In this review, we will be comparing R-52C and RP-450C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-52C and Klipsch RP-450C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-52C | Klipsch RP-450C |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG | 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 89-21k Hz | 58-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 95 dB | 97 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.18kg / 7lbs | 16.23kg / 35.7lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 6-13/16" x 31-1/8" x 14-9/16"
174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-52C and Klipsch RP-450C 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-450C |
| 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-52C and RP-450C are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-52CKlipsch RP-450C
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-450C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
4 x 5.25-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-450C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-52C has a frequency range of 89-21k Hz whereas RP-450C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the RP-450C 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-450C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R-52C sensitivity is rated at 95 dB and the RP-450C's is at 97 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-450C 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.
RP-450C can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas R-52C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the RP-450C.
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-450C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-52C's Binding post terminals
Klipsch RP-450C'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-450C'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-450C has external dimensions of 174.0 x 791.0 x 370.0mm (6-13/16 x 31-1/8 x 14-9/16inch).
Klipsch R-52C is 313mm narrower and 174mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-450C but it is also 6mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-52C and Klipsch RP-450C in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-52C and Klipsch RP-450C 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-52C is approximately 936.9cm2 / 145.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-450C is approximately 2926.7cm2 / 453.6inch2. The R-52C requires 68% less surface area than the RP-450C 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-450C weighs 16.23kg / 35.7lbs. This makes the RP-450C 410% heavier than the R-52C.
Here is a comparison of how R-52C and RP-450C'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-450C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-450C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Detachable magnetic grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
- Important Safety Instructions
 Base Surface Area |
936cm2
vs
2926cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
95 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
89 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
174mm
vs
180mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-52C |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Ebony) |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
89-21k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
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 |
180.0mm (7.1") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
478.0mm (18.8") |
791.0mm (31.1") |
| Depth |
196.0mm (7.7") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
16.23kg (35.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
wood grain vinyl |
polymer veneer |
| 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 |
These sit in different price classes - Klipsch RP-450C costs roughly 1.9x what Klipsch R-52C 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 | Klipsch RP-450C digs deeper - 58Hz against 89Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch RP-450C is more sensitive (97dB vs 95dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Klipsch RP-450C takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-52C is easier to place; Klipsch RP-450C 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. Klipsch RP-450C sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Klipsch R-52C is cheaper - $349 against $650, about 46% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch R-52C B Klipsch RP-450C
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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RP-450C measures better, Klipsch R-52C costs about about 86% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. 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. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch R-52C the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Klipsch RP-450C 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.