In this review, we will be comparing Motion C10 and RP-504C II, two Passive Center Channel speakers from MartinLogan and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion C10 and Klipsch RP-504C II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the MartinLogan Motion C10 and Klipsch RP-504C II 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the MartinLogan Motion C10 and Klipsch RP-504C II compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Motion C10 and RP-504C II are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
MartinLogan Motion C10 |
Klipsch RP-504C II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
Motion C10 features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Ribbon Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" Woven Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1000Hz and 2000Hz. On the other hand, the RP-504C II features a 1" titanium Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1950 Hz.
Frequency Response
Motion C10 has a frequency range of 63-25k Hz whereas RP-504C II has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RP-504C II can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion C10's min frequency of 63Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Motion C10 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the RP-504C II which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Motion C10 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Motion C10 sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the RP-504C II's is rated at 96 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-504C II a more sensitive speaker compared to MartinLogan Motion C10, 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Motion C10 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-504C II has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Motion C10.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Motion C10 features Binding post type posts and RP-504C II has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan Motion C10's Custom 5-way binding posts terminals
Klipsch RP-504C II's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Motion C10 and RP-504C II have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare MartinLogan Motion C10's and Klipsch RP-504C II's external dimensions. MartinLogan Motion C10 has external dimensions of 184 x 483 x 293mm ( 7-1/4inch x 19inch x 11-1/2inch ) whereas Klipsch RP-504C II has external dimensions of 177.0 x 818.0 x 385.0mm ( 6-15/16 x 32-3/16 x 15-1/8inch) .
MartinLogan Motion C10 is 335mm narrower and 92mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-504C II but it is also 7mm taller.
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 MartinLogan Motion C10 is approximately 1415.2cm2 / 219.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-504C II is approximately 3149.3cm2 / 488.1inch2. The Motion C10 requires 55% less surface area than the RP-504C II 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 MartinLogan Motion C10 weighs 10.70kg / 23.5lbs and the Klipsch RP-504C II weighs 16.50kg / 36.3lbs. This makes the RP-504C II 54% heavier than the Motion C10.
Here is a comparison of how Motion C10 and RP-504C II'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 RP-504C II?
Here are the items that come with the RP-504C II:
Center channel loudspeakerGrilleUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
1415cm2 (483x293mm)
vs
3149cm2 (818x385mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
93 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
63 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
177mm
vs
184mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion® C10 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C II |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
63-25k Hz |
50-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Fiberglass |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0 x 1.4" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion Ribbon |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1000Hz and 2000Hz |
1950 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
184.0mm (7.2") |
177.0mm (7") |
| Width |
483.0mm (19") |
818.0mm (32.2") |
| Depth |
293.0mm (11.5") |
385.0mm (15.2") |
| Weight |
10.70kg (23.5lbs) |
16.50kg (36.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Walnut, and Satin White |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |