Product Recommendations: Center Channel Speakers
Center Channel Speakers | Updated: April 2022 | Written by u/DZCreeper & u/Bill_Money | edited & maintained by: u/htmod
Preface - The center channel is the most important speaker in a home theater, as the majority of on-screen action and dialogue comes from it. Therefore the quality of it is highly important, as is the positioning.
Ideally, it should match the frequency response and radiation pattern of your front left/right speakers, for smooth panning and consistent tonality.
This excludes MTM designs, which are common but have inherent performance compromise. Two woofers playing parallel have time alignment issues as you move off-axis, known as lobing. For more detail, see Erin's Audio Corner - The Problem with Most Center Channel Speakers. (With Sound Demos & Data), or the advanced speaker design post. Aim for 3 way designs, or a third bookshelf speaker as your center. Some MTM designs are still on this list for those who value the aesthetic heavily.
Brand matching is not a guarantee of a matching design.
- $0 - $299.99
In this category, a single bookshelf speaker is preferred. Most are sold in pairs, so you would end up with a spare. Notable value, single KEF Q150.
| Model | Price (MSRP) | Design | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neumi CS5 | $70 | MTM | N/A |
| Polk XT30 | $150 | MTM | EAC - XT30 |
| Elac Debut 2.0 C5.2 | $215 | MTM | N/A |
| HTD Level Two Center | $220 | MTM | N/A |
| Single KEF Q150 as a Center | $220 | Bookshelf | EAC - Q150 |
- $300 - $699.99
Purchase whichever speaker matches your choice of front L/R. If no matching center exists, try to purchase one with a similar design, so that you can EQ it towards a similar response. Notable value, Emotiva C1+ and Monoprice THX-365C.
| Model | Price (MSRP) | Design | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emotiva C1+ | $300 | 3-Way | EAC - C1+ |
| SVS Prime Center | $400 | 3-Way | EAC - Prime Center |
| Elac UC52 | $450 | 3-Way | EAC - UC52 |
| Monoprice Monolith THX-365C | $450 | 3-Way | EAC - THX-365C |
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 Center | $450 | 3-Way | N/A |
| NHT C LCR | $500 | 3-Way | N/A |
| KEF Q250C | $600 | 2-Way | EAC - Q250C |
| Elac UCR52 | $699.98 | 3-Way | N/A |
- $700+
At this price point, you should have the L/C/R fully matched for no compromise. Notable value, SVS Ultra and KEF R2C.
| Model | Price (MSRP) | Design | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEF Q650C | $750 | 2-Way | EAC - Q650C |
| Paradigm Premiere 500C | $800 | 3-Way | N/A |
| SVS Ultra Center | $800 | 3-Way | N/A |
| NHT M7 LCR | $800 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Wharfedale Evo 4.C | $900 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Paradigm Premier 600C | $1,000 | 3-Way | N/A |
| KEF R2C | $1,200 | 3-Way | EAC - R2C |
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra Horizon | $1,320 | 3-Way | ASR - Horizon Center |
| Monitor Audio Gold C250 | $1,631 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Polk Audio Legend L400 | $1,800 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 | $2,000 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Revel C208 | $2,200 | 3-Way | N/A |
| JTR Noesis 210RM | $3000 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Revel C426Be | $4,950 | 3-Way | N/A |
| Revel Voice 2 | $8,000 | 3-Way | N/A |
- Do it Yourself Options
| Model | Price (MSRP) | Design | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classix II | $125 | Bookshelf | N/A |
| Hitmaker MT | $135 | Bookshelf | N/A |
| Samba MT | $165 | Bookshelf | N/A |
| Morel Ardon | $200 | Bookshelf | N/A |
| Philharmonic BMR | $540 | 3-Way | EAC - BMR |
Posted Apr 20, 2022, 1:14 AM UTC · locked