In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M and Diamond 225, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600M and Wharfedale 225 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600M | Wharfedale 225 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cerametallic | 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-25k Hz | 45-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.30kg / 16.1lbs | 6.55kg / 14.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.7" x 7.9" x 11.8"
399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm | 13.9" x 7.7" x 11.4"
355.0 x 196.0 x 290.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M and Wharfedale 225 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 |
Wharfedale 225 |
| 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 Diamond 225 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-600MWharfedale 225
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 |
Wharfedale 225 |
|
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 Diamond 225 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-600M has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas Diamond 225 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz.
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 Diamond 225 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 Diamond 225's is at 87 dB. This 9 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale 225, 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.
Diamond 225 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 Diamond 225.
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 Diamond 225 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
Wharfedale 225's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
RP-600M has a rear firing port whereas Diamond 225 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale 225's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Klipsch RP-600M with its rear-firing port.
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 Wharfedale 225'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 Wharfedale 225 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 196.0 x 290.0mm (13.9 x 7.7 x 11.4inch).
Klipsch RP-600M is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 6mm wider, 44mm taller and 11mm deeper than Wharfedale 225.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M and Wharfedale 225 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M and Wharfedale 225 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 Wharfedale 225 is approximately 568.4cm2 / 88.1inch2. The RP-600M requires 7% more surface area than the Diamond 225 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 Wharfedale 225 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 Wharfedale 225 weighs 6.55kg / 14.4lbs. This makes the RP-600M 11% heavier than the Diamond 225.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M and Diamond 225'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 Wharfedale 225?
Here are the items that come with the Diamond 225:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User's Manual
- Installation Guide
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
355mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
568cm2
vs
608cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
459USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M |
Wharfedale Diamond 225 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
45-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
2300Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
202.0mm (8") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
290.0mm (11.4") |
| Weight |
7.30kg (16.1lbs) |
6.55kg (14.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24" |
| 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 |
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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (45Hz vs 45Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-600M is more sensitive (96dB vs 87dB), 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; Wharfedale 225: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-600M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale 225 is cheaper - $349 against $459, about 24% less. |
A Klipsch RP-600M B Wharfedale 225
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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RP-600M measures better, Wharfedale 225 costs about about 32% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-600M the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Wharfedale 225 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.