<font color='#000000'>Hi, I am going to purchase a Denon 1804 90 W 6.1 HT receiver and currently have Klipsch SB-2 bookshelf speakers rated at 85 W.
I want to start building a speaker system with a center channel, reasoning that movies would benefit most from this unit. Klipsch suggests matching the SB-2 with an SC-1, which retails for ~$280. However, I actually like the added features of the RC-25, which sells for ~$199. See below for a head to head comparison of specs. Timbre matching is a factor; from a web site, it is suggested that it takes about a 4 dB change in mid or high harmonics to be perceived as a change in timbre, whereas about 10 dB of change in one of the lower harmonics is required.
Questions: Can the SB-2 handle the wattage of the Denon in stereo mode? (I've heard the power drops in 6.1 mode).
Can it be determined from the specs if the timbre of the two choices are close enough to be indistiguishable? If not, what info is needed?
What's up with the difference in measuring sensitivity?
Did Klipsch overprice the SC-1? It sure looks like the RC-25 is the better value.
Any purchase recommendations if you were in my shoes?
Parameter SC-1 RC-25
Freq. Response 60Hz-20KHz 69Hz-20KHz
Sensitivity 95dB @ 1watt/1 m 95dB @ 2.83 volts/1 m
Power 100 W 125 W
Enclosure Sealed Bass reflex, front ports*
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Drive components Two way Tapered array**
Tweeter K-101-S 1" Aluminum K-130-DN 1" Titanium*
Tractix horn 5" square 90x60 5" square 90x60
Woofers (2) K-1079-SV 5.25" IMG K-1127-OV 5.25"
cone/cast polymer frame Cerametallic® cone/cast
polymer frame*
HF Crossover 2200 Hz 2250 Hz
MF Crossover ---- 250 Hz
* Advantage IMHO
** From the Klipsch web site: a 2.5-way design, eliminates 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 acoustically blend 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 eliminate sounds.</font>