In this review, we will be comparing R-34C and RP-504C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-34C and Klipsch RP-504C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-34C | Klipsch RP-504C |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 82-21k Hz | 58-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.91kg / 13lbs | 15.45kg / 34lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 6-7/8" x 31-3/16" x 14-7/16"
175.0 x 793.0 x 367.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-34C and Klipsch RP-504C 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 |
Klipsch RP-504C |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 R-34C and RP-504C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-34CKlipsch RP-504C
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 |
Klipsch RP-504C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 3.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
R-34C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 3.5" copper spun IMG Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-504C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-34C has a frequency range of 82-21k Hz whereas RP-504C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the RP-504C 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 RP-504C 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 RP-504C's is at 97 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-504C a more sensitive speaker compared to Klipsch R-34C, 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 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas R-34C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the RP-504C.
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 RP-504C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-34C's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-504C'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 Klipsch RP-504C'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 Klipsch RP-504C has external dimensions of 175.0 x 793.0 x 367.0mm (6-7/8 x 31-3/16 x 14-7/16inch).
Klipsch RP-504C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 131mm wider, 49mm taller and 208mm deeper than Klipsch R-34C.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-34C and Klipsch RP-504C in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-34C and Klipsch RP-504C 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 Klipsch RP-504C is approximately 2910.3cm2 / 451.1inch2. The R-34C requires 64% less surface area than the RP-504C which gives it a small advantage 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 Klipsch RP-504C weighs 15.45kg / 34lbs. This makes the RP-504C 161% heavier than the R-34C.
Here is a comparison of how R-34C and RP-504C'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 Klipsch RP-504C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-504C:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Height |
126mm
vs
175mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1052cm2
vs
2910cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
150 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 |
5.25 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
82 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-34C |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
82-21k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
3.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
copper spun IMG |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
126.0mm (5") |
175.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
662.0mm (26.1") |
793.0mm (31.2") |
| Depth |
159.0mm (6.3") |
367.0mm (14.4") |
| Weight |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
15.45kg (34lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
textured wood grain viny |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Both are Klipsch, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Klipsch RP-504C digs deeper - 58Hz against 82Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (96dB vs 97dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | Klipsch RP-504C takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-34C is easier to place; Klipsch RP-504C 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 sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-504C is cheaper - $399 against $499, about 20% less. |
A Klipsch R-34C B Klipsch RP-504C
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-504C is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Klipsch R-34C if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. 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 Klipsch R-34C the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Klipsch RP-504C for a mid-size room and a large room.
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.