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Entered CNET Catalog: 10/17/2003
SKU: RC-25
Manufacturer: Klipsch Group, Inc.
Manufacturer description
The center channel is the most important component of a surround sound system, but it is often overlooked. In fact, it produces more than 60 percent of all soundtrack materials. Klipsch certainly gives the new RC-25 center channel the attention it deserves by incorporating new features that enhance performance and installation flexibility. This detailed performer establishes a new value price point in the Reference Series line by continuing to offer phenomenal sound and stylish flair, but at an even more affordable price. The RC-25 delivers precise, subtle and exhilarating sounds through dual 5.25-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter that has a light titanium-dome diaphragm and a high-energy, video-shielded Neodymium magnet. The tweeter is coupled to an exclusive Klipsch square Tractrix Horn that boosts the driver's already high sensitivity while minimizing room interactions that cause loss of sonic detail. Klipsch's Tapered-Array Technology, a 2.5-way design, minimizes the acoustical interference between drivers that plagues most horizontal center-channel speakers. This technology allows both woofers to create intense bass, while only one works with the tweeter to produce the midrange. The result is a smooth, clear sound not just directly in front of the speaker, but off to the sides as well, where conventional center speakers often exaggerate or mask sounds. The woofers feature an enhanced version of Klipsch's distinctive, copper-colored Cerametallic material that is stronger than ever. These cones are made of an anodized aluminum that makes them tough but does not detract from their elegance. The anodizing process converts their inner and outer surface to ceramic. The result is a rigid cone with outstanding damping characteristics that will not flex or resonate at frequencies within the woofer's operating range. Driving these cones are large, video-shielded magnets and high-temperature, long-excursion voice coils, for high efficiency and deep, powerful, articulate bass without breakup or distortion. The RC-25 has dual front ports for improved bass response and ease of cabinet installation. It also incorporates an up and down tilt feature to accommodate a variety of placement options. The RC-25 achieves a sleek and stylish look because of its black wood grain vinyl veneer and new sculpted low-diffraction baffle with an integrated horn. The RC-25's appearance gets even better with new magnetically attached grilles, which are easier to handle and more durable. The RC-25 reproduces detailed, subtle and dynamic sounds that allow listeners to hear the passion that the filmmakers and artists originally intended. This center channel is also timbre-matched to the entire range of Reference speakers.Product summary
The good: Two-way design featuring dual 5.25-inch woofers and a 1-inch horn tweeter; "bi-wire" connectivity; matches the other Klipsch Reference models.
The bad: May not be the most synergistic match for bright-sounding electronics.
The bottom line: Klipsch's Reference center speaks with a clear voice.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/05/2004
Since a DVD's dialogue and much of its effects and music are channeled through the center speaker, home-theater fans can't take a chance on a subpar design. Enter Klipsch's RC-25, which features two 5.25-inch woofers and a titanium 1-inch horn tweeter. This center, listed at $199, is timbre-matched to its Reference-series siblings. We had a pair of Reference RF-15 towers on hand during this review.
The horn design accomplishes two feats: First, it so dramatically increases efficiency that the loudspeaker can produce more volume per watt than conventional direct-radiating tweeters. Second, the horn controls the tweeter's dispersion, minimizing floor and ceiling reflections to make imaging sharper and clearer.
That horn isn't the RC-25's only unusual feature. This center is a 2.5-way design, which means that the two woofers have different jobs. One covers just bass, while the other handles bass and midrange. Those copper-colored woofers are made of anodized aluminum, whose damping characteristics are superior to those of conventional metal drivers.
The RC-25's front-mounted ports increase bass response and let you install the speaker in a cabinet or under a television. A tilting mechanism accommodates a variety of placements; for example, the RC-25 can perch atop a TV and lean down toward listeners.
The RC-25's only available finish is black "wood grain" vinyl. This is a fairly large speaker, measuring 6.5 inches high and 20.5 inches wide, and it weighs a healthy 19 pounds. Also noteworthy is the grille, which attaches magnetically rather than with standard plastic pins. In addition, you get separate binding posts for the tweeter and the woofers; that design can slightly improve sound quality. Speaking of connections, Klipsch's engineers chose Monster cable for all of the RC-25's internal wiring.
Natural dialogue is the name of the game for center speakers. The RC-25's tonal balance is ever so slightly lightweight, but its lively dynamic presence puts this model ahead of most similarly priced competitors. Even during the mayhem of battle scenes, dialogue intelligibility never suffered. The speaker also eked out enough bass to handle multichannel SACDs and DVD-Audio discs. We have one caveat: Avoid mating a bright or even slightly harsh receiver with the RC-25, which will highlight that weakness. Our setup involved first-class electronics, and our reference discs sounded awfully good.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 User Rating: 
7/10
Good for the price
Pros: Can produce good bass
Cons: Treble inst all that refined
Probably this speaker can sound better with a better receiver but for my receiver I think it certainly lacks treble range for my taste. Others might see this speaker in a different light and like it more than me but this is all about my opinion.
I?ve been doing some research about the break in time for the speakers and they say it sounds better after 100 hrs of break in time. I?m going to give that a try and see if it sounds better after such time. I don?t think treble would improve after break in because I own a pair of Paradigm M9 for my fronts and the rebel for that became much smoother after a while and not more than what it was originally.
If anyone thinks am crazy to compare Sony with Klipsch, let me tell you this, ive been a sound maniac all my life and I know what am listening to is good or bad, detailed or just colored. If there is anyone who has compared the Klipsch RC-25 with Paradigm procenter C2, please let me know cause I think that sounds better that this on all fronts. I have listened to it some time back. The shop dealer did not have stock of it when I went to buy it and I ended up buying the Klipsch.
For comparison try to disconnect other speakers and listening cause in multi channel mode you wont quite know how exactly the center is doing besides the voice part, other speakers will fill cloud you hearing.
I also tried connecting this as a main speaker having everything else disconnected and the difference in the treble was all the more obvious.
If anyone thinks am wrong about the way am reviewing this, please correct me.
