In this review, we will be comparing CS-9040 and RP-450C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Definitive Technology and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive CS-9040 and Klipsch RP-450C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive CS-9040 | Klipsch RP-450C |
|---|
| Brand | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" BDSS | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-40k Hz | 58-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.09kg / 20lbs | 16.23kg / 35.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6" x 20-13/16" x 12"
153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm | 6-13/16" x 31-1/8" x 14-9/16"
174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive CS-9040 and Klipsch RP-450C 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* |
Definitive CS-9040 |
Klipsch RP-450C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* 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 CS-9040 and RP-450C are 2-way speakers.
Definitive CS-9040Klipsch RP-450C
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Definitive CS-9040 |
Klipsch RP-450C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
CS-9040 features a 1" annealed aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-450C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
CS-9040 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz whereas RP-450C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the CS-9040 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-450C's min frequency of 58Hz.
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
CS-9040 and RP-450C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. CS-9040 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the RP-450C's is at 97 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-450C a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive CS-9040, 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.
CS-9040 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas RP-450C has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the CS-9040.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
CS-9040 features Binding post type posts and RP-450C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-450C's Binding post terminals
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 Definitive CS-9040's and Klipsch RP-450C's external dimensions. Definitive CS-9040 has external dimensions of 153.0 x 529.0 x 305.0mm (6 x 20-13/16 x 12inch) whereas Klipsch RP-450C has external dimensions of 174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm (6-13/16 x 31-1/8 x 14-9/16inch).
Klipsch RP-450C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 262mm wider, 21mm taller and 65mm deeper than Definitive CS-9040.
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 Definitive CS-9040 is approximately 1613.5cm2 / 250.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-450C is approximately 2926.7cm2 / 453.6inch2. The CS-9040 requires 45% less surface area than the RP-450C which gives it a small advantage 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 Definitive CS-9040 weighs 9.09kg / 20lbs and the Klipsch RP-450C weighs 16.23kg / 35.7lbs. This makes the RP-450C 79% heavier than the CS-9040.
Here is a comparison of how CS-9040 and RP-450C'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 Definitive CS-9040?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CS-9040:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Owners Manual
- What Obsession Sounds Like card
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-450C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-450C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Detachable magnetic grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Instructions
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
upward firing one 8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
153mm
vs
174mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1613cm2
vs
2926cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| General |
Definitive Technology CS-9040 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Ebony) |
| Power Range |
50-200 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-40k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
BDSS |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
153.0mm (6") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
529.0mm (20.8") |
791.0mm (31.1") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
9.09kg (20lbs) |
16.23kg (35.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
polymer veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Definitive CS-9040 digs deeper - 50Hz against 58Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-450C is more sensitive (97dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Definitive CS-9040 takes more power (200W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Definitive CS-9040 is easier to place; Klipsch RP-450C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Price | A | Definitive CS-9040 is cheaper - $549 against $650, about 16% less. |
A Definitive CS-9040 B Klipsch RP-450C
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?
Definitive CS-9040 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 58Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-450C has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Definitive CS-9040 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.