In this review, we will be comparing Theva Center and RP-404C II, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Focal and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Theva Center and Klipsch RP-404C II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Theva Center | Klipsch RP-404C II |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" inverted dome | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber | 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-28kHz | 87-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 94 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | up to 125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 9.20kg / 20.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/4" x 20-7/8" x 10"
210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm | 5-3/4" x 26-7/8" x 6-1/2"
147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Theva Center and Klipsch RP-404C II 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* |
Focal Theva Center |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
| 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 Theva Center and RP-404C II are 2-way speakers.
Focal Theva CenterKlipsch RP-404C II
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal Theva Center |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 4-inch
|
Theva Center features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100 Hz. On the other hand, the RP-404C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900 Hz.
Frequency Response
Theva Center has a frequency range of 59-28kHz whereas RP-404C II has a frequency range of 87-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 59Hz, the Theva Center can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-404C II's min frequency of 87Hz.
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
Theva Center and RP-404C II have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Theva Center sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the RP-404C II's is at 94 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-404C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Theva Center, 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.
Theva Center can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas RP-404C II has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the Theva Center.
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
Theva Center features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-404C II has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-404C II'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 Focal Theva Center's and Klipsch RP-404C II's external dimensions. Focal Theva Center has external dimensions of 210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm (81/4 x 207/8 x 10) whereas Klipsch RP-404C II has external dimensions of 147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm (5-3/4 x 26-7/8 x 6-1/2inch).
Klipsch RP-404C II is 63mm shorter and 88mm less deeper than Focal Theva Center but it is also 152mm 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.
Focal Theva Center needs about 19% more floor or shelf area. Focal Theva Center is 88mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Focal Theva Center is 63mm 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 Focal Theva Center is approximately 1348.7cm2 / 209.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-404C II is approximately 1133.8cm2 / 175.7inch2. The Theva Center requires 19% more surface area than the RP-404C II 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 Focal Theva Center weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Klipsch RP-404C II weighs 9.20kg / 20.2lbs. This makes the Theva Center 9% heavier than the RP-404C II.
Here is a comparison of how Theva Center and RP-404C II'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 RP-404C II?
Here are the items that come with the RP-404C II:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
59 Hz
vs
87 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
147mm
vs
210mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1133cm2
vs
1348cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
649USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Theva Center |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-404C II |
| Brand |
Focal |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
up to 125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
94 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
59-28kHz |
87-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Slatefiber |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2100 Hz |
1900 Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
210.0mm (8.3") |
147.0mm (5.8") |
| Width |
531.0mm (20.9") |
683.0mm (26.9") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
9.20kg (20.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss,Dark Wood,Light Wood |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
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 | Focal Theva Center digs deeper - 59Hz against 87Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-404C II is more sensitive (94dB vs 91dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Focal Theva Center takes more power (200W vs 125W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-404C II is easier to place; Focal Theva Center is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Focal Theva Center: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-404C II sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($649 vs $599 a pair). |
A Focal Theva Center B Klipsch RP-404C II
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?
Focal Theva Center 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 87Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Focal Theva Center has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-404C II 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.