The "House Sound" of Listening Fatigue | Klipsch 600M II Review

Summary

The video script reviews the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II speakers, noting their popularity and comparing them to the original model. The reviewer acknowledges the improved features like better-looking terminals and a larger horn but finds the sound to be forward and potentially fatiguing, with exaggerated upper mid-range and less refined mid-bass. Despite the speakers' attractive appearance, the review suggests that for the price, there are better options available with more balanced sound quality.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The Klipsch RP-600M was extremely popular and won numerous awards.
• 🎶 The speaker's design has been updated in the RP-600M Mark II with improved hardware and a larger horn.
• 🔍 The Mark II model has a slightly deeper and taller cabinet compared to the original RP-600M.
• 👀 The fit and finish of the speakers are of high quality, emphasizing Klipsch's attention to aesthetics.
• 👂 The speakers offer a forward and exciting sound with a strong presence in the top end and time domain.
• 🎵 The RP-600M Mark II is particularly good with upbeat and exciting music genres.
• 😖 However, the speakers can cause listener fatigue due to their emphasis on the treble and lack of mid-range balance.
• 👎 The mid-range of the Mark II is described as thinner and less full-bodied compared to the original model.
• 📉 Female vocals can sound overly forward and sibilant, which may be fatiguing to some listeners.
• 📚 Objective measurements of the speakers corroborate the subjective listening experience shared in the script.
• 🚫 The speaker may not be recommended for those seeking a balanced and refined audio experience, especially in the mid-range.

Q & A

What is the speaker being discussed in the script?

The speaker being discussed is the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II.

How does the popularity of the original Klipsch RP-600M compare to the new model?

The original Klipsch RP-600M was extremely popular, winning more awards than Madonna, and the script suggests that the new model is being evaluated to see if it can live up to that popularity.

What changes were made to the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II compared to its predecessor?

The Klipsch RP-600M Mark II has nicer looking hardware on the back terminals with jumper wires, a larger 'Tractrix' horn, an updated woofer, a slightly deeper and taller cabinet, and it comes with cork pads instead of rubber bumpers.

What is the reviewer's initial impression of the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II's design?

The reviewer appreciates the fit and finish of the speaker, noting that it looks fantastic and that a great deal of effort has gone into its appearance.

How does the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II perform in terms of sound presence and top-end extension?

The Klipsch RP-600M Mark II is noted for having a forward and exciting sound with a lot of presence and top-end information, which some listeners might find appealing.

What issues does the reviewer have with the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II's sound in the upper mid-range?

The reviewer finds that instruments in the upper mid-range can sound exaggerated and fatiguing, making it difficult to relax and enjoy laid-back music genres.

How does the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II compare to other speakers in terms of mid-range performance?

The reviewer suggests that the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II's mid-range performance is thinner and cleaner than the original model but still lacks compared to other speakers like the ELAC Reference DBR-62s and Unify 2.0.

What was the outcome of the poll conducted by the reviewer regarding the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II and other speakers?

The poll, which had 228 votes, showed that the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II came in last, with only 13 votes, indicating that it was the least favorite among the three speakers compared.

What does the reviewer think about the bass performance of the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II?

The reviewer finds the bass performance of the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II to be similar to the original model, with relatively deep but boomy bass that lacks texture, tone, and resolution.

Why does the reviewer suggest that Klipsch should focus on a balanced response?

The reviewer believes that a balanced response would allow the music to offer the necessary details when called upon, rather than having the speaker impose its own character on the sound.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II?

The reviewer concludes that while the Klipsch RP-600M Mark II is an improvement over its predecessor, it is still a tricky speaker to recommend due to its sound characteristics, which may lead to listener fatigue and lack of refinement in the mid-band.