About the Klipsch Reference RC-42 II
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:
Klipsch Reference RC-42 II owner's manual
- 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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More details on the Klipsch Reference RC-42 II
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
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This CC speaker replaced an older JBL. Having three horn tweeters across the front really sounds super! Continue to be amazed by these Klipsch products!
Brenda's husband from Southside, Va.