In this review, we will be comparing Ultra Center and RP-450C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from SVS and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Ultra Center and Klipsch RP-450C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the SVS Ultra Center 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the SVS Ultra Center and Klipsch RP-450C 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 Ultra Center is a 3-way design whereas the RP-450C 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 Ultra Center |
Klipsch RP-450C |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
Ultra Center features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz. On the other hand, the RP-450C features a 1" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Cerametallic cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
Ultra Center has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz whereas RP-450C has a frequency range of 58-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Center can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-450C'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
Ultra Center and RP-450C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Ultra Center sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the RP-450C's is at 97 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-450C a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra 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.
Ultra Center can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RP-450C has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 75 watts less than the Ultra 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
Ultra Center features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-450C has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Ultra Center's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Klipsch RP-450C's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Ultra Center and RP-450C 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 Ultra Center's and Klipsch RP-450C's external dimensions. SVS Ultra Center has external dimensions of 207.0 x 561.0 x 285.0mm ( 8-1/8 x 22-1/16 x 11-3/16inch) 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) .
SVS Ultra Center is 230mm narrower and 85mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-450C but it is also 33mm 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 Ultra Center is approximately 1598.9cm2 / 247.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-450C is approximately 2926.7cm2 / 453.6inch2. The Ultra Center requires 45% 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 SVS Ultra Center weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs and the Klipsch RP-450C weighs 16.23kg / 35.7lbs. This makes the RP-450C 15% heavier than the Ultra Center.
Here is a comparison of how Ultra Center 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 SVS Ultra Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Ultra Center:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetOwners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-450C?
Here are the items that come with the RP-450C:
Center-channel loudspeakerDetachable magnetic grille4 Rubber feetUser ManualWarranty InformationImportant Safety Instructions
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
32k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1598cm2 (561x285mm)
vs
2926cm2 (791x370mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
97 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
174mm
vs
207mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
650USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
SVS Ultra Center |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-450C |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Ebony) |
| Power Range |
20-225 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
97 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-32k Hz |
58-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
composite glass-fiber |
Cerametallic cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
207.0mm (8.1") |
174.0mm (6.9") |
| Width |
561.0mm (22.1") |
791.0mm (31.1") |
| Depth |
285.0mm (11.2") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
16.23kg (35.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
polymer veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
Walnut, Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |