In this review, we will be comparing R-50C and ES30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-50C and Polk ES30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-50C | Polk ES30 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" spun-copper TCP | 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 90-21k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.40kg / 14.1lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/16" x 18-13/16" x 8-5/16"
180.0 x 478.0 x 212.0mm | 7-1/2" x 20-1/16" x 10-5/8"
191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-50C and Polk ES30 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-50C |
Polk ES30 |
| 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.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both R-50C and ES30 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-50CPolk ES30
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-50C |
Polk ES30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
R-50C features a 1" LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) titanium diaphragm Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" spun-copper TCP Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1650 Hz. On the other hand, the ES30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-50C has a frequency range of 90-21k Hz whereas ES30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the ES30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-50C's min frequency of 90Hz.
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-50C and ES30 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R-50C sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the ES30's is at 89 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-50C a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk ES30, 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.
ES30 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas R-50C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the ES30.
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-50C features 5-Way post type posts and ES30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-50C's Binding post terminals
Polk ES30's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES30 Port
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-50C's and Polk ES30's external dimensions. Klipsch R-50C has external dimensions of 180.0 x 478.0 x 212.0mm (7-1/16inch x 18-13/16inch x 8-5/16inch) whereas Polk ES30 has external dimensions of 191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm (7-1/2 x 20-1/16 x 10-5/8inch).
Polk ES30 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 32mm wider, 11mm taller and 58mm deeper than Klipsch R-50C.
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-50C is approximately 1013.4cm2 / 157.1inch2 and base area of the Polk ES30 is approximately 1377.0cm2 / 213.4inch2. The R-50C requires 26% less surface area than the ES30 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-50C weighs 6.40kg / 14.1lbs and the Polk ES30 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the ES30 35% heavier than the R-50C.
Here is a comparison of how R-50C and ES30'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-50C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-50C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Polk ES30?
Here are the items that come with the ES30:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
180mm
vs
191mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1013cm2
vs
1377cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
90 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
379USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-50C |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
90-21k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
spun-copper TCP |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1650 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
180.0mm (7.1") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Width |
478.0mm (18.8") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
212.0mm (8.3") |
270.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
6.40kg (14.1lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Textured Wood Grain Vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black,White,Mocha |
Black, Walnut, White |
| 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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Polk ES30 digs deeper - 55Hz against 90Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
A |
Klipsch R-50C is more sensitive (96dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
Polk ES30 takes more power (125W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Klipsch R-50C is easier to place; Polk ES30 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk ES30 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
B |
Polk ES30 is cheaper - $299 against $379, about 21% less. |
A Klipsch R-50C
B Polk ES30
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?
Polk ES30 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 90Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch R-50C the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk ES30 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.