Klipsch rp-504c center channel speaker review

RP-8000F Floorstanding Speakers. As the (non-Atmos) flagship towers for the 2018 Reference Premiere series, I only have one complaint. They're not as gobsmackingly-good as the RF-7 III towers, which I reviewed before moving onto this series. RF-7 IIIs offer vastly improved LFE versus the 8000F or 8060FA. That said, RF-7 III speakers cost over a thousand dollars more PER SPEAKER so they better be a night-and-day difference.

Outside of that specific comparison, the RP-8000F are handsome and powerful floorstanders. And I think they're a straight-up bargain at $600 each. They blend crystal-clear highs with punchy mids and more bass than many home-theater-in-a-box subwoofers. If you're into vinyl or high-quality digital downloads, they're a great pair for serious music listening. Should you add a sub for full dynamic range? Of course. Paired with a dedicated bass-bomb, the RP-8000F towers become monsters for your favorite music and movies.

Also, while I didn't review the Dolby Atmos equipped 8060FA towers, I enjoyed the previous-gen iterations very much and have a couple of recommendations for anyone considering the new versions. At $1,099, an 8060FA costs $500 more than an 8000F (each), which is a huge surcharge. So, if you can mount in-ceiling or on-wall speakers for your Dolby Atmos system, I think you'll get a more precise listening experience and possibly save a few bucks ($1,000 gives you a lot of room to play). That said, if up-firing Dolby Atmos speakers are your only option, 8060FAs boast a larger 6.5" up-firing woofer and they out-perform the RP-500SA Dolby Atmos elevation speakers. In other words, the 8060FAs are great speakers, but the pricing seems high.

RP-504C Center Channel. As the flagship center channel for Klipsch Reference Premiere speakers, the RP-504C delivers superb dialog rendering and a wide soundstage that fills in gaps between two front channels. (At 31.13", it's wider than many sound bars.) It's also relatively compact (shorter than some centers I've tested), which is great for flexible placement. It's not a full-range speaker, by any means, but paired with big towers and a sub, it more than pulled its weight. My only complaint comes down to pricing. For $150 less, you can opt for the RP-600C center channel, which offers the same frequency response via dual 6.5" woofers rather than quad 5.25" woofers. You won't get the same wide soundstage, of course, and the 600C is taller (so less placement-flexible), it doesn't have the same elegance as a quad-woofer. Still, that's a great way to save a few bucks without sacrificing performance. 

RP-600M Bookshelf Speakers. I started calling these little beasts because, next to the towers, they're small, but compared to most bookshelf speakers, they look (and sound) like mini-towers. If you're on a budget or don't have the space for floorstanders, putting together a full surround system with two or more pairs of RP-600M speakers might be the way to go. You'll definitely need a quality sub to make up for some missing low-mid frequencies, but these bookshelves speakers are terrific. As stereo pairs, they reproduced vocals and guitars and string instruments with precision and clarity. As surround speakers, they render screeching tires, rolling explosions, and symphonic orchestrations with real-world aplomb. 

RP-500SA Dolby Atmos Speakers. Check out our full review of the RP-500SA over HERE, but the short summary is this: They produce rich life-like sound for Dolby Atmos soundtracks, can serve as full surround speakers when mounted to all wall, and even do a nice job playing music. The only potential con here is pricing -- $500 / pair ain't exactly cheap -- but if you have that budget, these are Highly Recommended.

SPL-120 Subwoofers. Check out our full review of the SPL-120 subwoofers over HERE, but the short summary is this: The Klipsch SPL-120 Subwoofer is a 300W 12" active sub that looks handsome and delivers room-filling bass. Test in both single and dual configurations alongside a set of 2018 Reference Premiere speakers, we were generally impressed by the sub's performance at quiet and reference volumes, but found it lacking compared to Klipsch's larger (and pricier) 15" offerings and the KEF KUBE 12B, which costs about $100 more than the SPL-120.

There is no doubt that Klipsch is one of the best manufacturers for center channel speakers that you’ll come across. The Klipsch RP-504C is a big brother of the RP-450C and based on customer reviews, the former has a bigger center presence with a lively Klipsch standard.

Additionally, the RP-504C has refined the Tractrix horn and incorporated a vented tweeter to the design to provide a more accurate high end. Besides, the RP-504C utilizes high-grade components and crossover to deliver significantly better sound quality. Other than that, both speakers share similar technology and have the same sonic signature, and you are unlikely to tell them apart at first glance.

Klipsch RP-504C Center Channel Speaker (Ebony)

Let’s explore further in this exhaustive Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C review!

Klipsch RP-504C Specs

After reading this review, you’ll be in a position to understand the technical minefield of this center channel speaker. You never know, you might love it as well!

Klipsch RP-504C Center Channel Speaker Review

The Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C center channel speaker is designed to complement a wide range of home theater sound systems by providing a powerful center channel sound output. It brings vocals and movie dialogue to life, making it ideal for surround sound setups. This center channel speaker also blends into any home décor and looks very sleek when you place it below the TV.

Most notable features

Klipsch’s signature Cerametallic woofer

Much like its predecessor, the RP-504C is equipped with four 5.25-inch Cerametallic woofers to provide superior bass performance when added to your home theater setup. Although the drivers are less dynamic, they are exceptionally rigid and deliver better midrange clarity.

The lightweight design also ensures maximum efficiency and minimized distortion. The speaker offers a wide frequency response from 58 Hz to 25 kHz for optimal sound reproduction. However, you’ll need to add a powerful amplifier to give your speaker a significant boost.

Tractrix horn-loaded LTS tweeter

If you love your highs bright and crisps, the Klipsch RP-504C may be the ideal choice for you. This speaker feature’s Klipsch exclusive 1-inch Titanium tweeter, paired with a Tractrix hybrid horn to make your highs sparkle and come to life. This horn gives the tweeter a wider dispersion which in turn provides you with a larger sweet spot than traditional-shaped tweeters.

Dramatic design details

Apart from the Tractrix horn, the vented tweeter housing is yet another design feature that makes this center channel speaker stand out. The tweeter is housed in a new vented design which helps to keep unwanted harmonics at bay while delivering enhanced detail and clarity.

In addition, the tweeter utilizes linear travel suspension to ensure that it is not only light but also stiff enough. It also ensures that the tweeter will maintain its shape when the volume is cranked up. Basically, the highs remain clean at any volume level.

Rear Tractrix port

The Klipsch RP-504C features a rear Tractrix port to provide a powerful listening experience even at higher volume levels. The Tractrix geometry is designed to improve the way the port interacts with the air inside and outside of the speaker cabinet.

The design of the port also helps reduce air turbulence and port noise for powerful and cleaner lower frequencies. However, since the port is on the rear, consider placing the speaker away from the walls to facilitate a faster and smooth transfer of air in and out of the cabinet.

Sturdy input terminals

The RP-504C sports single 5-way screw terminals to let you make flexible and strong connections. The terminals accommodate up to 12-gauge speaker wires, and the best thing is that they accept banana plugs. Furthermore, the terminals come in brilliant color-coding for easy identification and to facilitate easy setup and connection.

All-MDF casing

You’ll also like the fact that the RP-504C is enclosed in an all-MDF cabinet, a design that helps to reduce sonic resonance. The unit comes in an elegant Ebony vinyl finish, but piano gloss and walnut vinyl finishes are also available.

The best part yet, the baffles are scratch-resistant for improved durability. Other design details include cast aluminum feet, copper trim, and a laser-etched Klipsch logo to give the speaker a contemporary and premium look.

What we like

• Excellent addition to any Klipsch reference home theater system
• It awakes the entire center channel spectrum up
• Modern cabinet design
• Superb port technology
• The speaker grille is not only removable but also pretty strong
• Movie dialogue is crystal clear, and there is no harshness to it
• It matches several Klipsch RP speakers

What we don’t like

• Lacks bi-amp capability
• Weak midbass
• Way expensive than RP-405C, considering that they are almost similar

Our Final Take!

Klipsch’s center channel speakers have been at the top of their game for quite some time, and the RP-504C is no exception. We were blown away by how powerful and dynamic the Klipsch RP-504C is, so you can finally enjoy your movies and pretty much anything you throw at it.

Although it is an amazing center channel speaker, it does not replace right and left speakers in a stereo or surround sound setup. If you looking to replace or build a complete sound system, you’ll need to spend more on good floor standers/bookshelf speakers. You may also want to pair your speakers with an AV receiver with the desired number of channels and the controls you like.

Ultimately the Klipsch RP-504C will provide value for your hard-earned cash and is one of the best investments for your home theater setup. We hope this Klipsch rp-504c review is informative. If there’s anything we may have left out, feel free to share it in the comments section.

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