In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Klipsch. Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M II is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the RP-404C II is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-404C II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-500M II | Klipsch RP-404C II |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hybrid Tractrix Horn | 1" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Cerametallic cone | 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-25k Hz | 87-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 94 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 75 watts | up to 125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.00kg / 13.2lbs | 9.20kg / 20.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-9/16" x 6-7/8" x 10-5/8"
345.0 x 175.0 x 270.0mm | 5-3/4" x 26-7/8" x 6-1/2"
147.0 x 683.0 x 166.0mm |
|---|
RP-500M II and RP-404C II are members of Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) II series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Reference Premiere (RP) II Series
History
What size room are the Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-404C 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Klipsch RP-500M II |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both RP-500M II and RP-404C II are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-500M IIKlipsch RP-404C II
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-500M II |
Klipsch RP-404C II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
4 x 4-inch
|
RP-500M II features a 1" titanium Hybrid Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1530 Hz. On the other hand, the RP-404C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 4" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900 Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-500M II has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz whereas RP-404C II has a frequency range of 87-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RP-500M II 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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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-500M II and RP-404C II have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-500M II sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the RP-404C II's is at 94 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-404C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-500M II, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
RP-404C II can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas RP-500M II has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the RP-404C II.
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-500M II features Binding post type posts and RP-404C II has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-500M II's Binding post terminals
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-500M II's and Klipsch RP-404C II's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-500M II has external dimensions of 345.0 x 175.0 x 270.0mm (13-9/16 x 6-7/8 x 10-5/8inch) whereas 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).
Klipsch RP-404C II is 198mm shorter and 104mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-500M II but it is also 508mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-404C II in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-500M II and Klipsch RP-404C II Size and External Dimensions
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-500M II is approximately 472.5cm2 / 73.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-404C II is approximately 1133.8cm2 / 175.7inch2. The RP-500M II requires 58% less surface area than the RP-404C II which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-500M II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-500M II:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-404C II?
Here are the items that come with the RP-404C II:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information