The 7 Best Center Channel Speakers of 2021

Best Overall: Pioneer SP-C22

4.8

Buy on Amazon

The Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones-designed center channel speaker produces a sound you’ll quickly fall in love with. Measuring 18.12 x 8.45 x 7.12 inches, the SP-C22 is designed to look both modern and conventional. It has two four-inch surface woofers, one-inch high-efficiency soft dome tweeter and six element crossovers. The latter assists with blending the audio between the woofer and the tweeter for greater range of different frequencies. The curved shape of the wooden cabinet casing also aids the SP-C22 in standing wave reduction that pairs with all other auditory features to result in one high-quality sound system. With 50 percent of a movie’s soundtrack coming from a center speaker, the SP-C22 allows car crashes to sound a little crunchier and explosions to sound a little louder, which adds a level of authenticity that’s hard to pass up.

Best Design: Yamaha NS-C210BL

Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy

Measuring 5 x 13 x 4 inches, the Yamaha NS-C210BL is a center channel speaker that fits horizontally on any bookshelf, thanks to its unique design. The design is both elegant and slim, but still sports a 7/8-inch balanced dome tweeter, two-way bass-reflect center speaker and light aluminum cone-based woofers for an extra-fast audio response. The slim design is the result of Yamaha not wanting to take attention away from flat-panel TVs, so the sound is heard but not seen. Ultimately, the NS-C210BL is specifically attentive to reproducing the fuller, dynamic sound of high-definition sources, including Blu-ray discs.

Best Sound: JBL Arena 125C

Buy on Amazon Buy on Jbl.com

The JBL Arena 125C has a one-inch soft dome tweeter with high-definition imaging (HDI) that offers wave guiding technology for exceptionally detailed sound across a room. The two 5.5-inch poly cellulose mid-woofers add a fantastic bass-heavy sound that takes gaming, music, movies, shows and regular television programming to another level with a response ranging from 90 to 40,000Hz. Additionally, the computer-optimized hardware works to position the drivers for the best overall sound performance resonating from the JBL’s modern-looking hardware.

Most Compact: Definitive Technology Procenter 1000 Compact Center Speaker

Buy on Amazon

The ProCenter 1000 is supported by two 4.5-inch cast basket drivers, two 4.5-inch pressure-driven low-frequency radiators, as well as a one-inch pure aluminum dome tweeter, which creates a punch in the sound that you’d only expect to find in a larger speaker. Measuring 10.5 x 5 x 5 inches, the ProCenter 1000 is traditionally compact compared to alternative center speaker options, but performs even better. Fortunately, the size won’t fool you as this speaker incorporates the same various technologies as more expensive and larger Definitive Technology products. Case in point: The two added bass radiators on either side of the case help push out a bass sound that will have you thinking the ProCenter 1000 is hiding some mystical technology inside its compact form factor.

Best Splurge: MartinLogan Motion 30

Buy on Amazon

The MartinLogan Motion 30 features a folded motion tweeter that delivers almost eight times the surface area of a one-inch dome tweeter, so the result is a dynamic sound that’s close to perfect. The folded motion assists the tweeter by pushing the air out while adding lightning fast response time for a high-quality sound that’s hard to reproduce on less expensive competitors. Add in the 6.5-inch rear-facing bass drivers and a 5.5-inch cone mid-range woofer for high-quality bass and you'll have a frequency response between 65 to 25,000Hz (with peak power nearing 200 watts per channel). There’s no question the resulting sound is incredible, but it would be remiss to ignore the high-gloss design of the speaker box (it has a finish that will blend in with any room decor.) It measures 16.5 x 10.5 x 6.9 inches.

Best Value: Polk Audio T30 Center Channel Speaker

Buy on Amazon

Strikingly affordable, the Polk Audio T30 center channel speaker is an excellent option that won’t break the bank. Sporting one-inch silk dome tweeters and dual 5.25-inch Dynamic Balance drivers, the T30 delivers excellent sound quality. The incorporation of Dynamic Balance technology means crystal-clear dialogue and room-filling theater sound. A performance-tuned rear-firing bass port also works to increase the bass output for heart-pumping sound. Pairing well with left and right channel speakers, it's suggested to position the speaker right below a television. Setup is easy as the speaker works with most home theater receivers or stereos. 

Support for Dolby and DTS sound adds to the audio experience especially during action sequences or sports events. Music comes alive even at high volume levels where distortion is almost non-existent. The minimalist look of the Polk reduces the distraction speakers can pose in any room. The quality design of the speaker blends a deep gray with black grille for a unique look. The furniture-grade manufacturing works to reduce resonance and distortion adding richness to the overall sound.