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Klipsch Reference RC-42 II Center channel speaker

Item # 714RC42IIB

Reference Series performance in a small package Despite its compact size, Klipsch's RC-42 II center channel...

Reference Series performance in a small package Despite its compact size, Klipsch's RC-42 II center channel...

2 questions - 12 answers

Item # 714RC42IIB

Shop all Klipsch Center Channel Speakers

About the Klipsch Reference RC-42 II

Kristen Schaub
Reference Series performance in a small package
Despite its compact size, Klipsch's RC-42 II center channel speaker proudly carries on the Reference Series tradition. With its exceptional clarity and engaging soundstage, the RC-42 II reveals every word, every detail in your favorite movies. Use the included feet to tilt the RC-42 II up or down, so you can aim it precisely at your listening position.

Reference Series performance in a small package
Despite its compact size, Klipsch's RC-42 II center channel speaker proudly carries on the Reference Series tradition. With its exceptional clarity and engaging soundstage, the RC-42 II reveals every word, every detail in your favorite movies. Use the included feet to tilt the RC-42 II up or down, so you can aim it precisely at your listening position.

Horn technology for "front row" sound
All Reference Series II speakers feature a redesigned version of Klipsch's famous horn-loaded tweeter. Because high-frequency sounds are more directional than bass frequencies, it's especially important to target them right toward your ears. Klipsch places their titanium tweeter inside a flared opening, known as a "horn," which disperses the highs evenly across your listening area in a 90°-wide, 60°-high pattern. With their Series II speakers, Klipsch has redesigned the shape and slope of their famous horn enclosure, so your movie soundtracks and music will sound more "open," with improved dynamics and efficiency. All in all, you can count on powerful, "front row" sound that's crystal-clear at all volume levels.

High-tech driver design
The RC-42 II also uses newly machined, light-yet-rigid Cerametallic woofers to produce smoother mids and tighter bass. The specially treated aluminum in the cones help to dampen unwanted vibrations and reduce distortion, while an integrated dustcap gives them a cleaner look and adds stability. And the rigid, braced cabinet comes in a handsome woodgrain vinyl finish.

Check out the rest of our Klipsch lineup to build a complete Reference Series II home theater system. And don't forget to add a Klipsch subwoofer for high-impact bass.

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Product highlights:

  • frequency response 88-24,000 Hz (±3dB)
  • power handling: up to 75 watts RMS (300 watts peak)
  • sensitivity 95 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • Tractrix® horn with 1" titanium dome tweeter
  • dual 4" Cerametallic™ woofers
  • bass-reflex design via dual front-firing ports
  • video-shielded to prevent distortion with tube TVs
  • includes feet to tilt the speaker up or down towards your listening area
  • black ash woodgrain vinyl finish
  • 16"W x 5-3/8"H x 9-15/16"D
  • warranty: 5 years
  • MFR # 1011866

What's in the box:

  • Black center channel loudspeaker
  • Detachable magnetic grille
  • Rubber tipped bolt (with nut and washer attached)
  • 6 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual

Customer reviews for Klipsch Reference RC-42 II

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30 reviews

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More details on the Klipsch Reference RC-42 II

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Enclosure Bass Reflex
Color Black Ash
Tweeter Type Tratrix Horn
Tweeter Size (inches) 1
Midrange size (inches) ---
Woofer size (inches) 4
Connector Type Binding post
Power Range 75
Sensitivity 95 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency Response 88-24k Hz
Height (inches) 5-3/8
Width (inches) 16
Depth (inches) 9-5/16
Weight 12.6 lbs
Wall-mountable ---
Bracket Included No
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years

Product Research

Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options

Driver Technology

Highly-Efficient Design: The Klipsch RC-42 II utilizes a highly efficient design to produce more output using less power & energy for louder sound with less distortion. The RC-42 II is able to fill smaller rooms with outstanding, accurate, non-fatiguing sound that you can listen to for hours.

Tractrix Horn Tweeter: The RC-42 II features an exclusive Tractrix Horn which provides a more genuine, lifelike sound. In addition, behind each horn lies a 1.0-inch titanium tweeter with a linear travel suspension for open, natural, sound. The Tractrix Horn delivers a 90-degree wide by 60-degree high dispersion pattern for a broader sound-stage.

Cerametallic Woofer: The dual 4.0-inch woofers of the RC-42 II center channel loudspeaker features Klipsch's distinctive, copper-colored Cerametallic material. Made with an anodized aluminum, this cone is strong and dent resistant. The anodizing process converts its inner and outer surfaces to ceramic. The outcome is a rigid cone with superb damping characteristics that will not flex or resonate at frequencies within the woofer's operating range The 4.0-inch woofers also employ a rubber surround for added durability.

Crossover Network: The Klipsch RC-42 II's crossover network is constructed using extremely high-quality components including top-of-the-line internal wiring, polyester film-type capacitors and an air-core inductor to ensure signal purity and proper driver integration. The speaker's enhanced crossover frequencies offer smoother on-axis and off-axis integration.

Enclosure Design

Bass Reflex Enclosure: The dual 4.0-inch Cerametallic cone woofers and 1-inch titanium diaphragm compression driver are mounted in a bass reflex enclosure which features two front-firing ports. The twin front-firing ports eliminate turbulence noise, while increased baffle ribbing around the horn mouth and woofers dramatically improves acoustics across the sonic range. The bass reflex enclosure features a MDF cabinet finished with a Black Ash wood-grain vinyl and an aluminum front baffle. The RC-42 II's rigid cabinet offers improved internal cross-bracing to minimize panel vibrations that can color sound.

Magnetic Grille: The center channel loudspeaker features a removable magnetic grille which easily snaps into place over its cast-aluminum front baffle. The speaker can be used with or without its grille in place.

Connections

Binding Posts: The Klipsch Reference Series RC-42 II is equipped with sturdy binding posts to ensure a secure connection to many types of cable and connectors. The binding post terminals will accept banana plugs (single only), pin-connectors, spade-connectors, and bare wire.

Mounting Options

Magnetically Shielded: The Klipsch RC-42 II center channel loudspeaker is magnetically shielded to prevent video interference.

Placement: The RC-42 II should be centered directly above or below your video screen. If necessary, you can place the speaker on an optional floor stand in front of and below the screen that elevates it to the correct height. Ideally, however, the speaker's front baffle should be flush with the front of the screen.

Rubber Feet: The center channel speaker comes with six self-adhesive rubber feet to secure the speaker in place and prevent any damage to your stand's or shelf's surface.

Note: The rubber feet add approximately 0.3125" to the height of each speaker.

Adjustable Angle: If the center speaker is well above or below the ear height of seated listeners, you can improve performance by angling the center channel slightly to compensate. Included with the speaker is an adjustable foot that you can screw into one of the two threaded inserts on the bottom of the cabinet. To tilt the speaker down, install the foot in the insert near the back of the cabinet; to tilt the speaker up, install the foot in the insert near the front of the cabinet.

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Customer Q&A

2 questions already asked

Q
Has anyone matched this speaker with the RF-52 II floor speakers? I just picked those up, they sound great, and only 12 hours later I want a center speaker too. Unfortunately, I just discovered that the RC-52 II center speaker won't fit in my TV cabinet!
christopher  Dec 05, 2014
4 answers
A
I have the 42 matched with the 52 floor speakers and it sounds great.
paul  Dec 05, 2014
A
I totally get it. I bought this center speaker last year from Crutchfield and I bought a set of Klipsch bookshelf speakers from Best Buy. I did this because the bookshelf speakers at Crutchfield would not fit on my bookshelves. So I paired a set of Klipsch bookshelf and a Klipsch center speaker that were not from the same line. The center speaker I bought from Crutchfield is a better quality speaker than the bookshelf speakers I bought from Best Buy. It was louder and dominated the sound coming from the three speakers. To fix this, I had to adjust the settings for the speakers to more or less make them equal - I had to turn back the center speaker and turn up the bookshelf speakers. You may find you have to do something similar. Hope that helps. I do love my Klipsch speakers though! Enjoy yours.
christina r  Dec 05, 2014
A
I match with RF-62 and sound great
juan r  Dec 05, 2014
A
I haven't matched it by the rc-42 sounds really good
kevin  Dec 05, 2014
Q
Can this speaker be mounted on the wall? Does it have a keyhole on the back or something or is there something else needed to mount on the wall.
roy  Mar 11, 2014
8 answers
A
No there is not
herbert  Mar 25, 2014
A
No, there is no keyhole or place to mount it
jayme  Mar 17, 2014
A
no you can not mount on wall will have to be on a shelf
joseph  Mar 14, 2014
A
It don't have any keyhole. You can put something in the wall and put the speaker
juan r  Mar 13, 2014
A
Because of its weight, I would not attempt to wall mount this speaker unless it was placed on a shelf with angle braces under the shelf. As to whether the speaker has a keyhole on the back or similar hardware for wall mounting, my unit does not.
dunn  Mar 12, 2014
A
I don't see anything on the back that can be used to hang it. I don't thing it's possible without a shelf.
kevin  Mar 12, 2014
A
There are no holes on the back of the speaker to mount it and it's surprisingly heavy for a speaker. Despite this, it was a great purchase! I use it as my center channel. :)
maria r  Mar 12, 2014
A
There are no key holes on the back of this speaker. It would require a shelf...
michael  Mar 11, 2014

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