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Willie Greer
If the audio is sorely lacking in your media content then you should look into a proper center channel speaker. But do know that not all of them will make a difference to your setup. Only the best ones will enhance audio quality. How do you source great units that will improve your listening experience and avoid wasting money? Our audio team is here to help.
RP-450C
- Heightens movie dialogue
- Linear Travel Technology
- Titanium tweeter
- Spun copper woofer
Signature Series S35
- Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array
- Power Port Technology
- 6 drivers
- Ultra-slim design
DV32CLR
- Affordable price
- Small and compact center channel
- Video shielded
- Fit for all sound formats
Reviews of the Top Center Channel Speakers
Polk Audio Signature Series S35
There really aren’t enough good things our audiovisual team can say about the Polk Audio Signature Series S35 center channel speaker. It’s an excellent investment for your sound system that features 6 drivers and a very compact profile. The wood grain finish and rounded corners of the S35 bring a very unique look to your home theater system.
In terms of technology, the S35 has Polk’s coveted and patented Power Port bass enhancement technology to deliver better bass response. The Polk Audio Dynamic Balance acoustic array is designed to bring a wider soundstage that encompasses you and the entire room.
What We Like
- Has hi-res certification
- Polk Audio Dynamic Balance acoustic array
- 6 powerful drivers
- Sleek finish
- Polk Audio Power Port Technology
- Anti-diffraction grille
- Slim profile
- Can be placed vertically
- Minimizes distortion at all volume levels
What We Don’t Like
- Not the slimmest model on the market
- Comes in one color
Klipsch RP-450C
The Klipsch brand is known for their amazing home theater system technology, which includes the Tractrix Technology. The Klipsch RP-450C also features a Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) titanium tweeter, which not only minimizes distortion but also enhances details.
Then there is the spun copper cerametallic woofers that feature the signature bronzed color and excellent bass extension and excursion. Just when you thought that was it, you will be pleasantly surprised by the Tractrix port, which allows for maximum air transfer that furthers bass production.
All the technology, removable grille, and MDF cabinet make the Klipsch RP-450C optimized for Dolby Atmos.
What We Like
- Dolby Atmos ready
- Removable grille
- Strong and sturdy MDF cabinet
- Tractrix port
- Spun copper cerametallic woofers
- Klipsch Linear Travel Suspension tweeter
- Klipsch special Horn Technology
- Comes in a walnut finish as well
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive
- A larger center channel
Bic Venturi DV32CLR
If size and cost are your main considerations, then the Bic Venturi DV32CLR is the best budget choice for you. It’s a very small and portable center channel speaker with 3 drivers, each capable of handling 10 to 125 watts per channel. You get 2 poly-graphite woofers and 1 poly-dome tweeter that work together to produce all the sounds on the audio scale.
The magnets are oversized for such a small center channel, which results in bigger and better bass with enhanced speech. The DV32CLR is compatible with all sound formats and won’t distort at high levels. The frequency response of the center channel can extend beyond the audible range.
What We Like
- Large magnet structure
- 2 poly-graphite woofers
- 1 poly-dome tweeter
- Very small and portable center channel speaker
- Best budget option
- Matches all sound formats
- No distortion
- Wide frequency response range
What We Don’t Like
- Not the best for very large rooms
- May be overpowered by large left and right speakers
JBL Studio 520CBK
The JBL Studio 520CBK center channel speaker is complete with transducers and PolyPlas cones. The high-frequency compression driver outlines the high frequencies that bring professional sound to your home audio system. You can’t have a perfect system without a strong and sturdy cabinet.
The MDF enclosure on the 520CBK is heavily braced which will not only protect the interior components, but it will also make sure it provides very detailed sound. The 2-way crossover network with the 520CBK will also minimize distortion for ultimate sonic clarity.
The exterior is very pleasing to the eye and the center channel speaker will fit well with your home system.
What We Like
- Strong MDF enclosure
- Low-frequency transducers
- High-frequency compression driver
- Minimizes distortion
- 2-way crossover network
- Heavily braced
- Glass-filled ABS bi-radial high-frequency horn
What We Don’t Like
- Not the best for a very large room
- Rear ported design
Micca MB42-C
If you like the wood grain design, the Micca MB42-C mimics real wood texture with exceptional precision. The woven fiber woofer will aid the center channel in producing the most impactful bass your surround sound system has been missing. Aside from clear dialogue to your home audio setup, the center channel speaker is small and easy to place.
The silk dome tweeter provides accurate imaging and smooth treble that fits with your surround speaker through 5-way binding posts. The exterior aesthetic is classic, will never go out of style, and looks great with any interior decor.
What We Like
- Silk dome tweeter
- Dual carbon fiber woofer
- 5-way binding post
- Classic wood grain finish
- Small and compact
- Ported enclosure for louder sound
- Low distortion
What We Don’t Like
- Not powered
- Works best directly in front of you
Pioneer SP-C22
Speaker designer Andrew Jones has come through with another innovative center channel design in the Pioneer SP-C22. The speaker comes with a curved design that is not only visually pleasing, but can also reduce standing soundwaves.
There are 4 woofers and a soft dome tweeter that will create the perfect blend of sounds to relay your content. The center channel speaker is magnetically shielded so placement near your TV or other devices won’t be an issue.
If you’re looking for dynamic sound and maximum performance quality, the Pioneer SP-C22 will not disappoint.
What We Like
- Beautiful and functional curved design
- Works well with surround speakers
- Magnetically shielded
- Complex crossover
- 5 drivers for immersive sound
- Crisper dialogue and improved details
- Striking appearance
What We Don’t Like
- Sounds best 2 feet away from the wall
- Sounds best with a full Andrew Jones speakers
Klipsch R-52C
Another one of Klipsch’s products makes it onto our list today. Our experts were also impressed by the R-52C and raved about the sound production. The cabinet design is similar to the other model, with the Klipsch R-52C also featuring copper woofers and Klipsch’s expert technology.
You can also find the LTS tweeter, Tractrix Horn Technology, IMG woofers and a closed back for placement flexibility. The sound production in Klipsch products is always highly regarded. The Klipsch R-52C has a total of 400 watts at peak power output that will complement your home sound setup.
What We Like
- Dual spun copper IMG woofers
- Tractrix Horn
- LTS tweeter
- Powerful center channel speaker
- Closed back design
- High sensitivity
- Removable magnetic grille
What We Don’t Like
- Speech clarity depends on the treble
- Not very slim
Definitive Technology Procenter 1000
The Definitive Technology Procenter 1000 is small but powerful. The speaker comes equipped with low-frequency radiators to pump out the bass and the black high-gloss finish looks super high quality without the price tag.
Of course, the Definitive Technology Procenter 1000 also comes with excellent sound reproduction capabilities. We are looking at a middle channel speaker that focuses on the lower midrange but doesn’t compromise the highs and the bass.
The twin BDSS drivers ensure that the small channel speaker can hit out of its league with a wider soundstage and crisper dialogue.
What We Like
- Cast basket drivers
- Pure aluminum dome tweeter
- High-quality black gloss
- Bass tone radiators
- BDSS drivers for excellent sound signature
- Big sound with a small footprint
What We Don’t Like
- Requires some breaking in
- No feet pads
Sony SSCS8
Sony also makes an appearance on our best center channel speaker list with the SSCS8. It looks simple and minimal, but the sound is anything but. Under the cloth grill sits a complex 2-way, 3-speaker bass reflex unit from a mica-cellular reinforced woofer and 1 main tweeter.
This middle channel speaker can successfully dissect the various layers of sound and unfold the action right before your ears. The Sony SSCS8 is excellent for hi-res reproduction and bass response.
The cabinet is well built and created to lower vibrations and resonance while still producing crystal clear dialogue.
What We Like
- 2-way 3 speaker design
- Mica-cellular reinforced woofer
- Wide dispersion tweeter
- Dynamic soundstage
- Optimized crossover
- Sturdy build
What We Don’t Like
- Not a very compact speaker
- Sensitivity is a little low
Yamaha NS-C210BL
The Yamaha NS-C210BL is a highly-coveted center channel speaker that will complement any home theater system. It’s a 2-way bass reflex design that will greatly improve the sound quality. The aluminum woofers make it even more possible to enhance the bass thanks to their lightweight and high-excursion design.
The Yamaha NS-C210BL isn’t all about the bass, because the balanced dome tweeter impresses with the high notes. The design and compact exterior of the center channel speaker go well with a home theater setup under a flatscreen.
The NS-C210BL may not look like much at a glance, but it’s a center speaker that will bring a definitive difference to your home.
What We Like
- 2-way bass reflex design
- Balanced dome tweeter
- Lightweight aluminum woofers
- Flexible placement
- Crystal clear dialogue
- Affordable for the sound quality you get
- No distortion
What We Don’t Like
- Back-firing port
- Not magnetically shielded
Center Channel Speakers Buyer’s Guide
Sometimes a soundbar just isn’t enough. Despite countless advertisements about a speech-enhancing center channel, nothing beats a full-on center channel speaker. Unfortunately, the buying process isn’t as simple as just picking one. There are many features to look for in the best center channel speakers, which is what our sound team will help you with below.
Size and Design
The size of your best center channel speaker is more important than people realize. It is, unfortunately, the first consideration because there is no point to a center channel and it doesn’t matter how advanced the technology is if it can’t fit into your space.
How do you determine the right size? Our sound engineers suggest looking at your home theater systems. Ideally, the center speakers will go in the center, right under your TV. If you have a wall-mounted setup with an entertainment unit underneath, then the height of the speaker won’t matter as much.
If you have a TV perched on the entertainment unit, you may have a very limited space to place your center speakers. The width is less of an issue compared to the height. All you need to do is some rearranging if you go for a wider unit.
The size will also factor into the sound quality. Although this isn’t always the case, larger center channel speakers are usually louder. So, if you have a bigger space, you may want to look into a bigger unit rather than a center channel speaker that is 5 inches.
Our experts chose some of the most efficient compact center channel speakers that will perform well even in a larger room.
The design and exterior of the best center channel speaker for you will look flawless in your home theater setup. You can go for a more inconspicuous design like the Definitive Technology Procenter, or one with an elegant wood grain like the Polk.
There are models with rounded corners and rubber feet to ones that are very boxy. A lot of the time, the shape of the center unit is often for aesthetic purposes, but there are ones that are shaped a certain way for utility.
For example, the Definitive Technology Procenter has a curved design that actually lowers resonance.
Sound Quality and Delivery
The number of drivers, the material of the cones, and advanced technologies are all contributors to the sound delivery. Just because your center channel speaker has more drivers, it doesn’t guarantee that you will get high-quality sound. Our sound experts say simple additions such as bass radiators or a bass port can make all the difference for the low tones.
Is your center channel speaker capable of producing accurate mid-range and high tones? This will also depend on the drivers. For woofers, you need something sturdy with high excursion, such as cones that are mica-reinforced. Tweeters should be made from lightweight materials so they can move fast enough to produce high notes. Our sound team suggests aluminum dome, silk dome or soft dome tweeters.
Many people purchase a center channel speaker for dialogue enhancement alone, which works best when the speaker is placed directly facing you, with your front speakers on either side. Our team suggests looking for a center channel speaker that features technology that will propel the sound to you no matter where you are sitting.
With the right drivers, placement, and technology, your center channel speaker should be able to fill the room with boosted audio no matter where you are sitting.
Frequency Response
The frequency response also has a big role to play in the sound quality and delivery. You want center channel speakers to provide as wide a range as possible. Most importantly, it should produce notes within the human audible range [1] which is between 20Hz to 20kHz.
That’s not to say that anything beyond that is pointless. Although we may not be able to hear the notes past that range, we can certainly feel it and it will help round out the performance.
Our team suggests units with a wide frequency range that definitely falls within the range above. If you want speakers that are focused on the low notes, then they will need a deep bass response.
Sensitivity and Impedance
Sensitivity and impedance are also crucial factors when it comes to your center speakers. Our professional engineers will dive into the sensitivity first, which affects the loudness of your speaker. The speaker sensitivity is measured in dB, or decibels, and the ideal rating is 90 or above. However, the most common range is closer to 88dB, which is still acceptable.
When given a choice, our team would suggest picking center channel speakers with a sensitivity range above 90. The same goes for home theater speakers and car audio speakers.
The impedance is measured in ohms, and it’s the rating of how much resistance your speakers have to the electrical current. A high-efficiency speaker will have a lower impedance. Common impedance ratings are 2, 4, 6 and 8 ohms.
Power
The power, which is measured in watts, can also contribute to the audio performance of your center unit. You may think that the higher the power, the better, but that’s not the case at all if there is a ton of distortion at higher volumes. There are two different power ratings and it’s important to know the difference between the two.
The RMS, or root mean square, is the rating at which you can blast your speaker without risking damage over a long period. The peak or max power is the rating your middle unit can handle in short bursts. The latter is higher than the former, sometimes twice as high.
Brands and manufacturers will often advertise the peak power and downplay the RMS, but our experts remind you to pay attention to the RMS before taking the peak power into account.
Just how powerful do you need the middle channel speakers to be? The answer depends on the size of your room. The size also plays a part, because larger center speakers are usually more powerful.
Look at the wattage per channel, which illustrates the power each driver can produce. A center speaker in a smaller room will do well with just 10 watts per channel, but you may need speakers with a higher power output in a larger venue.
Compatibility
The previous points are all moot without making sure your middle speakers are compatible with the rest of your setup. Look at the technical specs, connections, and configurations. Do you want a powered or passive unit? Passive speakers require an external amp while powered or active speakers do not.
If you have a passive system, then our audio team would suggest going for passive middle channel speakers, but make sure the crossovers and wattage are a good fit. Do your speakers and amps have matching connections? You need them to have compatible connections to integrate them easily into your system.
Price and Warranty
Our audio team made sure to include premium speakers to the best budget option to help our readers make the best choice for their circumstances. Luckily, you will rarely find speakers that exceed the 500 threshold. Since they are pretty affordable, there are a lot of people that forget about the warranty.
Even if you go with the most inexpensive option, it’s still a good idea to make sure the unit is properly protected just in case anything goes wrong. Read the fine print to understand what’s covered under the warranty period.
How long is the warranty coverage? The standard for most products is about a year, but there are speakers that provide a much longer period. If you can find products with a money-back guarantee as well, that’s even better as it speaks volumes about the quality of the speakers.
Why Install a Center Channel Speaker?
Do you really need center channel speakers, and what exactly do they do? The right center speakers will create a balanced sound between your left and right speakers.
A center speaker plays a very significant role in promoting dialogue clarity. If you feel like you are often struggling to make out what the person is saying on screen, then a center channel speaker will be very useful for you.
They can take the stress off of the side and satellite speakers so they can focus on the effects while the center speakers handle the speech.
You may not know what you have been missing from your home system until you install a middle speaker.
(For a more solid installation, you can also consider top-quality stands for speaker we listed here)
Difference from a Soundbar
A center speaker sounds a little like a soundbar, so what’s the difference? Center speakers are a component in a larger home system, while soundbars take on the role of improving your entire system all by itself. The higher quality ones feature a center channel, left and right speakers and even satellites if you purchase a whole system.
A center speaker is advised if you already have a full system and are looking to improve the speech and to round out the soundstage. However, if you want a simple solution and a quick upgrade to your flatscreen, our experts say that soundbars are a great investment.
FAQ
Does a good center speaker make a difference?
Yes, a good center speaker does make a difference. You will notice that previously inaudible conversations on the screen have suddenly become crystal clear. High-quality middle speakers also tie the rest of your system together seamlessly–if you pick the right one.
Is a bigger center speaker better?
No, a bigger center speaker isn’t always better. Just because it has a larger profile, it doesn’t mean the speaker can produce low frequencies and high-quality sounds like other ones. The technology and features in a center speaker such as bass radiators are what make a speaker better.
Can you use any speaker as a center channel?
Yes, you can use any speaker as a center channel, but we would recommend one that is solely designed for this purpose. You should at least look for one that can produce high-quality sound, be placed horizontally, and is good for the rest of your sound system.
Our Top Pick For a Center Channel Speaker:
Polk Audio Signature Series S35
Our professional opinion is that the S35 from the Polk Audio Signature Series is the best center speaker. It provides crystal clear audio and high-quality sound from a slim profile. The elegant wood finish on the speaker makes it look more expensive than it is and the unit can be placed vertically or horizontally for versatility.
