In this review, we will be comparing Vestia Center and RP-500C II, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Focal and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Vestia Center and Klipsch RP-500C II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Focal Vestia Center and Klipsch RP-500C 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Vestia Center and Klipsch RP-500C II compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Vestia Center and RP-500C II are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Focal Vestia Center |
Klipsch RP-500C II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Vestia Center features a 1" Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz. On the other hand, the RP-500C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1630 Hz.
Frequency Response
Vestia Center has a frequency range of 58-30k Hz whereas RP-500C II has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the Vestia Center can go slightly deeper then the RP-500C II's min frequency of 60Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Vestia Center and RP-500C II have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Vestia Center sensitivity is rated at 91.5 dB and the RP-500C II's is at 96 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Vestia 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Vestia Center can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-500C II has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Vestia Center.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Vestia Center and RP-500C II have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Vestia Center's and Klipsch RP-500C II's external dimensions. Focal Vestia Center has external dimensions of 216.0 x 537.0 x 261.0mm ( 8-1/2-inch x 21-1/8-inch x 10-1/4-inch) whereas Klipsch RP-500C II has external dimensions of 177.0 x 494.0 x 269.0mm ( 6-15/16 x 19-7/16 x 10-9/16inch) .
Klipsch RP-500C II is 43mm narrower and 39mm shorter than Focal Vestia Center but it is also 8mm deeper.
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 Vestia Center is approximately 1401.6cm2 / 217.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500C II is approximately 1328.9cm2 / 206.0inch2. The Vestia Center requires 5% more surface area than the RP-500C 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 Vestia Center weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Klipsch RP-500C II weighs 8.20kg / 18lbs. This makes the Vestia Center 22% heavier than the RP-500C II.
Here is a comparison of how Vestia Center and RP-500C 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-500C II?
Here are the items that come with the RP-500C II:
Center channel loudspeakerGrilleTilt rod (attached nut)User ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
177mm
vs
216mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1328cm2 (494x269mm)
vs
1401cm2 (537x261mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
699USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Vestia Center |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500C II |
| Brand |
Focal |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91.5 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.6 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
58-30k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| 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 |
2700Hz |
1630 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
216.0mm (8.5") |
177.0mm (7") |
| Width |
537.0mm (21.1") |
494.0mm (19.4") |
| Depth |
261.0mm (10.3") |
269.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
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 |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |