In this review, we will be comparing R-52C and Monitor XT30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Klipsch and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch R-52C and Polk XT30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-52C | Polk XT30 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix horn | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG | 2 x 5.25" bi-laminate paper cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 89-21k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 95 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 30-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.18kg / 7lbs | 5.91kg / 13lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 6-1/2" x 19-1/16" x 8-3/16"
166.0 x 485.0 x 208.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch R-52C and Polk XT30 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 |
Polk XT30 |
| 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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Drivers
Both R-52C and Monitor XT30 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-52CPolk XT30
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 |
Polk XT30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 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 Monitor XT30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" bi-laminate paper cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-52C has a frequency range of 89-21k Hz whereas Monitor XT30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Monitor XT30 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 Monitor XT30 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 Monitor XT30's is at 89 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-52C a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT30, 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.
Monitor XT30 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas R-52C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Monitor XT30.
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 5-Way post type posts and Monitor XT30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Klipsch R-52C's Binding post terminals
Polk XT30's 5-Way 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 Polk XT30'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 Polk XT30 has external dimensions of 166.0 x 485.0 x 208.0mm (6-1/2 x 19-1/16 x 8-3/16inch).
Klipsch R-52C is 7mm narrower and 12mm less deeper than Polk XT30 but it is also 14mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-52C and Polk XT30 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-52C and Polk XT30 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 Polk XT30 is approximately 1008.8cm2 / 156.4inch2. The R-52C requires 7% less surface area than the Monitor XT30 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 Polk XT30 weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs. This makes the Monitor XT30 86% heavier than the R-52C.
Here is a comparison of how R-52C and Monitor XT30'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 Polk XT30?
Here are the items that come with the Monitor XT30:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
- Wall-Mount Template
 Sensitivity |
95 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Base Surface Area |
936cm2
vs
1008cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
89 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
166mm
vs
180mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
199USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-52C |
Polk Audio Monitor XT30 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
89-21k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
copper spun IMG |
bi-laminate paper cone |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix horn |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
180.0mm (7.1") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Width |
478.0mm (18.8") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
196.0mm (7.7") |
208.0mm (8.2") |
| Weight |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
wood grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
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 R-52C costs roughly 1.8x what Polk XT30 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 | Polk XT30 digs deeper - 55Hz against 89Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch R-52C is more sensitive (95dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Polk XT30 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - 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. Polk XT30 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Polk XT30 is cheaper - $199 against $349, about 43% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch R-52C B Polk XT30
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?
Polk XT30 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 89Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch R-52C the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk XT30 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.