Klipsch RP600M vs KEF LS50 Sound Demo

Klipsch RP-600M vs KEF LS50 Sound Demo is not representative of the real-life qualities of these speakers. Dynamics, sound-stage, micro details... to really hear these, you simply have to hear them in person. It's meant for fun and noticing some tonal differences that maybe survived Microphone recording/YouTube compression/Your own gear signature. Have fun!

0:00 Track 1
1:06 Track 2
2:06 Track 3
3:06 Track 4
4:03 Track 5

Gear used in this test:

DAC: Schiit Modi Multibit
Integrated Amp: Cyrus 8vs2

Track 1: Bleeker Street Blues by Chris Haugen
Track 2: Two Little Bums by The Great North Sound Society
Track 4: Jazz in Paris by Media Right Productions
Track 5: Selfie Stick by Quincas Moreira

#hifi #audiophile #speakers #stereo

[iiWiReviews]

Bitrate and sample rate were both aimed at YT standard, but I'll make hi-res recordings for future comparisons.

[johnbaker]

I own both speakers, and I go back and forth between them. I love them both, but they do different things for me. I tend to listen to Mahler symphonies and classic rock on the Klipschs because they sound a bit bigger and grander. But the KEFs are the better choice for most vocals and can be more forgiving of older recordings. Both sound good with jazz, although I will say I like the KEFs for pianos and strings, and the Klipschs for horns and drums. The KEFs are better built and image slightly better, but the Klipschs are - like so many say - more "live" sounding. If you give the KEFs a lot of power, the differences in dynamic response are less noticeable. I powered the KEFs with a 60 watt Adcom amp at first, and they sounded small and compressed. Now I power them with a 550 watt Emotiva amp, and they sound amazing! I'm not saying you need that much power, but I would try to give them at least 200 watts so that they have plenty of dynamic head room. If you think that sounds excessive, consider that the new LS-50 wireless II speakers are powered with internal amps totaling 380 watts per speaker! So clearly KEF thinks they need power.

Both are amazing speakers, leagues beyond what was available at much higher price points just fifteen years ago. We are lucky to live at a time when truly high-end audio is so damn affordable! Celebrate the sound, my friends!

[Slickman]

Remember when listening that the Klipsch are HALF the price of the KEF's. The fact that this is even close is a huge compliment to the 600m's.

[Totalplonker]

Considering the ls50 meta has just been released now is a good time to grab a second-hand pair of those beautiful looking/sounding ls50 originals! Thanks for taking the time for other people's enjoyment!

[Ceko]

It’s hard to hear through a recorded movie like this but to me the Klipsch sound the best. Very effortless, nice timbre, airy. Love it!

[edwinrumbaoa]

Both are great sounding speakers! My choice will be the Klipsch.

[jimbojet]

Kef for me, a more open and musical presentation of the sound. Just lovely.

[zdenkokresic]

Ich besitze Klipsch 600, auf Lautsprecherständer mit Abstand ca. 70 cm von hintere und seitige Wände, betrieben mit SMSL AO 200 Amp und SMSL DAC M200 gebunden mit Audioquest XLR Red River.Nutze USB und BT(Ldac).Klang ist super obwohl der Klang mit EQ korrigiert habe, bei 1-2kHz um 2, 5 db Mitte. erhoben.Ich höre mit Lautstärke die höchstens bis 25 (70 max)gefahren ist(1/3).Meine Raum ist ca. 20 m2 und Klang ist grandios-Elan, Speed und Drive mit enorme Details.Ich bin begeistert von Instrumente Trennung und kein Zisch -Effekt.Höre Music nur 16/44, 1 bis 24/96 mit JRiver(USB Asio) Media Center 28 und Neutron Player (BT mit Ldac).Es ist grosse Genuss das Musik über meine Konstalation zu lauschen.Ich glaube das der Kef LS50 noch besser in Default klingt, der kostet aber doppelt mehr.Mit EQ Korektur und 2 Woche Einbrenn-Zeit bin begeistert mit Preis-Leistung von meine komplette Konstalacion.Musik ganz sparsam(40W)mit DAP oder Tablett im Obereklasse zu erleben, habe mir nie so vorgestellt.Best Regards!

[kjltube]

Listened through my dragonfly and meze headphones. Way more detail and realism at the high end from the Kef’s, but a fatter bass for the Klipsch.
I added a heavy unported sub with my Ls50’s for a fatter bottom end and love the combo.
Klipsch easier to drive with higher sensitivity. So therefore a better match to tube amps if one is going that route.

[csen]

This is a great - and the right - way to A-B test two speakers. Most people change speakers between musical phrases. It is harder to discern differences that way than in this video where a change can happen in the middle of a phrase. Excellent job, thank you! I can immediately hear that my preference is for the KEF even though I have not fully analysed all the sonic qualities.

[johnbishop]

Klipsch a better speaker for its price, but the Kef is much more defined, crisp, and clear. You get what you pay for.

[Enforcer]

Both sounded dead even up until you got to track 4. Then you can hear that the Klipsch speakers sounded warmer, slightly less detailed. The bass was crisper and tighter sounding coming out of the KEF. So it just depends on the individual, some deem warmth to be superior to brightness, and vice versa. To each their own, they both sound great. For me, KEF wins even though I’m a total Klipsch fanatic; but I’m more into their larger older speakers from the 80’s and 90’s (FORTE II, KG4, KG5.5, etc). Happy listening 😎

[bynekm]

Thank you so much for the sound demo between LS50 & RP-600M. It means a lot even if it is a YT video. I can understand the challenges to include some tracks with vocal presence but it is something what we need to hear as well. Very nice comparison though. Well appreciated...

[alexsnow]

I think Kef have a better projection then Klipsch, man i love that "Selfie Stick" track. Great video my dude

[gdwlaw]

well, I saved myself alot of money buying the RP-600M

[tee-jaythestereo-bargainph]

Yeah KEF digs into the microdetails a lil better the Klispch are much easier to drive though and the klispch have faster upper bass but not as much weight to the bass as the Kef but klispch can be driven by a 10 watt tube amp And Kef requires good power to sound proper thanks for the video !

[tessie]

Nice demo! LS50 meta vs Klipsch RP500M II is the choice now :p

[sandyshoremann]

Given the large perceived difference in midrange tonality, I would say they both have vowel colouration in the mids, though this may be mic placement or interconnect resonance. I have heard the KEF sound better on their side to give better lateral dispersion control and negate floor bounce.

[Hotflop]

I wish the klipsch had a matte finish. I hate to say but styling for me is almost as important as the sound. I mean it’s not terrible looking but I would look at it everyday and imagine if it had a better finish!

[experiencelife]

Track 5 is a banger. Tnx for the video.