Short answer: the Dayton Audio MK602X, on the Tannoy crossover fault, though neither ranks well in its class. The Tannoy System 600’s CEA2034 spinorama shows a large suck-out at the crossover where its concentric drivers fail to overlap, and a correspondingly poor predicted in-room response; the reviewer noted no measurement seems to have optimized the design. The Dayton is a cheap two-way whose own flaw is milder, a top end roughly 5dB above the midband that can masquerade as detail. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 134 bookshelf speakers, and the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63, ranked #42 at $499, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the Dayton Audio MK602X only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tannoy System 600 | Dayton Audio MK602X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 per pair Discontinued | $149 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #130 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #125 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | approx. 73Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approx. 48Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Tannoy Dual Concentric driver (type 1678) | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 6.5” glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 14.2”W x 11.4”D (220 x 360 x 290 mm) | 15.1”H x 8.6”W x 11.8”D |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) pair (cabinet) | - |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | approx. 84dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - low confidence, no flat reference plateau) | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin’s impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Power Handling | 50-150W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, flared tubes | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.03 | 6.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Dayton Audio MK602X:
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Dayton Audio MK602X
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Dayton Audio MK602X
- Infinity IL10 vs Dayton Audio MK602X
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Dayton Audio MK602X
- Fosi Audio SP601 vs Dayton Audio MK602X
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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
Tannoy System 600: $400 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Impedance is well controlled, and the concentric dual-driver layout gives it consistent horizontal and vertical response relative to typical non-coaxial 2-ways of its era. Measured bass extension of 73Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a large suck-out right at the crossover frequency where the two drivers fail to overlap properly, plus general peaking beforehand: the reviewer noted “no measurement seems to have been used to optimize this design.” Predicted in-room response is correspondingly poor. Amir ran out of time to perform a dedicated subjective listening test on this unit, but concluded from the data alone that it is “highly colored and really not something you want to put in your system.” Long discontinued; used-market only.
Full Tannoy System 600 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approx. 48Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | approx. 73Hz - low confidence, response never reaches a flat reference level (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 14.2”W x 11.4”D (220 x 360 x 290 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Tannoy Dual Concentric driver (type 1678) |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 50-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | approx. 84dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - low confidence, no flat reference plateau) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.03 |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) pair (cabinet) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, flared tubes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dayton Audio MK602X: $149 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Erin measured respectable small-box extension (72Hz F3 and 43Hz F10) and roughly 85dB sensitivity. The cabinet and removable grille are tidy for the price, and the response can be made less bright with broad treble EQ when listening close to the reference axis. Measured bass extension of 72Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail. More seriously, the low-order woofer filter creates a 4-5dB directivity discontinuity around 2kHz; because the reflected sound differs from the direct sound, equalization cannot fully fix it. Erin also found multiple resonances around 900Hz and rising distortion/compression from the woofer at higher levels. Its 4-ohm nominal load and modest 85dB measured sensitivity demand more amplifier current than the price suggests, while the 72Hz F3 makes a subwoofer advisable despite the relatively low F10. Discontinued.
Full Dayton Audio MK602X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1”H x 8.6”W x 11.8”D |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 6.5” glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin’s impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons