In this review, we will be comparing BW 606 and RP-500M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 606 and Klipsch RP-500M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 606 | Klipsch RP-500M |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Continuum | 5.25" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 48-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | up to 75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.90kg / 15.2lbs | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.6" x 7-1/2" x 12-13/16"
345.0 x 190.0 x 324.0mm | 13.5" x 6.8" x 9.4"
343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 606 and Klipsch RP-500M speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
B&W 606 |
Klipsch RP-500M |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Good |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
No way |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both BW 606 and RP-500M are 2-way speakers.
B&W 606Klipsch RP-500M
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
B&W 606 |
Klipsch RP-500M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
BW 606 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-500M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
BW 606 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the RP-500M can go slightly deeper then the BW 606's min frequency of 52Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
BW 606 and RP-500M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. BW 606 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the RP-500M's is at 93 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500M a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 606, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
BW 606 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas RP-500M has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 45 watts less than the BW 606.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
BW 606 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-500M has a Single binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 606's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Klipsch RP-500M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both BW 606 and RP-500M have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare B&W 606's and Klipsch RP-500M's external dimensions. B&W 606 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 190.0 x 324.0mm (13.5 x 7.4 x 12.7inch) whereas Klipsch RP-500M has external dimensions of 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm (13.5 x 6.8 x 9.4inch).
B&W 606 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 17mm wider, 2mm taller and 83mm deeper than Klipsch RP-500M.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 606 and Klipsch RP-500M in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 606 and Klipsch RP-500M Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the B&W 606 is approximately 615.6cm2 / 95.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500M is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2. The BW 606 requires 48% more surface area than the RP-500M which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of B&W 606 and Klipsch RP-500M on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The B&W 606 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs and the Klipsch RP-500M weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the BW 606 28% heavier than the RP-500M.
Here is a comparison of how BW 606 and RP-500M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 606?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of BW 606:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-500M?
Here are the items that come with the RP-500M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
343mm
vs
345mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
416cm2
vs
615cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
579USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-120 watts |
up to 75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
48-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
allow up to a week for the temperature effects to stabilise and 15 hours of average use for the parts to attain their intended design characteristics. |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
345.0mm (13.6") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
190.0mm (7.5") |
173.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
324.0mm (12.8") |
241.0mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, White, Oak |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Klipsch RP-500M digs deeper - 48Hz against 52Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-500M is more sensitive (93dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | B&W 606 takes more power (120W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-500M is easier to place; B&W 606 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-500M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-500M is cheaper - $579 against $899, about 36% less. |
A B&W 606 B Klipsch RP-500M
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch RP-500M has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate B&W 606 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch RP-500M for near-field listening and a small room. In a large or open-plan room, B&W 606 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-500M is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.