In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M and 705 S2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600M and B&W 705 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600M | B&W 705 S2 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Solid Body Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cerametallic | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-25k Hz | 50-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.30kg / 16.1lbs | 9.32kg / 20.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.7" x 7.9" x 11.8"
399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm | 16" x 7.8" x 11.9"
407.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M and B&W 705 S2 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 |
B&W 705 S2 |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both RP-600M and 705 S2 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-600MB&W 705 S2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch RP-600M |
B&W 705 S2 |
|
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 features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz. On the other hand, the 705 S2 features a 1" Solid Body Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-600M has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas 705 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k 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 705 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
RP-600M and 705 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-600M sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the 705 S2's is at 88 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 705 S2, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
705 S2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas RP-600M has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the 705 S2.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both RP-600M and 705 S2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-600M's Dual binding posts/bi-wire/bi-amp terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600M and 705 S2 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
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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's and B&W 705 S2's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-600M has external dimensions of 399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm (15.7 x 7.9 x 11.8inch) whereas B&W 705 S2 has external dimensions of 407.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm (16-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.9-inch).
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 is approximately 608.0cm2 / 94.2inch2 and base area of the B&W 705 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2. The RP-600M requires 1% more surface area than the 705 S2 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 Klipsch RP-600M weighs 7.30kg / 16.1lbs and the B&W 705 S2 weighs 9.32kg / 20.5lbs. This makes the 705 S2 28% heavier than the RP-600M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M and 705 S2'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?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-600M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Terminal jumpers (installed)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of B&W 705 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 705 S2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
399mm
vs
407mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
459USD
vs
3299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
602cm2
vs
608cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M |
Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Solid Body Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Width |
202.0mm (8") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Weight |
7.30kg (16.1lbs) |
9.32kg (20.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24-26" |
| 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 |
These sit in different price classes - B&W 705 S2 costs roughly 7.2x what Klipsch RP-600M does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Klipsch RP-600M digs deeper - 45Hz against 50Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-600M is more sensitive (96dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch RP-600M: bi-amping; B&W 705 S2: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-600M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Klipsch RP-600M is cheaper - $459 against $3,299, about 86% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RP-600M B B&W 705 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch RP-600M is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take B&W 705 S2 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 50Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-600M the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W 705 S2 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.