SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

Klipsch RP-400M vs Klipsch RP-450C Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Klipsch RP-400M

Passive Bookshelf | 52-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
Klipsch RP-450C

Passive Center Channel | 58-25k Hz

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C
CHECK PRICE
Klipsch RP-400M Klipsch RP-400M
See at AMAZON
Klipsch RP-450C Klipsch RP-450C
See at AMAZON
Klipsch RP-400M
See at AMAZON
Klipsch RP-450C
See at AMAZON
Klipsch RP-400M vs Klipsch RP-450C Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Klipsch. Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the RP-450C is a Center Channel speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch RP-400M and Klipsch RP-450C first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Klipsch RP-400M Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 4" Cerametallic Woofer
  • 52-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 93 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 50watts
  • Weight:4.10kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 298.0" x 5.6" x 7.5"( 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm )

Klipsch RP-450C Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix horn Tweeter
  • 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer
  • 58-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 97 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 150watts
  • Weight:16.23kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 174.0" x 31-1/8" x 14-9/16"( 174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm )

RP-400M 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
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Klipsch RP-500M
  
Bookshelf 48-25k Hz 93 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
Klipsch RP-400M
Bookshelf 52-25k Hz 93 dB8Ω 1 x 4"
Klipsch RP-600M
  
Bookshelf 45-25k Hz 96 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Klipsch RP-6000F
  
Floor-standing 34-25k Hz 97 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Klipsch RP-280F
  
Floor-standing 32-25k Hz 98 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Klipsch RP-8000F
  
Floor-standing 32-25k Hz 98 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Klipsch RP-160M
  
Bookshelf 45-25k Hz 95 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Klipsch RP-5000F
  
Floor-standing 35-25k Hz 96 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Klipsch RP-8060FA
  
Floor-standing 32-25k Hz 98 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Klipsch RP-450C
Center Channel 58-25k Hz 97 dB8Ω 4 x 5.25"

What size room are the Klipsch RP-400M 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-400M 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch RP-400M and Klipsch RP-450C 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

Both RP-400M and RP-450C are 2-way speakers.

Driver Klipsch RP-400M Klipsch RP-450C
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 4-inch 4 x 5.25-inch

RP-400M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz. 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-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz whereas RP-450C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the RP-400M can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-450C's min frequency of 58Hz.

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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

RP-400M
RP-450C
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Klipsch RP-400M
Klipsch RP-450C
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

RP-400M and RP-450C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-400M sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the RP-450C's is at 97 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-450C a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-400M, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

RP-400M
RP-450C
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.

RP-400M can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-400M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the RP-450C.

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

RP-400M 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-400M Terminals
Klipsch RP-400M's Single binding posts terminals

Klipsch RP-450CBinding post Terminals
Klipsch RP-450C's Binding post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both RP-400M 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.

Klipsch RP-400M  Port
Klipsch RP-400M Tractrix horn-shaped Port

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 RP-400M's and Klipsch RP-450C's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-400M has external dimensions of 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm ( 11.7 x 5.6 x 7.5inch) 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-400M is 647mm narrower and 179mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-450C but it is also 124mm 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 RP-400M is approximately 275.0cm2 / 42.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-450C is approximately 2926.7cm2 / 453.6inch2. The RP-400M requires 91% less surface area than the RP-450C which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-400M?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-400M:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • 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

  • Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C
    Low Frequency Response 52 Hz vs 58 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
    Base Surface Area 275cm2 vs 2926cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 399USD vs 650USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C over Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M

    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 50 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 97 dB vs 93 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Number of Woofers 4 vs 1 More woofers
    Height 174mm vs 298mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Klipsch RP-400M vs Klipsch RP-450C Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C
    Brand Klipsch Klipsch
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Center channel speaker (Ebony)
    Power Range up to 50 watts up to 150 watts
    Sensitivity 93 dB 97 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 52-25k Hz 58-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 4
    Woofer Size 4" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Cerametallic 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
    Crossover Frequency 1500Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 298.0mm (11.7") 174.0mm (6.9")
    Width 144.0mm (5.7") 791.0mm (31.1")
    Depth 191.0mm (7.5") 370.0mm (14.6")
    Weight 4.10kg (9lbs) 16.23kg (35.7lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl polymer veneer
    Available Colors Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black Walnut, Black
    Mounting Bracket Keyhole No
    Recommended Stand Height 28-30" n/a
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No n/a
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction