Short answer: the Revel M105 for better sound quality, the Klipsch RP-500M II for the lower price. The Revel M105 ranks #8 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $1500. The Klipsch RP-500M II ranks #10 at $389.99, $1110.01 cheaper.
The case for the Revel M105: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. The tradeoff: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads.
What the Klipsch RP-500M II offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Revel M105 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel M105 | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1500 Discontinued | $389.99 |
| Ranked | #8 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum cone woofer, 1" aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg each | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) | 13.6"H x 6.8"W x 10.6"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1530Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Wharfedale Super Denton vs JBL Studio 530
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Moondrop M4P MTM
- Wharfedale Super Denton vs KEF Q150
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Revel M105 vs JBL Studio 530
The Two Speakers In Full
Revel M105: $1500 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Wide horizontal dispersion gives flexibility with toe-in. The reviewer called it reference-quality performance with minor EQ correction applied.
Cons: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads. Bass distortion runs high in the 80-250Hz range from woofer displacement, and maximum output is limited compared to larger designs. Discontinued.
Full Revel M105 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum cone woofer, 1" aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg each |
| 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-500M II: $389.99 Amazon
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.
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 |
| 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) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| 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-500M II vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Moondrop M4P MTM
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs KEF LS50 Meta
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs KEF Q150
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Ascend Sierra 1 v2
- See all 17 comparisons