In this review, we will be comparing Q250c and RP-450C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from KEF and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Q250c and Klipsch RP-450C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KEF Q250c | Klipsch RP-450C |
|---|
| Brand | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | 11th Generation Uni-Q | — |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" aluminum | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 68-28k Hz | 58-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-100 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs | 16.23kg / 35.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/8" x 20-11/16" x 8-1/2"
181.0 x 526.0 x 216.0mm | 6-13/16" x 31-1/8" x 14-9/16"
174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the KEF Q250c and Klipsch RP-450C 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* |
KEF Q250c |
Klipsch RP-450C |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 Q250c and RP-450C are 2-way speakers.
KEF Q250cKlipsch RP-450C
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KEF Q250c |
Klipsch RP-450C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
Q250c features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the RP-450C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
Q250c has a frequency range of 68-28k Hz whereas RP-450C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the RP-450C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q250c's min frequency of 68Hz.
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
Q250c and RP-450C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Q250c sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the RP-450C's is at 97 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-450C a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Q250c, 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.
RP-450C can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Q250c has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the RP-450C.
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
Q250c features Binding post type posts and RP-450C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-450C'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 KEF Q250c's and Klipsch RP-450C's external dimensions. KEF Q250c has external dimensions of 181.0 x 526.0 x 216.0mm (7-1/8 x 20-11/16 x 8-1/2inch) whereas Klipsch RP-450C has external dimensions of 174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm (6-13/16 x 31-1/8 x 14-9/16inch).
KEF Q250c is 265mm narrower and 154mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-450C but it is also 7mm 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-450C needs about 158% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-450C is 154mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 KEF Q250c is approximately 1136.2cm2 / 176.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-450C is approximately 2926.7cm2 / 453.6inch2. The Q250c requires 61% less surface area than the RP-450C 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 KEF Q250c weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the Klipsch RP-450C weighs 16.23kg / 35.7lbs. This makes the RP-450C 116% heavier than the Q250c.
Here is a comparison of how Q250c and RP-450C'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 KEF Q250c?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Q250c:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-450C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-450C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Detachable magnetic grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Instructions
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
one 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Base Surface Area |
1136cm2
vs
2926cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
68 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
174mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
KEF Q250c |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C |
| Brand |
KEF |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Ebony) |
| Power Range |
10-100 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
68-28k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminum |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
181.0mm (7.1") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
526.0mm (20.7") |
791.0mm (31.1") |
| Depth |
216.0mm (8.5") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
16.23kg (35.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
polymer veneer |
| Available Colors |
Satin White, Satin Black, Walnut |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
optional |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
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-450C digs deeper - 58Hz against 68Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-450C is more sensitive (97dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Klipsch RP-450C takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | KEF Q250c is easier to place; Klipsch RP-450C 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 RP-450C sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($600 vs $650 a pair). |
A KEF Q250c B Klipsch RP-450C
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?
Klipsch RP-450C 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 68Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate KEF Q250c the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Klipsch RP-450C for a mid-size room and a large 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.