In this review, we will be comparing Prime Center and RP-504C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from SVS and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Prime Center and Klipsch RP-504C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the SVS Prime Center and Klipsch RP-504C 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 SVS Prime Center and Klipsch RP-504C 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Prime Center is a 3-way design whereas the RP-504C is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
SVS Prime Center |
Klipsch RP-504C |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-1/2-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
Prime Center features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter , a 3-1/2" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350Hz and 2400Hz. On the other hand, the RP-504C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
Prime Center has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz whereas RP-504C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Center can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-504C's min frequency of 58Hz.
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
Prime Center and RP-504C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Prime Center sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the RP-504C's is at 97 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-504C a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Center, 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.
Prime Center can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-504C has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Prime Center.
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
Prime Center features Binding post type posts and RP-504C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Prime Center's 5-Way post terminals
Klipsch RP-504C's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Prime Center and RP-504C 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 SVS Prime Center's and Klipsch RP-504C's external dimensions. SVS Prime Center has external dimensions of 196.0 x 475.0 x 232.0mm ( 7-11/16 x 18-11/16 x 9-1/8inch) whereas Klipsch RP-504C has external dimensions of 175.0 x 793.0 x 367.0mm ( 6-7/8 x 31-3/16 x 14-7/16inch) .
SVS Prime Center is 318mm narrower and 135mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-504C but it is also 21mm 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 SVS Prime Center is approximately 1102.0cm2 / 170.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-504C is approximately 2910.3cm2 / 451.1inch2. The Prime Center requires 62% less surface area than the RP-504C 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 SVS Prime Center weighs 9.18kg / 20.2lbs and the Klipsch RP-504C weighs 15.45kg / 34lbs. This makes the RP-504C 68% heavier than the Prime Center.
Here is a comparison of how Prime Center and RP-504C'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 SVS Prime Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Prime Center:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille (pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber bumpersOwners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-504C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-504C:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille (installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1102cm2 (475x232mm)
vs
2910cm2 (793x367mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
175mm
vs
196mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
SVS Prime Center |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker (Premium Black Ash) |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-25k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
polypropylene |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3-1/2" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
350Hz and 2400Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
196.0mm (7.7") |
175.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
475.0mm (18.7") |
793.0mm (31.2") |
| Depth |
232.0mm (9.1") |
367.0mm (14.4") |
| Weight |
9.18kg (20.2lbs) |
15.45kg (34lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
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 |