In this review, we will be comparing AE307 and R-34C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Acoustic Energy and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of AE307 and Klipsch R-34C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | AE307 | Klipsch R-34C |
|---|
| Brand | Acoustic Energy
United Kingdom · founded 1987 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" dome with waveguide | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.2" ceramic aluminium sandwich | 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42Hz - 30kHz | 82-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 175 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs | 5.91kg / 13lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6.9" x 18.1" x 10.2"
175.0 x 460.0 x 260.0mm | 4-15/16" x 26-1/16" x 6-1/4"
126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the AE307 and Klipsch R-34C speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
AE307 |
Klipsch R-34C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both AE307 and R-34C are 2-way speakers.
AE307Klipsch R-34C
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
AE307 |
Klipsch R-34C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.2-inch
|
4 x 3.5-inch
|
AE307 features a 1.1" aluminium dome with waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.2" ceramic aluminium sandwich Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2560Hz. On the other hand, the R-34C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG Woofer.
Frequency Response
AE307 has a frequency range of 42Hz - 30kHz whereas R-34C has a frequency range of 82-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the AE307 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-34C's min frequency of 82Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
AE307 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the R-34C which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. AE307 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the R-34C's is rated at 96 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-34C a more sensitive speaker compared to AE307, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
AE307 can handle a max power of 175 watts RMS, whereas R-34C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the AE307.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare AE307's and Klipsch R-34C's external dimensions. AE307 has external dimensions of 175.0 x 460.0 x 260.0mm (6.9 x 18.1 x 10.2inch) whereas Klipsch R-34C has external dimensions of 126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm (4-15/16 x 26-1/16 x 6-1/4inch).
Klipsch R-34C is 49mm shorter and 101mm less deeper than AE307 but it is also 202mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
AE307 needs about 14% more floor or shelf area. AE307 is 101mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. AE307 is 49mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the AE307 is approximately 1196.0cm2 / 185.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-34C is approximately 1052.6cm2 / 163.2inch2. The AE307 requires 14% more surface area than the R-34C which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The AE307 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the Klipsch R-34C weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs. This makes the AE307 52% heavier than the R-34C.
Here is a comparison of how AE307 and R-34C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-34C?
Here are the items that come with the R-34C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
175 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.2 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
82 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
126mm
vs
175mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1052cm2
vs
1196cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Acoustic Energy AE307 |
Klipsch Reference R-34C |
| Brand |
Acoustic Energy |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 175 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42Hz - 30kHz |
82-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.2" |
3.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
ceramic aluminium sandwich |
copper spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome with waveguide |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2560Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
175.0mm (6.9") |
126.0mm (5") |
| Width |
460.0mm (18.1") |
662.0mm (26.1") |
| Depth |
260.0mm (10.2") |
159.0mm (6.3") |
| Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
high density MDF |
textured wood grain viny |
| Available Colors |
Piano Gloss White, Piano Gloss Black, Real Walnut wood veneer |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - AE307 costs roughly 1.6x what Klipsch R-34C does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | AE307 digs deeper - 42Hz against 82Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch R-34C is more sensitive (96dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Klipsch R-34C is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | A | AE307 takes more power (175W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-34C is easier to place; AE307 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-34C is cheaper - $499 against $799, about 38% less; arguably a different class. |
A AE307 B Klipsch R-34C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 82Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Klipsch R-34C much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate AE307 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch R-34C for near-field listening and a small room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.