In this review, we will be comparing RC-64 III and Silver C250 7G, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RC-64 III and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RC-64 III | Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1-3/4" Tractrix horn | 1" gold dome C-CAM |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone | 2 x 5.25" C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-24k Hz | 65-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 99 dB | 88.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 200 watts | 80-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.00kg / 55lbs | 10.63kg / 23.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8" x 35-3/4" x 15-1/4"
204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm | 8-1/16" x 18-15/16" x 10-3/4"
205.0 x 482.0 x 274.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RC-64 III and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 |
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
| 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.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RC-64 III is a 2-way design whereas the Silver C250 7G 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.
Klipsch RC-64 IIIMonitor Audio Silver C250 7G
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 |
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-3/4-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
2 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 Silver C250 7G features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) Woofer.
Frequency Response
RC-64 III has a frequency range of 57-24k Hz whereas Silver C250 7G has a frequency range of 65-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the RC-64 III can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Silver C250 7G's min frequency of 65Hz.
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 Silver C250 7G 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 Silver C250 7G's is at 88.5 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RC-64 III a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G, 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.
Both handle the same maximum of 200 watts RMS, though RC-64 III is rated up to 200 watts and Silver C250 7G 80-200 watts.
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.
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
RC-64 III features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Silver C250 7G 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
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G'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 Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G'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 Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G has external dimensions of 205.0 x 482.0 x 274.0mm (8-1/16 x 18-15/16 x 10-3/4inch).
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is 427mm narrower and 114mm less deeper than Klipsch RC-64 III but it is also 1mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RC-64 III and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RC-64 III and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is approximately 1320.7cm2 / 204.7inch2. The RC-64 III requires 167% more surface area than the Silver C250 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G weighs 10.63kg / 23.4lbs. This makes the RC-64 III 135% heavier than the Silver C250 7G.
Here is a comparison of how RC-64 III and Silver C250 7G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
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 Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G?
Here are the items that come with the Silver C250 7G:
- Center-channel loudspeakers
- Grille
- 2 Jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
204mm
vs
205mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1320cm2
vs
3526cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1829USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 200 watts |
80-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
99 dB |
88.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-24k Hz |
65-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) |
| Tweeter Size |
1-3/4" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
3" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
204.0mm (8") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
909.0mm (35.8") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
274.0mm (10.8") |
| Weight |
25.00kg (55lbs) |
10.63kg (23.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
furniture grade veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Walnut |
White |
| 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 1.7x what Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 | Klipsch RC-64 III digs deeper - 57Hz against 65Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RC-64 III is more sensitive (99dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is easier to place; Klipsch RC-64 III is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | A | Klipsch RC-64 III: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is cheaper - $1,100 against $1,829, about 40% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RC-64 III B Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
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, Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G costs about about 66% more% 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. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 65Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G much easier to justify. 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, Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is the easier speaker to get right.
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.