With all the streaming services and online platforms that are now available, you can basically set up your own theatre experience at home, and choose from thousands and thousands of movies to watch.
Sometimes you can even watch new releases! The problem is, of course, that a home theatre is rarely as good as an actual one. Mainly due to the sound quality.
Without the theatre sound-quality, it’s just another movie watched at home. And often, you can struggle with hearing all the details in the sound, which forces you to turn it up to too high a volume or to resort to subtitles. I know I’ve certainly struggled!
But why not get a surround sound experience at home? I have found that setting up a center channel speaker can do wonders for my viewing experience.
It increases the sound quality, and it balances the sounds so that they’re coming from all around you, immersing you in the movie just like how a real theatre would do!
I really can’t recommend it enough. But because I know how tricky it is to search the market and find the best possible center channel speaker to suit your needs, I’ve compiled a list of my top picks. Hopefully the time I spent comparing products can help you find the right one!
In a hurry?
If you’re wanting to set up the best 7.1 home theater system at home to improve your movie-watching experience, go for a center channel speaker. Seriously. It will provide you with that all surrounding sound so that you feel immersed in the action.
If you’re in a hurry to get one, I recommend you go for my top pick, as it’s the overall best and it covers all the basics: the Polk Audio Signature Series S35 Center Channel Speaker.
This center channel speaker has everything you need for a high-quality surround sound system so that it feels as though you’re at the theater, from the comfort of your home. I explain more about it below, but here are the main pros it features:
- Slim design - easier to set up at home in different places
- Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array - for an enhanced sound quality that improves the experience
- Dual power port technology for deeper bass and less sound distortion
- Highly versatile and compatible with different setups
Top 5 Best Center Channel Speakers For Your Home Theater
MY TOP PICK
MY TOP PICK
The Polk Audio Signature Series S35 Center Channel Speaker is my favorite product option by far, as it provides incredible sound quality and covers all the basics. It’s also highly recommended by other customers and is a top choice, which is always a good sign!
This speaker is ultra-slim and 4-inches tall, designed to provide you with an excellent surround sound that features a Dynamic Balance acoustic array.
It also features Polk’s patented power port technology, for a deeper bass response along with a turbulence-smoothing diffuser. That way, you have a rich sound, without any of the distortions!
The speaker also looks very stylish and is perfect for placing on a shelf or similar while it’s functioning. It’s also very versatile when it comes to the possible setups, as it is fully compatible with 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 setups.
Polk is a highly well-known brand when it comes to audio quality, and this Signature Series really does deliver, with it having received a hi-res certified rating. Basically, you can trust this product to be as good as it sounds.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable, and versatile center channel speaker, this is without a doubt my most recommended one. It’s also one of the more affordable options, so it’s a win-win kind of purchase!
Pros
- Slim design - easier to set up at home in different places
- Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array - for an enhanced sound quality that improves the experience
- Dual power port technology for deeper bass and less sound distortion
- Highly versatile and compatible with different setups
Cons
- Strains a little at lower frequencies, but nothing too noticeable
EDITORS CHOICE
The Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker is a very close second pick for me, as it provides almost the same excellent level of sound quality, and it is even more affordable in price.
It delivers an incredibly clear and detailed high-frequency response, which leads to more realistic sound quality, all thanks to the powerful Neodymium magnet structure that it features.
It also features two 5 ¼ in Bi Laminate Composite Dynamic Balance Drivers, which are lightweight and also provide the sound with enhanced bass and lower distortion.
This Polk center channel speaker is also interesting in its design, as it has a reversible design in which the cabinets can be turned upside down, for more versatile positioning around your home!
It’s constructed from high-quality materials, making it a highly durable speaker that will last you for quite some time. Plus, those materials also help enhance and amplify the sound quality even more!
It’s sleek and easy to install, and it’s compatible with plenty of setups, so you don’t really have to worry about compatibility or whether it will fit in your home: it will.
Honestly, this is the most affordable center channel speaker that I’ve come across, that includes such high-quality features. Definitely worth checking it out!
Pros
- A more realistic sound quality, thanks to the balance drivers and the magnet structure
- A reversible design - it can adapt to plenty of positions and setups, and can be installed inverted under your TV!
- Highly compatible and versatile, with a compact design that makes it super easy to install
- Constructed with high-quality materials, one of the most durable speakers out there
Cons
- The bass isn’t as good as with other center channel speakers
BEST VALUE
Another product option that I simply had to include as one of my tops, is the Klipsch R-52C Powerful Center Channel Speaker, as it truly does offer one of the best surrounding sound experiences, turning your home into a theatre.
It features Linear travel suspension technology, incorporated into the system to enhance the sound quality and minimize any distortion.
It also combines a hybrid horn with a titanium tweeter, so that they work to balance out the sound, making sure the higher frequencies don’t drown out the bass. This definitely improves the surround experience, and it gives you a better-rounded overall sound.
One of my favorite things about the Klipsch center channel speaker is that it has two cerametallic woofers, and these are what provide a more accurate and clear mid-range sound. It also improves low-frequency response, so that there is never any breakup of the sound and no struggle whatsoever.
Oh, and the Klipsch is also incredibly versatile, so you can connect it to many different setups to create your own unique at-home theatre experience. Plus, this center channel speaker consumes less power than the average one does, which also makes it extra energy efficient!
Pros
- Its features allow it to enhance the sound quality while minimizing any distortion
- Hybrid horn and titanium tweeter to balance the sound and ensure the high doesn’t frown out the bass
- An accurate and clear mid-range sound for one of the best surround sound experiences
- Versatile setup and compatibility - easy to install and adapt to your needs and preferences
Cons
- It’s a little more on the expensive side for what it offers
RUNNER UP
Sony is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to tech and audio quality, so I instantly checked out one of their center channel speakers, and it did not disappoint. It’s simple, nothing too fancy, with excellent sound quality and an affordable price.
It features a built-in Mica-reinforced cellular woofer, and this provides one of the best bass responses, giving you a well-rounded sound when it comes to the lower frequencies.
It has been designed with a wooden speaker cabinet, which provides a more natural sound vibration for optimized sound quality and a better surround experience, which is just what you need for creating your own theatre at home.
You can also connect this center channel speaker to additional technologies to improve the sound even more!
Although it’s pretty high-quality already, with a natural and clear sound. You can also pair it with other speakers really easily, as it’s highly compatible with almost any setup you can think of. Makes it all the easier to design the sound just the way you like it.
It’s also designed to be lightweight and compact, so it will fit on almost any shelf around your TV or home!
Pros
- Affordable, high-quality, and incredibly reliable
- A wooden speaker cabinet that provides a natural sound vibration
- Highly compatible and versatile, set it up any way you want and connect added technology to improve it even more
- Amazing bass response - overall great surround sound experience
Cons
- It’s too loud for smaller rooms
RUNNER UP
Okay, so last but not least on my list of top picks, is the Definitive Technology Procenter 1000 Center Speaker. It has a compact and small design, making it perfect for smaller spaces or more discreet setups, and it manages to perform just as well as the bigger ones.
One of its main features is the bass radiators that it has, as they provide a rich bass tone and an overall improved ambiance sound quality.
It also features a double surround system, able to match that of bigger speakers, proving how powerful it is. It’s ideal for that immersive theater experience, but at home.
The aluminum dome tweeter that it has helps generate amazing high frequencies, which again, is quite surprising from such a small speaker.
And on top of all that, it has two BDSS drivers that deliver a clear and loud-enough sound, with enhanced tonal accuracy for a more enjoyable sound experience.
If you’re looking for something small yet incredibly efficient, this is definitely the product for you. I was most certainly impressed by its capacity!
Pros
- Small and compact design - super easy to set up anywhere at home, and ideal for smaller spaces
- A lot more powerful than it looks, with a loud and clear sound that is very high-quality
- Double surround system for that theater immersive experience at home
- It has a rich bass tone and improved ambiance
Cons
- Considerably more expensive than other options
Best Center Channel Speakers For Your Home Theater Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a center channel speaker, it’s not as easy as choosing the one that looks the best, or the biggest for the price.
There’s a lot more that goes into getting the perfect balance of sound quality, and you also have to take into account the size of your room, and the kind of sound that you want to experience.
With all the choices available in the market, it can be quite a challenge to determine which one is suited to your needs and preferences.
All the center channel speakers that I listed in my list of top picks are what I consider to be the overall best. But like with anything, this can vary from person to person.
So here are the factors that I took into consideration when picking between one product or another. Use them to ensure the center channel speaker you end up buying is one that meets all of your needs!
Price
Okay so one of the most determining factors, inevitably so, is the price. You don’t have to aim for the most expensive product in order to get high and reliable quality.
Instead, try and find the most suited product to you, in both needs and preferences, within your budget range. What’s important is that it is high quality in the features that matter.
Style and Size
Center channel speakers come in all sorts of sizes and styles, and this really depends on the amount of space you have available, and the type of setup you want to install.
Some people prefer bigger speakers that are also fashionable in style so that they’re a visible component of your at-home theater experience. Other people prefer a more discreet speaker that just does its job.
What I will say, is that it’s important that the size of the speaker matches the size of the room you’re going to use it in. Usually, bigger speakers will be too loud for smaller spaces, while smaller speakers won’t have enough power to fully do their job in a bigger space. Find the right balance!
Sound Quality
Sound quality is obviously one of the most determining factors when it comes to choosing a center channel speaker for your home. After all, the aim is to improve the sound system!
A common mistake is looking for specific sound enhancements and forgetting about the sound as a whole. For example, looking for a good and deep bass is important, but not if it compromises the higher frequencies and vice versa.
Instead, aim for a center channel speaker that features as big a range as possible, so that you get a clear sound, no matter the frequency. This will also usually mean a better overall ambiance sound quality too, which is ideal for that immersive theater type of experience.
Always check the product description for each speaker, and consider the different sound altering features. There’s plenty to choose from!
Compatibility and Connectivity
A factor that is often overlooked, is the compatibility and connectivity of a center channel speaker. It might not seem important, but there’s nothing worse than buying your product, and then realizing that it isn’t compatible with the unique setup you’re trying to install at home.
Make sure it is compatible with as many setups as possible, for more versatile use and an easier installation. You should also check whether you can then connect to any other speakers or any added technology so that you can build up the sound system more and more until it is completely personalized to your tastes.
Power Requirement
Like any other device, a center channel speaker needs a power source in order to function.
Some will be more energy-efficient than others, so if you want to save some money on the energy bills, even if just by a little, we recommend looking out for more efficient products that can provide a powerful sound with less power consumption.
FAQ's
What are center channel speakers used for?
A center channel speaker, when installed, will balance the sound from the right and left speakers in your system so that you’re provided with an all surrounding sound experience.
It basically allows you to enjoy the sound as you would in a theater. It also improves and enhances the sound quality, so that everything is clear, loud, and well-balanced.
Where should I position my center channel speaker?
There are many different ways in which you can set up and position your center channel speaker. Whether it’s on a shelf, right by your TV, behind your, or other.
The most important thing to remember is that the best positioning is at the same height level as you when you’re sitting down to watch the movie.
