Fond of watching movies on the big screen in the comfort of your home? There are a few things you need to buy to build a little home theater. One of these necessities is a center channel speaker. Out of all the things you need, this speaker needs to be bought very carefully. It is because movies are only fun when you are able to hear the dialogue properly. Right?
Almost all center channel speakers are made to deliver dialogue properly. However, there are a few that “actually” do justice with their job. I have tried a few center channel speakers and shortlisted a few that are best for the job. Here they are.
Best Center Channel Speakers for Dialogue
Best Overall: Polk Audio Signature Elite Slim Center Channel Speaker
Super clear: Klipsch Powerful Detailed Center Channel Home Speaker
Pretty decent: Micca Center Channel Speaker For Home Theater
Economical: Triangle Borea 2-way 100W Home Cinema Center Speaker
Sleek and Stylish: Pioneer Elite Andrew Jones Center Channel Speaker
1. Polk Audio Signature Elite Slim Center Channel Speaker
Polk Audio is my favorite economical speaker brand. Almost every speaker I have tried from this brand has an incredible sound.
From all Polk Audio’s center channel speakers, I found this truly worth recommending. Therefore, I decided to give this speaker a better rank. Here’s why.
To be honest, I bought this center channel speaker without reading any reviews or thorough investigations.
It’s maybe because I blindly trust this brand, it has never disappointed me. I repeat never. I love this center channel speaker for many reasons. However, mainly for the incredible sound quality.
So, the sound produced by this speaker is life-like. Moreover, it is as clear and crisp as possible.
This makes the speaker highly recommended for dialogue. I have also tried the Polk Audio monitor XT35 and XT30 for the said purpose. However, this signature elite slim speaker worked for me.
The XT35 and XT30 have amazing sounds as well. The issue is the dialogues sound a bit muddy in the speakers.
Whereas, this elite slim center channel speaker is super clear that you do not even need subs. The bass is also clean, above all, I have never noticed any distortion.
The speaker has also won my heart with its unique design as well. It appears very much like regular center channel speakers. However, the modern touch distinguishes it from the other speakers.
Pros
- Clear highs and lows, clean bass, lifelike sound
- Bold appearance
- Affordable price
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Requires a wall mount
2. Klipsch Powerful Detailed Center Channel Home Speaker
Klipsch is a very well-known and trusted American brand. Whether it’s a home theater or a movie theater, you see Klipsch speakers everywhere.
The reason is this company is continuously upgrading and introducing improved speakers at the most economical prices.
Before going into details, I would suggest you not pay much attention to the design. The speaker does not have a very impressive design but sounds great.
Years after using this speaker for dialogue, I often say Thank God! I did not reject it because of the mediocre design. It is quite heavy but that’s because the speaker is well-built and best center channel under 500. So, for me, it’s not a con.
The sound quality of this center channel speaker is truly wow-worthy. The speaker sounds as if it is specifically made for the dialogues.
The audio quality of the speaker is clear enough that you can hear the dialogue without any hassle.
Like most of the Klipsch speakers, this one does get loud. However, as long as it delivers the dialogue clearly, I am okay with the loudness. Besides, the speaker needs good signals to serve you as per your expectations.
Just as the center channel speaker has to be, it is compatible with many devices. You can connect it to a TV, smartphone, personal computer, or tablet without any hassle. How amazing is that?
Pros
- Built
- Ability to deliver dialogues clearly without any distortion
- Low-frequency response
- Flexible placement
Cons
- Bulkiness
3. Micca Center Channel Speaker For Home Theater
To be honest, a few years back I was not “really” that impressed by Micca speakers. However, my views changed when I gave this speaker brand a second chance. I have recently tried this center channel speaker and loved it. Here are a few reasons why.
Bought this Micca speaker when l was low on money. This speaker rescued me at that time. I used this speaker for quite some time. However, as you know now I own a lot of decent center channel speakers. This one is living in my store now.
So, I mainly bought this speaker because it was cheap. To be honest, I did not have any high expectations from this speaker. But, it exceeded my expectations by delivering the dialogues with so much clarity.
The sound produced by this speaker is not just clear but pleasant as well. I have seen movies for hours, but my ears never demanded a break. Like the above-mentioned speaker, this one is a little loud as well. However, it’s so loud that it gets annoying.
The wooden pattern on the cabinet made me fall in love with this speaker. I do not like speakers with glossy finish, therefore, that’s one other reason for me to adore this speaker.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Ample bass
- Removable magnetic grills
- Sufficient treble
Cons
- Ability to handle small needs
4. Triangle Borea 2-way 100W Home Cinema Center Speaker
Triangle is the least-known brand that is making its way into people’s hearts rapidly. The speakers produced by this brand have high-end sound and quite economical prices.
Moreover, this speaker brand gives us plenty of options to choose from. However, I found this 100W speaker best for dialogue.
Bought the Triangle Borea 2-way 100W speaker a few days back on my best friend’s recommendation. So far, I have only good things to say about it.
It looks more handsome in real life than the speaker appears in the pictures. Above all, it does not take much to blend into the environment.
As far as the sound quality is concerned, it is clear and neutral as the center channel speaker needs to have.
To your surprise, this center channel speaker is so clear that you can hear and understand the dialogue even in a noisy environment.
Another thing that makes it truly worthy of consideration is the table mount design. Most of the center channel speakers these days require a stand. However, this one is an exception. It saves you from the hassle of searching and spending money on the stand.
Pros
- Table mount design
- 3-year warranty
- Ability to deliver clear sound
Cons
- 100 watts
5. Pioneer Elite Andrew Jones Center Channel Speaker
Pioneer is most known for manufacturing the best car speakers. However, it recently introduced some good center channel speakers as well. After trying a few of this brand’s center channel speakers, I concluded this is best for dialogue.
Last but not least, this Pioneer center channel speaker had my heart as soon as I opened the package.
It is the most handsome center channel speaker I have ever bought. It’s a compact floor-standing center channel speaker with curved edges.
The curved edges have given this speaker a very sleek and stylish appearance.
The company has not mentioned what this speaker is good for. However, after a series of experiments I have concluded that it works best for dialogue.
If you are looking for a speaker that delivers dialogue and music both perfectly, this is not the right choice.
It seems to me that the speaker is built for dialogue and it should only be used for that. The bass is solid and the highs and lows are clean, just as you want from the speaker.
Above all, the price is great as well. It is quite hard to find a speaker that looks and sounds good for under $500.
Honestly, If I had to set the price of this center channel speaker, I would have asked for $700 to $800.
Pros
- The sleek and stylish floor-standing design
- Clean and accurate sound
- Fair price
Cons
- Require a receiver capable of handling 4-ohms a speaker and a 12awg wire to work
Dialogue Center Channel Speaker Buying Guide
While a center channel speaker is not a necessity, a listener may miss many vital parts without it.
This audio device promises enhanced sound and dialogue clarity. Despite being an important part of the home theater system, not many audiophiles know what to look for when buying a center speaker.
Additionally, there are several factors to consider to get the right center speaker for your home theater setup.
2-Woofer vs 4-Woofer Center Speaker
Generally, buyers struggle to choose between a 2-woofer and a 4-woofer center speaker.
This decision entirely depends on the size of the room. A 2-woofer speaker would do a good job for a small to medium-sized room.
On the contrary, a 4-woofer center speaker is an ideal option for large theater rooms.
Again, a 2-woofer center speaker has enough power to fill small (11×12) and medium (17×16) rooms with rich audio. Comparably, 4-woofer speakers work best for large theater rooms.
2-Way or 3-Way Center Channel Speaker
Normally, 3-way center speakers are better than 2-way speakers because of the wider frequency range. With the addition of a mid-range woofer, 3-way center channel speakers range from 250 Hz to 2k Hz. A 2-way center speaker has a frequency response ranging between 50Hz and 1kHz.
Additionally, 2-way center speakers do not have mid-range woofers. Unlike 2-way, 3-way speakers play a broader frequency response for an optimized audio experience in larger rooms.
Technical Specifications
While most consumers do not pay much attention to technical specifications as they seem too hard to understand. Here’s what you need to consider to make a rational decision
- Frequency Range – The frequency range covered by the speaker is a paramount consideration. Since you are buying a speaker for dialogue delivery, the center speaker will cover mid-range frequencies. Frequency response informs us about what the speaker is capable of producing with perfection.
- Sensitivity – Check the sensitivity rating of the center speaker to assess its sound quality. The higher the rating, the louder the audio will be. It makes a huge difference, so select a center speaker with a 90dB rating.
- Impedance – As the name implies, impedance is the resistance presented to the amplifier by the speaker. Since these center speakers are used with receivers, make sure the speaker and the receiver have the same impedance to be compatible.
- Crossover Frequency – This procedure involves separating the signals and sending them to relevant speakers. Importantly, a higher crossover frequency and a 3-way center channel speaker would allow maximum audio redirection.
Compatibility
Invest in a center channel speaker that would be compatible with the existing left and right speakers.
Preferably, buy speakers of the same brand for the sound to flow seamlessly from one speaker to another.
If you can not figure out which speakers would be compatible with the center speaker, contact the speaker brand and explain your problem.
Size
Generally, a larger-sized center speaker promises robust sound. While these speakers guarantee exceptional audio, they can be expensive and take up ample space.
If you do not have the budget and a commodious room, stick to smaller center channel speakers.
While you can save plenty of space with small speakers, you may have to sacrifice acoustical quality.
Bass Radiators
It is even better if the center speakers come equipped with bass radiators. While these bass radiators may not produce full-fledged bass, they can help in producing low-end frequencies better. Consequently, it adds deepness to the dialogues.
For instance, the dialogues of actors with deep voices like Morgan Freeman will emerge deeper and pure.
Not all center speakers come with bass radiators, contact the manufacturer to get more information in this regard.
Cian has 7 years of experience in the musical instruments industry. His press and research articles are published in many well-known journals. Cian is part of our product testing team so he knows the criteria for the best products. Here at sound keen cian covers how to set up instruments and selection criteria for new products.