In this review, we will be comparing RP-600C and RP-500C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600C and Klipsch RP-500C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600C | Klipsch RP-500C |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn dome | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone | 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 58-25k Hz | 60-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 97 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 125 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.91kg / 24lbs | 8.18kg / 18lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8" x 21-15/16" x 12-1/8"
204.0 x 558.0 x 308.0mm | 6-7/8" x 18-9/16" x 10"
175.0 x 472.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
RP-600C and RP-500C are members of Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Reference Premiere (RP) Series
History
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600C and Klipsch RP-500C 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-600C |
Klipsch RP-500C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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-600C and RP-500C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-600CKlipsch RP-500C
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-600C |
Klipsch RP-500C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
RP-600C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-500C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-600C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz whereas RP-500C has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the RP-600C can go slightly deeper then the RP-500C's min frequency of 60Hz.
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-600C and RP-500C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. RP-600C sensitivity is rated at 97 dB and the RP-500C's is at 96 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600C a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch RP-500C, 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-600C can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas RP-500C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the RP-600C.
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-600C features Binding post type posts and RP-500C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-600C's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-500C's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600C and RP-500C 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-600C's and Klipsch RP-500C's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-600C has external dimensions of 204.0 x 558.0 x 308.0mm (8 x 21-15/16 x 12-1/8inch) whereas Klipsch RP-500C has external dimensions of 175.0 x 472.0 x 254.0mm (6-7/8 x 18-9/16 x 10inch).
Klipsch RP-600C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 86mm wider, 29mm taller and 54mm deeper than Klipsch RP-500C.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600C and Klipsch RP-500C in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600C and Klipsch RP-500C 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-600C is approximately 1718.6cm2 / 266.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-500C is approximately 1198.9cm2 / 185.8inch2. The RP-600C requires 43% more surface area than the RP-500C 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-600C weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs and the Klipsch RP-500C weighs 8.18kg / 18lbs. This makes the RP-600C 33% heavier than the RP-500C.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600C and RP-500C'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-600C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-600C:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Plastic tipped bolt (w/ attached nut)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-500C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-500C:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Tilt rod (attached nut)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
96 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
175mm
vs
204mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1198cm2
vs
1718cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
379USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600C |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 125 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
97 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
58-25k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
204.0mm (8") |
175.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
558.0mm (22") |
472.0mm (18.6") |
| Depth |
308.0mm (12.1") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
8.18kg (18lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Klipsch's Reference Premiere (RP) series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (58Hz vs 60Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (97dB vs 96dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Klipsch RP-600C takes more power (125W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch RP-500C is easier to place; Klipsch RP-600C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-500C is cheaper - $379 against $499, about 24% less. |
A Klipsch RP-600C B Klipsch RP-500C
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-600C measures better, Klipsch RP-500C costs about about 32% 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. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-600C the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch RP-500C for near-field listening and a small room. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch RP-600C has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Klipsch RP-500C 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.