Whether you're building a serious stereo system or expanding your home theater setup, choosing the right bookshelf speakers matters. Today we're comparing two popular options in the $600-700 range: the Klipsch RP-600M II ($649) and the Polk Audio Reserve R200 ($659).
Bookshelf speakers remain the sweet spot for many audio enthusiasts, offering an excellent balance of performance and practicality. They're versatile enough to work in stereo setups or as part of a larger home theater system, while taking up minimal space compared to floor-standing towers.
In this price range, you're stepping into serious audio territory. You should expect excellent detail, proper imaging (how accurately the speakers place instruments and voices in space), and enough output to fill most rooms with clean, dynamic sound.
The Klipsch RP-600M II arrived in 2022 as an update to the widely praised original RP-600M. The refresh brought several meaningful improvements, including a larger horn-loaded tweeter design for better sound dispersion and refined bass performance. The iconic Klipsch look remains, with that distinctive copper-colored woofer and horn tweeter.
Polk's Reserve R200 launched in 2021 as part of their complete Reserve series overhaul. It inherited technology from their flagship Legend series, including the Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter (which helps spread high frequencies more evenly) and their Turbine Cone woofer design.
This is perhaps the most important distinction between these speakers. The Klipsch delivers a more forward, dynamic sound that really brings music and movies to life. It's engaging and exciting, with a slight emphasis on detail that makes everything sound crisp and clear.
The Polk takes a more neutral approach, aiming to reproduce music exactly as it was recorded. This doesn't mean it's boring – far from it. It just means it's less likely to add its own character to the sound. Many listeners prefer this accuracy, especially for acoustic music or vocal-heavy content.
Here's a crucial practical difference: The Klipsch is much easier to drive, with a sensitivity of 94dB (sensitivity measures how efficiently a speaker converts power into sound). This means it can get plenty loud with modest amplification – even a 50-watt receiver will drive them well.
The Polk, at 86dB sensitivity, needs roughly twice the power to achieve the same volume levels. This isn't necessarily a problem, but it means you'll want to pair them with a more powerful amplifier – think 100 watts or more for best results.
Speaker placement can make or break sound quality, and these models have different demands:
The Klipsch RP-600M II is more directional, meaning you'll need to aim them more precisely at your listening position. They also benefit from some space behind them (at least a foot from the wall) due to their rear-firing port design. Get the positioning right, and they'll reward you with excellent imaging and a wide soundstage.
The Polk R200 is more forgiving with placement. Its ring radiator tweeter disperses sound more evenly, creating a larger sweet spot. This means you don't have to be sitting exactly centered between the speakers to get good sound, making them more practical for rooms where ideal placement isn't possible.
For music, both speakers excel but in different ways:
The Klipsch shines with rock, electronic, and other dynamic music. The horn-loaded tweeter and efficient design give them outstanding "punch" and ability to handle sudden dynamic swings. Bass is tight and impactful, though not as deep as larger speakers.
The Polk excels with acoustic music, jazz, and classical. Its more neutral presentation and excellent midrange clarity make voices and instruments sound incredibly natural. Bass extends surprisingly low for a bookshelf speaker, and it's well-integrated with the rest of the frequency range.
Both speakers work well in home theater systems, but again, with different strengths:
The Klipsch's efficiency and dynamic capability make them excellent for movies. They can handle explosive scenes effortlessly and deliver clear dialogue without strain. They're particularly good at creating that "cinema" experience at home.
The Polk's wider dispersion can help create a more seamless soundfield when used with other speakers in a surround setup. Their neutral character also makes them easier to match with other brands if you're mixing and matching your system.
At nearly identical prices, value comes down to what you prioritize:
The Klipsch RP-600M II offers:
The Polk R200 provides:
Your choice should depend on several factors:
Choose the Klipsch if:
Choose the Polk if:
Both speakers represent excellent value in their price range, and either could be the foundation of a fantastic audio system. The key is matching their characteristics to your needs and preferences.
Remember that the best speaker is the one that sounds best to you in your space. If possible, try to audition both options before making a final decision. Many dealers offer in-home trials, which can be invaluable for making the right choice.
| Klipsch RP-600M II - $649 | Polk Audio Reserve R200 - $659 |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity - Determines how much amplifier power you need | |
| 94dB (works well with lower powered amps) | 86dB (requires more powerful amplification) |
| Frequency Response - Indicates bass depth and treble extension | |
| 44Hz-25kHz (slightly punchier bass) | 39Hz-50kHz (deeper bass extension) |
| Power Handling - Shows maximum recommended amplifier power | |
| 100W RMS (good for most systems) | 200W RMS (more headroom for powerful amps) |
| Tweeter Design - Affects high frequency detail and dispersion | |
| 1" Titanium LTS with Tractrix Horn (more directional, dynamic) | 1" Ring Radiator (wider dispersion, smoother) |
| Woofer Size/Type - Impacts bass quality and midrange clarity | |
| 6.5" Cerametallic (fast, detailed) | 6.5" Turbine Cone (balanced, natural) |
| Port Design - Affects bass performance and placement flexibility | |
| Rear Tractrix port (needs space from walls) | X-Port technology (more placement flexible) |
| Impedance - Important for amplifier compatibility | |
| 8 ohms (easier to drive) | 3.8 ohms minimum (more demanding load) |
| Cabinet Size - Consider your space constraints | |
| 15.8" x 8" x 13.1" (slightly larger) | 14.1" x 7.6" x 13.9" (more compact) |
| Finish Options - Aesthetic consideration | |
| Ebony/Walnut vinyl (limited options) | Multiple wood finishes (more choices) |
The Klipsch RP-600M II is generally better for home theater due to its higher sensitivity and more dynamic sound signature. It handles movie explosions and action scenes with more impact, though the Polk R200 offers wider sound dispersion which can create a more seamless surround experience.
Yes, the Klipsch RP-600M II excels with rock, electronic, and dynamic music. Their horn-loaded tweeter and efficient design provide excellent detail and punch. However, for classical or jazz, some listeners prefer the more neutral presentation of the Polk R200.
Yes, with 86dB sensitivity, the Polk R200 needs a more powerful amplifier (ideally 100W or more) for best performance. The Klipsch RP-600M II, with 94dB sensitivity, can perform well with less powerful amplifiers.
Both perform well in small rooms, but the Polk R200 offers more flexible placement options and wider sound dispersion. The Klipsch RP-600M II requires more careful positioning but can still sound excellent in small spaces.
Both can work without a subwoofer for music, with the Polk R200 reaching slightly lower (39Hz vs 44Hz). However, for home theater use, adding a subwoofer is recommended with either the Klipsch RP-600M II or Polk.
Both are well-built, but the Polk R200 has slightly more premium finish options. The Klipsch RP-600M II features robust construction but fewer finish choices.
Both excel at dialogue, but the Klipsch RP-600M II has a slightly more forward presentation that can make dialogue more prominent. The Polk R200 offers natural, accurate voice reproduction.
Both are equally durable with proper care. The Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk R200 use high-quality components and come with 5-year warranties.
While both can work as surrounds, the Polk R200 is better suited due to its wider dispersion. The Klipsch RP-600M II might be overkill for surround duty given its capabilities.
Yes, both the Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk R200 perform best on proper speaker stands, placed at ear level and away from walls for optimal sound.
At similar prices, the Klipsch RP-600M II offers better value for home theater and dynamic music listening, while the Polk R200 provides better value for critical music listening and flexible placement.
Neither the Klipsch RP-600M II nor Polk R200 are designed for wall mounting due to their rear ports. They perform best with space behind them for proper bass response.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: erinsaudiocorner.com - crutchfield.com - walts.com - audiosciencereview.com - therobinsonbrand.com - youtube.com - klipsch.com - abt.com - qobuz.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - support.klipsch.com - erinsaudiocorner.com - polkaudio.com - audioadvisor.com - avsforum.com - thenextweb.com - polkaudio.com - pcrichard.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - polkaudio.com - polkaudio.com - polkaudio.com - abt.com
