In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M II and R3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600M II and KEF R3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Klipsch RP-600M II Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hybrid Tractrix Horn Tweeter
- 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer
- 44-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 94.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:up to 100watts
- Weight:8.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 402.0" x 8" x 13-1/16"( 402.0 x 204.0 x 332.0mm )
KEF R3 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 5" Midrange
- 6.5" Hybrid aluminum Woofer
- 5" Midrange
- 52-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:15-180watts
- Weight:13.55kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 423.0" x 7-13/16" x 13-1/4"( 423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm )
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M II and KEF R3 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* |
Klipsch RP-600M II |
KEF R3 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* 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 Klipsch RP-600M II and KEF R3 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RP-600M II is a 2-way design whereas the R3 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Klipsch RP-600M II |
KEF R3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
RP-600M II features a 1" titanium Hybrid Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500 Hz. On the other hand, the R3 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-600M II has a frequency range of 44-25k Hz whereas R3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the RP-600M II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3's min frequency of 52Hz.
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
RP-600M II and R3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-600M II sensitivity is rated at 94.5 dB and the R3's is at 87 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M II a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R3, 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.
RP-600M II can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-600M II has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the R3.
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
Both RP-600M II and R3 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-600M II's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600M II and R3 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.
KEF R3 Port
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 Klipsch RP-600M II's and KEF R3's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-600M II has external dimensions of 402.0 x 204.0 x 332.0mm ( 15-13/16 x 8 x 13-1/16inch) whereas KEF R3 has external dimensions of 423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm ( 16-5/8 x 7-13/16 x 13-1/4inch) .
Klipsch RP-600M II is 21mm shorter and 5mm less deeper than KEF R3 but it is also 5mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M II and KEF R3 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M II and KEF R3 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 Klipsch RP-600M II is approximately 677.3cm2 / 105.0inch2 and base area of the KEF R3 is approximately 670.6cm2 / 103.9inch2. The RP-600M II requires 1% more surface area than the R3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an 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 Klipsch RP-600M II and KEF R3 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 Klipsch RP-600M II weighs 8.20kg / 18lbs and the KEF R3 weighs 13.55kg / 29.8lbs. This makes the R3 65% heavier than the RP-600M II.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M II and R3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-600M II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-600M II:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles4 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)User ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
What's in the Box of KEF R3?
Here are the items that come with the R3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser ManualWarranty Information
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
402mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
459USD
vs
2200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
670cm2
vs
677cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II |
KEF R3 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
94.5 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
44-25k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hybrid Tractrix Horn |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500 Hz |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
402.0mm (15.8") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
204.0mm (8") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
13.55kg (29.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |