Of all three, the Klipsch R-34C (see image) comes across as the most versatile of all. With its four woofers, it gives you a broader perspective.
If you’re looking for a center-channel speaker for your home theater system, then these three products from Klipsch are great options to look at.
In summary, all three speakers deliver high-quality sound, which is hard to beat in their price range. The Klipsch R-34C is the most versatile of all, with its petite size and four woofers giving you an additional striking look. The Klipsch R-52C, on the other hand, comes with more power. And the Klipsch R-25C has the lowest price that comes with comparable power but a different frequency spectrum.
While not rocket science, there are a few factors you should consider when choosing center-channel speakers for your entertainment at home.
The primary purpose these serve is to channel dialogue and vocals to the center of your home theater system.
So while the other speakers may be enough to give you good sound, the added clarity you get with one of these results is a more premium experience.
So here’s what you need to know about these three options to help you make your decision.
Sound Quality
Have you ever noticed that there often tends to be quite the opposite opinions about a speaker?
I can understand this for more "personal taste" kinda products like clothing, for example.
But for engineering products like speakers? Personal tastes and preferences probably still play a role. But shouldn't it be less?
Why is it that we can't set a universal metric for sound quality?
First time I asked this question to myself has been a pivotal day.
Because it turns out that in the mid 90's, Electrical Engineer PhD Floyd Toole came up with a method called Spinorama. This is exactly what he accomplished with this. Turns out that his book Sound Reproduction is like the bible of audiophiles.
Put it simply, Spinorama is a set of measurements that gives a comprehensive overview of a speaker's performance from various angles.
It allows you to compare the performances of different speakers before even laying your ears hands on them.
Isn't that amazing?
This is why Spinorama was apparently groundbreaking news for audio industry. Hence in the mid-late 2010's, most brands and magazines began publishing Spinorama measurements, despite the challenges of making such measurements.
Fortunately, now we have the Spinorama data for a bunch of quite popular speakers. Pierre Aubert put all this untidy data together and put it into https://www.spinorama.org/. This is a stunning source. Pretty valuable stuff from him right there.
All good up to this point.
Now there comes a caveat.
Since the sound speakers propagate are in the form of omnidirectional waves, all measurements are obtained in anechoic or semi-anechoic chambers (a super-quiet room where soundwaves don't bounce back, here's how different that room sounds [a mind blowing time-adjusted video]).
This is a problem because it means that Spinorama alone, unfortunately, won't give us all we need. Placement and reflections play an equally important role there too.
This is why most A-class brands (like SVS, Bang & Olufsen, etc) often come up with room correction features, adjusted either manually or automatically. The EQ adapts itself to the placement (room, corner, center, etc) for a better (deeper and more accurate) sound. Which is great.
Additionally they often emphasize the importance of placement, here is an example: https://www.svsound.com/blogs/subwoofer-setup-and-tuning/75365187-the-art-of-subwoofer-placement
Anyways...
The source code under Pierre Aubert's work is licensed under GPL (General public license). He didn't perform any of the measurements himself, and instead he compiled all of them into one place, so that makes sense.
At this point, I thought that if there was a tool that combined both the Spinorama with the room acoustics data, it'd be extremely useful.
Unfortunately, it turns out that there wasn't any.
This is where I stepped in and partnered with an Acoustics and Audio Engineering PhD in order to achieve this.
We combined Spinorama data with room acoustics and came up with Soundton. A very simple, 2D online tool that allows you to:
- Reveal optimal speaker positions in a room,
- Test with real speakers from real brands,
- Compare different speakers and different positions in the room.
It can be very valuable for the vast majority.
The colormap provides you the locations with the best (green) and worst (red) listening experience.
It works the best with subwoofers since Soundton processes low frequency response waves only.
- Soundton is going to be, say, 80% accurate. Not 100%.
- Because, other parameters such as the age/materials of the building, furniture/windows in place also have an impact on room acoustics.
- If you want absolutely the most detailed room analysis, then what you need is an acoustics consultant. Mind you that's going to require deep pockets and patience though... assuming you find the right person and they get the job done.
Anyways...
Design and Build
Pros:
The Klipsch speaker systems look good. Really good. And if their trademark combination of black and copper is a look that works for your personal tastes and the decor of your room, we’re already looking at a no-brainer, as far as aesthetics are concerned.
Cons:
That being said, these boxes are obviously meant to be used with speakers from the same brand. Failing which the aesthetic symmetry will suffer. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting.
Let’s have a look at the weight and dimensions of each:
Size:
- Klipsch R-25C: is 47.6 cm wide, 18.42 cm tall, and 18.42 cm deep.
- Klipsch R-52C: is 47.6 cm wide, 18.54 cm tall, and 19.3 cm deep.
- Klipsch R-34C: is 15.75 cm wide, 66.04 cm tall, and 13.21 cm deep.
Weight
- Klipsch R-25C: 14.8 lb (6.73 kg).
- Klipsch R-52C: This weighs 13.5 lb / (6.1 kg).
- Klipsch R-34C: The smallest of the three weighs in at 13lbs / (5.9 kg).
Material
The color on these woofers is not just a cosmetic gimmick. The spun-copper IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) cones on all three are lightweight, strong, and provide very efficient low-frequency responses. They prevent distortion and breakage at loud volumes too.
All speakers come with a removable magnetic grille. And the black textured body of the speakers is built with a scratch-resistant and solid MDF.
Check out Klipsch Certified Factory Refurbished. These audio products have been tested, inspected, and approved for sale by a Klipsch quality assurance professional. They passed the same strict performance standards as our brand-new products and carry little or no blemishes or imperfections.
Sound
All speakers come with a removable magnetic grille. And the black textured body of the speakers is built with are scratch-resistant and solid MDF.
This might be a good time to revisit some intel on what center speakers are. In contrast to dual-unit speakers, these are each one single unit. And even though probably functional stand-alone, are built to stress primarily on the mids and basses. They are designed assuming that the listener will connect additional speakers for the complete frequency spectrum for ultimate listening pleasure.
The closed-back design of all three models is especially helpful since they prevent uncontrolled bass rumble, giving you increased flexibility in their placement. Most living rooms are not acoustically treated, and these speakers are made with that in mind.
Of all three, the Klipsch R-34C comes across as the most versatile of all. With its four woofers, it gives you a broader perspective.
Klipsch R-34C Specs:
- Power Range: up to 100W
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 82 Hz to 21 kHz
The sound is clear, transparent, and especially noticeable when listening to dialogues. Overall delivery of sound for music is loud, clear, and transparent.
The Klipsch R-52C, on the other hand, comes with more power.
Klipsch R-52C Specs:
- Power Range: 100W RMS 400W Peak
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 89 Hz to 21 kHz
And finally, let’s have a look at the Klipsch R-25C, which comes with comparable power but a different frequency spectrum.
Klipsch R-25C Specs:
- Power Range: (Continuous / Peak) 100W/400W
- Impedance: 8 Ohms Compatible
- Frequency Response: 82 Hz to 24 kHz +/- 3 dB
Connectivity
And this is where Klipsch raises the bar. The WiSA technology they incorporate is a bit of a game-changer.
The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association is a trade body comprised of consumer audio products and manufacturing brands who have collaborated for wireless, high-definition, multi-channel audio.
The results are audio systems designed for expansive sound experience providing excellent performance with wireless technology.
Price
The R-25C (see image) is 47.6 cm wide, 18.42 cm tall, and 18.42 cm deep.
- Klipsch R-34C: $499
- Klipsch R-52C: $349
- Klipsch R-25C: $139
(Prices are subject to change. Please check with your dealer for details).
Verdict
In conclusion, here’s how the Klipsch R-34C, R-52C, and R-25C stack up against each other :
- Design: Tie. However, the Klipsch R-34C’s petite size and four woofers do give it an additionally striking look.
- Size and weight: The Klipsch R-34C wins.
- Connectivity: Tie. Klipsch wins!
- Sound: Tie. Depending on your needs and the size of your room, each offers the same standards of quality.
- Price: Winner: Klipsch R-25C. It’s the lowest.