In this review, we will be comparing RP-504C II and C 9 CEN II, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Jamo.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-504C II and Jamo C 9 CEN II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-504C II | Jamo C 9 CEN II |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Jamo
Denmark · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" soft dome with an integrated waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone | 2 x 4" HCCC (Hybrid Composition Conical Cone) |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-25k Hz | 55-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 150 watts | 50-140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 16.50kg / 36.3lbs | 3.09kg / 6.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-15/16" x 32-3/16" x 15-1/8"
177.0 x 818.0 x 385.0mm | 7-3/16" x 18-5/16" x 9-1/16"
183.0 x 466.0 x 231.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-504C II and Jamo C 9 CEN 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-504C II |
Jamo C 9 CEN II |
| 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-504C II and C 9 CEN II are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-504C IIJamo C 9 CEN 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-504C II |
Jamo C 9 CEN II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
RP-504C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1950 Hz. On the other hand, the C 9 CEN II features a 1" soft dome with an integrated waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 4" HCCC (Hybrid Composition Conical Cone) Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-504C II has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz whereas C 9 CEN II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RP-504C II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the C 9 CEN II's min frequency of 55Hz.
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-504C II is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the C 9 CEN II which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-504C II sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the C 9 CEN II's is rated at 88 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-504C II a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo C 9 CEN 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
RP-504C II can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas C 9 CEN II has a max power handling value of 140 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the RP-504C 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-504C II features 5-Way post type posts and C 9 CEN II has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-504C II's Binding post terminals
Jamo C 9 CEN II's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-504C II and C 9 CEN II 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
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-504C II's and Jamo C 9 CEN II's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-504C II has external dimensions of 177.0 x 818.0 x 385.0mm (6-15/16 x 32-3/16 x 15-1/8inch) whereas Jamo C 9 CEN II has external dimensions of 183.0 x 466.0 x 231.0mm (7-3/16 x 18-5/16 x 9-1/16inch).
Jamo C 9 CEN II is 352mm narrower and 154mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-504C II but it is also 6mm taller.
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-504C II is approximately 3149.3cm2 / 488.1inch2 and base area of the Jamo C 9 CEN II is approximately 1076.5cm2 / 166.9inch2. The RP-504C II requires 193% more surface area than the C 9 CEN II 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-504C II weighs 16.50kg / 36.3lbs and the Jamo C 9 CEN II weighs 3.09kg / 6.8lbs. This makes the RP-504C II 434% heavier than the C 9 CEN II.
Here is a comparison of how RP-504C II and C 9 CEN II'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-504C II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-504C II:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Jamo C 9 CEN II?
Here are the items that come with the C 9 CEN II:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet (pre-installed)
- 2 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
140 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
88 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 |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
177mm
vs
183mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1076cm2
vs
3149cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
344USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C II |
Jamo Concert 9 Series C 9 CEN II |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Black Ash) |
| Power Range |
up to 150 watts |
50-140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-25k Hz |
55-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
HCCC (Hybrid Composition Conical Cone) |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
soft dome with an integrated waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1950 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
177.0mm (7") |
183.0mm (7.2") |
| Width |
818.0mm (32.2") |
466.0mm (18.3") |
| Depth |
385.0mm (15.2") |
231.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
16.50kg (36.3lbs) |
3.09kg (6.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Black Ash, White Oak,Dark Apple |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch RP-504C II costs roughly 2.3x what Jamo C 9 CEN II does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Klipsch RP-504C II digs deeper - 50Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-504C II is more sensitive (96dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Klipsch RP-504C II is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 140W). |
| Size | depends | Jamo C 9 CEN II is easier to place; Klipsch RP-504C II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Klipsch RP-504C II sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Jamo C 9 CEN II is cheaper - $344 against $799, about 57% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RP-504C II B Jamo C 9 CEN II
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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RP-504C II measures better, Jamo C 9 CEN II costs about about 132% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Jamo C 9 CEN II much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-504C II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Jamo C 9 CEN II is the easier speaker to get right.
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.