Short answer: the Technics SB-C700 for better sound quality, the Klipsch RP-600M II for the lower price. The Technics SB-C700 ranks #49 of 105 bookshelf speakers at $1699. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #58 at $489.99, $1209.01 cheaper.
On the Technics SB-C700 side: Distinctive coincident “Phase Precision Driver”: a 1.9cm dome tweeter mounted at the exact acoustic center of a 16cm flat-diaphragm carbon-fiber/honeycomb-sandwich woofer, giving true point-source geometry. Set against that: 85dB sensitivity paired with a 4-ohm nominal impedance wants a fairly capable amplifier.
The case for the Klipsch RP-600M II: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. The catch: 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.
Buy the Technics SB-C700 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Technics SB-C700 | Klipsch RP-600M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 | $489.99 |
| Ranked | #49 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #58 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 13.2" x 11.3" (220 x 336 x 286 mm) (8.7 x 13.2 x 11.3 in) each | 15.7"H x 8"W x 12.5"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Coaxial "Phase Precision Driver": 1.9cm dome tweeter + 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs / 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) each | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- ELAC DB63 vs Technics SB-C700
The Two Speakers In Full
Technics SB-C700: $1,699.00 Value Electronics USA Tube Audio
Pros: Distinctive coincident “Phase Precision Driver”: a 1.9cm dome tweeter mounted at the exact acoustic center of a 16cm flat-diaphragm carbon-fiber/honeycomb-sandwich woofer, giving true point-source geometry. Directivity is unusually symmetric front-to-back and top-to-bottom (both horizontal and vertical average exactly 60°) and spdi_stddev (3.09) is tight for the passive-large tier. Die-cast aluminum chassis and a high-gloss convex “Entasis form” cabinet with side panels up to 42mm thick for extra rigidity.
Cons: 85dB sensitivity paired with a 4-ohm nominal impedance wants a fairly capable amplifier. Bass extension is shallow relative to its 6.5”-class woofer at -3dB (85.0Hz), though it reaches a more usable 40.5Hz at -10dB - a fairly steep low-end rolloff shape once past the reference band. At $1,699.99/pair, some in the ASR community have questioned the value proposition against similarly-measuring alternatives at lower prices.
Full Technics SB-C700 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 13.2" x 11.3" (220 x 336 x 286 mm) (8.7 x 13.2 x 11.3 in) each |
| Drivers | Coaxial "Phase Precision Driver": 1.9cm dome tweeter + 16cm flat-diaphragm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs / 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Technics SB-C700 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Technics SB-C700 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Technics SB-C700 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Technics SB-C700 vs ELAC DBR62
- Technics SB-C700 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Technics SB-C700 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Technics SB-C700 vs JBL HDI-1600
- Technics SB-C700 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- See all 10 comparisons
Klipsch RP-600M II: $489.99 Amazon
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update.
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M II
- GR-Research: We Bought The “NEW” RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Klipsch RP-600M II Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Ascend CBM-170 SE2
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity Reference R162
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs JBL Studio 630
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Behringer B2030P
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity IL10
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- See all 22 comparisons