In this review, we will be comparing SuperCenter XL and RC-64 III, two Passive Center Channel speakers from GoldenEar and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar SuperCenter XL and Klipsch RC-64 III first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar SuperCenter XL | Klipsch RC-64 III |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1-3/4" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 36-35k Hz | 57-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 99 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 watts | up to 200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.55kg / 21lbs | 25.00kg / 55lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-3/4" x 29" x 11-1/8"
147.0 x 737.0 x 283.0mm | 8" x 35-3/4" x 15-1/4"
204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the GoldenEar SuperCenter XL and Klipsch RC-64 III 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* |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both SuperCenter XL and RC-64 III are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-3/4-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x -inch
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
SuperCenter XL features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the RC-64 III features a 1-3/4" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
SuperCenter XL has a frequency range of 36-35k Hz whereas RC-64 III has a frequency range of 57-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 36Hz, the SuperCenter XL can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RC-64 III's min frequency of 57Hz.
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
SuperCenter XL and RC-64 III have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SuperCenter XL sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the RC-64 III's is at 99 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RC-64 III a more sensitive speaker compared to GoldenEar SuperCenter XL, 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.
SuperCenter XL can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas RC-64 III has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the SuperCenter XL.
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
RC-64 III features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SuperCenter XL has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RC-64 III's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL's and Klipsch RC-64 III's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperCenter XL has external dimensions of 147.0 x 737.0 x 283.0mm (5-3/4 x 29 x 11-1/8inch) whereas Klipsch RC-64 III has external dimensions of 204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm (8 x 35-3/4 x 15-1/4inch).
Klipsch RC-64 III is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 172mm wider, 57mm taller and 105mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperCenter XL.
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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is approximately 2085.7cm2 / 323.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RC-64 III is approximately 3526.9cm2 / 546.7inch2. The SuperCenter XL requires 41% less surface area than the RC-64 III 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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL weighs 9.55kg / 21lbs and the Klipsch RC-64 III weighs 25.00kg / 55lbs. This makes the RC-64 III 162% heavier than the SuperCenter XL.
Here is a comparison of how SuperCenter XL and RC-64 III'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 GoldenEar SuperCenter XL?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperCenter XL:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch RC-64 III?
Here are the items that come with the RC-64 III:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 6 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 2 Jumpers (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
36 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
147mm
vs
204mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2085cm2
vs
3526cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1829USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-250 watts |
up to 200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
99 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
36-35k Hz |
57-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic cone |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1-3/4" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
147.0mm (5.8") |
204.0mm (8") |
| Width |
737.0mm (29") |
909.0mm (35.8") |
| Depth |
283.0mm (11.1") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
9.55kg (21lbs) |
25.00kg (55lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
n/a |
furniture grade veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch RC-64 III costs roughly 1.7x what GoldenEar SuperCenter XL does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL digs deeper - 36Hz against 57Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch RC-64 III is more sensitive (99dB vs 91dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is easier to place; Klipsch RC-64 III is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
B |
Klipsch RC-64 III: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
GoldenEar SuperCenter XL is cheaper - $1,099 against $1,829, about 40% less; arguably a different class. |
A GoldenEar SuperCenter XL
B Klipsch RC-64 III
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 57Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate GoldenEar SuperCenter XL the better fit for a large room and a very large room, and Klipsch RC-64 III for 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.