In this review, we will be comparing RP-600C and Radius 200, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600C and Monitor Audio Radius 200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600C | Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn dome | 1" gold dome C-CAM |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone | 2 x 4" C-CAM |
|---|
| Frequency response | 58-25k Hz | 60-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 97 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 125 watts | 40-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.91kg / 24lbs | 3.59kg / 7.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8" x 21-15/16" x 12-1/8"
204.0 x 558.0 x 308.0mm | 4-15/16" x 13" x 6-3/8"
126.0 x 331.0 x 162.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600C and Monitor Audio Radius 200 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 |
Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
| 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-600C and Radius 200 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-600CMonitor Audio Radius 200
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 |
Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
RP-600C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer. On the other hand, the Radius 200 features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter and 2 x 4" C-CAM Woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-600C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz whereas Radius 200 has a frequency range of 60-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the RP-600C can go slightly deeper then the Radius 200'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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Radius 200 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-600C sensitivity is rated at 97 dB and the Radius 200's is rated at 86 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600C a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Radius 200, 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.
Radius 200 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas RP-600C has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Radius 200.
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 5-Way post type posts and Radius 200 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-600C's Binding post terminals
Monitor Audio Radius 200's 5-Way 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-600C's and Monitor Audio Radius 200'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 Monitor Audio Radius 200 has external dimensions of 126.0 x 331.0 x 162.0mm (4-15/16 x 13 x 6-3/8inch).
Klipsch RP-600C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 227mm wider, 78mm taller and 146mm deeper than Monitor Audio Radius 200.
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 Monitor Audio Radius 200 is approximately 536.2cm2 / 83.1inch2. The RP-600C requires 221% more surface area than the Radius 200 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 Monitor Audio Radius 200 weighs 3.59kg / 7.9lbs. This makes the RP-600C 204% heavier than the Radius 200.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600C and Radius 200'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 Monitor Audio Radius 200?
Here are the items that come with the Radius 200:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Grille removal tool
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
97 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 |
6.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
126mm
vs
204mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
536cm2
vs
1718cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
475USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600C |
Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 125 watts |
40-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
97 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
58-25k Hz |
60-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic cone |
C-CAM |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn dome |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
204.0mm (8") |
126.0mm (5") |
| Width |
558.0mm (22") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
308.0mm (12.1") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
3.59kg (7.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, Black |
White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch RP-600C is the newer design, against a 2016 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (58Hz vs 60Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-600C is more sensitive (97dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Klipsch RP-600C is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (125W vs 150W). |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Radius 200 is easier to place; Klipsch RP-600C 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-600C sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($499 vs $475 a pair). |
A Klipsch RP-600C B Monitor Audio Radius 200
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?
Klipsch RP-600C has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. 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, Monitor Audio Radius 200 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RP-600C is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.