In this review, we will be comparing RC-64 III and Ultra Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and SVS.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RC-64 III and SVS Ultra Center first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RC-64 III | SVS Ultra Center |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | SVS
United States · founded 1998 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1-3/4" Tractrix horn | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone | 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-24k Hz | 45-32k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 99 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 200 watts | 20-225 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.00kg / 55lbs | 14.09kg / 31lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8" x 35-3/4" x 15-1/4"
204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm | 8-1/8" x 22-1/16" x 11-3/16"
207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RC-64 III and SVS Ultra Center 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 |
SVS Ultra Center |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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 Ultra Center 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 IIISVS Ultra Center
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 |
SVS Ultra Center |
|
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 Ultra Center features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
RC-64 III has a frequency range of 57-24k Hz whereas Ultra Center has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Center 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
RC-64 III and Ultra Center 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 Ultra Center's is at 87 dB. This 12 dB difference makes the Klipsch RC-64 III a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Center, 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.
Ultra Center can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS, whereas RC-64 III has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Ultra Center.
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
Both RC-64 III and Ultra Center 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
SVS Ultra Center's 5-Way 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 Klipsch RC-64 III's and SVS Ultra Center'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 SVS Ultra Center has external dimensions of 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm (8-1/8 x 22-1/16 x 11-3/16inch).
SVS Ultra Center is 348mm narrower and 103mm less deeper than Klipsch RC-64 III but it is also 3mm 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 RC-64 III needs about 121% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RC-64 III is 103mm 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 Klipsch RC-64 III is approximately 3526.9cm2 / 546.7inch2 and base area of the SVS Ultra Center is approximately 1598.9cm2 / 247.8inch2. The RC-64 III requires 121% more surface area than the Ultra Center 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 SVS Ultra Center weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the RC-64 III 77% heavier than the Ultra Center.
Here is a comparison of how RC-64 III and Ultra Center'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 SVS Ultra Center?
Here are the items that come with the Ultra Center:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- SVS brochure
- Online Product Registration Card
 Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
204mm
vs
207mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
32k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1598cm2
vs
3526cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1829USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
SVS Ultra Center |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 200 watts |
20-225 watts |
| Sensitivity |
99 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-24k Hz |
45-32k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
composite glass-fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1-3/4" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
204.0mm (8") |
207.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
909.0mm (35.8") |
561.0mm (22.1") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
25.00kg (55lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
furniture grade veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Walnut |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
| 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 |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch RC-64 III costs roughly 2.3x what SVS Ultra Center 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 | B | SVS Ultra Center digs deeper - 45Hz against 57Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RC-64 III is more sensitive (99dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 225W). |
| Size | depends | SVS Ultra Center 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 | depends | Klipsch RC-64 III: bi-amping; SVS Ultra Center: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | SVS Ultra Center is cheaper - $799 against $1,829, about 56% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RC-64 III B SVS Ultra Center
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?
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 Klipsch RC-64 III the better fit for a small room, and SVS Ultra Center for a large room and a very 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.