SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk ES20 Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Klipsch RP-600M II

Passive Bookshelf | 44-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
Polk ES20

Passive Bookshelf | 41-40k Hz

Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20
CHECK PRICE
Klipsch RP-600M II Klipsch RP-600M II
See at AMAZON
Polk ES20 Polk ES20
See at AMAZON
Klipsch RP-600M II
See at AMAZON
Polk ES20
See at AMAZON
Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk ES20 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M II and ES20, 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 ES20 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 )

Polk ES20 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer
  • 41-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-125watts
  • Weight:7.73kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 375.0" x 8-9/16" x 13-13/16"( 375.0 x 218.0 x 351.0mm )

What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk ES20 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 Polk ES20
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 Polk ES20 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 RP-600M II and ES20 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Klipsch RP-600M II Polk ES20
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 ES20 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

RP-600M II has a frequency range of 44-25k Hz whereas ES20 has a frequency range of 41-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the ES20 can go slightly deeper then the RP-600M II's min frequency of 44Hz.

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

RP-600M II
ES20
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Klipsch RP-600M II
Polk ES20
Min
Average
Max

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 ES20 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 ES20's is at 86 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M II a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk ES20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

RP-600M II
ES20
Min
Average
Max

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 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-600M II has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the ES20.

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. ES20 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Klipsch RP-600M II Terminals
Klipsch RP-600M II's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both RP-600M II and ES20 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 ES20'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 ES20 has external dimensions of 375.0 x 218.0 x 351.0mm ( 14-3/4 x 8-9/16 x 13-13/16inch) .

Klipsch RP-600M II is 14mm narrower and 19mm less deeper than Polk ES20 but it is also 27mm taller.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk ES20 in scale.

Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk ES20 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk ES20 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 Polk ES20 is approximately 765.2cm2 / 118.6inch2. The RP-600M II requires 11% less surface area than the ES20 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:

Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk ES20 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M II and Polk ES20 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 Polk ES20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the RP-600M II 6% heavier than the ES20.

Here is a comparison of how RP-600M II and ES20's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch RP-600M II
Polk ES20
Min
Average
Max

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 loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 4 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
  • User Manual
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information
  • What's in the Box of Polk ES20?

    Here are the items that come with the ES20:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grille (attached)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Product Registration

  • Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II over Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20
    Sensitivity 94 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Base Surface Area 677cm2 vs 765cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II

    Max Input Power 125 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Low Frequency Response 41 Hz vs 44 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 375mm vs 402mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Price per pair* 399USD vs 459USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Klipsch RP-600M II vs Polk ES20 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20
    Brand Klipsch Polk Audio
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range up to 100 watts 20-125 watts
    Sensitivity 94.5 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 44-25k Hz 41-40k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Cerametallic cone Mica-reinforced polypropylene
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Butyl rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hybrid Tractrix Horn Soft-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 1500 Hz 2500Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 402.0mm (15.8") 375.0mm (14.8")
    Width 204.0mm (8") 218.0mm (8.6")
    Depth 332.0mm (13.1") 351.0mm (13.8")
    Weight 8.20kg (18lbs) 7.73kg (17lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF, Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Walnut, Black Black,White,Walnut
    Mounting Bracket No
    Recommended Stand Height 22-26" 22-26"
    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

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction