Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52. It ranks #45 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $399; the Klipsch RP-404C II ranks #54, rated 3.7/5, and costs $399.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A three-way center channel from Andrew Jones with two 5.25” aluminium woofers and a 4” concentric midrange with a 1” soft dome tweeter at its center. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.92 against 3.54 for the Klipsch RP-404C II. Its bass reaches about 71.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 124.5Hz for the Klipsch RP-404C II. The catch: The on-axis response is less even (0.60 average deviation) than the listening window.
What the Klipsch RP-404C II does well: A shallow sealed center only 164mm deep, easy to wall mount or tuck under a TV, with four 4” Cerametallic woofers around a 1” titanium tweeter in a Tractrix horn and a 94dB sensitivity. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off very early, at 124.5Hz (-3dB) and about 77Hz (-10dB), so it needs a subwoofer crossed over higher than the usual 80Hz, and without one its score drops to 3.54.
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-404C II and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 | Klipsch RP-404C II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 each | $399.99 each |
| Ranked | #45 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers | #54 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 7.3”H x 21.5”W x 10.8”D (185 x 545 x 275 mm) | 5.7”H x 26.9”W x 6.5”D (145 x 682 x 164 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” aluminium woofers, 4” concentric midrange with 1” soft dome tweeter | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 4x 4” Cerametallic woofers |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 124.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 76.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.92 | 3.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 87Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 20.4 lbs (9.25 kg) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Klipsch RP-404C II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.Ci
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch RP-404C II
- Klipsch RP-404C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52: $399.00 each Amazon eBay
Same family: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (bookshelf, rated 2.4/5) and the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UF52 (floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5). See every ELAC Uni-Fi generation.
Pros: A three-way center channel from Andrew Jones with two 5.25” aluminium woofers and a 4” concentric midrange with a 1” soft dome tweeter at its center. Erin measured a preference score of 4.92 that reaches 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.38 listening window deviation. Measured bass extension of 71.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The on-axis response is less even (0.60 average deviation) than the listening window. Bass reaches 71.8Hz (-3dB) and about 42Hz (-10dB).
Full ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 7.3”H x 21.5”W x 10.8”D (185 x 545 x 275 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” aluminium woofers, 4” concentric midrange with 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch RP-404C II: $399.99 each Amazon eBay
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (larger center, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (larger center, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5), the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II (smaller surround, estimated 3.5/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II (larger surround, estimated 3.5/5). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Pros: A shallow sealed center only 164mm deep, easy to wall mount or tuck under a TV, with four 4” Cerametallic woofers around a 1” titanium tweeter in a Tractrix horn and a 94dB sensitivity. Erin’s Audio Corner measured a preference score of 7.17 when paired with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 124.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off very early, at 124.5Hz (-3dB) and about 77Hz (-10dB), so it needs a subwoofer crossed over higher than the usual 80Hz, and without one its score drops to 3.54. On-axis response is uneven (0.87dB average deviation) and the listening window spans 3.5dB from 300Hz to 5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-404C II review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 76.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 124.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 5.7”H x 26.9”W x 6.5”D (145 x 682 x 164 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 4x 4” Cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 87Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.17 |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs (9.25 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
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