Klipsch RP-404C II Reference Premiere Center Channel Speaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The RP-404C II is a 2.5-way sealed center channel speaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. The compact entry model of the Reference Premiere Series II center channel lineup, the RP-404C II brings the full Reference Premiere II acoustic architecture into a shallower, more placement-flexible enclosure than its larger sibling the RP-504C II. It features quad 4" Cerametallic™ cone woofers with Faraday rings, a 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter mated to the enlarged 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn, and a 94 dB sensitivity rating with a frequency response of 87 Hz to 25 kHz. It handles 125W continuous and 500W peak at 8 ohms, uses a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure with only 6.47" of depth, and is available in ebony vinyl and walnut vinyl finishes, making it well suited to home theaters where a deep center channel speaker will not fit under the display or within a media cabinet.

Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn and Titanium LTS Vented Tweeter

The acoustic signature of the RP-404C II centers on its enlarged 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn, which is dimensionally larger than the horn used in the original RP-404C. The horn geometry uses a circular throat paired to a square mouth, a transition that improves phase coherency from the compression point through to the listening area, reducing spectral coloration and improving high-frequency extension to 25 kHz. The compression-molded silicon face adds controlled high-frequency damping that suppresses horn resonance, reducing harshness and improving the natural, smooth character of the high-frequency reproduction. A computer-modeled phase plug acts as a mechanical filter to further ensure flat frequency response while protecting the tweeter diaphragm from damage. The 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter uses a low-mass titanium diaphragm with Linear Travel Suspension, and its vented housing eliminates standing waves behind the diaphragm that would otherwise introduce unwanted harmonics into the dialogue frequency range.

Redesigned Cerametallic™ Woofers and Sealed Cabinet

The quad 4" Cerametallic™ cone woofers in the RP-404C II have been redesigned for the Series II generation with new aluminum Faraday rings in the motor assembly, which suppress eddy currents within the voice coil gap to reduce nonlinear distortion. The motor structure has been revised for improved transient response with greater speed and accuracy, and the woofer voice coils are larger than those used in the original RP-404C for improved power handling and cone control. Cerametallic™ combines the surface rigidity of a ceramic anodized aluminum finish with a low-mass structure that resists cone flexing and breakup at high excursion levels. The sealed acoustic suspension enclosure provides tighter, more accurate bass transient response than a ported design and removes all placement restrictions related to port proximity to walls or custom cabinetry. At just 6.47" deep, the RP-404C II is one of the shallowest center channel speakers available at this performance level, fitting comfortably on most AV furniture shelves and beneath large flat-panel displays.

Key Features

• 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn: Enlarged second-generation horn with circular-to-square geometry, compression-molded silicone face, and computer-modeled phase plug for improved phase coherency, reduced harshness, and smooth high-frequency response to 25 kHz.
• 1" Titanium LTS Vented Tweeter: Linear Travel Suspension tweeter with titanium diaphragm minimizes distortion; vented housing eliminates standing waves behind the diaphragm for cleaner, more natural dialogue reproduction.
• Quad 4" Cerametallic™ Woofers with Faraday Rings: Redesigned woofers with aluminum Faraday rings in the motor assembly reduce nonlinear distortion and improve power handling, transient speed, and cone control accuracy.
• Sealed Acoustic Suspension Enclosure: Sealed MDF cabinet provides tight, accurate bass transient response and allows unrestricted placement within custom cabinetry, beneath displays, or on shallow AV furniture shelves without port obstruction concerns.
• Shallow 6.47" Cabinet Depth: One of the most placement-friendly center channel speakers in the Reference Premiere II lineup, fitting within most standard AV furniture and media cabinet configurations.
• 2.5-Way Crossover Network: Dual crossover points at 650 Hz and 1,900 Hz progressively attenuate the outer woofers at higher frequencies, reducing horizontal lobing artifacts and maintaining consistent dialogue intelligibility across a wider seating area.
• 94 dB Sensitivity: High efficiency allows the RP-404C II to match dynamically with Reference Premiere II floorstanding and bookshelf speakers, rated for 125W continuous and 500W peak at 8 ohms.
• Aluminum Binding Posts and Audiophile-Grade Wiring: Premium internal wiring connects to easily accessible single aluminum binding posts compatible with all common speaker wire terminations.
• Furniture-Grade Finishes: Available in ebony vinyl and walnut vinyl with satin-painted baffles and a scratch-resistant finish for a premium aesthetic that integrates cleanly into any home theater decor.
• Magnetic Grille: Attaches cleanly without visible clips, allowing the copper-finish woofers and titanium tweeter to be displayed or discreetly covered.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch RP-404C II?

The Klipsch RP-404C II is a 2.5-way sealed center channel speaker from the Reference Premiere Series II, featuring quad 4" Cerametallic™ cone woofers with Faraday rings, a 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with a 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn, and a 94 dB sensitivity rating. It covers 87 Hz to 25 kHz, handles 125W continuous and 500W peak at 8 ohms, and measures just 6.47" deep, making it one of the most placement-flexible center channel speakers available at this performance level. It is available in ebony vinyl and walnut vinyl finishes.

How does the Klipsch RP-404C II compare to the RP-504C II?

The Klipsch RP-404C II and RP-504C II share the same Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn and 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter, but differ in woofer size and enclosure type. The RP-404C II uses quad 4" Cerametallic™ woofers in a sealed enclosure only 6.47" deep, while the RP-504C II uses the larger quad 5.25" Cerametallic™ woofers in a deeper rear-ported enclosure extending bass down to 50 Hz. The RP-404C II is the right choice for installations where depth is constrained, while the RP-504C II is preferred for rooms where maximum output and deeper bass extension are prioritized.

Why does the RP-404C II use a sealed rather than ported enclosure?

The RP-404C II's sealed acoustic suspension enclosure provides tighter and more accurate bass transient response than a ported design, and allows the speaker to be installed in virtually any position, including flush within custom media cabinetry, without any rear clearance needed for port airflow. For a center channel speaker placed beneath a large display on a media console, the sealed design is particularly practical, as it eliminates the bass bloat and placement sensitivity that ported speakers exhibit when positioned close to rear walls. Bass management on an AV receiver set to cross the RP-404C II over at 80 Hz to a subwoofer is strongly recommended to maximize its performance.

What is the 2.5-way crossover design in the RP-404C II?

The RP-404C II's 2.5-way crossover uses dual transition frequencies at 650 Hz and 1,900 Hz. The inner pair of woofers operates across the full bass and lower midrange while the outer pair begins rolling off at 650 Hz, reducing horizontal lobing artifacts that cause tonal inconsistency for listeners seated off-center. Above 1,900 Hz the 1" titanium LTS tweeter handles all high-frequency reproduction. This progressive attenuation of the outer woofers helps maintain consistent dialogue intelligibility across a wider listening area, which is the primary acoustic challenge of wide horizontal center channel speaker designs.

What system does the Klipsch RP-404C II pair with best?

The Klipsch RP-404C II is designed to be the center channel anchor for a Reference Premiere Series II home theater system in small to medium-sized rooms. Ideal pairings at Vinyl Sound include the RP-6000F II or RP-5000F II as front floorstanding speakers, the RP-500M II as bookshelf or surround speakers, the RP-502S II as dedicated surround speakers, and the RP-500SA II as Dolby Atmos elevation modules. A Klipsch SPL-series subwoofer crossed over at 80 Hz completes the system and takes low-frequency load off the RP-404C II's sealed enclosure.

What amplifier does the Klipsch RP-404C II require?

The Klipsch RP-404C II's 94 dB sensitivity and 8-ohm nominal impedance make it compatible with virtually any AV receiver or multichannel amplifier on the market. AV receivers from Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, and Anthem producing 50 to 125 watts per channel for the center channel provide more than sufficient amplification for everyday listening and peak dynamic passages. Bass management set to cross the RP-404C II at 80 Hz to a dedicated subwoofer is recommended for home theater use.

Where can I buy the Klipsch RP-404C II in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch RP-404C II is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Klipsch dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Klipsch Reference Premiere Series II lineup and provides expert guidance on finish selection, system matching, AV receiver pairing, and complete home theater configuration for rooms of any size. Canadian customers can contact Vinyl Sound directly or shop online for shipping across Canada.