Short answer: the Klipsch RP-404C II. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#39 and #40 of 98 center channel speakers), and the Klipsch RP-404C II costs $399.99 against $519 for the Polk Audio Reserve R350, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the Klipsch RP-404C II: 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. Watch for: 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.
The Polk Audio Reserve R350 is the deeper-bass option. A slim sealed center, 141mm tall and 188mm deep, with a 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter and four 4” Turbine cone woofers, designed to sit under a TV or mount on a wall. Its bass reaches about 85Hz before falling 3dB, against 124.5Hz for the Klipsch RP-404C II. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off at 85Hz (-3dB) and about 49Hz (-10dB), so a subwoofer is needed.
Buy the Klipsch RP-404C II. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $119.01 less than the Polk Audio Reserve R350.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-404C II | Polk Audio Reserve R350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 each | $519.00 each |
| Ranked | #39 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #40 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 4x 4” Cerametallic woofers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 4x 4” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 87Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 75Hz-35kHz -3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 3.9 ohms minimum, compatible with 4 to 8 ohm outputs (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | sealed |
| Dimensions | 5.7”H x 26.9”W x 6.5”D (145 x 682 x 164 mm) | 5.6”H x 30”W x 7.4”D (141 x 762 x 188 mm) |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs (9.25 kg) | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 124.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 76.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.54 | 3.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.17 | 6.72 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch RP-404C II:
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch RP-404C II
- Polk Audio Reserve R350 vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Polk Audio Reserve R400 vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
Prices on this page were last checked October 5, 2026 at 10:21 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
Klipsch RP-404C II: $399.99 each Amazon eBay
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 →
| 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio Reserve R350: $519.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A slim sealed center, 141mm tall and 188mm deep, with a 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter and four 4” Turbine cone woofers, designed to sit under a TV or mount on a wall. Audio Science Review measured a fairly flat on-axis response (0.31 average deviation), and the score rises to 6.72 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 85.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off at 85Hz (-3dB) and about 49Hz (-10dB), so a subwoofer is needed. The listening window spans 3.0dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the preference score without a subwoofer is a middling 3.97.
Full Polk Audio Reserve R350 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 5.6”H x 30”W x 7.4”D (141 x 762 x 188 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 4x 4” Turbine cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz-35kHz -3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 3.9 ohms minimum, compatible with 4 to 8 ohm outputs (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.97 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.72 |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons