Klipsch RC-64 III vs BW HTM71 S2 Comparison

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Klipsch RC-64 III

Passive Center Channel | 57-24k Hz

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BW HTM71 S2

Passive Center Channel | 50-28k Hz

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Klipsch RC-64 III

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BW HTM71 S2

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Klipsch RC-64 III

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BW HTM71 S2

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Klipsch RC-64 III vs BW HTM71 S2 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing RC-64 III and HTM71 S2, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Bowers Wilkins.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch RC-64 III and BW HTM71 S2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Klipsch RC-64 III Key Specs

2-way Design

1-3/4" Tractrix horn Tweeter

4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer

57-24k Hz Frequency Response

99 dB Sensitivity

Impedance: 8ohms

Power Range:up to 200watts

Weight:25.00kg

Dimensions (H x W x D): 204.0" x 35-3/4" x 15-1/4"( 204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm )

BW HTM71 S2 Key Specs

3-way Design

1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter

4" Midrange

2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Profile Woofer

4" Midrange

50-28k Hz Frequency Response

89 dB Sensitivity

Impedance: 8ohms

Power Range:30-200watts

Weight:18.05kg

Dimensions (H x W x D): 228.0" x 23-1/4" x 11-7/8"( 228.0 x 591.0 x 302.0mm )

What size room are the Klipsch RC-64 III and BW HTM71 S2 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*	Klipsch RC-64 III	BW HTM71 S2
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch RC-64 III and BW HTM71 S2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RC-64 III is a 2-way design whereas the HTM71 S2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver	Klipsch RC-64 III	BW HTM71 S2
Driver Setup	2-way	3-way
Tweeter	1-3/4-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	1 x 4-inch
Woofer	4 x 6.5-inch	2 x 6.5-inch

RC-64 III features a 1-3/4" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer . On the other hand, the HTM71 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Profile Woofer .

Frequency Response

RC-64 III has a frequency range of 57-24k Hz whereas HTM71 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the HTM71 S2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RC-64 III's min frequency of 57Hz.

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

RC-64 III

HTM71 S2

Min

Average

Max

High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Klipsch RC-64 III

BW HTM71 S2

Min

Average

Max

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

RC-64 III and HTM71 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RC-64 III sensitivity is rated at 99 dB and the HTM71 S2's is at 89 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RC-64 III a more sensitive speaker compared to BW HTM71 S2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

RC-64 III

HTM71 S2

Min

Average

Max

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.

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.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Both RC-64 III and HTM71 S2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Klipsch RC-64 III's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

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 Klipsch RC-64 III's and BW HTM71 S2's external dimensions. 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) whereas BW HTM71 S2 has external dimensions of 228.0 x 591.0 x 302.0mm ( 8-15/16 x 23-1/4 x 11-7/8inch) .

BW HTM71 S2 is 318mm narrower and 86mm less deeper than Klipsch RC-64 III but it is also 24mm 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 Klipsch RC-64 III is approximately 3526.9cm² / 546.7inch² and base area of the BW HTM71 S2 is approximately 1784.8cm² / 276.6inch². The RC-64 III requires 98% more surface area than the HTM71 S2 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 Klipsch RC-64 III weighs 25.00kg / 55lbs and the BW HTM71 S2 weighs 18.05kg / 39.7lbs. This makes the RC-64 III 39% heavier than the HTM71 S2.

Here is a comparison of how RC-64 III and HTM71 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers

Klipsch RC-64 III

BW HTM71 S2

Min

Average

Max

What's in the Box of Klipsch RC-64 III?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of RC-64 III:

Center channel loudspeaker

Grille

6 Self-adhesive rubber feet

2 Jumpers (pre-installed)

Owners Manual

What's in the Box of BW HTM71 S2?

Here are the items that come with the HTM71 S2:

Center-channel loudspeaker

Grille

2 Two-piece foam port plugs

4 Self-adhesive rubber feet

4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)

Manual

Bowers Wilkins brochure

Warranty Information

Reasons to choose Klipsch RC-64 III over Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2

Sensitivity	99 dB vs 89 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Number of Woofers	4 vs 2	More woofers
Height	204mm vs 228mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Price per pair*	1829USD vs 1999USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 over Klipsch RC-64 III

Driver Setup	3-way vs 2-way	Have a dedicated mid-range driver
Low Frequency Response	50 Hz vs 57 Hz	Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response	28k Hz vs 24k Hz	Generates higher frequency
Base Surface Area	1784cm² vs 3526cm²	Takes less floor space

Klipsch RC-64 III vs BW HTM71 S2 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Klipsch RC-64 III	Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2
Brand	Klipsch	Bowers Wilkins
Speaker Type	Center channel speaker	Center channel speaker
Power Range	up to 200 watts	30-200 watts
Sensitivity	99 dB	89 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Impedance	n/a	3.0 ohms
Frequency Response	57-24k Hz	50-28k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	4	2
Woofer Size	6.5"	6.5"
Woofer Composition	Cerametallic cone	Aerofoil Profile
Woofer Surround Material	n/a	Rubber
Tweeter Size	1-3/4"	1"
Tweeter Type	Tractrix horn	Decoupled Carbon Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	N/A"	4"
Firing Direction	n/a	rear
Physical Specs
Height	204.0mm (8")	228.0mm (9")
Width	909.0mm (35.8")	591.0mm (23.3")
Depth	388.0mm (15.3")	302.0mm (11.9")
Weight	25.00kg (55lbs)	18.05kg (39.7lbs)
Enclosure	Passive Radiator	Bass Reflex
Finish	furniture grade veneer	n/a
Available Colors	Walnut	Gloss Black, Satin White, Rosenut
Grille	Yes	Yes
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	Yes	Yes
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years	5 Years