Best Center Channel Speakers

If you are after the ultimate surround sound immersive home experience, then a center channel speaker to balance the room is absolutely essential.

You will feel like you are there, wherever that may be… Whether you are listening to music, gaming or watching movies, a center channel speaker will take you to the next level.

A center channel's sound quality is improved in such a way that sound resonates and echoes from every part of the room. Regardless of whether you want to listen to music or watch a movie, the speaker can be connected to your TV, Hi-Fi system, or other devices.

You'll get excellent sound quality with a center channel speaker. The majority of sound mixes in a movie or music are created by center channel speakers, which is why we've listed the top 10 center channel speakers that will add a hint of immersive realism to your home theater surround sound experience.

Read on and get one step closer to your dream home sound setup.  

Polk Audio Signature S35

The sleek Polk audio signature S35 is designed to provide you with a full surround sound movie and music experience in the comfort of your own home.

Your movies, music, and television sounds will be elevated beyond your wildest dreams with new and improved dynamic, balanced designed acoustic arrays and precision crossovers. High-res certification, an anti-diffraction grille, a dual power port, and a modern cupboard design. You'll never look back after purchasing this centre speaker.

Pros

• Clear sound with a lot of presence 
• Incredible detail, especially with dialogue 
• Deep bass response 
• Slim design allowing for multiple placement options

Cons

• Can have overpowering low tones with some voices
• Strains at lower frequencies 

Klipsch RP – 250C 

Many people will be familiar with the Klipsch name. Klipsch has been a household name for a long time, so it's not surprising that it appears in our top 10.

The RP-250C makes viewers and listeners feel completely immersed in the sound thanks to excellent music lyrics and clear dialogue, and it blends with most room decor.

Pros

• Made with quality and very durable allowing high performance
• Natural sounding dialogue and realistic sound effects
• Beautiful design and works well with any style of decor 
• Uses less power than competitors
• Portable and lightweight 

Cons

• May need a additional subwoofer for fuller bass
• High price point 

SP-EC73 – Pioneer Home USA

For a consistent sound signature, the Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 has circular bass drivers. It comes in a small and elegant cabinet that makes it easy to integrate with other equipment.

The passive radiator in Elite SP-EC73 is a unique feature that enhances bass impact for the most commanding voices and sound effects, immersing you deeply into the world of sound detail. This little gem is one of the best in its class.

Pros

• Beautifully made with a classy style and finish
• Supports Atmos and DTS applications 
• Versatile tremble bass
• Laser focus from coaxial driver array
• Strong low bass extension

Cons

• This speaker provides such great detail it can reveal faults in poorly recorded material 

Polk Audio CS10

Because of its high quality and efficient design, the Polk Audio CS10, which is the most affordable on our list, provides quality and the best sound. It produces crystal-clear audio and has a sturdy cabinet, making it a valuable addition to your speaker system.

It's also fairly simple to set up and use. CS 10 has been created with efficiency in mind, and it is compatible with a wide range of electronic components.

Its user-friendly design makes it easy to achieve the desired sound effects with minimal effort and regardless of the configuration that is set up.

The CS10's unique angled top allows for greater orientation flexibility, with this speaker being able to be inverted underneath your TV. This is especially useful when working in rooms with specific layouts.

However, it's worth noting that the audio experience will be different from other orientations but still crystal-clear in these circumstances.

Pros

• Wide frequency range
• Good value for money
• Superb highs and clear and powerful mids
• Super lightweight and portable with many different placement options
• Sleek looking due to narrow baffle geometry 

Cons

• Extreme volumes can cause clipping 
• Lacks deep base
• Minimal midrange driver 

Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 

The Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 is considerably smaller in size, measuring 10.5 x 5. 5 inches. This centre speaker is ideal because it is much smaller than other options which is great if you are pushed for space, but it performs even better.

This speaker is a great choice for those who want a compact setup with exceptional performance. It's also one of the best centre channel speakers available so when they say great things come in small packages, they’re right.

The ProCentre 100 comes with bass radiators, which can look like make-up for the speaker's small size, are one of the features that makes ProCenter 1000 make it into the top 10.

The radiators provide support to the dual woofers, resulting in a smooth and tight sound environment for a fully immersive experience.

Furthermore, the two bass radiators produce a bass sound, which results in a deep bass tone and a richer midrange, so it's not all for show!

Pros

• Extremely controlled and powerful audio in all ranges
• Compact and intuitive 
• Incredible clarity and powerful dynamic bass
• Bass radiators provide a richer bass experience
• High quality professional finish
• Lightweight and manageable 

Cons

• High price point
• Can generate residual noise at lower frequencies
• No crossover frequency specified 

Klipsch R – 25C 

Do you enjoy watching epic films with bass and midrange sound effects blowing your socks off? Klipsch has the answer for you. Klipsch audio series produces high-quality audio equipment, and the KlipschR-25C is no exception.

It is perfectly sized to fit on many shelves, particularly the one under your TV or projector screen, making it extremely portable and ideal for the home setup.

It's one of the best centre channel speakers for a fantastic home theatre setup, so I'd strongly recommend considering this one.

The Linear Travel Suspension tweeter has been integrated into the system to enhance performance and minimise sound distortion for the ultimate experience, making any song or movie feel as if you are right there.

Furthermore, this center channel is versatile in that it provides a variety of amplifying options for various home theatre systems while also being a high-quality product.

Pros

• Detailed dialogue and versatile frequency profile 
• High quality terminals providing maximum flexibility for connection
• Super refined and sleek look which adds to any room decor
• It consumes less power in comparison to its competitors
• Durable build quality 

Cons

• High price point
• Not great for larger rooms
• Not the best for Audio CD and DVD audio options

Sony SSCS8

Sony has been a pioneer in providing realistic sound when watching films and listening to music for many decades.

The Sony SSCS8 is pocket-friendly, has a simple and intuitive design, and produces a beautifully clean sound. The cabinet is made of wood and blends well with all kinds of decor.

When it comes to pairing with other speakers, it is incredibly versatile. This built-in woofer delivers a powerful bass response. SSCS8 has 3 speakers in its cabinet case, in addition to the woofer.

The bass operates in these speakers. Furthermore, its 2-way capability allows for a variety of pairing options with other speakers and devices, as well as placement positions.

Pros

• Lots of installation options
• Beautiful sound vibration
• Incredible bass response
• Great quality at an affordable price
• Durable and top build quality

Cons

• Not the best for small rooms

Cerwin Vega SL45

Sound defines the quality you get from listening to your favourite songs or watching your favorite TV shows. Many people swear by this one, and Cerwin Vega speakers have been leading worldwide for their excellent sound quality.

The new SL45C design has improved sound quality to exceptional levels, making it an excellent choice if you're planning on installing a new sound system or replacing an existing one. 

​​The SL45C has five 14-inch drivers that improve vocal clarity. It has an additional five bidding posts for a quick and reliable installation. By maintaining a clear high-frequency response, the 1-inch soft-dome tweeter ensures crisps are high.

SL45C is reinforced with an internal brace, which helps to strengthen the cabinet structure while also eliminating unwanted resonance noise, due to its traditional design featuring a removable grill. The Cerwin VegaSL45C has been designed for vocal clarity and intelligibility.

The bass-reflex design's tuned porting helps to create a punchy and tighter bass response. The SL45C's 8-ohm impedance makes it compatible with almost all amplifiers and receivers, making it suitable for movies, music, and television.

Pros

• Punchy and powerful bass tones
• Room filling base with full performance at all volumes
• Incredible mid range and supports sounds effects to a new level
• High frequency response
• Quick, secure and easy installation

Cons

• High frequency response not as clear as some other competitors
• Not the best choice for audiophiles

MartinLogan Motion 8

The sleek MartinLogan Motion 8 is designed to provide maximum performance and flexibility. Because it comes with special brackets, this speaker can be mounted on the wall.

This versatile speaker can be positioned both vertically and horizontally, and it can be combined with other motions series such as motion 4.

For a perfect front soundstage, you can use three motion, eight speakers as your (L/C/R) speakers.

The innovative Folded Motion Tweeter is designed with a large surface area, usually around 8 times that of a 1-inch dome tweeter, to produce that engulfing, clear, precise, and high dynamic sound that your ears want to hear all day long.

Elegant yet understated styling with a real-wood veneer finish, subtle curves, evocative perforated grille, piano black finish, and a flawless high-gloss finish makes it suitable for all kinds of decor.

Because Motion 8 has a curving design, you can direct the sound to the desired listening position around the room. The curved shape also allows for numerous wall-mounting orientations, whether low or high on the wall or in corners.

Pros

• Incredibly versatile for all mounting positions
• Includes brackets for wall mounting 
• Beautifully curved cabinet
• Compact bass technology 
• Powerful base with no need for amplifiers or extra subwoofers

Cons

• Less dynamic frequency range, low ends in particular
• High tones can be inconsistent 

Fluance Signature series

As you say goodbye to that soft sound, the Fluance signature series will transport you to that cinema sound you've always wanted. Because it produces high-quality audio, this two-way center channel speaker is ideal for your movie and music experience.

The Fluance Signature series has measured, tested, and perfected every aspect in order to reproduce the best audio details, with sound excellence at the forefront of its ambition.

This center channel has become a household name in home audio, boosting the best qualities of everything from ultra-high-end tweeters to powerful mid rangers.

The Fluance signature series center channel has been designed in such a way that every nuance of dialogue or vocals is heard, giving you a lifelike home theatre experience that cannot be replicated.

The Fluance series, like other centre channel speakers, has been designed to be easily placed above or below the projecting screen/TV.

High frequencies are generated quickly but smoothly and controlled by the Fluanceseries' ultra-high-end Neodymium tweeters.

This will help to deliver the movie's finest details with spacious imaging and captivating absolute clarity. This high-fidelity center channel ensures that every sound is heard exactly as the sound producers in a movie intended.

The two midrange drivers make this possible. These drivers are woven with a stiff, lightweight midrange that creates a natural warm soundstage. The glass fibre helps to ensure optimal linear movement, ensuring sound clarity and precision at all volume levels.

Pros

• Beautiful natural sound quality
• Precision bass delivery 
• Big speakers
• Compression at higher volumes
• No exposed fasteners for drivers
• Reduced parallel surfaces due to cabinet design

Cons

• Can struggle to produce midrange tones
• Not great for small rooms
• Midrange frequencies can be muddied at higher volumes

Buyers Guide

Performance and Sound Quality

Choose a centre speaker with a wide frequency range when selecting one. Those who are in the centre of the listening position, as well as those who are not directly facing the speaker, benefit from a wide range of sounds.

Furthermore, regardless of whether you're going to have a simple or an elaborate system, the sound quality will be at its peak.

Power Requirement

The size and quality of the system will determine how much power is required. A good center channel speaker will use the same amount of power as standard stereo speakers on the market in ohms and decibels.

It's therefore crucial to consider power requirements before you make a purchase.

Budget

Most center channel speakers are reasonably priced in general. However, quality necessitates commitment.

Before you make a purchase decision, it's critical to budget the right amount of money. The prices will vary depending on the brand and the retailer. We want you to get the best sound possible on your budget.

Sensitivity

Natural surround sound with less static noise is produced by center speakers with a high sensitivity rating. In addition, they use less power than those with a lower sensitivity. The speaker's sensitivity should therefore be considered for good sound and power savings.

Size and style

Your centre speaker should be the same size and style as your other surround sound speakers. You should try to find brands with similar mid-range and frequency responses. This is critical because it will ensure a smooth transfer of sound from one speaker to the other.

Usage

Most central loudspeakers are used for gaming, listening to music, or watching movies, and you only need to choose the one that best suits your purpose while also taking other factors into account.

Before you buy a center channel speaker, other factors such as sensitivity, size/style, sound quality, performance, power, or wattage should be carefully considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Any Speaker for a Center Channel?

You can use any speaker (except a subwoofer) for your center channel, but ideally, you'd use a speaker that has a horizontal, rather than vertical, or square, cabinet design, such as the example shown below from Aperion Audio.

How Big Should my Center Channel Speaker Be?

Generally, 4 -5 inch drivers perform better in the mid-range function (150-3000 hz which seem to be the critical range for the center channel) in terms of clarity, tonal and timbre accuracy than 6-8 inch drivers of the same series/line..

At the same time a good quality 6 inch driver would perform better than a low.

Should the Center Channel be Louder?

No, when properly calibrated, the center should not be louder than the fronts. The numbers you see in the setup doesn't mean the center is louder (or not as loud). Those adjustments exist so that you can account for differences in loudness between speaker models.

Should Speakers Be at Ear Level?

Both speakers should face toward the listener, with the tweeters at roughly ear level. To achieve optimal listening height, we generally suggest using speaker stands.

If your speaker is near the back of a shelf, sound will reflect from any and all surfaces in front of the cone.

Does a Good Centre Speaker Make a Difference?

Equally important, the center channel speaker supports a seamless soundstage with the front left and right main speakers, allowing sounds to flow precisely from any point between them.

A great center speaker conveys sonic transitions smoothly and accurately, further suspending your sense of disbelief.

Conclusion

We have listed above all the top contenders for centre channel speakers for your dream home setup. Each one offers something slightly unique and credible.

I hope you have found the information you were looking for to move forward and build the dream home studio you’ve always wanted!