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-504C II ranks #35, rated 3.8/5, and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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.
The Klipsch RP-504C II is the deeper-bass choice. The largest Reference Premiere center puts four 5.25” Cerametallic woofers around a 1” titanium tweeter in a Tractrix horn, for a very high 96dB sensitivity. Its bass reaches about 71.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch RP-500C II. The tradeoff: On-axis response is the least even of the Klipsch centers (1.13dB average deviation), and directivity varies strongly with frequency (4.27dB directivity index deviation), so the tone changes for off-center seats and in reflective rooms.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500C II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-504C II and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500C II | Klipsch RP-504C II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 each | $499.99 each |
| Ranked | #32 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #35 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 5.25” Cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 96dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (rear Tractrix port) | ported (rear Tractrix ports) |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 19.3”W x 10.6”D (174 x 491 x 269 mm) | 6.9”H x 32”W x 15.1”D (174 x 814 x 383 mm) |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 54.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 43.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.53 | 4.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 | 6.83 |
| 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-404C 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-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
- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Triangle Borea BRC01
- See all 10 comparisons
Klipsch RP-504C II: $499.99 each Amazon eBay
Pros: The largest Reference Premiere center puts four 5.25” Cerametallic woofers around a 1” titanium tweeter in a Tractrix horn, for a very high 96dB sensitivity. Erin’s Audio Corner measured the deepest bass of the Klipsch centers here, 71.8Hz (-3dB) and about 43Hz (-10dB), and a preference score of 4.58 without a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 71.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is the least even of the Klipsch centers (1.13dB average deviation), and directivity varies strongly with frequency (4.27dB directivity index deviation), so the tone changes for off-center seats and in reflective rooms. It is 814mm wide and 383mm deep, so check shelf depth before buying.
Full Klipsch RP-504C II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 43.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9”H x 32”W x 15.1”D (174 x 814 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 4x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 96dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.83 |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (rear Tractrix ports) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R400
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs KEF Q6 Meta
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Polk Audio Reserve R350
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Dynaudio Emit 25C
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs DALI Sonik Cinema
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Focal Theva Center
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs SVS Prime Center
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Emotiva Airmotiv XC2