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 JBL Stage 2 245C ranks #88, rated 3.2/5, and costs $439.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Klipsch RP-500C II is the better-sounding pick. 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. Watch for: 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 JBL Stage 2 245C does well: The only center in JBL’s Stage 2 line: a 1” anodized aluminum tweeter in JBL’s HDI waveguide with four 4.5” polycellulose woofers in a 2.5-way layout, rated at a high 91dB so it plays loud on modest receivers. The tradeoff: 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 than the JBL Stage 2 245C and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500C II | JBL Stage 2 245C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 each | $439.95 each |
| Ranked | #32 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #88 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers | 1” anodized aluminum tweeter with HDI waveguide, 4x 4.5” polycellulose woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz-25kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 91dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (rear Tractrix port) | ported (dual rear ports) |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 19.3”W x 10.6”D (174 x 491 x 269 mm) | 6.1”H x 29.1”W x 8.5”D (156 x 740 x 217 mm) |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) | 26.5 lbs (12 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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 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
- See all 10 comparisons
JBL Stage 2 245C: $439.95 each Estimated Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Stage A125C (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Stage A135C (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: The only center in JBL’s Stage 2 line: a 1” anodized aluminum tweeter in JBL’s HDI waveguide with four 4.5” polycellulose woofers in a 2.5-way layout, rated at a high 91dB so it plays loud on modest receivers.
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. Four small woofers in a long, low cabinet tend to narrow horizontal coverage, as measured on the Stage A135C it replaces. It is 740mm wide.
Full JBL Stage 2 245C review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 6.1”H x 29.1”W x 8.5”D (156 x 740 x 217 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum tweeter with HDI waveguide, 4x 4.5” polycellulose woofers |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-25kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (dual rear ports) |
- 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.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons