In this review, we will be comparing RTi A3 and RP-600M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk RTi A3 and Klipsch RP-600M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk RTi A3 | Klipsch RP-600M |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Polymer composite | 6.5" Cerametallic |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-26k Hz | 45-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.26kg / 16lbs | 7.30kg / 16.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.7" x 8.4" x 14.0"
374.7 x 214.4 x 355.6mm | 15.7" x 7.9" x 11.8"
399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk RTi A3 and Klipsch RP-600M 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* |
Polk RTi A3 |
Klipsch RP-600M |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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.
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Drivers
Both RTi A3 and RP-600M are 2-way speakers.
Polk RTi A3Klipsch RP-600M
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Polk RTi A3 |
Klipsch RP-600M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
RTi A3 features a 1" silk polymer composite Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polymer composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the RP-600M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
RTi A3 has a frequency range of 50-26k Hz whereas RP-600M has a frequency range of 45-25k 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 RTi A3'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
RTi A3 and RP-600M have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RTi A3 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the RP-600M's is at 96 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk RTi A3, 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.
RTi A3 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas RP-600M has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the RTi A3.
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 RTi A3 and RP-600M 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
RTi A3 has a back and front firing port whereas RP-600M has a rear firing ports.
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 Polk RTi A3's and Klipsch RP-600M's external dimensions. Polk RTi A3 has external dimensions of 374.7 x 214.4 x 355.6mm (14.7 x 8.4 x 14.0inch) whereas Klipsch RP-600M has external dimensions of 399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm (15.7 x 7.9 x 11.8inch).
Klipsch RP-600M is 12.4mm narrower and 54.6mm less deeper than Polk RTi A3 but it is also 24.3mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk RTi A3 and Klipsch RP-600M in scale.
Comparison image of Polk RTi A3 and Klipsch RP-600M 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 Polk RTi A3 is approximately 762.4cm2 / 118.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-600M is approximately 608.0cm2 / 94.2inch2. The RTi A3 requires 25% more surface area than the RP-600M 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 Polk RTi A3 and Klipsch RP-600M 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 Polk RTi A3 weighs 7.26kg / 16lbs and the Klipsch RP-600M weighs 7.30kg / 16.1lbs. This makes the RP-600M 1% heavier than the RTi A3.
Here is a comparison of how RTi A3 and RP-600M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk RTi A3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RTi A3:
- 2 Cherry bookshelf speakers
- 2 Self-tapping screws
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owner's Manual
- Template
- Online registration sheet
- Polk Audio product brochure
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-600M?
Here are the items that come with the RP-600M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Terminal jumpers (installed)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
374mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
608cm2
vs
762cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
369USD
vs
465USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio RTi A3 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-26k Hz |
45-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer composite |
Cerametallic |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2800Hz |
1500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
back and front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
374.7mm (14.8") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
| Width |
214.4mm (8.4") |
202.0mm (8") |
| Depth |
355.6mm (14") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Weight |
7.26kg (16lbs) |
7.30kg (16.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Real wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, Cherry |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-31" |
22-26" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch RP-600M is the newer design, against a 2008 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Klipsch RP-600M digs deeper - 45Hz against 50Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch RP-600M is more sensitive (96dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
Polk RTi A3 takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Polk RTi A3: bi-amping; 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 |
Klipsch RP-600M is cheaper - $369 against $465, about 21% less. |
A Polk RTi A3
B Klipsch RP-600M
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. 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 Polk RTi A3 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch RP-600M for near-field listening and a small 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.