In this review, we will be comparing Sib Evo and RP-600M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Focal and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Sib Evo and Klipsch RP-600M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Focal Sib Evo Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 5" Polyflex Woofer
- 70-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-200watts
- Weight:1.80kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 251.0" x 6-3/8" x 6-7/16"( 251.0 x 162.0 x 164.0mm )
Klipsch RP-600M Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
- 6.5" Cerametallic Woofer
- 45-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 96 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 100watts
- Weight:7.30kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 399.0" x 7.9" x 11.8"( 399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm )
What size room are the Focal Sib Evo and Klipsch RP-600M 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* |
Focal Sib Evo |
Klipsch RP-600M |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Sib Evo and Klipsch RP-600M compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Sib Evo and RP-600M are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Focal Sib Evo |
Klipsch RP-600M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Sib Evo features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Polyflex Woofer . On the other hand, the RP-600M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
Sib Evo has a frequency range of 70-25k Hz whereas RP-600M has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the RP-600M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Sib Evo's min frequency of 70Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Sib Evo is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the RP-600M which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Sib Evo sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the RP-600M's is rated at 96 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Sib Evo, 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. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Sib Evo can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-600M has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Sib Evo.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
RP-600M features Dual binding posts/bi-wire/bi-amp posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Sib Evo has a Push button which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Sib Evo's Push button terminals
Klipsch RP-600M's Dual binding posts/bi-wire/bi-amp terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Sib Evo and RP-600M 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.
Klipsch RP-600M Tractrix horn-shaped Port
New
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Focal Sib Evo's and Klipsch RP-600M's external dimensions. Focal Sib Evo has external dimensions of 251.0 x 162.0 x 164.0mm ( 28-36inch x 6-3/8inch x 6-7/16inch ) whereas Klipsch RP-600M has external dimensions of 399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm ( 15.7 x 7.9 x 11.8inch) .
Klipsch RP-600M is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40mm wider, 148mm taller and 137mm deeper than Focal Sib Evo.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Focal Sib Evo and Klipsch RP-600M in scale.
Comparison image of Focal Sib Evo and Klipsch RP-600M 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 Focal Sib Evo is approximately 265.7cm2 / 41.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-600M is approximately 608.0cm2 / 94.2inch2. The Sib Evo requires 56% less surface area than the RP-600M which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.