Klipsch RP-500M II Review: A More Neutral Bookshelf Speaker With Real Midrange Gains

Introduction

Klipsch Reference Premiere bookshelf speakers have long carried a distinctive signature, and the RP-500M II is the latest version of the compact two-way model. It replaces the original RP-500M with a revised design that concentrates on the region where small speakers usually struggle: the upper midrange.

The change is measurable. The estimated in-room response of the RP-500M II fills in roughly 5 dB between 1 kHz and 3 kHz compared with the original, which translates into more presence, more resolution, and more detail through vocals and instruments. The rest of the response stays close to the original, so this is a targeted improvement rather than a wholesale redesign.

That focus changes the character of the speaker. The RP-500M II keeps the clarity and energy Klipsch listeners expect, while moving noticeably closer to a neutral, linear balance. For anyone who has found earlier Klipsch bookshelf models too bright or too forward, this is the version worth a serious listen.

Who This Speaker Is For

The RP-500M II suits listeners building a compact two-channel system in a small to medium room. It is a passive bookshelf speaker, so it needs an amplifier, and it rewards careful placement.

It also makes sense for people who want a more linear presentation without giving up the precision and detail that Klipsch speakers are known for. If your reference point is the original RP-500M, the II is the version to choose when you cannot or prefer not to use equalization to shape the sound.

It also suits anyone who plans to run a subwoofer. The RP-500M II is at its best when low frequencies are handled separately, which is worth understanding before you commit.

Main Strengths

The clearest strength is midrange clarity. Vocals and acoustic instruments have more body and presence than the original, and that improvement is the single biggest reason to choose the II over the first generation.

Imaging is the second strength. The RP-500M II places instruments precisely within the soundstage, and that precision holds up across a wide range of material. The stage is not as wide as some listeners prefer, but what is there is sharply defined.

Third, the speaker is more linear out of the box than the larger RP-600M II, and it responds well to being toed out into the room rather than aimed directly at the listening position.

Together, that precision and the more linear balance are what make the RP-500M II feel like a genuine step forward rather than a cosmetic update.

How the RP-500M II Compares With the RP-600M II and the Original RP-500M

Against the original RP-500M, the II is a clear improvement in the midrange. The estimated in-room response shows about a 5 dB difference between 1 kHz and 3 kHz, and the practical result is more resolution and more presence in the upper midrange. The two versions are otherwise broadly similar, so the update lands where it counts.

Against the larger RP-600M II, the trade-off is balance versus bass. The RP-600M II measures roughly 2 to 3 dB higher in the high frequency region and offers a little more low end, but it is the less neutral of the two. The RP-500M II is the more linear speaker from the start.

Both models share precise imaging. If a fuller sound without a subwoofer is the priority, the RP-600M II is the natural pick, particularly when toed out about 30 degrees into the room. If neutrality is the priority, the RP-500M II is the stronger choice.

Where the RP-500M II Needs Careful Setup

Placement has an outsized effect on this speaker. Horizontal dispersion runs about plus or minus 40 to 50 degrees, which makes it a little more directive than some listeners prefer. Aimed directly at the listening position, sidewall reflections are reduced, but the top end can sound brighter. Toed out into the room, the top end becomes smoother and more linear, the stage gains width, and imaging precision gives up a small amount in return.

Sensitivity ratings are worth reading carefully. Klipsch publishes an in-room figure in the low 90s, which corresponds to roughly 85 dB when converted to a comparable anechoic measurement. That is in line with other bookshelf speakers of this size, so plan amplifier power accordingly.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Low frequency output is the main limitation. The RP-500M II is not designed to deliver serious output at very low frequencies, and in a typical listening room it reached its practical limit at around 95 dB at four meters for the pair before the woofer began to unload. A subwoofer with an appropriate crossover removes that constraint entirely.

Distortion behavior is a smaller consideration. The II is a little cleaner through the midrange than the original but slightly less clean in the tweeter region, which appears to come down to crossover placement. Neither is a deal breaker in normal use.

Buying Advice

If you want the more neutral of the two Reference Premiere bookshelf options, the RP-500M II is the one to choose, and the smartest way to run it is with a capable subwoofer handling the low end rather than pushing it as a full range speaker.

If you already own the original RP-500M and you have equalization available to shape its response, the upgrade is optional rather than essential. Without EQ, the II is the better starting point by a comfortable margin.

If you want more bass from the speakers themselves and are willing to accept a slightly less neutral balance, the RP-600M II remains a reasonable alternative.

Conclusion

The Klipsch RP-500M II is a focused update that addresses the part of the response that most affects how music actually sounds. It keeps the clarity and precise imaging that define the Reference Premiere line while moving closer to a neutral balance. Pair it with a subwoofer, give it a little toe-out, and it makes a strong case as a compact bookshelf speaker for a two-channel system.