Klipsch RP-500C II Reference Premiere Center Channel Speaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The RP-500C II is a two-way center channel speaker from Klipsch (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. The compact center channel in the Reference Premiere Series II lineup, the RP-500C II brings the full Series II acoustic architecture into a smaller footprint than the RP-504C II, making it the right choice for home theaters where the center channel must fit within tighter media console or AV furniture constraints without sacrificing Reference Premiere sound quality. It features dual 5.25" 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 96 dB sensitivity rating with a frequency response of 56 Hz to 25 kHz. It handles 100W continuous and 400W peak at 8 ohms, and is available in ebony vinyl and walnut vinyl finishes.

Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn and Titanium LTS Vented Tweeter

The acoustic centerpiece of the RP-500C II is its enlarged 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn, dimensionally larger than the horn used in the original RP-500C. Klipsch's Tractrix® geometry maximizes the efficiency of high-frequency transfer to the listening area while controlling dispersion across a wider bandwidth, focusing dialogue energy precisely at the listener and maintaining consistent tonal character across a wide horizontal seating area. The phase plug and compression-molded silicone face smooth the frequency response at the horn throat, eliminating resonances before they reach the listener. The 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter uses a low-mass titanium diaphragm with Linear Travel Suspension, extending the treble ceiling to 25 kHz, while the vented tweeter housing eliminates standing waves behind the diaphragm that would otherwise introduce unwanted harmonics into the critical dialogue frequency range. Together these elements give the RP-500C II the natural, effortless vocal clarity that the Reference Premiere Series is known for.

Redesigned Cerametallic™ Woofers and Dual Tractrix® Ports

The dual 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofers in the RP-500C II have been redesigned for the Series II generation with 70% larger voice coils compared to the original RP-500C, delivering substantially improved power handling, cone control, and linearity throughout the woofer's excursion range. New aluminum Faraday rings in the motor assembly suppress eddy currents within the voice coil gap to reduce nonlinear distortion, and the revised motor structure improves transient response with greater speed and accuracy. 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. Dual rear-firing Tractrix® ports use Tractrix geometry with custom inner flares to create laminar airflow, reducing port noise and turbulence for punchier, cleaner bass extension down to 56 Hz. The internally braced MDF cabinet minimizes resonance and vibration coloration, and cork pads replace conventional rubber bumpers for more secure and lower-resonance placement on a stand or AV furniture shelf.

Key Features

• 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn: Enlarged second-generation horn with phase plug and compression-molded silicone face for maximum high-frequency efficiency, smooth frequency response, and controlled wide-angle dispersion for consistent dialogue clarity across the seating area.
• 1" Titanium LTS Vented Tweeter: Linear Travel Suspension tweeter with titanium diaphragm minimizes distortion; vented housing eliminates standing waves for cleaner, more natural high-frequency reproduction extending to 25 kHz.
• Dual 5.25" Cerametallic™ Woofers with Faraday Rings: Redesigned woofers with 70% larger voice coils, aluminum Faraday rings, and an updated motor structure deliver reduced distortion, higher power handling, and faster, more accurate transient response.
• Dual Rear-Firing Tractrix® Ports: Tractrix-geometry ports with custom inner flares reduce air turbulence and port noise for punchier, cleaner bass extension down to 56 Hz.
• 96 dB Sensitivity: High efficiency allows the RP-500C II to achieve high output levels with modest amplification, handling 100W continuous and 400W peak at 8 ohms.
• Advanced Internally Braced MDF Cabinet: Additional internal bracing minimizes cabinet resonance and vibration coloration for improved sonic transparency and accuracy.
• Audiophile-Grade Wiring and Aluminum Binding Posts: 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 suited to any home theater decor.
• Magnetic Grille and Cork Pads: Magnetic grille attaches without visible clips; cork pads replace rubber bumpers for secure, lower-resonance placement on stands or shelving.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Klipsch RP-500C II?

The Klipsch RP-500C II is a two-way center channel speaker from the Reference Premiere Series II, featuring dual 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofers with Faraday rings, a 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with a 90° x 90° Silicon Composite Hybrid Tractrix® Horn, and a 96 dB sensitivity rating. It covers 56 Hz to 25 kHz, handles 100W continuous and 400W peak at 8 ohms, uses dual rear-firing Tractrix® ports, and measures 19.44" wide and 6.94" tall. It is available in ebony vinyl and walnut vinyl finishes.

How does the Klipsch RP-500C II compare to the RP-404C II and RP-504C II?

The Klipsch RP-500C II sits between the RP-404C II and RP-504C II in the Reference Premiere II center channel lineup. The RP-404C II uses quad 4" woofers in a sealed, very shallow 6.47" deep enclosure suited to tight placements, while the RP-500C II uses the larger dual 5.25" woofers in a rear-ported enclosure for deeper bass extension to 56 Hz versus 87 Hz. The RP-504C II steps up further with quad 5.25" woofers, a 2.5-way crossover, and a wider 32" cabinet for higher maximum output in larger rooms. The RP-500C II is the most versatile middle-ground option for medium-sized home theaters.

What is the Cerametallic™ woofer in the RP-500C II?

Cerametallic™ is Klipsch's proprietary woofer cone material combining the surface hardness of a ceramic anodized aluminum finish with a low-mass cone structure that resists flexing and breakup under high excursion. In the RP-500C II, the Cerametallic™ cones are enhanced with aluminum Faraday rings in the motor assembly, which suppress eddy currents to reduce nonlinear distortion, along with 70% larger voice coils compared to the original RP-500C for improved power handling, cone control, and transient accuracy. The Spun-Copper finish is a visual signature of the Reference Premiere series.

Does the Klipsch RP-500C II need a subwoofer?

The Klipsch RP-500C II's dual rear-firing Tractrix® ports extend bass to 56 Hz, covering most cinematic dialogue and music content. For full home theater use, Klipsch recommends crossing the RP-500C II over at 80 Hz to a dedicated subwoofer, allowing the center channel to focus on dialogue and midrange frequencies while the subwoofer handles the low-frequency effects channel. The rear-firing port also requires at least 3 to 4 inches of clearance behind the speaker to breathe freely, so placement on a shelf against a wall should be avoided or compensated by pulling the speaker forward slightly.

What system pairs best with the Klipsch RP-500C II?

The Klipsch RP-500C II is designed to anchor 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 surround or bookshelf speakers, the RP-502S II as dedicated surround speakers, and the RP-500SA II as Dolby Atmos elevation modules. A Klipsch SPL-series subwoofer completes the system with bass management at 80 Hz.

What amplifier does the Klipsch RP-500C II require?

The Klipsch RP-500C II's 96 dB sensitivity and 8-ohm nominal impedance make it compatible with virtually any AV receiver on the market. AV receivers from Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, and Anthem producing 50 to 100 watts per channel for the center channel output provide more than sufficient amplification for everyday home theater and music listening at the RP-500C II's 400W peak handling capability.

Where can I buy the Klipsch RP-500C II in Toronto or Canada?

The Klipsch RP-500C 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. Canadian customers can contact Vinyl Sound directly or shop online for shipping across Canada.