In this review, we will be comparing R-34C and S 81 CEN, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Jamo.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-34C and Jamo S 81 CEN first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-34C | Jamo S 81 CEN |
|---|
| 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 3.5" copper spun IMG | 2 x 4" polyfiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 82-21k Hz | 71-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 60 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.91kg / 13lbs | 5.00kg / 11lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-15/16" x 26-1/16" x 6-1/4"
126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm | 7-5/16" x 17-1/8" x 8-11/16"
186.0 x 435.0 x 221.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-34C and Jamo S 81 CEN 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-34C |
Jamo S 81 CEN |
| Near-field |
Average |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
No way |
(* 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 R-34C and S 81 CEN are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-34CJamo S 81 CEN
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-34C |
Jamo S 81 CEN |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 3.5-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
R-34C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG Woofer. On the other hand, the S 81 CEN features a 1" soft dome with an integrated waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 4" polyfiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
R-34C has a frequency range of 82-21k Hz whereas S 81 CEN has a frequency range of 71-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 71Hz, the S 81 CEN can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-34C's min frequency of 82Hz.
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-34C and S 81 CEN have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R-34C sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the S 81 CEN's is at 86 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-34C a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo S 81 CEN, 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-34C can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas S 81 CEN has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the R-34C.
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-34C features Binding post type posts and S 81 CEN has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-34C's Binding post terminals
Jamo S 81 CEN'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-34C's and Jamo S 81 CEN's external dimensions. Klipsch R-34C has external dimensions of 126.0 x 662.0 x 159.0mm (4-15/16 x 26-1/16 x 6-1/4inch) whereas Jamo S 81 CEN has external dimensions of 186.0 x 435.0 x 221.0mm (7-5/16 x 17-1/8 x 8-11/16inch).
Klipsch R-34C is 60mm shorter and 62mm less deeper than Jamo S 81 CEN but it is also 227mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-34C and Jamo S 81 CEN in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-34C and Jamo S 81 CEN 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-34C is approximately 1052.6cm2 / 163.2inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 81 CEN is approximately 961.4cm2 / 149.0inch2. The R-34C requires 9% more surface area than the S 81 CEN 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-34C weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs and the Jamo S 81 CEN weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the R-34C 18% heavier than the S 81 CEN.
Here is a comparison of how R-34C and S 81 CEN'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-34C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-34C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Jamo S 81 CEN?
Here are the items that come with the S 81 CEN:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
126mm
vs
186mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
|
Woofer Size |
4 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
71 Hz
vs
82 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
961cm2
vs
1052cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
174USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-34C |
Jamo S 81 CEN |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 60 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
82-21k Hz |
71-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
3.5" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
copper spun IMG |
polyfiber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
soft dome with an integrated waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
126.0mm (5") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
| Width |
662.0mm (26.1") |
435.0mm (17.1") |
| Depth |
159.0mm (6.3") |
221.0mm (8.7") |
| Weight |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
textured wood grain viny |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, White, Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch R-34C costs roughly 2.9x what Jamo S 81 CEN 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 | B | Jamo S 81 CEN digs deeper - 71Hz against 82Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch R-34C is more sensitive (96dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Klipsch R-34C takes more power (100W vs 60W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-34C is easier to place; Jamo S 81 CEN is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 81 CEN is cheaper - $174 against $499, about 65% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch R-34C B Jamo S 81 CEN
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 R-34C is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 2.9x the price. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Jamo S 81 CEN looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch R-34C appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 82Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Jamo S 81 CEN the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.