Disappointed by Klipsch RP-600M mk2, there are better options under $1K

My 2 listening rooms:
*Dining room/Kitchen 15’x30’
Stand mount speakers are roughly 4’ from the back wall and a bit over 3’ from each side wall
I typically like stand mount speakers supported with a subwoofer. I have a KEF KC62 correctly positioned in this room and is ALMOST always used when evaluating stand mount speakers
*Living room
20’ wide behind speakers
18’ to the back wall behind my listening position
The room tapers to 16’
There is NO wall on the left side as the room opens up into the bar area
The right hand side is all 6’ tall windows (there is a 3’ tall half wall and the windows are set back 2.5’
The ceilings are 9’
***listening at SPL volumes:
DBs averaging in the 70s
DB Peaks in the low 80s between 80-85 DBs
When peaks hit about 85 DBs I tend to start thinking about turning it down slightly
Nighttime or low level listening for me is DBs avg in the 60 DBs
I only listen at DB peaks in the 90-95 DB range as an evaluation of speakers and amps listening for ability to drive to this SPL volume level and if
there is any distortion resulting from this high volume level?
95 DBs is where “Party volume” tops out for us
**Speaker reviews
1. How do they sound on their own when played on a very clean and neutral Class D high powered amp?
2. Question: Will a LOW POWER (7.6w -15w) Class A amp drive them or not?
These Class A amps do color the sound.
3. Describe how the speakers under review sound changes on this Class A amp
**My reference Class A amps:
SMSL VMV A1 Class A solid state
15w @4 Ohms 10w @8 Ohms
Black Ice Audio FX10H EL-84 push-Pull tub amp
12 w into either 4 Ohms or 8 Ohms
Boyuurange Reisong A50 MKIII SET 300B tube amp
7.6w into both 4 Ohms and 8 Ohms
**Amp and DAC reviews
How do they sound played on 2 different sets of speakers?
How do they sound when A/B compared to another competing AMP or DAC?
**** FYI ****
*The fundamental frequency is the basic pitch of sound
*Harmonics are the integer multiples of the fundamental frequency (FO)
*Even harmonics are harmonics that occur at even integer multiples (2,4,6,8…)
*Odd harmonics occur at odd integer multiples
****Even harmonics tend to add WARMTH, RICHNESS, and a SENSE OF FULLNESS TO SOUND. (a more vintage, analogue sound?)
Odd harmonics tend to add BRIGHTNESS, CLARITY and a SENSE OF AGGRESSION to sound. (a more modern sound?)
**Class A amplifiers operate in a linear mode where the output transistors are always conducting, resulting in a more consistent and predictable harmonic distortion pattern.
**The solid state Class A amps typically add:
Even order dominant and tend to produce more even-order harmonics (2nd,4th, 6th, etc…)
AND they are LOW-ORDER DOMINANT the 2nd and 3rd harmonics are typically the most prominent
****It is widely accepted that harmonic distortion in the 2nd and 4th harmonics can contribute significantly to a listener’s sense of warmth, richness, fullness, sweetness and vintage sound.
**2nd harmonics add a sense of warmth, fullness, robustness, and a perception of a smooth, velvety texture to the music
**4th harmonics add a sense of richness and complexity to the sound and enhances the overall harmonic structure, making the sound more engaging.
***Tube Class A amps add:
*More even-order harmonics (2nd,4th,6th, etc…)
*Less odd order harmonics
**A warmer, more rounded,and softer harmonic distortion character.
Often described as warm, vintage, analogue, sweet, musical, tube-like, etc…
****FYI part 2 **** Soundstage from ChatGPT
Yes, it is often reported that a single-ended triode (SET) tube amplifier with zero negative feedback (ZNF) can improve the soundstage produced by the speakers. Here's why:
1. Preservation of harmonic texture: ZNF allows the amplifier to preserve the natural harmonic distortion and texture of the music, which can contribute to a more immersive and three-dimensional soundstage.
2. Increased dynamics: Without NFB, the amplifier can maintain a more dynamic sound, with greater contrast between quiet and loud passages, leading to a more engaging soundstage.
3. Improved spatiality: SET amplifiers are known for their ability to recreate the spatial relationships between instruments and voices, and ZNF can enhance this aspect, creating a more expansive and nuanced soundstage.
4. Reduced compression: ZNF can reduce the compression of dynamic range, allowing for a more natural and unforced soundstage.
5. Tube characteristics: Triode tubes such as 300B power tubes, in particular, are known for their warm, rich, and detailed sound, which can contribute to a more realistic and engaging soundstage.
However, it's essential to note that:
*System synergy: The impact of ZNF on soundstage depends on the entire system, including the speakers, source material, and listening room.
In summary, a well-designed SET tube amplifier with ZNF can potentially improve the soundstage by preserving harmonic texture, increasing dynamics, and enhancing spatiality.

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[liamporter]

I've the Klipsch. Like the dynamic and soundstage but can be fatiguing at times. They can make other speakers sound flat or boring.

[CohibaJoe]

I use these for testing gear and have purchased the GR Research upgrade for this weekend project.

[Music.Movies.]

Good hifi setup l like the sound of is
Speakers Monitor Audio Silver 100 7g
Stereo Amp Arcam SA20
Music Streamer Cambridge Audio MXN10

[SoTwissted]

I have the Elac ub5 and the Klipsch 600 M2 I use the Klipsch the most. I push them with the Marantz mm9000 amp and the Marantz av9000 pre amp. Your milage may vary!

[carminedesanto]

Hi, I’m still running the Klipsch 51 RP ( the powered ones 😊) and they’re pretty decent IF you take the time to set them up.
Nice video 👍👍

[Staybrown]

The great thing about HIFI is that there is not one fits all. That’s why there’s so many reviewers and so many companies. Elac to me are very hard to drive and extremely boring. No dynamics. Klipsch on the other hand are very dynamic and sound amazing with low powered tube amps. There are no rights. There are no wrongs. Try them out. If you don’t like them return them. Always match the amplifier to the speaker and your source and you will find what you looking for in the price category. But at least I know that me and this reviewer don’t have similar taste in sound and don’t value the same qualities in speakers. Keep going you will find your funding …

[timothyfreeseha]

Do we already know you are using for an amp and source? Or amps and sources. My own experience with klipsch speakers- the 800f and the Heresys3, is that - colored as they are, they tend reveal electronics.

[alwayspushing]

I was able to get these on a "deal zone" awhile back for $299.00!!! Yes $299.00 for the pair and for $299.00 a pair it's an absolute winner. B&H Photo every now and then do a limited sale and they go quick.
Near field listening (desktop) is nice with WiiM Ultra, V3 monos work nice.

[carlsitler]

Small speakers sound small (99% of the time). I rock quad 15" woofers with my Danish MTMs.

[Edward-Norton]

Erin's audio corner likes the Klipsch's better than that the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63, so go figure.

[travis]

So, what is your next step away from the Kef's ?

[carloslong]

New to your channel and have subscribed.

Your subject matter directly impacts on my hifi journey.

To be honest, I have not owned the Klipsch 600 but I owned the active Fives.

Why would anyone buy those 600's when Triangle Bro 3's are only $350 and sound more neutral?

I'd buy the Q Acoustics 3030 for $100 less than those Klipsch.

When you add that I feel the form factor and look is cheap in appearance, I'm wondering whether there's something I'm not seeing.

[scottlowell]

I found the Kef ls-50 metallic sounding. I don't like treble metallic distortion and ringing. I don't like that about those speakers. They are too colored and artificial sounding. That bothers me, especially for the price point. Just not getting that transparent, natural sound you get from better speakers. I'm not getting beauty and sweetness from them.

[rickatkinson]

I find speakers with metallic domes to harsh. Give me silk, weave and paper any time.

[bigdanify]

I subscribed and also last week ordered the FX10H from Black Ice after watching your unboxing video.... My First all tube amp and wondering what speakers to pair with.... Have several bookshelf speakers, but kef q150 is my goto.... Can you please give me some other options besides Klipsch that would go well with the FX10H? Appreciate this channel and look forward to more content

[BostonMike]

Speaker design is about compromising and the compromise with not having a crossover is a 19" woofer starts beaming at 1400 hz and the off axis response starts going down hill literally, by 14000 the sound waves are coming straight ahead and your off axis response isn't going to be that good. If you had a microphone and took off axis measurements and compared it to a another speaker crossed lower will the off axis nose diving down. Also that's putting a lot of work on a single driver to reproduce all those low frequencies and also cover the mids and highs . That's why I am not a fan of full range drivers because they don't really cover full range and by 14000 you could put a paper cup and call it a tweeter because if you are over 40 you probably are not going to hear over 14000. Hz . The woofer is going to have to move all that air and reach x max and it's not going to be able to keep up with the faster mids and tremble sound waves and it's going to be slower. It's physics. That's all speaker design is physics and science and comprises .

[MasterofPlay]

or you can get a 1969 class a clone for around $200 bucks from china, they sound great with class a

[middleearthltd]

Good luck finding 500% delta at retail
Used you can do better
I always look for value but I find the 5x better or punching way above the price point subjective opinions to be bemusing and janky Chinese tube amps yikes
The Klipsch speakers are around 86 to 88 db sensitive do your homework as Klipsch uses their own peculiar measurement standard. See Erin’s review.