In this review, we will be comparing RP-500C II and Airmotiv C1+, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Emotiva. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-500C II and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Klipsch RP-500C II and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ 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-500C II and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ 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-500C II is a 2-way design whereas the Airmotiv C1+ 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-500C II |
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 3-inch |
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
RP-500C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1630 Hz. On the other hand, the Airmotiv C1+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 550 Hz and 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-500C II has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Airmotiv C1+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-500C II's min frequency of 60Hz.
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-500C II is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Airmotiv C1+ 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 Airmotiv C1+ can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-500C II sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the Airmotiv C1+'s is rated at 89 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv C1+, 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-500C II can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-500C II has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the Airmotiv C1+.
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
Airmotiv C1+ features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-500C II has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-500C II and Airmotiv C1+ 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
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-500C II's and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s external dimensions. Klipsch RP-500C II has external dimensions of 177.0 x 494.0 x 269.0mm ( 6-15/16 x 19-7/16 x 10-9/16inch) whereas Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has external dimensions of 197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm ( 7-3/4 x 20-1/2 x 8-1/4inch) .
Klipsch RP-500C II is 27mm narrower and 20mm shorter than Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ but it is also 59mm deeper.
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-500C II is approximately 1328.9cm2 / 206.0inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is approximately 1094.1cm2 / 169.6inch2. The RP-500C II requires 21% more surface area than the Airmotiv C1+ 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 RP-500C II weighs 8.20kg / 18lbs and the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ weighs 8.45kg / 18.6lbs. This makes the Airmotiv C1+ 3% heavier than the RP-500C II.
Here is a comparison of how RP-500C II and Airmotiv C1+'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-500C II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-500C II:
Center channel loudspeakerGrilleTilt rod (attached nut)User ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Height |
177mm
vs
197mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
1094cm2 (521x210mm)
vs
1328cm2 (494x269mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500C II |
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
Brand |
Klipsch |
Emotiva |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
Up to 120 watts |
Sensitivity |
96 dB |
89 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-25k Hz |
50 Hz – 28 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
woven fiber cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
25×32 mm" |
Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
folded ribbon |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
3" |
Crossover Frequency |
1630 Hz |
550 Hz and 2600Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
177.0mm (7") |
197.0mm (7.8") |
Width |
494.0mm (19.4") |
521.0mm (20.5") |
Depth |
269.0mm (10.6") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
Weight |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
8.45kg (18.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
HDF |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |