In this review, we will be comparing R-52C and RP-400C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-52C and Klipsch RP-400C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-52C | Klipsch RP-400C |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG | 2 x 4" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 89-21k Hz | 65-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 95 dB | 95 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.18kg / 7lbs | 6.36kg / 14lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/16" x 18-13/16" x 7-11/16"
180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm | 5-3/4" x 16-1/16" x 9-1/2"
147.0 x 408.0 x 242.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-52C and Klipsch RP-400C 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-52C |
Klipsch RP-400C |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both R-52C and RP-400C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-52CKlipsch RP-400C
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-52C |
Klipsch RP-400C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
R-52C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG Woofer. On the other hand, the RP-400C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 4" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-52C has a frequency range of 89-21k Hz whereas RP-400C has a frequency range of 65-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the RP-400C 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-52C and RP-400C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 95 dB.
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-52C can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas RP-400C has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the R-52C.
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-52C features Binding post type posts and RP-400C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-52C's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-400C'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-52C's and Klipsch RP-400C's external dimensions. 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) whereas Klipsch RP-400C has external dimensions of 147.0 x 408.0 x 242.0mm (5-3/4 x 16-1/16 x 9-1/2inch).
Klipsch RP-400C is 70mm narrower and 33mm shorter than Klipsch R-52C but it is also 46mm deeper.
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-52C is approximately 936.9cm2 / 145.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-400C is approximately 987.4cm2 / 153.0inch2. The R-52C requires 5% less surface area than the RP-400C 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-52C weighs 3.18kg / 7lbs and the Klipsch RP-400C weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs. This makes the RP-400C 100% heavier than the R-52C.
Here is a comparison of how R-52C and RP-400C'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-52C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-52C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-400C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-400C:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Tilt rod (attached nut)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
936cm2
vs
987cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
89 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
147mm
vs
180mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
344USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-52C |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
95 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
89-21k Hz |
65-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
| 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 |
180.0mm (7.1") |
147.0mm (5.8") |
| Width |
478.0mm (18.8") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
196.0mm (7.7") |
242.0mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
wood grain vinyl |
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-400C digs deeper - 65Hz against 89Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (95dB vs 95dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
A |
Klipsch R-52C takes more power (100W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| 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. Klipsch RP-400C sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
evenly matched |
Much the same money ($349 vs $344 a pair). |
A Klipsch R-52C
B Klipsch RP-400C
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 89Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-400C 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.