In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M 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 and Polk ES20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600M | Polk ES20 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cerametallic | 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-25k Hz | 41-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.30kg / 16.1lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.7" x 7.9" x 11.8"
399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm | 14-3/4" x 8-9/16" x 13-13/16"
375.0 x 218.0 x 351.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M 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 |
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.)
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 ES20 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-600MPolk ES20
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 |
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 features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz. 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 has a frequency range of 45-25k 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's min frequency of 45Hz.
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 ES20 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 ES20's is at 86 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk ES20, 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.
ES20 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas RP-600M has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the ES20.
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. ES20 has a 5-Way 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
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600M 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.
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 Polk ES20'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 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 is 16mm narrower and 50mm less deeper than Polk ES20 but it is also 24mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M and Polk ES20 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M 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 is approximately 608.0cm2 / 94.2inch2 and base area of the Polk ES20 is approximately 765.2cm2 / 118.6inch2. The RP-600M requires 21% less surface area than the ES20 which gives it a small advantage 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 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 weighs 7.30kg / 16.1lbs and the Polk ES20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the ES20 6% heavier than the RP-600M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M and ES20'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 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
 Sensitivity |
96 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 |
608cm2
vs
765cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
41 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
375mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
459USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M |
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 |
96 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
41-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
202.0mm (8") |
218.0mm (8.6") |
| Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
351.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
7.30kg (16.1lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Black,White,Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Polk ES20 digs deeper - 41Hz against 45Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-600M is more sensitive (96dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Polk ES20 takes more power (125W 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 | B | Polk ES20 is cheaper - $399 against $459, about 13% less. |
A Klipsch RP-600M B Polk ES20
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-600M the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk ES20 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.