing the speaker out to widen the soundstage or soften on-axis brightness comes at some cost to imaging precision. Slightly less clean in the tweeter region than the midrange, likely tied to crossover placement, though not considered a dealbreaker. Low-frequency output is limited: measured around 95dB at 4 meters for the pair before the woofers started to unload, so a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting real bass rather than stepping up to a larger model.
Full Klipsch RP-500M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Revel M105
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Moondrop M4P MTM
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs KEF Q150
- See all 39 comparisons