In this review, we will be comparing ProCenter 1000 and R-34C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Definitive Technology and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive ProCenter 1000 and Klipsch R-34C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Definitive ProCenter 1000 | Klipsch R-34C |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" BDSS | 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 47-30k Hz | 82-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-200 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.64kg / 8lbs | 5.91kg / 13lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-7/8" x 14-5/8" x 5"
124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm | 4-15/16" x 26-1/16" x 6-1/4"
126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Definitive ProCenter 1000 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* |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
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.
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Drivers
Both ProCenter 1000 and R-34C are 2-way speakers.
Definitive ProCenter 1000Klipsch 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 |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 |
Klipsch R-34C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
4 x 3.5-inch
|
ProCenter 1000 features a 1" pure aluminum dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" BDSS Woofer. 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
ProCenter 1000 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz whereas R-34C has a frequency range of 82-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the ProCenter 1000 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
ProCenter 1000 and R-34C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. ProCenter 1000 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the R-34C's is at 96 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-34C a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive ProCenter 1000, 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.
ProCenter 1000 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas R-34C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the ProCenter 1000.
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.
Definitive ProCenter 1000
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
ProCenter 1000 features Binding post type posts and R-34C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-34C'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 ProCenter 1000's and Klipsch R-34C's external dimensions. Definitive ProCenter 1000 has external dimensions of 124.0 x 372.0 x 127.0mm (4-7/8 x 14-5/8 x 5inch) 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 clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 290mm wider, 2mm taller and 32mm deeper than Definitive ProCenter 1000.
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 ProCenter 1000 is approximately 472.4cm2 / 73.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-34C is approximately 1052.6cm2 / 163.2inch2. The ProCenter 1000 requires 55% less surface area than the R-34C 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 ProCenter 1000 weighs 3.64kg / 8lbs and the Klipsch R-34C weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs. This makes the R-34C 62% heavier than the ProCenter 1000.
Here is a comparison of how ProCenter 1000 and R-34C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Definitive ProCenter 1000
What's in the Box of Definitive ProCenter 1000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ProCenter 1000:
- Black center-channel speaker
- Removable cloth grille (installed)
- 2 Plastic inserts
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
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 |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
82 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 4-1/2-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
124mm
vs
126mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
472cm2
vs
1052cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| General |
Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 |
Klipsch Reference R-34C |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker (Black) |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
10-200 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
47-30k Hz |
82-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
3.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
BDSS |
copper spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
124.0mm (4.9") |
126.0mm (5") |
| Width |
372.0mm (14.6") |
662.0mm (26.1") |
| Depth |
127.0mm (5") |
159.0mm (6.3") |
| Weight |
3.64kg (8lbs) |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
textured wood grain viny |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Year |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch R-34C is the newer design, against a 2007 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 digs deeper - 47Hz against 82Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch R-34C is more sensitive (96dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Definitive ProCenter 1000 is easier to place; Klipsch R-34C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch R-34C sits in a wider range (5 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
A Definitive ProCenter 1000
B Klipsch R-34C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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 ProCenter 1000 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 82Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Definitive ProCenter 1000 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.