In this review, we will be comparing Theva Center and RP-504C 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-504C II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Theva Center | Klipsch RP-504C 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 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-28kHz | 50-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 16.50kg / 36.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/4" x 20-7/8" x 10"
210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm | 6-15/16" x 32-3/16" x 15-1/8"
177.0 x 818.0 x 385.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Theva Center and Klipsch RP-504C 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-504C 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-504C II are 2-way speakers.
Focal Theva CenterKlipsch RP-504C 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-504C II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-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-504C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1950 Hz.
Frequency Response
Theva Center has a frequency range of 59-28kHz whereas RP-504C II has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RP-504C II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Theva Center's min frequency of 59Hz.
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-504C 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-504C II's is at 96 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-504C 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-504C II has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 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-504C II has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-504C 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-504C 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-504C II has external dimensions of 177.0 x 818.0 x 385.0mm (6-15/16 x 32-3/16 x 15-1/8inch).
Focal Theva Center is 287mm narrower and 131mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-504C II but it is also 33mm taller.
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.
Klipsch RP-504C II needs about 133% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-504C II is 131mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Focal Theva Center is 33mm 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-504C II is approximately 3149.3cm2 / 488.1inch2. The Theva Center requires 57% less surface area than the RP-504C II 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 Focal Theva Center weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Klipsch RP-504C II weighs 16.50kg / 36.3lbs. This makes the RP-504C II 65% heavier than the Theva Center.
Here is a comparison of how Theva Center and RP-504C 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-504C II?
Here are the items that come with the RP-504C II:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 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 |
 Base Surface Area |
1348cm2
vs
3149cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
649USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
177mm
vs
210mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Focal Theva Center |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C II |
| Brand |
Focal |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
59-28kHz |
50-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| 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 |
1950 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
210.0mm (8.3") |
177.0mm (7") |
| Width |
531.0mm (20.9") |
818.0mm (32.2") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
385.0mm (15.2") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
16.50kg (36.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| 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 | B | Klipsch RP-504C II digs deeper - 50Hz against 59Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-504C II is more sensitive (96dB vs 91dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Focal Theva Center takes more power (200W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Focal Theva Center is easier to place; Klipsch RP-504C II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | Focal Theva Center: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-504C II sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Focal Theva Center is cheaper - $649 against $799, about 19% less. |
A Focal Theva Center B Klipsch RP-504C 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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RP-504C II measures better, Focal Theva Center costs about about 23% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 59Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Focal Theva Center much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-504C II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Focal Theva Center 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.