In this review, we will be comparing RP-400C and RP-450C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-400C and Klipsch RP-450C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-400C | Klipsch RP-450C |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" Cerametallic cone | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-25k Hz | 58-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 95 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 75 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.36kg / 14lbs | 16.23kg / 35.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-3/4" x 16-1/16" x 9-1/2"
147.0 x 408.0 x 242.0mm | 6-13/16" x 31-1/8" x 14-9/16"
174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm |
|---|
RP-400C and RP-450C are members of Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Reference Premiere (RP) Series
History
What size room are the Klipsch RP-400C 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* |
Klipsch RP-400C |
Klipsch RP-450C |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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 RP-400C and RP-450C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-400CKlipsch 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 |
Klipsch RP-400C |
Klipsch RP-450C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
RP-400C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 4" Cerametallic cone Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-450C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-400C has a frequency range of 65-25k 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 RP-400C'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
RP-400C and RP-450C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-400C sensitivity is rated at 95 dB and the RP-450C's is at 97 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-450C a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-400C, 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 RP-400C has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 75 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
RP-400C 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-400C's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-450C's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-400C and RP-450C have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 RP-400C's and Klipsch RP-450C's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-400C has external dimensions of 147.0 x 408.0 x 242.0mm (5-3/4 x 16-1/16 x 9-1/2inch) 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).
Klipsch RP-450C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 383mm wider, 27mm taller and 128mm deeper than Klipsch RP-400C.
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 RP-400C is approximately 987.4cm2 / 153.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-450C is approximately 2926.7cm2 / 453.6inch2. The RP-400C requires 66% 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 Klipsch RP-400C weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs and the Klipsch RP-450C weighs 16.23kg / 35.7lbs. This makes the RP-450C 155% heavier than the RP-400C.
Here is a comparison of how RP-400C 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 Klipsch RP-400C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-400C:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Tilt rod (attached nut)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- 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
 Height |
147mm
vs
174mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
987cm2
vs
2926cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
344USD
vs
650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
95 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400C |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Ebony) |
| Power Range |
up to 75 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-25k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
147.0mm (5.8") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
791.0mm (31.1") |
| Depth |
242.0mm (9.5") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
16.23kg (35.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
polymer veneer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Klipsch RP-450C digs deeper - 58Hz against 65Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Klipsch RP-450C is more sensitive (97dB vs 95dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
Klipsch RP-450C takes more power (150W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Klipsch RP-400C is easier to place; Klipsch RP-450C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price |
A |
Klipsch RP-400C is cheaper - $344 against $650, about 47% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RP-400C
B Klipsch RP-450C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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 RP-450C measures better, Klipsch RP-400C costs about 47% 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 Klipsch RP-400C much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-400C 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.