Categories: Reviews

15 Best Center Channel Speakers in 2021

The main part of your home theater is the surround system. The surround system is pretty much made up of two speakers (L and R Front), a center speaker, and a subwoofer. If the sound from either speaker is not clear, it will likely lead to audio disappointment and a possibility that your home audio experience as a whole becomes sub-optimal. 

This is where the center channel speaker comes in. These speakers are designed for immersive entertainment and the capacity to supplement your existing surround system with extra vocals.

There are different types of center channel speakers to choose from, depending on what you need. For instance, some speakers don’t have a subwoofer output for your subwoofer while some don’t have a surround back-speaker at all, among other varying features. Therefore, the most important thing is to make sure you get speakers that are compatible with the output of your surround sound system.

So it’s time to determine which model is best for you from the 15 center channel speakers below.

1. THEATER SOLUTIONS C1 Center Channel Speakers

The C1 center channel speaker from Goldwood is designed to handle all of your dialogue, music, and effects so you can enjoy movies at their best without distractions. With an exclusive TEAC Full Range 2-Way sound system, dialogue comes through crystal clear and music details are revealed with the clarity you never knew existed. And with its specially designed crossover network, you’ll enjoy both the depth and dimensionality you never thought possible from a more traditional passive speaker design. 

The C1 speaker features dual bi-laminate composite cone woofers, balanced and shielded for maximum performance and titanium-coated tweeter cones for superior high frequencies. An MDF wood cabinet with an acoustically transparent grill makes the entire system visually appealing. The C1 fits perfectly into your home theater for that movie night-at-home feeling you’ve been missing.

It features a crossover network that splits the audio signal into high and low frequencies, resulting in smooth, seamless transitions between the low bass notes to treble high notes. Instead of sending all of the signals to one or two drivers like most entry-level or conventional speakers do, the C1’s crossover network sends signals to different drivers for optimal performance.

By doing this, the manufacturer has been able to achieve its signature Full Range sound with a seamless transition between treble and bass without sacrificing clarity and detail.

The C1 comes with a traditional ferro liquid-cooled double-sided soft diagonally wound paper cone woofer that is durable and less expensive on a per watt basis. This means you get more output from a smaller speaker without sacrificing sound quality at any frequency.

2. KLIPSCH RP-450C Center Channel Speakers

If you are looking for a center channel speaker with state-of-the-art performance, the Klipsch RP-450C is for you. This speaker will give your whole system an upgrade.

The Klipsch RP-450C has four drivers, each of which has a capacity to generate 18 watts of power (72 watts total). For crystal clear sound, this speaker includes a linear travel titanium tweeter and quad 5.25 inch spun copper cerametallic cone woofers.

The heavy-duty polymer molded cabinet with newly designed baffle of Klipsch RP-450C is easy to assemble and disassemble, weighing under 30 pounds. As a new design, the Klipsch RP-450C speakers are mounted on a new stronger base with a rubber coating for easy assembly and disassembly. They also offer a flexible orientation that allows for easy placement on a table or shelf.

All four ceramic drivers are powered by Klipsch’s patented 1-inch horn-loaded titanium diaphragm compression driver to deliver crisp, detailed, full-range sound reproduction with minimal distortion. The cast aluminum cone woofers are unique to Klipsch products, as are the tweeter horns. This allows for linear excursion at all volume levels, ensuring excellent sound reproduction even at maximum volume levels.

In a nutshell, the Klipsch RP-450C speakers provide the most lifelike and natural sound possible for your home audio and home cinema audio system.

3. POLK AUDIO SIGNATURE SERIES S35

Polk Audio is a company that specializes in high-quality speakers including the amazing S35. This ultra-slim 4-inch tall speaker provides powerful sound with dynamic balance acoustic array technology for all genres of music. The S35 speaker is a perfect addition to a home theater setup, a great replacement for your old speaker, or simply a classy addition to your decor.

The dynamic balance array provides clear and crisp audio while the turbulence-smoothing diffuser eliminates the harshness of the sound coming from other speakers, giving music or movies an open and natural sound that will surely be pleasing to the ears!

It has an ultra-slim design that looks nice in any setting you place it. The front features 3-inch 6 drivers and a 1-inch Terylene tweeter dome with rounded edges enabling it to blend in nicely with any room’s decor.

This speaker is a significant boost to any home theater system. Not only will it produce higher-quality audio, but it also looks nice! You won’t have to hide this away in some cabinet or closet. It has an elegant appearance that is ideal for most environments, and at the same time, it doesn’t take too much space on your shelf. This is a simple speaker with all the sound you need and no unnecessary features that are likely to cost you more.

If you want a great replacement for your old speaker, or a stylish addition to your decor, the Polk Audio Signature Series S35 is a perfect fit. With stunning looks and superior sound, this speaker will provide you with an incredible home theater experience!

4. DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY CS-9060 Center Channel Speakers

Introducing the Definitive Technology CS-9060 Center Channel Speaker. A TRUE center channel speaker that is dedicated to home theater with minimal TV sound leakage. It features 8-inch 150 W Powered Subwoofer, 4.5-inch 2 mid drivers, and a 1-inch Aluminum Dome tweeter for precise detail and wide dispersion, delivering pure sound. All these with Intelligent Bass Control to deliver deep, powerful bass and precise vocal articulation without distortion!

Experience deeper, more impactful bass and extraordinary details in any production with the Definitive Technology CS-9060. The result of two decades of research into 2nd Generation Direct/Reflecting BDSS technology drivers. BDSS technology drivers are short for Balanced Double Surround System. It employs a magnetic structure specifically designed to produce uniform sound pressure levels in the upper and lower frequency ranges.

The 1-inch Aluminum Dome Tweeter provides pure high-frequency response in the CS-9060 center channel speaker for maximum vocal clarity. A large 2-inch voice coil provides a low-frequency response which enables the 1-inch tweeter to reproduce the full audio spectrum so you don’t miss any of the details in your favorite program or movie.

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY CS-9060 delivers unmatched performance across the sonic landscape with its handcrafted timber matched speaker system that produces immersive home theater surround sound with expansive bass extension and clear dialogue reproduction that matches or surpasses even the most expensive traditional systems on the market today. With a precision bass-reflex design that maximizes efficiency, this speaker system will surprise you with its powerful and clear performance.

5. SVS PRIME CENTER

Solid-state design is now more affordable than ever with the SVS PRIME CENTER which comes with air-core inductors, heavy-trace printed circuit boards, high-quality capacitors, and a three-way design. It has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a sensitivity of 86 dB. It can be used with amplifier power of up to 200 watts.

It features a smooth transition between midrange driver and tweeter, or tweeter and woofer. The response is perfect on-axis or off-axis – all frequencies are reproduced seamlessly without requiring any adjustment.

The SVS PRIME CENTER comes with an elegant FEA-CAD optimized cabinet and premium quality cloth grill that integrates perfectly with your AV equipment and ensures superior audio and protection for your speakers. Its stylish molding is one of the most sophisticated-looking designs on the market today. The molding is very robust while allowing for easy access to all controls.

Both the high-quality built-in tweeter and woofer are made in one piece – they are not soldered onto the internal board – allowing for easy replacement if needed. Of course, the speakers include a cloth grill to protect your speakers from dust or mishaps.

Air-core inductors produce high SPL and extended frequency response which greatly improves sound dispersion and minimizes distortion. Because of the air core design, the SVS PRIME CENTER is also capable of very lightweight and compact installation – perfect for home theaters where space is at a premium.

6. ELAC DEBUT 2.0 C6.2 Center Channel Speakers

The ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 Center Channel Loudspeaker with its dual-driver 6.5-inch woven aramid fiber bass and 1-inch soft-dome tweeter delivers the realism and focus that will completely immerse you in your home theater or stereo system.

With an 8-ohm nominal impedance and front-firing ports for greater flexibility in room placement, this loudspeaker is compatible with just about any AV receiver or stereo amplifier. The Debut 2.0 C6.2 Center Channel Loudspeaker also delivers deep impactful bass and smooth extended highs for crystal clear dialogue and fine detail. Thanks to its new tighter weave pattern and aramid fiber woofer, the Debut 2.0 C6.2 Center Channel Loudspeaker provides a natural sonic presentation.

Not only is the Debut 2.0 C6.2 Center Channel Loudspeaker a perfect center channel for your home theater, but it’s also a great speaker for your stereo system. And if you’re looking for more performance from your existing loudspeakers, the Debut 2.0 C6.2 is a great complement to ELAC’s Debut series speakers as rear channel speakers in a 5.1 surround sound setup or as front channel speakers in a 7.1 surround sound system with an ELAC subwoofer to complete the picture and create the ultimate audio experience.

The Debut 2.0 C6.2 is equipped with Front Firing Ports for greater flexibility in room placement [even up against a wall], and easier access to rear channels of surround sound systems with surround decoding. It can also be used with front-firing systems where rear speaker placement is less important, adds depth to dialogue, and allows sound effects to blend seamlessly with movies.

7. POLK AUDIO BLACKSTONE TL1 Center Channel Speakers

The Polk Audio Blackstone TL1 ultra-compact center channel speaker is a full 5 inches shorter than a standard front or center channel speaker and comes with a high gloss black finish that is both stylish and durable. This compact powerhouse delivers crystal clear sound with powerful bass while being nearly half the size of most other speakers in its class. 

The speaker’s groundbreaking time lens technology allows the tweeter and mid-bass drivers to be placed in the same plane thus reducing diffraction and distortions. The result is a very dynamic, larger-than-life sound from a speaker that is very compact in size.

The Polk Audio Blackstone TL1 Center Channel Speaker’s unique shape looks great in any room. With its compact size, it fits into any space with ease. You can mount this speaker virtually anywhere or use it as a rear-channel speaker for surround sound setup. The Blackstone TL1 Center Channel Speaker is easy to set up and operate. It is simple to mount it to the wall either through the optional cable management system, or the standard speaker wire connection. Its unique shape allows for versatile placement in almost any environment.

The Polk Audio Blackstone TL1 Center Channel Speaker is a great choice for a home theater speaker. The 2.5-inch 2 drivers are made of the highest quality silk dome tweeter and injection-molded cones. There are no parallel surfaces or seams for any distortion during operation. The Blackstone TL1 is easy to connect and operate. The non-parallel surfaces eliminate any frequency confusion and will provide you with clear and loud sounds as the speaker produces aperiodic-tuned rear port operation.

8. MARTINLOGAN MOTION 50XT Center Channel Speakers

The 50XT delivers clear, highly dynamic, and precise sound while creating a flawless high gloss finish that will blend perfectly into any home decor. This center channel speaker pairs well with other Motion Series speakers to complete your audio system. It comes with many of the same features as MartinLogan’s best-selling Motion 45XT speaker but boasts 3 dB more output power for both the mid/high frequencies and low end.

The 50XT is the perfect addition to any room thanks to its clean and simple yet sophisticated design. With its wide array of finishes, it will create a seamless look alongside your other MartinLogan Motion Series speakers. It will also blend with any decor due to its elegant and timeless looks.

The Motion Series represents the pinnacle of MartinLogan’s audio design expertise. Each speaker is designed for ideal sound delivery while providing an amazing aesthetic appeal. The Motion Series utilizes a precision-built crossover and high-performance woofer to deliver crystal clear sound with incredible bass.

The MartinLogan Motion 50XT is loaded with state-of-the-art technology to deliver what you want in your home theater. For starters, it’s an efficient 6.5-inch speaker designed to drive the low frequencies in your system to playback crystal clear audio even at loud volumes. And don’t forget about its folded Motion XT tweeter that squeezes the air and requires almost 90 percent less excursion while producing lightning-fast response time and high definition sound quality.

9. MICCA MB42-C Center Channel Speakers

The MICCA MB42-C is a center channel speaker that is designed for homes with surround sound. It has many advantages such as superior transient and impactful bass as well as a high-performance silk dome tweeter that produces smooth treble and accurate imaging.

The size of this speaker is, on average, 5.3 inches by 15 inches by 7.1 inches. It is easy to place and blends seamlessly into any room or decor. The sound is very good, and the voice sounds natural. It has a compact classic design which is suitable for anyone who wants to install a center channel speaker at home.

Its woofers are made from woven carbon fiber material which enhances its impactful bass performance. The center of each woofer has a rubber material that reduces vibration and distortion coming from the voice coil when it moves back and forth thus improving its transient response.

The housing is ported to extend the low bass response while minimizing distortion. This makes for a clean, accurate bass. The silk dome is an excellent choice for this speaker’s tweeter because it has a great treble output and produces smooth treble with accurate imaging.

For optimum sound quality, it is important to place the MICCA MB42-C in a correct location. 5-way binding posts are provided, making it easy to install on a wall or under furniture where there are no visible holes or slots.

The two tweeters are provided with capacitor filter resistors which reduce the electrical interference by up to 15 dB. This allows users to enjoy high-quality sound with lower distortion. The MICCA MB42-C  has a high sensitivity of 86 dB 1W/1 M which enables the speaker to produce sound perfectly even at very low volume settings.

The square-shaped woofers are specially designed to increase efficiency. Though there are several center channel speakers in the market, it is not easy to find one with so many features for a comparatively lower price.

10. SONY SSCS8 Center Channel Speakers

The Sony SSCS8 center channel speaker is the newest sound innovation in our wide range of speakers. It is compatible with the latest home theater technology and guarantees a full cinematic experience. The 2 way, 3-speaker bass-reflex system has been specially designed to provide you with the type of audio output that will knock your socks off. 

And with a 4-inch foamed mica cellular reinforced woofer and 1-inch polyester main tweeter, you’ll be hearing every sound crystal clear! You can also experience quality content on these speakers with their 145 W maximum input power, 86 dB sensitivity, and 55 Hz – 25 kHz frequency response. These speakers are an excellent addition to your home theater system and will give you great quality sound for years to come.

You will be the envy of all your friends with this center channel speaker from Sony. With its high-quality sound, exceptionally clear voice, powerful bass response, and sleek design, you’ll have a hard time going back to your old speakers. And it only takes a few minutes to set up!

The SSCS8 is a welcome addition for any home theater enthusiast who wants a cinematic experience at home. Its high-quality components are ideal for serious movie buffs or audio aficionados who want true cinematic sound pumping through their living room.

It features a newly developed metal dome tweeter that will reduce distortion for better sound quality as well as high-quality crossover networks that will improve filtering. It also features a newly developed metal dome midrange with an increased frequency response of up to 55 Hz.

11. PIONEER SP-C22 Center Channel Speakers

For a premium quality listening experience, the new Pioneer SP-C22 is just what you need! This speaker is designed by Andrew Jones, the world-renowned speaker designer. The audio experience is enhanced through its true curved cabinet and stiffer design which reduces standing waves inside the cabinet. The result? High performance and exceptional sound quality. Twin 4-inch woofers and a soft dome tweeter let you enjoy bass frequencies to the woofer and high frequencies to the tweeter with 6 element complex crossover that blends audio between them.

This center channel speaker weighs 13.45 lbs, has a height of 7.1 inches, a width of 18.1 inches, and a depth of 8.4 inches. It comes with two rear-side wire connections which make it easier to install.

Additionally, it is magnetically shielded for placement near a TV monitor. The speaker has a frequency response of 55 Hz – 20 kHz and can be used with an audio amplifier to create an immersive listening experience.

It is also equipped with the company’s new PEI dome tweeter technology which delivers exceptional high-frequency detail along with excellent off-axis response; it also has the famous Andrew Jones-designed high-performance 4-inch CMT midrange driver coupled to a Hybrid Crossover network for amazing audio performance in your home theater or music listening environment.

The SP-C22 features a true curved cabinet design for maximum acoustic output and clarity. The cabinet utilizes multiple layers of acoustic bracing to reduce standing wave resonances inside the enclosure which results in higher performance and better sound quality. The SP-C22 is magnetically shielded meaning that it can be placed near a television without causing picture distortion. 

The SP-C22’s coaxial driver layout features a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter coupled to a 4-inch CMT midrange driver using a hybrid crossover network. The speaker’s sound is detailed and natural with an excellent off-axis response due to its wide dispersion characteristics.

12. MICCA MB42X-C Center Channel Speakers

The MICCA MB42X-C is a center channel speaker with a dual 4-inch balanced woven carbon fiber woofer, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, and ported enclosure. The speaker has an 18 dB crossover with 9 elements, which matches the power handling of 100 watts per driver for smooth treble and accurate imaging.

It has a compact classic design that allows it to be placed anywhere in the room and to easily blend with any home decor. This center channel doesn’t need to be self-powered since it is managed through an amplifier or receiver for playing audio of any kind, whether movies or music.

The MICCA MB42X-C is primarily made of high-quality materials that are designed to last very long. The enclosure is made of high-quality MDF [Medium Density Fiberboard] wood which has the appearance of fine furniture. The grill is made of ABS plastic with a fine linen texture. The terminal board uses gold-plated 5-way binding posts for secure connections.

The speakers boast an ideal performance thanks to the 18 dB crossover system with 9 elements which helps optimize the sound quality to its maximum potential. There are also other components like a woven carbon fiber woofer and a silk dome tweeter that are effective in delivering crisp audio without causing any distortion. The woofers are also very powerful, thanks to the enhanced transience and impactful bass.

This center channel is available in black wood-grain vinyl; its classic design makes it an ideal complement for any type of room decor. It is quite easy to place this speaker anywhere, thanks to its compact dimensions which measure 5.3-inch (height) x 15-inch (width) x 7.1-inch (depth).

Overall, the speaker offers great value for money with its fast, solid bass response that doesn’t cause distortion when played at full volume.

13. ACOUSTIC AUDIO PSC-43 Center Channel Speakers

The Acoustic Audio PSC-43 is a speaker that is designed for use in home theater, multiple room systems, and center channel speaker systems. It has a 3-way passive design with two 4-inch full range woofers and a 1-inch Mylar dome tweeter.

It also has an 8-ohm impedance that can take up to 150 watts of power and a frequency response of 85 Hz – 25 kHz as well as a mounting hang tab on the back for attaching it to the wall or other flat surface and quick release spring loaded wire terminals for making easy connections without fussing with screws. 

The cabinet is made from an acoustic transparent grill while the enclosure is an acoustically tuned bass-reflex designed in the USA. It has a black ash wood grain veneer finish with a video shielded digitally tuned bass reflex cabinet that also has an acoustically transparent grill. It also comes with a matching wood grain veneer grill that protects the speaker from damage and blends in perfectly with your home theater and living room decor.

Acoustic Audio PSC-43 is made with quality drivers and high-quality crossovers which make the sound crisp and clear with good sound dispersion in all ranges. This speaker has a frequency response of 85 Hz – 25 kHz and an efficiency of 89 dB at 8 ohms. It can take up to 150 watts of power and recommended power is 15-150 watts making it easy to connect to any amp or receiver.

The speaker, which comes with a one-year warranty, was designed in the USA to ensure that it provides maximum sound output. It measures 4.33 inches x 13.93 inches x 5.74 inches.

There are many reasons to choose the PSC-43 center channel speaker for your home theater system. For example, it provides a perfect surround sound experience everywhere in your home, even if you are not near the main speakers. It also helps you enjoy movies or TV shows without any problems at all, whether you are in different rooms or not.

14. DAYTON AUDIO C452 Center Channel Speakers

Dayton Audio is well known for creating high-quality, well-designed audio equipment at an affordable price. The Dayton Audio C452 Center Channel Speaker is one example, offering quality sound without costing you a fortune.

The C452 features dual 4½-inch poly cone woofers that add substantial low end to the sound for TV and movies while adding clarity and detail in dialogue. It also features a 5/8-inch polycarbonate tweeter that creates more clarity in dialogue while minimizing distortion.

The speaker’s MDF cabinet has a textured black vinyl finish with black cloth grill to make installation easier while adding protection against dust or other debris accumulation. The speaker’s keyhole brackets and rubber feet for wall or shelf placement make it easy to mount.

Dayton Audio C452 features a variable impedance of 6 ohms which lets you run-up to a total of 60 watts RMS at a time. However, the speaker is designed to take up an average of 120 watts RMS at 4 ohms. The tweeter has a frequency response from 85 Hz-20 kHz while the woofer has a frequency response from 85 Hz – 25 kHz. The sensitivity is 86 dB at 2.83 volts input and 90 dB at 1-volt input.

The speaker comes with a height of 5.5 inches, 15.75-inch width, and 5.7-inch depth to ensure room compatibility with your TV stand or wall mount setup. It weighs 8 pounds making it lightweight enough to transport but heavy enough to ensure stability.

Like most other center channel speakers, the Dayton Audio C452 has received positive reviews from pleased customers highlighting how well it has performed in terms of sound quality for movies and TV shows.

15. SVS ULTRA Center Channel Speakers

The SVS ULTRA Center Speaker was first released by SVS Audio. Designed to offer a full-range high fidelity center channel speaker with state-of-the-art technologies, the ULTRA Center Speaker uses the finest components in its construction including a one-inch aluminum dome tweeter, 4-inch composite glass fiber, motorized midrange driver, and dual 6.5-inch woofers. SVS engineered this speaker to deliver a smooth off-axis response and perfect dispersion characteristics for accurate surround channel placement from all listening positions.

The SVS ULTRA Center Speaker can be combined with the SVS PB-2000 subwoofer to create the ultimate 2-channel home theater surround system. These are some of the best, most powerful home theater or surround sound speaker systems that will rock your world. The ULTRA Center Speaker is 22×10.9×8.2 inches and weighs 31 pounds.

The all-new SVS ULTRA Center is the industry’s first 3-way center channel speaker with air-core tapered edges on the cabinet’s front baffle. That means optimized performance and minimal interaction between midrange drivers and tweeters to minimize sound coloration.

With amazing sound to match its stunning looks, the SVS ULTRA Center also features premium-grade capacitors that provide hum-free power delivery for pristine clarity throughout movies, TV shows, and music. It also comes with air-core inductors and high thermal stability for maximum reliability and performance.

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