In this review, we will be comparing RP-500C II and SS-CS8, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Sony. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-500C II and Sony SS-CS8 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Klipsch RP-500C II and Sony SS-CS8 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 Sony SS-CS8 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
Both RP-500C II and SS-CS8 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Klipsch RP-500C II |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 4-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 SS-CS8 features a 1" polyester fiber Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer .
Frequency Response
RP-500C II has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz whereas SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the SS-CS8 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 SS-CS8 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-500C II sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the SS-CS8's is rated at 86 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-500C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Sony SS-CS8, 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 145 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-500C II has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 45 watts less than the SS-CS8.
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-500C II features Post type posts and SS-CS8 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-500C II and SS-CS8 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 Sony SS-CS8'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 Sony SS-CS8 has external dimensions of 146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm ( 5.75 x 16.93 x 8.66inch) .
Klipsch RP-500C II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 64mm wider, 31mm taller and 49mm deeper than Sony SS-CS8.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-500C II and Sony SS-CS8 in scale.
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 Sony SS-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2. The RP-500C II requires 40% more surface area than the SS-CS8 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 Sony SS-CS8 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the RP-500C II 64% heavier than the SS-CS8.
Here is a comparison of how RP-500C II and SS-CS8'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
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Max Input Power |
145 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
146mm
vs
177mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
946cm2 (430x220mm)
vs
1328cm2 (494x269mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500C II |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Brand |
Klipsch |
Sony |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center Channel |
Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 145 watts |
Sensitivity |
96 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-25k Hz |
55-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1630 Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
177.0mm (7") |
146.0mm (5.7") |
Width |
494.0mm (19.4") |
430.0mm (16.9") |
Depth |
269.0mm (10.6") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 years |