Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II, if you are buying new. The SVS Ultra Bookshelf ranks higher than it (#64 vs #75 of 134 bookshelf speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Klipsch RP-600M II is still sold new at $449.99.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II, since the SVS Ultra Bookshelf is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS Ultra Bookshelf | Klipsch RP-600M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,200 per pair Discontinued | $449.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #64 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #75 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Dimensions | 14.9”H x 8.5”W x 10”D | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.63 | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.10 | 7.77 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How SVS Ultra Bookshelf compares with other leading options:
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- ELAC DBR62 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Yamaha NS-800A vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
SVS Ultra Bookshelf: $1,200 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average: a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Slightly higher sensitivity than the Prime (about 87.8dB) with similarly wide, consistent horizontal radiation. Toeing the speakers out about 30 degrees smooths the in-room response nicely if the on-axis tonal balance runs a bit forward for your taste. Distortion and dynamics hold up well; this is a mature, well-regarded design (roughly a decade old at review time) that’s aged better than many contemporaries. Measured bass extension of 69Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.8dB.
Cons: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime: the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward, occasionally tinny character. Bass extension is modest for the price (F3 69Hz, F10 48Hz measured): SVS is clearly counting on you pairing this with one of their subwoofers rather than expecting full-range performance from the bookshelf alone. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 3.8 ohms, so a 4-ohm-stable amplifier is recommended rather than a basic 8-ohm-only AVR. Radiation pattern is wide (around 80°), wider than the reviewer’s typical ~60° sweet spot preference, so acoustic treatment on nearby walls helps tame reflections and keep the off-axis response from diverging too much from on-axis. Discontinued; SVS replaced the Ultra line with the Ultra Evolution series.
Full SVS Ultra Bookshelf review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.9”H x 8.5”W x 10”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.10 |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Infinity Reference R162
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Yamaha NS-800A
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC DBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- See all 11 comparisons
Klipsch RP-600M II: $449.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-600M (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on: the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight: a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.
Full Klipsch RP-600M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M II
- GR-Research: We Bought The "NEW" RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?! More from GR-Research →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF Q1 Meta vs Emotiva vs Klipsch | The Real Differences
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL 708i
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs PS Audio Aspen FR5
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Theory Audio sb25
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL Studio 630
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk Signature Elite ES20
- See all 117 comparisons