In this review, we will be comparing R-30C and R-52C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-30C and Klipsch R-52C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-30C | Klipsch R-52C |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 3.5" spun-copper TCP | 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 78-21k Hz | 89-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 95 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.00kg / 11lbs | 3.18kg / 7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-15/16" x 26-1/16" x 6-13/16"
126.0 x 662.0 x 174.0mm | 7-1/16" x 18-13/16" x 7-11/16"
180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm |
|---|
R-30C and R-52C are members of Klipsch's Reference (R) Center series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Klipsch Reference (R) Center Series
History
What size room are the Klipsch R-30C and Klipsch R-52C 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 R-30C |
Klipsch R-52C |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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.
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Drivers
Both R-30C and R-52C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-30CKlipsch R-52C
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 R-30C |
Klipsch R-52C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 3.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
R-30C features a 1" LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) titanium diaphragm Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 3.5" spun-copper TCP Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1650 Hz. On the other hand, the R-52C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-30C has a frequency range of 78-21k Hz whereas R-52C has a frequency range of 89-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 78Hz, the R-30C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-52C's min frequency of 89Hz.
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
R-30C and R-52C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R-30C sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the R-52C's is at 95 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-30C a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch R-52C, 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.
R-30C and R-52C have the same power range of up to 100 watts.
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
R-30C features Binding post type posts and R-52C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-30C's Binding post terminals
Klipsch R-52C'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 R-30C's and Klipsch R-52C's external dimensions. Klipsch R-30C has external dimensions of 126.0 x 662.0 x 174.0mm (4-15/16inch x 26-1/16inch x 6-13/16inch) whereas Klipsch R-52C has external dimensions of 180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm (7-1/16 x 18-13/16 x 7-11/16inch).
Klipsch R-30C is 54mm shorter and 22mm less deeper than Klipsch R-52C but it is also 184mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-30C and Klipsch R-52C in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-30C and Klipsch R-52C 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 R-30C is approximately 1151.9cm2 / 178.5inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-52C is approximately 936.9cm2 / 145.2inch2. The R-30C requires 23% more surface area than the R-52C 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 R-30C weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs and the Klipsch R-52C weighs 3.18kg / 7lbs. This makes the R-30C 57% heavier than the R-52C.
Here is a comparison of how R-30C and R-52C'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 R-30C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-30C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-52C?
Here are the items that come with the R-52C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
95 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
78 Hz
vs
89 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
126mm
vs
180mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
936cm2
vs
1151cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-30C |
Klipsch Reference R-52C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
95 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
78-21k Hz |
89-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
3.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
spun-copper TCP |
copper spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1650 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
126.0mm (5") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Width |
662.0mm (26.1") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Depth |
174.0mm (6.9") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Ported |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
Textured Wood Grain Vinyl |
wood grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black,White,Mocha |
Black |
| 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 |
Siblings in Klipsch's Reference (R) Center series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Klipsch R-30C digs deeper - 78Hz against 89Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (96dB vs 95dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price |
B |
Klipsch R-52C is cheaper - $349 against $499, about 30% less. |
A Klipsch R-30C
B Klipsch R-52C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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 R-30C is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 30% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Klipsch R-52C looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch R-30C appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 89Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Klipsch R-52C much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $150 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.