Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500C II. It ranks #32 of 98 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $329.99. The Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 ranks #52, rated 3.6/5, at $229, $100.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for 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.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 does well: A three-way center with a 25x32mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter, a 4.5” woven cone midrange and two 5.25” long-throw woofers, in a larger cabinet than the C1+ it replaces. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured centers; the rating is estimated from its predecessor’s measurements.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500C II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100.99 with the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500C II | Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 each | $229 each |
| Ranked | #32 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #52 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers | 25x32mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter, 4.5” woven cone midrange, 2x 5.25” woven cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-27kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (rear Tractrix port) | - |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 19.3”W x 10.6”D (174 x 491 x 269 mm) | 7.5”H x 26”W x 9.5”D (191 x 660 x 241 mm) |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 54.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.53 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch RP-500C II compares with other leading options:
- Polk Audio XT35 vs Klipsch RP-500C II
- 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 Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C
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-500C II: $329.99 each Amazon eBay
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 →
| 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 Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch Reference R-50C
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs SVS Prime Center
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Triangle Borea BRC01
- See all 10 comparisons
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1: $229 each Estimated Emotiva eBay
Older model: the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: A three-way center with a 25x32mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter, a 4.5” woven cone midrange and two 5.25” long-throw woofers, in a larger cabinet than the C1+ it replaces. Emotiva rates it at 50Hz to 27kHz (±3dB) and 88dB, and dual binding posts allow bi-amping.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured centers; the rating is estimated from its predecessor’s measurements. The 4 ohm load suits a receiver with solid current delivery; Emotiva recommends 60W or more.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 7.5”H x 26”W x 9.5”D (191 x 660 x 241 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 25x32mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter, 4.5” woven cone midrange, 2x 5.25” woven cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-27kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.