In this review, we will be comparing RC-64 III and RP-504C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RC-64 III and Klipsch RP-504C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RC-64 III | Klipsch RP-504C |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1-3/4" Tractrix horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-24k Hz | 58-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 99 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 200 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.00kg / 55lbs | 15.45kg / 34lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8" x 35-3/4" x 15-1/4"
204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm | 6-7/8" x 31-3/16" x 14-7/16"
175.0 x 793.0 x 367.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RC-64 III and Klipsch RP-504C 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 |
Klipsch RP-504C |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both RC-64 III and RP-504C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RC-64 IIIKlipsch RP-504C
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
Klipsch RP-504C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-3/4-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-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 RP-504C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
RC-64 III has a frequency range of 57-24k Hz whereas RP-504C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the RC-64 III can go slightly deeper then the RP-504C's min frequency of 58Hz.
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
RC-64 III and RP-504C 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 RP-504C's is at 97 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch RC-64 III a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-504C, 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.
RC-64 III can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas RP-504C has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the RC-64 III.
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. RP-504C has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RC-64 III's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Klipsch RP-504C'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 Klipsch RC-64 III's and Klipsch RP-504C'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 Klipsch RP-504C has external dimensions of 175.0 x 793.0 x 367.0mm (6-7/8 x 31-3/16 x 14-7/16inch).
Klipsch RC-64 III is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 116mm wider, 29mm taller and 21mm deeper than Klipsch RP-504C.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RC-64 III and Klipsch RP-504C in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RC-64 III and Klipsch RP-504C Size and External Dimensions
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 Klipsch RP-504C is approximately 2910.3cm2 / 451.1inch2. The RC-64 III requires 21% more surface area than the RP-504C 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 Klipsch RP-504C weighs 15.45kg / 34lbs. This makes the RC-64 III 62% heavier than the RP-504C.
Here is a comparison of how RC-64 III and RP-504C'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 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 Klipsch RP-504C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-504C:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
97 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
175mm
vs
204mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2910cm2
vs
3526cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1829USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 200 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
99 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-24k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1-3/4" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
204.0mm (8") |
175.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
909.0mm (35.8") |
793.0mm (31.2") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
367.0mm (14.4") |
| Weight |
25.00kg (55lbs) |
15.45kg (34lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
furniture grade veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
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 4.6x what Klipsch RP-504C 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (57Hz vs 58Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RC-64 III is more sensitive (99dB vs 97dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Klipsch RC-64 III takes more power (200W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-504C is easier to place; Klipsch RC-64 III is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability | A | Klipsch RC-64 III: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-504C is cheaper - $399 against $1,829, about 78% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RC-64 III B Klipsch RP-504C
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 RC-64 III measures better, Klipsch RP-504C costs about about 4.6x the price% 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. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RC-64 III has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-504C is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RC-64 III is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.