In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M II and R200, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk R200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk R200 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk R200 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 RP-600M II and R200 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Klipsch RP-600M II |
Polk R200 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
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 R200 features a 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-600M II has a frequency range of 44-25k Hz whereas R200 has a frequency range of 51-38k 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 R200's min frequency of 51Hz.
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 R200 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 R200's is at 86 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M II a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk R200, 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 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-600M II has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the R200.
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 II features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. R200 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600M II and R200 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 Klipsch RP-600M II's and Polk R200'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 Polk R200 has external dimensions of 359.0 x 193.0 x 355.0mm ( 14-1/8 x 7-9/16 x 13-15/16inch) .
Polk R200 is 11mm narrower and 43mm shorter than Klipsch RP-600M II but it is also 23mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk R200 in scale.
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 Polk R200 is approximately 685.2cm2 / 106.2inch2. The RP-600M II requires 1% less surface area than the R200 which gives it a small advantage 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:
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 Polk R200 weighs 8.69kg / 19.1lbs. This makes the R200 6% heavier than the RP-600M II.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M II and R200'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 Polk R200?
Here are the items that come with the R200:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 GrillesOwners ManualOnline Registration
Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
677cm2 (204x332mm)
vs
685cm2 (193x355mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
459USD
vs
749USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
359mm
vs
402mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II |
Polk Audio Reserve R200 |
Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
30-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
94.5 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
44-25k Hz |
51-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Polypropylene Turbine Cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hybrid Tractrix Horn |
Pinnacle Ring Radiator |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1500 Hz |
3000Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
402.0mm (15.8") |
359.0mm (14.1") |
Width |
204.0mm (8") |
193.0mm (7.6") |
Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
355.0mm (14") |
Weight |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
8.69kg (19.1lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Black, Walnut, White |
Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24-28" |
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 |