In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M and Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600M and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600M | ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" soft dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cerametallic | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-25k Hz | 46-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 40-140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.30kg / 16.1lbs | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.7" x 7.9" x 11.8"
399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm | 13-3/8" x 7-1/16" x 12-7/8"
340.0 x 180.0 x 328.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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 |
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim |
| 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RP-600M is a 2-way design whereas the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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.
Klipsch RP-600MELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 |
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-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 Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim features a 1" soft dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-600M has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a frequency range of 46-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the RP-600M can go slightly deeper then the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's min frequency of 46Hz.
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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-600M sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's is rated at 85 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim, 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.
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim can handle a max power of 140 watts RMS, whereas RP-600M has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim.
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
RP-600M features Dual binding posts/bi-wire/bi-amp posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-600M's Dual binding posts/bi-wire/bi-amp terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600M and Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim'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 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has external dimensions of 340.0 x 180.0 x 328.0mm (13-3/8 x 7-1/16 x 12-7/8inch).
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is 22mm narrower and 59mm shorter than Klipsch RP-600M but it is also 27mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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 is approximately 608.0cm2 / 94.2inch2 and base area of the ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is approximately 590.4cm2 / 91.5inch2. The RP-600M requires 3% more surface area than the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is 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 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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 weighs 7.30kg / 16.1lbs and the ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 3% heavier than the RP-600M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M and Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim'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 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim?
Here are the items that come with the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Operating Instructions
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
459USD
vs
735USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
140 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Height |
340mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
590cm2
vs
608cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M |
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
40-140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
46-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
soft dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
202.0mm (8") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
7.30kg (16.1lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24-31" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
These sit in different price classes - ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim costs roughly 1.6x 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (45Hz vs 46Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-600M is more sensitive (96dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Klipsch RP-600M is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim takes more power (140W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Klipsch RP-600M: 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 $735, about 38% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RP-600M B ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
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 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-600M the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim for a mid-size room and a large room. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RP-600M is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.