Best Center Channel Speaker Reviews
Introduction
The best center channel speaker is the workhorse of your home theatre system, and the best alternatives should deliver crystal-clear dialogue and detailed effects that are enhanced by the rest of your surround sound system.
The value of center channel speakers is a point of contention among audiophiles. If greater bass is wanted, money would be best spent on the higher-quality floor or bookshelf speakers or a nice 2.1 system for those not willing to invest in a full system or using their speakers in a smaller room. However, no genuinely high-end system is complete without a decent center, which keeps singers and dialogue clear over powerful subwoofer bass and improves the dimensionality of sound in larger spaces and home theatres.
Finally, this is a matter of personal preference, and anyone interested in purchasing a good system should try it out first if at all possible (looking up a local HiFi shop is the best place to start). However, given today’s online shopping market, buying online is frequently easier. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best center channel speakers for 2022. When shopping, keep in mind the size of the room where the system will be installed as well as your budget. You will make a worthwhile purchase if you keep those two factors in mind, as well as the compatibility of your existing gadgets.
If you have such a plan in mind, today’s article will go through some of the greatest center channel speaker options. If you’re looking for a new center channel speaker, you can pick one from our list because we’ve narrowed them down based on the following criteria:
Power Output:
You can’t compare numerous options without hearing them if you’re looking for a new center channel speaker. However, checking the speaker’s maximum power output will give you a good sense of how loud it is. A center channel speaker with a power output of 200 Watts will produce louder audio than a speaker with a maximum power output of 100 Watts. If you prefer to listen to music at a higher volume, choose one with a high power output rating.
Driver’s Size:
Another feature to look for in a center channel speaker is the number of drivers, woofers, and tweeters, as well as their size. Large-driver speakers are believed to give better and clearer music quality. A center channel speaker with 6 inches drivers, for example, will provide a better listening experience than one with only 2-3 inches drivers.
Frequency Response:
If you enjoy hearing the finer elements in songs, such as low- and high-frequency instrumental sounds, we recommend that you examine the center channel speaker’s frequency response first. Speakers with a broad frequency response may cover a wider range of noise frequencies, making the song sound more accurate and enjoyable.
There’s a lot more related to center channel speakers that a client may check to compare and discover the greatest suitable speaker option for themselves, similar to these few crucial factors. If you’re unfamiliar with center channel speakers, we’ve included a short and uncomplicated buying guide further in this post that will assist you in selecting the best center channel speaker from the list. As a result, it is strongly advised that you read the entire Buying Guide before making your final selection. Let’s take a quick look at all of the speaker options we’ve chosen until then.
Best Center Channel Speakers of 2023
Sony SSCS8 2-Way 3-Driver Center Channel Speaker
Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker
Klipsch R-25C Center Channel Speaker
Yamaha Audio NS-C210BL Speaker
Klipsch RP-250C Center Channel Speaker
Definitive Technology Compact Speaker
BIC America FH6-LCR All-Channel Speaker
Fluance Signature HiFi 2-Way Speaker
JBL Studio 520CBK 2-Way Channel Speaker
Let’s start with one of the most well-known speaker companies in the world, Sony, which is known for its incredible-sounding speakers and home theatre systems all over the world.
The Sony SSCS8 2-Way center channel speaker will undoubtedly impress you if you want to check out a high-end center channel speaker for your next home cinema system. The fact that it has dual 4-inch woofers, which give outstanding low-ends and heart-warming deep bass, is one of the reasons for its popularity.
Not only that, but it also has 1-inch super tweeters that take care of the high-end tones and frequencies, allowing you to hear all of the sounds exactly as they are. The frequency response of the SSCS8 center channel speakers, on the other hand, spans exceptionally low frequencies up to 25 kHz. Furthermore, it is sufficiently loud, with a power output of 145 Watts.
Following that, we have another good center channel speaker option from Polk Audio that you will enjoy if you are on a budget.
Polk Audio offers this CS10 Center Channel Speaker at a reasonable price, and it’s a terrific choice for many because it’s very reliable and does its job well. It includes two huge 5.25-inch Bi-Laminate Composite Dynamic Balance Drivers that deliver one of the greatest sound stages possible, with minimum distortion and great bass. It also has a 1-inch tweeter in the center that does an excellent job of handling high-end frequencies.
When it comes to design, this center channel speaker has a fantastic-looking casing built entirely of MDF. Furthermore, the 34-inch baffles ensure that you hear a clear and crisp audio quality at all times. Its wide frequency range of 53 Hz to 25,000 Hz is one of the reasons behind this. In terms of power output, these speakers have a maximum power output of 125 watts, which is plenty loud and clear.
Klipsch has an excellent reputation in the business for producing premium speakers and top-notch sound systems, so you can absolutely give it a try if you like.
Because of its appealing design and strong construction, the Klipsch R-25C Center Channel Speaker is one of our personal favorites on our list. It can provide room-filling sound in all situations and produces a pristine audio stage, whether you’re listening to music or watching movies, thanks to its characteristic 5.25-inch copper-spun woofer components. If frequency response is an issue, this speaker can handle frequencies ranging from 82Hz to 24kHz.
Its excellent woofers can deliver a maximum power output of 400 Watts, which is fairly respectable. In addition to the woofers, it has a single 1-inch aluminum linear-travel suspension horn-loaded tweeter unit in the center that provides an outstanding high-end response while reducing even the slightest of distortions.
When it comes to style, it has a Brushed black polymer veneer shell that, when compared to the other speaker alternatives on this list, is the most premium-looking.
Following that, we’re sure you’ve heard of Yamaha, which has been one of the top brands in the audio market for almost a decade.
While most people think of Yamaha as a pricey brand, the NS-C210BL Center Channel Speaker from Yamaha proves them wrong. It’s one of the best options for those looking to add a premium center channel speaker to their home cinema system without breaking the bank. The Yamaha Audio NS-C210BL Center Channel Speaker is a 2-way bass-reflex speaker with two 3.12-inch cones and a 0.9-inch balanced dome tweeter that is optimally positioned in the middle.
It goes well with most flat-panel TVs and audio systems because of its minimalist appearance. When it comes to performance, it’s a bargain for a center channel speaker for the money. This speaker’s maximum power output is 120 watts, which is adequate for delivering outstanding vocal clarity and a sufficiently powerful sound stage.
It’s also known for its wide frequency response, which ranges from 65 Hz to 45 kHz, making it one of the best-sounding speakers on the market right now. Apart from that, you’ll appreciate its build quality, and Yamaha Audio backs it up with a three-year warranty.
Despite the fact that we’ve already covered a Klipsch center channel speaker on this list, here’s another great speaker option that you could be interested in if you want something high-end and premium.
The Klipsch RP-250C Center Channel Speaker is a popular choice, with many people expressing great feelings about it. That is, of course, to be expected from such a fantastic brand. To begin with, one of the most compelling reasons to choose this center channel speaker is its design and build quality.
The enclosure is extremely durable, manufactured of MDF, and features a brushed polymer veneer baffle finish. Meanwhile, it stands out from the crowd thanks to its dual 5.25-inch copper spin cerametallic cone woofers.
These woofers not only look nice, but they also sound great. This speaker’s maximum peak power output is around 400 Watts, which is more than enough to provide a room-filling sound experience. Apart from that, it has a 90/90 hybrid tractrix horn tweeter in the center, which manages to deal with distortions while providing superb high-end tones.
When it comes to frequency response, this speaker can handle a range of 60Hz to 25kHz, which is rather impressive.
Definitive Technology is another high-end speaker manufacturer to consider if you want to spend your money on a high-end center channel speaker, particularly if you enjoy bass.
The Procenter 1000 is one of the most compact center channel speakers available, and it works well with practically any home theatre setup. This speaker has two 4.5-inch cast basket drivers and dual 4.5-inch pressure-driven planar radiators, according to the specifications.
Definitive Technology, on the other hand, has left no space for complaint, since this speaker effectively delivers the best of both high and low-end frequencies. In addition to audio quality, the volume is outstanding, with a maximum power output of 200 Watts.
When it comes to frequencies, this speaker’s frequency response is actually rather good, spanning the 47Hz to 30kHz range. As a result, it can produce incredible bassy output anytime it’s needed without sacrificing high-end instrumental tones. This speaker also has a 1-inch metal dome tweeter that adds to its overall performance.
Although the speaker’s design and build quality are faultless, the glossy black style is not to everyone’s taste. The material quality, on the other hand, is excellent, and Definitive Technology even gives a 5-year warranty on this speaker.
BIC America is one of the most well-known brands in the industry for providing dependable, powerful, and long-lasting speaker solutions. As a result, if you’re seeking anything similar, the speaker will pique your attention.
Considering its low price, it’s astonishing to learn that this speaker has a massive RMS power output of 175 Watts, which is incredible. It has dual 6.5-inch injection-molded drivers, which are quite large in comparison to other manufacturers. What makes this speaker particularly remarkable is its 6.25-inch mid/high-frequency aluminum dome horn tweeter, which is meant to give you a live rock band experience right in your living room.
Moving on to other statistics, this speaker has a frequency response of 40Hz to 23kHz, which is excellent since it provides strong and punchy bass, which is what most people look for in a speaker. In terms of appearance, the speaker appears to be reasonably excellent, however, the plain box form may not appeal to everyone.
However, there are no drawbacks to its construction quality, since it is rock-solid and built to survive for years. With that said, you won’t have to worry about this speaker because BIC America backs all of its products with a 5-year warranty.
Following that, we have a fantastic center channel speaker selection from Fluance, which is well-known and one of the most reliable names in the industry right now.
If your existing audio system isn’t up to par when it comes to the singing in your favorite movies, you might consider upgrading to this Signature HiFi 2-Way center channel speaker. This speaker can produce high frequencies with ease and accuracy because of its high-quality Neodymium 1-inch tweeter. What’s more impressive is the performance of its two 5-inch drivers, which handle low and mid-range frequencies for a more expansive sound stage.
Its precision-crafted cabinet is surely eye-catching and stunning enough to turn heads when it comes to design and construction quality. In fact, it’s constructed in such a way that distortion is nearly non-existent, which is extremely astounding.
The Fluance Signature HiFi 2-Way center channel speaker has an RMS power output of roughly 120 Watts with a frequency response of 60Hz to 20KHz. One of the most intriguing features of this center channel speaker is that it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Last but not least, almost no one has ever heard of JBL before, as it is currently one of the most popular and best-selling brands on the market.
With being stated, one thing that all JBL speakers have in common is excellent build quality and design, and this one is no exception. In comparison to other speaker options, this one appears to be more modern and appealing. What’s more, it sounds even better, due to the two 4-inch transducers that come standard with PolyPlas cones for improved dialogue delivery and a wider soundstage.
JBL has also included an outstanding 1-inch tweeter in the center to deal with the high-end frequencies. Actually, it’s a bi-radial high-frequency horn constructed of glass-filled ABS that does an excellent job of managing high frequencies at all times.
Aside from that, if you’re worried about how loud these speakers can become, you’ll be relieved to learn that this speaker has an RMS power output of 150 Watts, which is sufficient to outperform its competitors. Furthermore, if we look at its frequency response, we can see that it can go as low as 60Hz and as high as 40kHz, which is rather impressive. Because JBL is such a large and well-known company, it provides a 5-year warranty for this speaker.
What is the Basic Purpose of Installing a Center Channel Speaker?
Aside from making your living room look more modern, there are a few more important reasons to install the greatest center channel speaker:
The balance between visuals and audio
The majority of dialogue is delivered through the center channel speakers while supporting music and background noises are delivered through the surround speakers. During a performance or movie, it creates clear dialogue and sound effects.
Sound balancing
To achieve a perfect ratio between the left and right speakers, a center channel speaker is required. It assures flawless sound across the entertainment system and provides a natural sound immediately after installation.
Better listening experience
To achieve a perfect ratio between the left and right speakers, a center channel speaker is required. It assures flawless sound across the entertainment system and provides a natural sound immediately after installation.
Extended soundstage
In a center channel speaker, a mix of woofers and tweeters can widen the soundstage, allowing sound to reach every corner within a reasonable range. They aid in the optimization of sound constraints in a room, the elimination of phantom noises, and the expansion of speaker range.
Controlling each unit independently
Center channel speakers are a separate sound source that generates high-quality sound based on your preferences. They modify the volume of one side without disturbing the other, resulting in a volume that is just right for the space.
Buying Guide for the Best Center Channel Speaker
Although most people feel that stereo speaker systems provide a sufficient acoustic experience for watching TV episodes and movies at home, this is not the case. If you’re unhappy with your current stereo system, though, adding a center channel will be a pleasant surprise. Adding a center channel speaker enhances not only the volume but also the clarity and bass.
If you’re looking for a new center channel speaker, you’ll be a little overwhelmed because there are so many nice options to pick from. Although choosing the best one isn’t difficult because there are only a few things to consider. As a result, if you want to know what are the most significant factors to consider when choosing the finest center channel speaker on the market, we’ll go over them in our buying guide section for you.
Power Output
To begin, the power output is the easiest thing you can examine to evaluate speaker alternatives quickly. It’s pointless to spend money on a speaker with excellent sound quality if it’s not loud enough.
That being stated, checking the power output first, before checking any other characteristics, will save you a lot of time and make things easy for you. A speaker system with higher power output, such as 200 Watts, will sound louder and more powerful than a speaker with a power output of 100 Watts.
Driver Size
The size of the drivers used in the sound system has a big impact on the quality of the audio that comes out of the speakers. The presence of large-sized drivers in the speaker system is critical for better and higher-quality audio.
If we compare two center channel speakers, one with 6-inch drivers and the other with 2-inch drivers, we can see how different they are. The one with a larger speaker size will provide cleaner and crisper music, as well as refined bass and clear vocals.
Number of Drivers
You can also verify the total number of drivers in addition to the driver size. In most cases, not all speaker options have the same size or design. If you look around the market, you’ll see box-shaped speakers as well as soundbar-like speakers. Having stated that, the number of drivers varies from one speaker to the next.
However, you should keep in mind that, in general, more drivers are better, but this is not always the case. Multiple little drivers cannot match the audio quality of a single large driver, therefore the size of the drivers plays a role here as well. Aside from that, seek tweeters while looking for a center channel speaker, as they are responsible for handling high-frequency sounds.
Frequency Response
The frequency response of a center channel speaker is another crucial factor to consider. If you want a speaker system that can deliver high-quality instrumentals and deep bass, it needs to be able to handle a wide variety of frequency responses.
While bass frequencies can be as low as 50 Hz, instrumental sounds can have frequencies as high as 25,000 Hz. As a result, a speaker with a frequency response of 20-25,000 Hz will be able to provide you with all of these sound effects, making the music feel more enjoyable and accurate.
Warranty
There’s one thing that most first-time speaker buyers overlook. Yes, we’re referring to warranty information. Although speakers seldom fail to function or become damaged over time because they have such a lengthy lifespan.
However, if the speaker you have becomes defective, you can get it replaced under the warranty guarantee. You’ll be astonished to learn that the majority of the center channel speaker alternatives on our list are from the most well-known and high-end manufacturers. As a result, the majority of them provide a 2- to 5-year warranty on their speaker alternatives.
FAQs about Center Channel Speakers
Why is it important to have a center channel speaker?
While most people believe stereo speakers are suitable for most circumstances, this is not the case. When you’re watching movies, this isn’t always the case. The stereo speakers may provide you with good sound effects and music in the background. A center channel speaker, on the other hand, is necessary for clear and loud dialogue delivery.
Can any speaker be used as a center channel speaker?
Yes, any speaker option can be utilized as a center channel speaker if you aren’t utilizing a subwoofer. Buying a dedicated center channel speaker, on the other hand, is always the ideal option if you want the best performance.
Is a center channel speaker enough for listening to good quality music?
No, a center channel speaker by itself cannot deliver the optimum sound quality for music listening. Because the center channel speakers are fantastic for vocals and conversations, they cannot deliver the optimum music listening experience by themselves. It’s critical to combine your center channel speaker with a stereo system or multi-channel audio system for this to happen.
Conclusion
So far, we’ve covered a wide range of excellent center channel speaker options, as you can see from the list above. We hope you found something suited for you because we tried to include center channel speakers in a variety of price levels. If not, you can use the buying guide to assist you. In the buying guide, we’ve included all of the crucial facts about center channel speakers that a prospective buyer should be aware of. This will assist you in selecting a decent and dependable center channel speaker from our list.
