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Klipsch Reference RC-52 II Center channel speaker

Item # 714RC52IIB

The RC-52 II also uses newly machined, light-yet-rigid Cerametallic woofers that produce smoother mids and tighter...

The RC-52 II also uses newly machined, light-yet-rigid Cerametallic woofers that produce smoother mids and tighter...

2 questions - 19 answers

Item # 714RC52IIB

About the Klipsch Reference RC-52 II

Kristen Schaub

A smart balance of performance and value

The RC-52 II also uses newly machined, light-yet-rigid Cerametallic woofers that produce smoother mids and tighter bass. The specially treated aluminum in the cones helps 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.

A smart balance of performance and value

Klipsch's RC-52 II delivers robust, lifelike center channel sound. Using patented Klipsch speaker technology, it lends sonic realism and presence to the action on screen, letting you hear every word, every detail of your favorite movies. Whether you place this speaker above or below your TV's screen, you can use the included adjustable foot to tilt and aim the speaker precisely at your listening position for the best possible sound.

Grille off

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-52 II also uses newly machined, light-yet-rigid Cerametallic woofers that produce smoother mids and tighter bass. The specially treated aluminum in the cones helps 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.


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Product highlights:

  • frequency response 67-24,000 Hz (±3dB)
  • power handling: up to 125 watts RMS (500 watts peak)
  • sensitivity 96 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • Tractrix® horn with 1" titanium dome tweeter
  • dual 5-1/4" Cerametallic™ woofers
  • bass-reflex design via dual front-firing ports
  • video-shielded to prevent distortion with tube TVs
  • includes adjustable foot to tilt the speaker up or down towards your listening area
  • black ash woodgrain vinyl finish
  • 20-1/2"W x 6-1/2"H x 10-7/8"D
  • warranty: 5 years
  • MFR # 1011865

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

Scratch & Dent items may be missing non-essential accessories. In some cases the manufacturer's accessories have been replaced with generic equivalents.

See the difference between "Open Box" and "Scratch & Dent" Outlet items

Customer reviews for Klipsch Reference RC-52 II

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5.0 out of 5 stars
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More details on the Klipsch Reference RC-52 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) 5-1/4
Connector Type Binding post
Power Range up to 125
Sensitivity 96 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency Response 67-24k Hz
Height (inches) 6-1/2
Width (inches) 20-1/2
Depth (inches) 10-7/8
Weight 22.1 lbs
Wall-mountable ---
Bracket Included No
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years
The Klipsch Reference RC-52 II replaces these items:

Product Research

Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options

Driver Technology

Highly-Efficient Design: The Klipsch RC-52 II utilizes a highly efficient design to produce more output using less power & energy for louder sound with less distortion. The RC-52 II is able to fill medium-sized rooms with outstanding, accurate, non-fatiguing sound that you can listen to for hours.

Tractrix Horn Tweeter: The RC-52 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 5.25-inch woofers of the RC-52 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 5.25-inch woofers also employ a rubber surround for added durability.

Crossover Network: The Klipsch RC-52 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 5.25-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-52 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-52 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-52 II center channel loudspeaker is magnetically shielded to prevent video interference.

Placement: The RC-52 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
Can you place this speaker vertically?
david  Apr 29, 2015
8 answers
A
There is no limit on the case as to horizontal or vertical. However, you should consider the shape of the sound envelope. Horizontal will project an envelope with some vertical component, but more left to right component. If it is placed vertical, that would be reversed; some left to right component and more vertical. If that is not critical to your listening area then there is no problem. The speaker placement is symmetrical with the drivers on each end and a horn in the middle (the horn is more square than rectangle). While we use ours for a center speaker, the audio for the TV has almost no stereo to it so the center speaker gets used the most. It's only when we use the Blu-ray player that we get to enjoy the whole sound system.
joseph  May 01, 2015
A
Theoretically yes, you could mount it vertically, but you won't be getting the best performance from your speaker, most notably the way the sound is projected from the speaker to fill the room. Mounting it vertically will drastically reduce the outward "spread" of he sound, meaning that the both "sweet spot" and the total area of the room that will have good quality sound will be drastically reduced if you were to mount it vertically. Also, you would have to find a way to retrofit a vertical mounting mechanism: the speaker only comes with small padded "legs" for non-mounted installation, so if if weren't on the wall the cabinet would have to sit directly on the ground or furniture, which would alos interfere with its ability to produce ideal sound. So in short: yes, you could place/mount it vertically, but you shouldn't if you want to ensure the best sound from the speaker. I might add that for the price, this is, like all klipsch speakers I currently own (and have owned in the past) an excellent center channel. I have yet to find anything better in the price range (and I looked and listened for 2+ years and found that it even outperforms some of its more expensive competitors). So if you can find a way to use it as its designers intended (ie horizontal installation), do it, even if it means a non ideal aesthetic. Highly recommended, especially when paired with other klipsch reference series speakers. I've had a pair of reference towers since 2001 and have never had even the slightest problem, and receive compliments on the quality of sound all the time. Best of luck, let me know if you have any other questions, as I just installed control 4 system and reworked my whole home audio using all klipsch speakers; to say I'm very pleased is an understatement. Even the installers, who typically deal with super high-end products, were impressed with the sound quality klipsch delivered at that price point.
russell c  Apr 30, 2015
A
Im unsure. I did not have any reason to use it that way. The box seems strong enough, but I cannot say what it would do to the sound.
melinda  Apr 30, 2015
A
You can stand it on end, and I'm fairly sure if it would sound exactly the same. The reason it is meant to be on it's side is to get it as close to your viewing screen so the sound appears to come from the screen itself and not a misplaced speaker.
stephen  Apr 30, 2015
A
Absolutely you can place it vertically! great idea..I might do that myself! Steve
steve  Apr 30, 2015
A
I don't see any reason why you couldn't. It's flat/square on the sides so it should stand straight and solid.
stephen p  Apr 30, 2015
A
Dave - While it is physically possible to place this speaker vertically it is not designed to disperse sound from that position. The sound stage will likely be adversely affected, although to what extent is hard to know.
robert  Apr 30, 2015
A
Yes, it is possible to place the speaker vertical. Because the speaker is rather large it will have a large enough footprint to sit stable. If you remove the grill so that the logo and model do not throw off the look, the tweeter and cones will look very cool.
gabriel  Apr 30, 2015
Q
Does anyone know if this would support the weight of an 80 lb flat screen? Thanks, Bill
william j  Feb 28, 2014
11 answers
A
DO NOT PUT ANY TV ON TOP OF ANY SPEAKER!!!! Speakers consist of magnits which can be linked to shorter TV life. It is recommended that all speakers be a min. of 2ft away. Ready he manual and it'll tell you the min. distance from a TV. (May be in TV or speaker manual).
derek  Aug 03, 2015
A
What is the exact height of this speaker? Can it be modified any? I really want this speaker, but the 6.5" height is too big by about 3/4 of an inch.
jason  Oct 08, 2014
A
I would not put a flat screen on top. It would not be stable and the speaker has a front support piece to lift up the front part of the speaker
cesar  Mar 04, 2014
A
Yes, but I don't think it makes a good support.
glenn e  Mar 03, 2014
A
Bill, I am not expert but was given this question to answer. I definitely would not put a tv on this speaker. It is a speaker, not a tv stand. I would pursue a different solution. An 80lb tv can be very dangerous if not properly mounted or supported. You can find tv mounts for reasonable prices if you seach the internet. Even ones with articulating arms that can bring the tv off the wall. Eric
eric  Mar 02, 2014
A
This really isn't a true answer to your question, but only my recommendation. Although this Center Channel speaker is built very ruggedly, I would not risk placing an 80 pound television on top of it. You have to realize that you aren't talking about a fully formed box of thick material. The front of the speaker is comprised of the mounting surface for the speakers, and probably not the thick MDF board of the sides. Also, I'm not sure of the construction of the back of the speaker box. There is a forum right on the Klipsch website where the people more involved with it's construction can possibly answer your question better. Since this would also raise your flatscreen off the base cabinet another 6.5", I would think it would make the television somewhat unstable. I hope that helps.
stephen  Mar 02, 2014
A
I would say...yes. This speaker is VERY beefy...but I certainly don't know the ramifications of putting 80 lbs of TOP of a speaker? Personally, I would not do it...but I feel confidant is will support 80 lbs.
steve  Mar 02, 2014
A
We did not place our flat screen on the this. We mounted the TV
patricia  Mar 02, 2014
A
My guess would be a strongly confident YES. There's no way to know for sure of course unless I've tried it, which I haven't, but the speaker is very solidly built and heavy in it's own right. I'll think you'll be safe with your 80lb flat screen on top of this speaker....good luck!!!
christopher  Mar 02, 2014
A
I wouldn't do it Bill. Although this speaker is in a well designed heavy box, 80 lbs seems like a lot. I'd worry about an eventual fracture, and, even in the short term, transmitted stresses to the speaker itself; causing distortion, or damage. I have my center speaker on the the bottom shelf of a bookcase shelving unit, and the flatscreen on a separate shelf above it.
steve  Mar 02, 2014
A
It is so solidly built, I can't imagine any problems supporting that weight. That's my opinion but you might want to verify this with Klipsch directly.
jeff  Mar 02, 2014

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