When it comes to investing around $350 in a pair of bookshelf speakers, two popular options stand out: the Klipsch RP-600M II ($359) and Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 ($347). Let's break down everything you need to know to make an informed choice between these well-matched competitors.
Bookshelf speakers remain the sweet spot for many audio enthusiasts, offering an excellent balance of sound quality, room compatibility, and value. They're called "bookshelf" speakers because they're designed to work well when elevated off the floor, though ironically, you shouldn't actually place them on a bookshelf - speaker stands or sturdy furniture that positions them at ear level will give you the best sound.
These speakers excel in small to medium-sized rooms, where their more modest size can actually be an advantage. They're less likely to overwhelm the space with bass compared to tower speakers, and their compact dimensions make them easier to position properly.
The Klipsch RP-600M II, released in late 2021, represents a significant update to the original RP-600M. The most notable improvements include a redesigned horn-loaded tweeter (the small driver that handles high frequencies) with better dispersion and a new woofer (the larger driver for bass and midrange) featuring a 70% larger voice coil for improved power handling.
The Polk ES20, launched in 2022, brings Polk's latest technologies to the table, including their Dynamic Balance driver design and a high-resolution Terylene tweeter that can reproduce frequencies up to 40kHz - well beyond human hearing but potentially beneficial for creating a more open sound.
The Klipsch approach is immediately engaging. Their horn-loaded tweeter design (which uses a specially shaped waveguide to control how high frequencies spread into the room) creates a lively, dynamic sound that makes rock and electronic music really come alive. It's like the difference between sitting in the front row versus the middle of the concert hall - you're getting a more immediate, exciting presentation.
The Polk ES20 takes a more traditional approach, using a conventional dome tweeter and focusing on achieving a neutral, balanced sound. This design choice results in a presentation that's more like sitting in the sweet spot of a concert hall - everything is well-balanced and natural-sounding, without any particular frequency range drawing attention to itself.
Here's where we see one of the biggest practical differences between these speakers. The Klipsch's 94dB sensitivity rating (a measure of how efficiently they convert power into sound) means they need relatively little power to play loud. A 50-watt amplifier would be plenty for most rooms.
The Polk speakers, with their 86dB sensitivity, need about four times as much power to achieve the same volume levels. This isn't necessarily a problem, as most modern receivers and amplifiers can easily provide this, but it's something to consider if you're using a lower-powered amplifier.
Both speakers excel in home theater applications, but in different ways. The Klipsch RP-600M II has an advantage with dynamic movie soundtracks, where its efficiency and punchy character create an exciting experience with explosions and action scenes. The horn-loaded tweeter also helps with dialogue clarity.
The Polk ES20 takes a more refined approach that some might prefer for long-term listening. Its smoother character can be less fatiguing during extended movie sessions, and its neutral balance works well across all types of content, from quiet dialogue scenes to dramatic soundtracks.
Having spent time with both speakers, I can say they each have their strengths. The Klipsch immediately impresses with its ability to make music exciting and engaging. It's particularly good at making poor recordings sound better by adding energy and life to the presentation.
The Polk initially seems less impressive but grows on you as you appreciate its more balanced approach. It's especially good with acoustic music and vocals, where its natural midrange presentation really shines.
Both speakers represent excellent value around the $350 price point. The Klipsch RP-600M II offers premium components like its Cerametallic woofer and titanium tweeter, while the Polk ES20 counters with its advanced driver materials and Power Port bass technology.
Build quality is similarly impressive on both models, with solid MDF cabinets and quality binding posts for speaker connections. The Klipsch has a slightly more premium feel with its copper-colored drivers and horn design, while the Polk takes a more understated approach.
The choice between these speakers really comes down to your personal preferences and setup:
Choose the Klipsch RP-600M II if:
Choose the Polk ES20 if:
Remember, both speakers offer excellent performance for their price point, and either one could serve as the foundation of a great audio system. The key is matching them to your preferences and needs.
Both the Klipsch and Polk speakers represent different philosophies in speaker design, and both execute their approach very well. The Klipsch offers excitement and dynamics, while the Polk provides balance and versatility. Your choice should align with your listening preferences and the capability of your associated equipment.
For my personal setup, I'd lean toward the Polk ES20 for its versatility and natural sound, but I couldn't fault anyone for choosing the more dynamic Klipsch RP-600M II. Both are excellent speakers that demonstrate just how good affordable audio can be in 2024.
| Klipsch RP-600M II ($359) | Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 ($347) |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity - Determines how much amplifier power you need | |
| 94dB (easy to drive with most amplifiers) | 86dB (requires ~4x more power) |
| Frequency Response - Indicates bass depth and treble extension | |
| 44Hz-25kHz (excellent bass for size) | 41Hz-40kHz (slightly deeper bass, extended highs) |
| Driver Design - Affects sound character and dispersion | |
| Horn-loaded tweeter, Cerametallic woofer (dynamic, exciting sound) | Dome tweeter, Polypropylene woofer (more neutral, natural sound) |
| Power Handling - Maximum recommended amplifier power | |
| 100W RMS (suitable for most systems) | 125W RMS (more headroom for powerful amps) |
| Impedance - Compatibility with amplifiers | |
| 8 ohms (easy load for any amp) | 4/8 ohms compatible (more flexible but demanding) |
| Cabinet Size - Important for room placement | |
| 15.8" x 8" x 13.1" (compact) | 14.8" x 8.5" x 13.8" (similarly sized) |
| Special Features - Unique technologies that affect performance | |
| Tractrix horn, rear port (focused sound, careful placement needed) | Power Port, Dynamic Balance (room-friendly, flexible placement) |
| Best Use Cases - Where each speaker excels | |
| Rock, electronic, home theater (exciting, dynamic) | Acoustic, jazz, vocals (balanced, natural) |
The Klipsch RP-600M II ($359) has an edge for home theater due to its higher sensitivity and more dynamic sound, making it excellent for movie effects and action scenes. However, the Polk ES20 ($347) offers clearer dialogue and smoother sound that some viewers may prefer for long movie sessions.
It depends on your preferred music style. The Klipsch RP-600M II excels with rock, electronic, and high-energy music, while the Polk ES20 is better suited for acoustic, jazz, and vocal-focused music due to its more neutral presentation.
The Polk ES20 requires significantly more power due to its 86dB sensitivity rating. The Klipsch RP-600M II is much easier to drive with its 94dB sensitivity, needing only about 1/4 the amplifier power to achieve the same volume.
Both speakers offer good bass response for their size, reaching into the low 40Hz range. However, for a full home theater experience, adding a subwoofer is recommended with either the Klipsch RP-600M II or Polk ES20.
Both perform well in small spaces, but the Polk ES20 might be more suitable due to its more even sound dispersion and less aggressive presentation. The Klipsch RP-600M II can sometimes sound too powerful in very small rooms.
Yes, both make excellent front channels in a surround system. The Klipsch RP-600M II offers more dramatic effects, while the Polk ES20 provides more balanced surround integration.
Both offer excellent build quality at their price point. The Klipsch RP-600M II features premium materials like its Cerametallic woofer, while the Polk ES20 uses high-quality MDF cabinets and proprietary driver materials.
Yes, both the Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk ES20 perform best on proper speaker stands that place the tweeters at ear level when seated.
The Polk ES20 supports higher resolution audio with its 40kHz frequency response, while the Klipsch RP-600M II focuses on traditional frequency ranges. Both will remain relevant for years to come.
Both work well for gaming. The Klipsch RP-600M II provides more impactful sound effects, while the Polk ES20 offers better positional audio cues.
The Polk ES20 is more forgiving of placement due to its conventional driver design. The Klipsch RP-600M II requires more careful placement to sound its best due to its horn-loaded tweeter.
For the Klipsch RP-600M II, a 50W receiver is sufficient. The Polk ES20 performs better with at least 100W per channel due to its lower sensitivity.
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 - audiosciencereview.com - polkaudio.com - pcrichard.com - crutchfield.com - forum.audiogon.com - ooberpad.com - safeandsoundhq.com - pcrichard.com - polkaudio.com - polkaudio.com - sweetwater.com
