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 SVS Prime Center ranks #69, rated 3.4/5, and costs $449, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Klipsch RP-500C II is the more accurate choice. 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 3.34 for the SVS Prime Center. 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.
The SVS Prime Center is the deeper-bass choice. A three-way center with a 3.5” midrange between the 1” aluminum tweeter and two 5.25” woofers, which avoids the side-to-side cancellation of two-way centers: Erin’s Audio Corner measured the widest horizontal coverage of any center here, about ±75 degrees. Its bass reaches about 71.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the Klipsch RP-500C II. Watch for: On-axis response is uneven (1.29dB average deviation), and the preference score is 3.34 without a subwoofer and 6.0 with one.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500C II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the SVS Prime Center and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-500C II | SVS Prime Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 each | $449.00 each |
| Ranked | #32 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #69 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn, 2x 5.25” Cerametallic woofers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 3.5” midrange, 2x 5.25” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 48Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 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) | 7.7”H x 18.6”W x 9.2”D (196 x 472 x 234 mm) |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) | 20.3 lbs (9.2 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 48.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.53 | 3.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 | 6.00 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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- Klipsch RP-500C II vs Klipsch RP-404C II
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- 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.
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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 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 Triangle Borea BRC01
- See all 10 comparisons
SVS Prime Center: $449.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A three-way center with a 3.5” midrange between the 1” aluminum tweeter and two 5.25” woofers, which avoids the side-to-side cancellation of two-way centers: Erin’s Audio Corner measured the widest horizontal coverage of any center here, about ±75 degrees. Bass reaches 71.8Hz (-3dB) and about 48Hz (-10dB). Measured bass extension of 71.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is uneven (1.29dB average deviation), and the preference score is 3.34 without a subwoofer and 6.0 with one. Sensitivity is a modest 86dB.
Full SVS Prime Center review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7”H x 18.6”W x 9.2”D (196 x 472 x 234 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 3.5” midrange, 2x 5.25” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS Prime Center vs Q Acoustics 3090c
- SVS Prime Center vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DC63
- SVS Prime Center vs PSB Alpha C10
- SVS Prime Center vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UCR52
- SVS Prime Center vs Aperion Audio Novus N5C
- SVS Prime Center vs Arendal Sound 1961 Center
- SVS Prime Center vs Klipsch RP-504C II
- SVS Prime Center vs KEF Q6 Meta
- See all 10 comparisons