Best Center Channel Speakers Of 2023 - Getting The Ultimate Home Theater Experience

The washed black walnut finish is guaranteed to fit with any type of interior. These center speakers offer the ultimate listening experience, as they can be placed horizontally and vertically. With dimensions of 6 x 24 x 4 inches, this is the largest center speaker we reviewed, as well as one of the strongest. The extra slim design will make it a perfect fit under any TV - and it doesn't take up much room, either, as well as being super lightweight.

S35 is made with quality materials so the sound has low distortion, a large frequency response range, and clear vocals. MDF cabinet or Medium Density Fiberboard creates the perfect structure for less sonic interference. 

The Performance

With 6 woofers and a soft dome tweeter, these Polk Audio stereo speakers create exquisite sound quality with a sensitivity of 89dB! The woofers are slightly smaller on these center speakers, 3 inches each, but since there are six of them, they make it up in quantity. They are dynamically balanced, and that along with a large surface area makes the audio experience undeniably good, despite the affordable price.

1-inch dome tweeter from Polk Audio, made of Terylene offers a high-resolution sound quality, making the perfect fit for any home theatre system. The system can handle up to 150-Watts, which is certainly higher than many other speakers in this article. The only flaw of this speaker is the cross-over frequency, which could be better.

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The black finish of the audio speaker definitely works well with all kinds of interiors, be that traditional or modern, but it's no Andrew Jones design. It's rather lightweight so you can even take it with you when traveling. With the dimensions of 7 x 15 x 5 inches, this center speaker definitely falls into the category of smaller speakers, but it produces robust sound effects like the Pioneer SP-C22.

High, mid or low frequency - doesn't matter, as the separate driver balances out the sound for the ultimate viewing experience, as well as an increased surface area. Four-inch woofers create robust sound effects, while the 3/4-inch soft dome tweeter generates the ultimate sound, thanks to its titanium tweeter qualities. The woofers are made of woven carbon for the perfect bass experience with the 2-way bass reflex.

The Performance

When we're talking about the performance, it's worth noting that this center speaker has an output of 150 Watts, so it's powerful but without losing energy efficiency. The sound quality mixed with the cross-over frequency make this speaker a great buy!

We mentioned that the bass experience is certainly amazing, partially thanks to the ported enclosure, which enables low sound distortion, as well. The sound is precisely directed at all frequencies, even the highest ones. Furthermore, this speaker has a sensitivity of 85dB - just like its counterpart, SP C22!

The listening experience is phenomenal, the center speaker can withstand even high-frequency sounds, a characteristic shared with the speaker SP C22. The only flaw is the lower response which could be perfected with the use of an equalizer. Use affiliate links for further information.

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3. Klipsch RP-500C Center Channel Speaker
- High-End Choice -

The dimensions are 9 x 18.9 x 7 inches, so it will create powerful sound quality and an experience that can be a subject of envy of all your friends. This centerpiece isn't the largest on the market, but it has double connectivity, definitely something everyone could appreciate.

The horizontal design is the best idea for a centerpiece and you can see for yourself that it's equipped with two powerful, 5.25" woofers and a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter. Detachable grills are magnet-attached so they provide a refined look in the signature series, just like the RC 62 II or Cerwin Vega.

The scratch-resistant finish is mirror-like due to piano gloss and an ebony/walnut vinyl. The finish is hand-sanded and polished to perfection.

The Performance

The first thing we wanted to put an accent on is the 90 by 90 degrees Tractrix Horn mouth design which provides a high-frequency response that creates a better dynamic with the picture compared to low frequency.

The Tractrix horn comes with a one-inch wide titanium tweeter that generates sound as the manufacturer intended. The two woofers are lightweight, made from spun copper for the ultimate sound quality. They are designed with LTS, linear travel suspension so you don't experience bass distortion. When using RP-500C, you will only experience a crystal clear sound in the mid as well as high range sounds. However, if you want a very strong bass response, you may need to invest in an additional subwoofer.

With a sensitivity of 96dB, you will experience more than just powerful sound, better than the R-52C! The output power of 100 Watts and Dolby Atmos technology inside gives you cutting edge sound and the cinema feeling in the comfort of your own home!

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The size is somewhat standard, at 10 x 19 x 9 inches, it will never fail to create a powerful, crystal clear sound for dialogues. The build is horizontal, and the build is kind of bulky and heavy - so it can be difficult to move the speaker around.

The color is black walnut, so the central piece will look flush with any type of setup. The medium to slim design makes it a great fit even on some smaller shelves, just like a speaker by Definitive Technology.

The grille covers two 4-inch woofers and a 1-inch dome tweeter. The amazing tweeter is designed to give you a high-frequency, astonishing audio quality. This speaker is perfect for listening to high-resolution audio, with a wide range of frequencies supported, just like the ProCenter 1000.

The woofers are foamed and Mica cellular reinforced for durability and maximum isolation of every sound there is. All this creates one of the best sounds for the price with Sony's definitive technology. 

The Performance

When we're talking about the audio performance, we can mostly say only the words of praise. With 145 Watts of output power, you get the feeling that the dialogue is happening right there in your living room.

The cross-over frequency has been optimized and perfected to make sure the audio gets a clear path to your ears. The tweeter is strong and has wide dispersion, so this speaker is suitable for all kinds of audio-challenging movies or music albums, as it can withstand all.

The bass is precise, and it sounds great at all frequencies, even the highest ones. The bass response simply makes sure you have an enjoyable experience every time, along with the 86dB sensitivity.

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5. Yamaha NS-C210BL Center Channel Speaker - Stay-Away Pick

The slim design with 5 x 13.4 x 4 inches makes it ideal for smaller shelves and cozier living rooms. People dealing with smaller apartments cannot invest in the large center speaker, so this could be the perfect choice for them. The sound dynamic doesn't suffer, though.

Furthermore, this center speaker is equipped with two woofers and a dome tweeter. The center speaker is super lightweight, at 4 pounds, so it's easy to move and take with you in case of traveling or moving.

The Performance

The dome tweeter has a size of 7/8", so it's a little weaker than the rest of the products listed in this article. The woofers are 3", so they create a slightly lower-quality sound, but not lower enough to ruin the experience when watching a high-res movie. The woofers have aluminum cones so they are fast-responding when creating high-quality sound.

Overall, the sound is crystal clear and you can hear all the details. When we're talking about the bass, the bass response of this center speaker is something everyone can appreciate, even those listening to bass-challenging music.

With 80-Watts of output power, you will find that this center speaker works for most uses. However, the output could be at least a little stronger. Furthermore, the center speaker does not have magnetic shielding, something we find to be a production flaw.

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Picking out the proper sized speakers is essential, but so is the placement of those speakers, as well. It's principal to pick out a central piece that works with the room configuration. Whatever the configuration, all speakers should be placed in front of the listener. The centerpiece should always be above or below the TV - that way it will not disturb the home theater experience. All tweeters of the speakers should be placed at ear level, etc.

Placing the speakers correctly will create the ultimate sound experience. If you invested in a surround set, you can appreciate the marvelous sound, and not arranging the speakers well can get in the way of that.

Technical Specifications

Various things about the technical specs are to be taken into consideration before you finally add a center channel to your cart. Here are just some (because there are so many), which you need to inform yourself on before you set your mind on the best piece for you.

Bi-Wire Capability

Bi-wire capability is perhaps the specification of some high-end speakers. They have two sets, rather than one, of female connectors. One is used for the tweeter, and the other set is used for the woofer. Bi-wire capability produces better bass definition, so if you enjoy taking the sound to the next level, you should look for this spec, among other things.

Frequency Response

When we're talking about the frequency response, we're talking about the range of frequencies. That being said, the frequency response would be the range that the speaker is capable of producing without any blemishes or mistakes. So, the range that the speakers can produce flawlessly and to create the best experience possible.

Crossover Frequency

Crossover frequency is a process when the signal is segregated into more portions and sent to different speakers. This process results in sound interpretation. Splitting and redirecting of the sounds done according to different frequencies. Higher frequency sounds are sent to the tweeter, and the lower frequency sounds are sent to the woofer. Middle frequencies are usually directed towards the rest of the set, so middle-range speakers. The higher the cross-over frequency - the better, as the switch is not detectable by human ears. So, the whole surround sound experience is even better than before.

Impedance

Impedance is the capability of the speaker's electric circuit to resist the flow of the alternating current. The resistance is produced by a voice coil. This is also a factor to keep in mind if you want to play some sound-challenging movies and want the experience to be more than just enjoyable.

Configuration Ratio

When we're talking about the configuration ratio, the most popular ratios would be 3:1, 5:1, 6:1, and even 7:1. These ratios talk about the configuration of your surround sound system. The 1 indicated the number of subwoofers, while the first number indicates the number of surround speakers.

Magnetic shielding

Magnetic shielding is done when the magnets inside the center speakers are to be prevented from interfering with other electronic equipment in the vicinity. This is done by the manufacturer of the speakers, as they are trying to create the best sound out there, and if the magnets interfere with other equipment, it will create a rather annoying sound, which can be tough to ignore.

Best Center Channel Speakers - Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the best center channel speakers?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all manufacturer that makes the best center channel speakers. There simply isn't an answer that will work for everyone. As we covered in our first section of the article, some things determine what works best for different people.

Of course, if you pick tower speakers, you may enjoy sound that is of a tad higher quality, but that's about it. On the other hand, if you live in a one-bedroom, tiny apartment, tower speakers won't do much for you - just the opposite. We can list a few brands that offer high quality, and you can choose from there.

We like the best speakers made by Klipsch, Polk, Yamaha, Pioneer (SP-C22), Cerwin Vega, Definitive Technology (the ProCenter 1000) Sony, JBL (Arena 125C especially), and eventually Bose. The rest truly depends on an individual's preferences to pick one of the best.

What makes a good center channel speaker?

The best centerpieces of your sound system are three-way designs. They have three important parts, two woofers on the sides and a mid-range speaker, and a tweeter, placed one above the other. This combination creates the absolute best central pieces of the high-quality home theater system.

There is also space to keep in mind, as the space between the woofers and the mid-range speaker - but that depends on the driver spacing and the cross-over frequency of the mid-range. Such center speakers are taller than a two-way design. This is because they have to make room for the vertically stacked midrange and tweeter.

All this doesn't mean that a two-way design of the speakers cannot create a great sound, just the opposite. this creates the absolute best sound, but a two-way can create a high-quality sound, too!

It's worth noting that many people think that the center channel creates the dialogue sound, but in reality, it does more than that. The centerpiece creates the dialogue, but it creates a good portion of the music and sound effects. If the centerpiece isn't able to do all that, the whole experience of theater, crystal clear sound will not be as satisfying.

Can you use any speaker as a center channel?

In theory, you can use any speaker for your center channel. Of course, it's common knowledge that you cannot use a subwoofer, but any other speaker can work as a centerpiece for your home theater system.

Ideally, you should use a speaker that has a horizontal design, rather than a vertical or square design, because of the sound production. There are technical reasons for this, as well as aesthetics. A horizontal centerpiece can be placed easier above or below a TV. Not only is it better, but it's also more convenient if the centerpiece is horizontal, as you will have no problems placing it properly compared to your TV.

Where should I put my center channel speaker?

In the previous question, we already mentioned that the best places for the centerpiece would be above or below the TV or video projector. If we had to nitpick, below might work a bit better, but if there is no space, right above the TV will work almost as well. Never place the centerpiece on the left or right of the TV, as it will not create a great experience overall.

The next thing is to keep the centerpiece close to the television. If you place the channel too far above or below, you will lose the illusion that the dialogue is coming from the actor directly.

Furthermore, you should angle the speaker to your face. If it's angled above or below your face, you will lose some of the acoustic quality. The centerpiece should be on a shelf and placed on the tip of the shelf rather than deeper towards the wall. The sides of the shelf or other items on the shelf will affect the acoustic quality, so it's always better to pull the speaker to the front.

After it's all said and done, we recommend:

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