In this review, we will be comparing RP-404C II and Sonetto CII, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Sonus Faber. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-404C II and Sonus Sonetto Center II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Klipsch RP-404C II and Sonus Sonetto Center II 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Klipsch RP-404C II and Sonus Sonetto Center II compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that RP-404C II is a 2-way design whereas the Sonetto CII 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.
Driver |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
Sonus Sonetto Center II |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
2 x 6-inch |
Woofer
|
4 x 4-inch
|
2 x 6-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 Sonetto CII features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1.650 Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-404C II has a frequency range of 87-25k Hz whereas Sonetto CII has a frequency range of 42-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Sonetto CII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-404C II's min frequency of 87Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
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-404C II is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Sonetto CII which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sonetto CII can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-404C II sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the Sonetto CII's is rated at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-404C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Sonetto Center II, 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. 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-404C II can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-404C II has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS , 175 watts less than the Sonetto CII.
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
Sonetto CII features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-404C II has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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-404C II's and Sonus Sonetto Center II'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 Sonus Sonetto Center II has external dimensions of 289.0 x 743.0 x 409.0mm ( 12 x 30 x 16inch) .
Sonus Sonetto Center II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 60mm wider, 142mm taller and 243mm deeper than Klipsch RP-404C II.
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 Sonus Sonetto Center II is approximately 3038.9cm2 / 471.0inch2. The RP-404C II requires 63% less surface area than the Sonetto CII 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 Sonus Sonetto Center II weighs 16.20kg / 35.6lbs. This makes the Sonetto CII 76% heavier than the RP-404C II.
Here is a comparison of how RP-404C II and Sonetto CII'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 loudspeakerGrilleUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto Center II?
Here are the items that come with the Sonetto CII:
1 Masks1 Fabric dust guards1 Basis2 Jumpers1 Manual
Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
Height |
147mm
vs
289mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1133cm2 (683x166mm)
vs
3038cm2 (743x409mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
87 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-404C II |
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center II |
Brand |
Klipsch |
Sonus Faber |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
up to 125 watts |
50-300 watts |
Sensitivity |
94 dB |
91 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
87-25k Hz |
42-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
4" |
6" |
Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
aluminum cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.15" |
Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
high definition DAD Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
6" |
Crossover Frequency |
1900 Hz |
1.650 Hz |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
147.0mm (5.8") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
Width |
683.0mm (26.9") |
743.0mm (29.3") |
Depth |
166.0mm (6.5") |
409.0mm (16.1") |
Weight |
9.20kg (20.2lbs) |
16.20kg (35.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
|
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
|