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 Klipsch RP-404C II ranks #39, rated 3.7/5, and costs $399.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Klipsch RP-500C II is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.53 against 3.54 for the Klipsch RP-404C II. Its bass reaches about 82Hz before falling 3dB, against 124.5Hz for the Klipsch RP-404C II. 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 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 catch: 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 Klipsch RP-500C II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-404C II and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500C II | Klipsch RP-404C II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 each | $399.99 each |
| Ranked | #32 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #39 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 4x 4” Cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 87Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (rear Tractrix port) | sealed |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 19.3”W x 10.6”D (174 x 491 x 269 mm) | 5.7”H x 26.9”W x 6.5”D (145 x 682 x 164 mm) |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) | 20.4 lbs (9.25 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 124.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 54.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 76.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.53 | 3.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 | 7.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | 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 Polk Audio XT30
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
- 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 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
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Triangle Borea BRC01
- See all 10 comparisons
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