In this review, we will be comparing Studio 630 and RP-500M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from JBL and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Studio 630 and Klipsch RP-500M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
JBL Studio 630 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" High Frequency Compression Tweeter
- 6.25" PolyPlas Woofer
- 45-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:up to 150watts
- Weight:9.02kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 372.0" x 9-1/16" x 11-1/16"( 230 x 280 x 372mm )
Klipsch RP-500M Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
- 5.25" Cerametallic Woofer
- 48-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 93 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 75watts
- Weight:5.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 343.0" x 6.8" x 9.4"( 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm )
What size room are the JBL Studio 630 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* |
JBL Studio 630 |
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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the JBL Studio 630 and Klipsch RP-500M compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Studio 630 and RP-500M are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
JBL Studio 630 |
Klipsch RP-500M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Studio 630 features a 1" High Frequency Compression Tweeter and 1 x 6.25" PolyPlas 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
Studio 630 has a frequency range of 45-40k Hz whereas RP-500M has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Studio 630 can go slightly deeper then the RP-500M's min frequency of 48Hz.
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
Studio 630 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the RP-500M which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Studio 630 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the RP-500M's is rated at 93 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500M a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Studio 630, 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.
Studio 630 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-500M has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the Studio 630.
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
Studio 630 features Single binding posts type posts and RP-500M has a Single binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-500M's Single binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Studio 630 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
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 JBL Studio 630's and Klipsch RP-500M's external dimensions. JBL Studio 630 has external dimensions of 230 x 280 x 372mm ( 14.6 x 9-1/16inch x 11-1/16inch ) whereas Klipsch RP-500M has external dimensions of 343.0 x 173.0 x 241.0mm ( 13.5 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) .
JBL Studio 630 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 57mm wider, 29mm taller and 39mm deeper than Klipsch RP-500M.
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 JBL Studio 630 is approximately 644.0cm2 / 99.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500M is approximately 416.9cm2 / 64.6inch2. The Studio 630 requires 54% more surface area than the RP-500M which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 JBL Studio 630 weighs 9.02kg / 19.8lbs and the Klipsch RP-500M weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Studio 630 67% heavier than the RP-500M.
Here is a comparison of how Studio 630 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 JBL Studio 630?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Studio 630:
2 x JBL Studio 630 Bookshelf Loudspeaker 1 x Owner’s Manual 1 x Warranty Card 8 x Feet Pads
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