Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500C II. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#42 and #45 of 131 center channel speakers), and the Klipsch RP-500C II costs $329.99 against $399 for the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is the deeper-bass choice. 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 bass reaches about 71.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch RP-500C II. The tradeoff: The on-axis response is less even (0.60 average deviation) than the listening window.
Why pick the Klipsch RP-500C II: A 1” titanium tweeter in Klipsch’s Tractrix horn between two 5.25” Cerametallic woofers, with a very high 94dB sensitivity, so even a modest receiver drives it to loud levels. The tradeoff: On-axis response is uneven (1.09dB average deviation), and the horn’s directivity changes more across frequency than any other center here (4.34dB directivity index deviation), so tone shifts between the direct sound and room reflections.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500C II. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $69.01 less than the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 | Klipsch RP-500C II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 each | $329.99 each |
| Ranked | #45 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers | #42 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) | 6.9”H x 19.3”W x 10.6”D (174 x 491 x 269 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” aluminium woofers, 4” concentric midrange with 1” soft dome tweeter | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported (rear Tractrix port) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 54.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.92 | 4.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.28 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 18.3 lbs (8.3 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-500C II (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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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-500C II: $329.99 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-404C II (smaller center, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (larger center, ranked lower, 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 1” titanium tweeter in Klipsch’s Tractrix horn between two 5.25” Cerametallic woofers, with a very high 94dB sensitivity, so even a modest receiver drives it to loud levels. Erin’s Audio Corner measured a listening window within 2.6dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and a preference score of 4.53 that reaches 7.28 with an ideal subwoofer, a strong result at $330. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is uneven (1.09dB average deviation), and the horn’s directivity changes more across frequency than any other center here (4.34dB directivity index deviation), so tone shifts between the direct sound and room reflections. Bass rolls off at 82Hz (-3dB) and about 54Hz (-10dB).
Full Klipsch RP-500C II review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 54.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 19.3”W x 10.6”D (174 x 491 x 269 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (rear Tractrix port) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch RP-504C II
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch RP-404C II
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Polk Audio XT30
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Polk Audio XT35
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch Reference R-50C
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs SVS Prime Center
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