In this review, we will be comparing RP-404C II and Story, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-404C II and KLH Story first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-404C II | KLH Story |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone | 2 x 5.25" woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 87-25k Hz | 48-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 125 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.20kg / 20.2lbs | 7.27kg / 16lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-3/4" x 26-7/8" x 6-1/2"
147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm | 7-1/8" x 19-1/8" x 9-7/8"
181.0 x 486.0 x 251.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-404C II and KLH Story 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-404C II |
KLH Story |
| 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
Both RP-404C II and Story are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-404C IIKLH Story
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-404C II |
KLH Story |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 4-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
RP-404C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900 Hz. On the other hand, the Story features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-404C II has a frequency range of 87-25k Hz whereas Story has a frequency range of 48-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Story can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-404C II's min frequency of 87Hz.
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-404C II and Story have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-404C II sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the Story's is at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-404C II a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Story, 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.
Story can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas RP-404C II has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Story.
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-404C II features Binding post type posts and Story has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-404C II'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 RP-404C II's and KLH Story's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-404C II has external dimensions of 147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm (5-3/4 x 26-7/8 x 6-1/2inch) whereas KLH Story has external dimensions of 181.0 x 486.0 x 251.0mm (7-1/8 x 19-1/8 x 9-7/8inch).
Klipsch RP-404C II is 34mm shorter and 85mm less deeper than KLH Story but it is also 197mm wider.
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-404C II is approximately 1133.8cm2 / 175.7inch2 and base area of the KLH Story is approximately 1219.9cm2 / 189.1inch2. The RP-404C II requires 7% less surface area than the Story 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-404C II weighs 9.20kg / 20.2lbs and the KLH Story weighs 7.27kg / 16lbs. This makes the RP-404C II 27% heavier than the Story.
Here is a comparison of how RP-404C II and Story'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-404C II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-404C II:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of KLH Story?
Here are the items that come with the Story:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Foam ports
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Manual
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
147mm
vs
181mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1133cm2
vs
1219cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
87 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
480USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-404C II |
KLH Story |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 125 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
87-25k Hz |
48-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1900 Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
147.0mm (5.8") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
| Width |
683.0mm (26.9") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
166.0mm (6.5") |
251.0mm (9.9") |
| Weight |
9.20kg (20.2lbs) |
7.27kg (16lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KLH Story digs deeper - 48Hz against 87Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-404C II is more sensitive (94dB vs 91dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (125W vs 150W). |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-404C II is easier to place; KLH Story is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | B | KLH Story is cheaper - $480 against $599, about 20% less. |
A Klipsch RP-404C II B KLH Story
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 87Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RP-404C II 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.