Because most sound events occur in the center of your screen, center channel speakers provide a strong presence and clarity for dialogue across all media genres, such as movies, games, and music. These speakers work with the front left and right primary speakers to create a continuous soundscape.

Center channel speakers necessary because the sound will be distributed to the left and right speakers if you do not use center channel speakers. Some viewers can be too distant from the left or right speaker. They will assume that the sound comes from the other corner of the room.

Topic: What about center channel speaker under $2k?

The center channel speakers are in charge of reproducing crisp speech. It will also play the acoustics of the motions and music performed in front of the spectator. Adding a center channel speaker can boost the overall sound significantly if you don’t have a surround system and only have two good speakers for home entertainment. So below, Team Wooster Audio has reviewed the best high end center channel speakers after testing in the audio lab.

How We Tested:

We test the speakers for different situations under the supervision of experts. Following are some tests that we perform:

Sound Quality Test: We put the sound quality to the test with various audio and music. From the whispering to the yelling, we consider the excellent quality in all situations.

Performance Test: There are moments when a loud sound appears unexpectedly or a variety of sounds appear at the same time. We test the speakers for all such situations. 

Durability Test: This is why we look for thick baffles that give strength while dampening resonance and vibrations. Quality materials produce a sturdy, solid housing that does its utmost to amplify sound signals.

Best High End Center Channel Speakers Summary

Sony SSCS8 2-Way Design Sony SSCS8 Read More See On Amazon
Polk Audio CS10 Reversible design cabinets Polk Audio CS10 Read More See On Amazon
Pioneer SP-C22 High Performance Pioneer SP-C22 Read More See On Amazon
Yamaha NS-C210BL Slim design Yamaha NS-C210BL Read More See On Amazon
Klipsch Reference RC-42 II Reference Series performance Klipsch Reference RC-42 II Read More See On Amazon
Cerwin Vega SL-45C Engineered for vocal clarity Cerwin Vega SL-45C Read More See On Amazon
SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers SVS Ultra Read More See On Amazon
Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 Developed by designer Andrew Jones Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 Read More See On Amazon
MartinLogan Stage 6.5 Electrostatic Center-Channel Speaker MartinLogan Stage 6.5 Read More See On Amazon
MartinLogan Motion 30 For truly cinema-like experience MartinLogan Motion 30 Read More See On Amazon

Best High End Center Channel Speakers At a Glance:

Best High End Center Channel Speakers Reviews

Sony SSCS8 (Image credit: Amazon)

Sony SSCS8

2-Way Design

Pros

+ Provide good vocal presence

+ Usable with Computers, Televisions, DVD Players

+ Features Wide dispersion Super Tweeter

+ Optimized Crossover componentry

Cons

- Incompatible with larger gauge wire

- Some user complaints about "Whomp" noise

- Not much tight bass

The Sony SSCS8 is a great center channel speaker, which you will find for under $200 price, and under this retail price; it features a wooden design cabinet made of PP sheet and features a removable cloth grille. If we talk about the Sony SSCS8 speaker spec, then it is a 3.94 in center speaker cone, has a 0.98 dome tweeter,2-way design, and overall 3 drivers.

The Sony SSCS8 center channel speaker has overall bass reflex construction, and it provides natural resonance and has sound reproduction of up to 25 kHz. The Sony SSCS8 has a great SPL (sound pressure level) that can go up to 86 dB, and this high-end center channel speaker has an impressive power handling capacity, which allows it to handle about 145W continuously without breaking down and provide great sound clarity.

The SSCS8 center series speakers perform excellently on dynamic range, soundstage, clarity, and resolution and are also able to handle a wide variety of music and movie soundtracks.

The SSCS8 center channel speaker transducers use an aluminum cone with a neodymium magnet to provide the best sound quality. Speakers by Sony have won many awards and have undergone continuous improvement, and its SSCS8 is the best high end center channel speaker ever.

Read: Best Speakers For Digital Piano

Polk Audio CS10 (Image credit: Amazon)

Polk Audio CS10

Reversible design cabinets

Pros

+ Good damping for high efficiency

+ Great value

+ Very reasonably priced

+ Solid 5-way binding posts

+ Well built

Cons

- Large unit

- Little boomie sound quality

Now comes the Polk Audio CS-110 center channel speaker, which is designed to deliver all of the highs, mids, and lows and only requires a little space to produce a powerful sound. Just under $100, you can get it, and the design Polk Audio CS-110 contains is made of MDF Cabinet with having wood grain vinyl finish and black piano sides and is designed with an angled top, but for mounting on the wall, no option is available yet.

The Polk Audio CS-110 is best for larger TV screens because it has an internal amplifier built into its back panel design, which helps keep wires tucked away out of sight and comfortably out of reach.

The Polk Audio CS10 features a One inch Dynamic Balance silk dome tweeter that helps in producing a level of detail and clarity that would otherwise be lost and features two 5-¼ inch bi-laminate organic fiber cone woofers for body shaking bass and drives for high efficiency and full range.

The Polk Audio CS-110 center channel speaker has a great specification of Impedance of 8 ohms, Sensitivity of 91 dB, and it can handle 20-125 watts. The Polk Audio CS-110 features true Cable connectivity, and it has 5-way binding post terminals of connector type.

The Polk Audio CS-110 speaker also includes a grill cloth to protect your speakers from dust and other debris that can accumulate over time and is easily removed and replaced, and its MDF enclosure is built for reduced resonance and a fuller sound, and a high-end speaker will be able to reproduce sound with clarity and without the distortion common in lesser speakers.

The Polk Audio CS-110 speaker does not require a lot of space, meaning it can easily fit into even smaller rooms, or you can use them for large TV screens because they have an internal amplifier built right into its design.

Last but not least, Polk Audio CS-110 produces a full range of sound without requiring a complicated setup.

Pioneer SP-C22 (Image credit: Amazon)

Pioneer SP-C22

High Performance

Pros

+ Bring professional quality sound

+ 6-element complex

+ Striking sound

+ Structured surface woofer

+ Good customer reviews

Cons

- Bit Bigger size

The Pioneer SP-C22 is Pioneer’s excellent center channel speaker, which you can get easily under $260 and it features RF molded curved cabinet design and bass-reflex enclosure type, and SP-C22 is magnetically shielded, so you don’t have to worry about putting them beside your smart tv. The Pioneer SP-C22 has been designed to be mounted horizontally or vertically, depending on the user’s needs, and provides an exceptional music and movie audio experience.

The Pioneer SP-C22 features twin 4-inch structured surface woofers and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter to deliver high-performance sound reproduction, so enjoy your home theater system’s audio to the fullest extent with Pioneer SP-C22 speakers. The Pioneer SP-C22 is also designed for horizontal or vertical placement depending on your needs and can be mounted and installed as such with ease. The complex crossover of the 3 kHz network, acoustic tuning options, and sensitivity of 88 dB make an outstanding multifunctional speaker.

The Pioneer SP-C22 incorporates many of the same technologies as its more expensive counterparts, giving it an edge over other speakers in the same price range. The 55 Hz-20 kHz frequency range will give you a dynamic sound with deep bass without compromising on the treble, and it has an impedance of 6 Ohms.

The Pioneer SP-C22 comes in an elegant black piano finish that looks as good as it sounds and can handle 90W RMS power and there are gold 5-way binding posts connecter and oversized magnets available, so overall, Pioneer SP-C22 complements other audio devices like televisions and stereos.

Yamaha NS-C210BL (Image credit: Amazon)

Yamaha NS-C210BL

Slim design

Pros

+ Aluminum Cone Woofers

+ Elegant Yamaha Piano Black finish

+ Best for flat-panel TVs

+ More budget friendly

Cons

- Echo sometimes

The Yamaha NS-C210BL center channel speaker has two 3 1/8" cone woofers and can deliver maximum power of 120 watts, providing excellent sound quality at both low-mid and high frequencies. The Yamaha NS-C210BL is equipped with the “TruSurround XT” technology that enhances the stereo surround effect to provide an immersive entertainment experience for viewers.

The Yamaha NS-C210BL has a design that is much wider and deeper, which can help keep the speaker stable, and for flat-panel TVs, its slim design is an advantage.  The Yamaha NS-C210BL piano black finish is long-lasting and looks great, and designed to produce a higher-frequency sound than a regular speaker, and also you can mount Yamaha NS-C210BL on a wall, but placing the speaker on a stand is best (For sound quality).

The Yamaha NS-C210BL has 65 Hz - 45 kHz frequency response and 6 ohms sensitivity rating, making it perfect for any surround sound system.

Overall the Yamaha NS-C210BL has all the necessary features for a home theater sound system: a well-designed two-way bass-reflex that can produce higher frequency, making it perfect for any surround sound system, and a wide range of frequencies from 65 Hz to 45 Hz and under a $100 budget, the Yamaha NS-C210BL is a good choice for the best high end center channel speaker.

Klipsch Reference RC-42 II (Image credit: Amazon)

Klipsch Reference RC-42 II

Reference Series performance

Pros

+ Dialog is clear and crisp

+ Affordable centre channel speaker

+ Zero-distortion sound

+ Complements your sound system very well

+ Smaller foot print

Cons

- Lacks the emphasis

The Klipsch Reference RC-42 II is an affordable solution for your audio needs, and for under $160, you can get it easily. The  Klipsch Reference RC-42 II has an impressive frequency response of 88-24,000 Hz (±3dB) and features a dual 8-ohm voice coil design that offers dynamic sound with the ability to play louder without distortion, which creates a cinematic experience in your home theater or stereo system.

The Klipsch Reference RC-42 II will make dialogue or other vocal performances sound crisp and has a peak sensitivity of 95dB and a 1-inch Tratrix horn tweeter which is installed in flared opening, and a 4-inch woofer cable of reproducing the broadest range of frequencies and clean sound quality of 90°wide and 60°high pattern.

The Klipsch Reference RC-42 II is best for music and movies because it can go loud without distortion so that you can hear all those little details, but it still sounds great at low volumes.  The Klipsch Reference RC-42 II features a high-tech driver design that holds cerametallic woofers for tighter bass, and it has a braced cabinet that contains a wood grain vinyl finish and seems nice.

So overall, Klipsch Reference RC-42 II is the best high end center channel speaker that has great features like dual front-firing ports,video-shielded,95 dB sensitivity, and you will get six self-adhesive rubber feet (included).

Topic: Did you know how to spot fake Klipsch speakers?

Cerwin Vega SL-45C (Image credit: Amazon)

Cerwin Vega SL-45C

Engineered for vocal clarity

Pros

+ Soft dome tweeter design

+ Quad woofer driver configuration

+ Crystal clear highs

+ Good mids

+ Tight Punchy Bass

Cons

- Customer complain on SL-45C Inadequate magnetic shielding

Discover Cerwin-Vega SL-45C Center Channel Speakers and make your listening experience personal and will leave your guests with a lasting impression. For superior sound, look at the Cerwin-Vega SL-45C, which features four 5 1/4" drivers and 1-Inch Soft Dome Tweeter and can handle various audio setups.

The  Cerwin-Vega SL-45C is a loudspeaker used for reproducing dialogue in movies and TV shows that can be placed in the middle of a room and is usually smaller than other types and is often designed to complement the main speakers. This Cerwin-Vega SL-45C features quad woofer drivers, can be mounted on flat surfaces, and technically it contains a frequency response of 55 Hz - 26 kHz, and can handle up to 300 peak watts.

The Cerwin-Vega SL-45C comes with a creek amplifier and a built-in crossover and phase adjustment for better sound optimization. The Cerwin-Vega SL-45C features a marine-grade aluminum finish making it durable and corrosion-resistant, and it can handle high volumes thanks to its sensitivity of 1W/1M.

This Cerwin-Vega SL-45C is a strong audio component, and you can customize the speaker’s look by removing the grille, letting you achieve your desired look.

The Cerwin-Vega SL-45C will turn some heads of budget-minded listeners as it comes under the $250 range. You won’t be disappointed with the Cerwin-Vega SL-45C when you watch movies. In contrast, the Polk Audio T15 has an aesthetically pleasing look with its angled metal grills and is cheaper than the Cerwin-Vega SL-45C.

SVS Ultra (Image credit: Amazon)

SVS Ultra

Bookshelf speakers

Pros

+ 3-way Ultra Center speaker

+ Premium-grade capacitors

+ Stunning dynamics and massive soundstage

+ Tapered edges on the cabinet’s

+ Lightweight 4-inch composite cone (glass-fiber cone)

Cons

- Nothing at price

The SVS Ultra is also the best high end center channel speaker model, and as compared to Pioneer Elite SP-EC73, this one is also featuring a 3-way design that includes a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, quad composite glass-fiber midrange driver and dual 6-½ inch composite glass-fiber woofers.

With a frequency response range from 45-32,000 Hz (±3dB), an impedance of eight ohms, and 87 dB sensitivity, the SVS Ultra can easily articulate all your favorite music. Plus, SVS ultra has very low distortion at high volume levels in its wide dynamic range (87 dB) and provides a whopping 20-225 watts of pure power.

The SVS Ultra 1-inch dome tweeter and dual 6.5-inch woofer give you highs and lows with deep, rich bass. Its composite glass-fiber cone is 4 inches in diameter, and the motor structure is made of compression-molded aluminum.

The SVS Ultra enclosure is a modern rectangular design with a bass reflex with curved side walls so that it won’t take up too much space in your room! It is backed by SVS' three-year warranty on all parts and labor, so you can be sure this speaker will last long.

The SVS Ultra piano gloss black look seems much prettier, and it features a performance driven cabinet design to provide you full-range sound that’s never overpowering when it’s turned up loud but still packs plenty of punch when it’s turned down! SVS has made high-quality speakers for over 25 years, and this is just another example of why they are so highly rated.

In summary, SVS ultra center channel speakers offer a wide range of sound quality.

Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 (Image credit: Amazon)

Pioneer Elite SP-EC73

Developed by designer Andrew Jones

Pros

+ 3-way speaker design

+ Best for living room

+ Gives direct and reflected sound

+ Bring professional-quality sound

+ Small, elegant cabinet

+ Complex Crossovers

+ Small Footprint

Cons

- Size is big

Now we will review Pioneer Elite SP-EC73, which features a 3-way design, so as compared to other center channel speakers, it would be more powerful. For great mid and high, the Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 features two-way CST drivers on either side of the center channel speaker, on which five drivers are arranged.

The Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 features a 1" soft-dome tweeter,4" aluminum midrange cone, and neodymium magnets, and cone size of five 1/4-inch and an aluminum cone with a rubber surround.

The Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 speaker effortlessly fills a room with rich, full sound, and its radiator is also designed to be more efficient and produce less noise than most other speakers.The Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 has a small Footprint, is excellent for small living rooms, and features curved sides, which are designed to reduce the effects of reflections and make dialogue clearer. The Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 has gold-plated connectors designed for optimum signal transfer.

So overall, under the $400 range, you will find Pioneer Elite SP-EC73, a great three-way speaker system with two tweeters and a midrange driver that will deliver fantastic sound from different angles, and small cabinet design makes it easy to place the speaker in any room so it is a good choice for those who spend less than $500 on their center channel speaker for enjoying all types of music and accurately reproduce dialogue from movies.

MartinLogan Stage 6.5 (Image credit: Amazon)

MartinLogan Stage 6.5

Electrostatic Center-Channel Speaker

Pros

+ Beautifully crafter

+ Aluminum-cone woofers

+ Curvilinear Source

+ Center matches tonality perfectly

Cons

- Design looks antique

Now finally, we are going to look at MartinLogan Stage 6.5, which looks beautiful below your smart TV as compared to MartinLogan Motion 30, which has a white design, it has curved design with MDF cabinet speakers, and below it contains a stand for good balancing.

MartinLogan Stage 6.5" is one of the top of the line center channel speakers on the market today, which has a lot to offer in terms of performance, with an excellent combination of power and accuracy, making it perfect for both vocals and music playback (my favorite). The MartinLogan Stage speaker has two power options, making it easy to find the best fit for your needs with 100 watts or 150 watts, giving you a fantastic amount of sound and volume.

As compared to SVS Ultra and Pioneer Elite SP-EC73, the MartinLogan Stage also features a three-way design that delivers clear highs and deep bass response and comes with a 12-inch bass driver and two compression drivers. 

The MartinLogan Stage 6.5 has an impressive crossover frequency of 450, 2700 Hz, perfect for home theater and music playback. The MartinLogan Stage 6.5 design is aesthetically pleasing with its curved shape, making it look great on any TV stand or shelf (another of my favorites). It also features gold-plated connectors, which is a nice touch in terms of aesthetics.

The Martin Logan Stage offers low Low-Distortion Aluminum-Cone woofers and a silk dome tweeter under the best-quality MDF speaker box. So, overall the Martin Logan Stage 6.5" is the best high end center channel speaker.

MartinLogan Motion 30 (Image credit: Amazon)

MartinLogan Motion 30

For truly cinema-like experience

Pros

+ Excellent sound reproduction

+ Ultra-high-end speakers

+ Good for watching movies

+ Incredible, accurate, real

Cons

- Normal sound quality

The MartinLogan Motion 30 is a high-end speaker that will make your home theater sound great and incorporates the latest audio technology, including MartinLogan’s patented Folded Motion tweeter and laser-welded aluminum construction for pure, distortion-free sound. Its Folded Motion Tweeter is the best in the world and reproduces sound with such accuracy that it will be like you’re listening to an orchestra right there at your home.

MartinLogan Motion 30 large surface area will provide a better-reflected sound as the speaker is angled up and provide a more detailed audio experience and speaker has a flawless high-gloss finish, and its sleek and elegant design will make it a showpiece in any room.

The topology Vojtko crossover network is the best in its class, and it provides a pristine, distortion-free sound with spectacular imaging, and overall the MartinLogan Motion 30 is the best high end center channel speaker under the price range of $400.

Quick Buying Tips

Center channel speakers are an essential task, especially if it’s new for you. You must buy the whole sound system from the same company, but if you can’t, here are the most important factors you must consider.

Speaker Materials

The audio quality of a speaker is determined by a variety of design elements, such as the materials that are used to manufacture it. Tweeters designed of a smooth fabric, such as silk, generally produce a soothing sound. Metal tweeters often have a more intense sound character. Similarly, the filter’s material and outer body affect your sound experience. 

Sensitivity

A speaker will play louder if it has a greater sensitivity rating than a speaker with a lower rating, despite the equal power. Even a minimal difference between decibels can make a big change. Experts consider a sensitivity of 90dB excellent, whereas most normal speakers deliver 85 to 88 dB.

Power range

The power is also related to the volume of your center channel speakers. Consider the RMS when purchasing center channel speakers since these are the limitations within which you may play your speakers for lengthy periods without causing harm. Consider the peak power, intended for brief bursts and often higher than the RMS.

Impedance

The lower the impedance rating, the better the efficiency of your center speaker. In terms of impedance, the lower, the better. Hence the most typical values are 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 ohms. It all relies on the wattage of your amplifier and the quality of your front speakers.

Budget

Center channel speakers are relatively inexpensive. As some may incorrectly believe, center channel audio is not intended to be your system’s heart but one of many elements for cinematic audio. Therefore you want to avoid overpaying or underspending on it.

Compatibility

Using speakers from the same manufacturer helps to simplify your system. Mixing and mixing brands can also work, although it could be better for optimizing performance. Before purchasing, check the connecting ports on the back of all your devices to ensure they match.

Size and Appearance

 The size and placement of the speakers should be above or below your head, with the most powerful sound coming from the front. Make sure you have enough place for it, and select one that looks like it goes with the rest of your home theatre equipment.

In A Nutshell

I won’t go into detail about how center channel speakers work, but they do a lot to make your entertainment experience more enjoyable and immersive by making dialogue clearer and improving the quality of even the most basic sounds in movies or TV shows.

When it comes down to finding the right balance of essential features for you personally versus the cost within your budget, there are many of like Sony SSCS8, Polk Audio Cs10, Pioneer Sp-c22, Yamaha NS-C210BL, Klipsch Reference RC-42 II, Cerwin Vega SL-45C, Pioneer Elite SP-EC73, SVS Ultra and MartinLogan Motion 30 which are not much pricy and can easily purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, center channel speakers or soundbars?

The center channel of a central speaker only plays mono sound. This implies that all of the audio is heard in the speaker’s center, which is ideal for emphasizing core sounds, such as conversation in a movie. On the other hand, soundbars will have two or three channels and generate stereo audio. Technically, you can use your soundbar as a central speaker, but the music quality will surely suffer.

Does a center channel improve dialogue clarity?

Yes, the primary function of the center speaker is to accentuate and emphasize human voices, which fall within the middle range of the sound spectrum. Center channel speakers provide clear speech as well as better music lyrics.

Which is better 2 way 3 way speakers?

3-way speakers are better than 2-way speakers, but audio and hardware quality play a role in choosing better speakers. High and low frequencies are distributed between the two drivers in 2-way speakers. A 3-way speaker consists of a tweeter and a woofer.

William
William is technical editor of Wooster Audio, an audio enthusiast passionate about cutting-edge technologies. He has been working with us for three years, meticulously reviewing and evaluating wireless (speakers & soundbars), hi-fi, and home cinema equipment, and has covered 1000+ audio products. His background is based in Audio engineering and he has an ardent passion for building home theater systems and audio systems and loves audio mixing, editing and sound designing. This allows William to share this knowledge on Wooster audio site. He provides the most comprehensive audio information available by tapping into his expertise and keen insights. He can guide you to audio excellence on Wooster Audio with his discerning ear and commitment to quality. Contact William for any question (william@woosteraudio.com)