Best Center Speaker Under 500

1.MICCA MB42-C - BEST CHEAP CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER

The Micca MB42 is one of those products that everyone talks about. With an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5, it is not hard to see why the Micca MB42 is deemed to be one of the best center speaker under 500. Don’t assume that the speaker is cheaply built just because it has an inexpensive price tag.

Even with a price tag of 100$, the MB42 feels and works like a premium-grade centered channel speaker than a budget product. It is a charming little speaker with class and style.

The cabinet has rounded edges, a sophisticated faux wood grain finish, and durable build quality. The main aesthetic feature of this speaker is its compact size. Most of the speakers that you find in the market are bulky in appearance and have a pretty generic design.

Why not add a hint of flair to your living space with the MB42? When you remove the cloth grille, you’ll find a silk dome tweeter and a carbon fiber woofer. The sound is good, if not great. With an impedance of 4 to 8 ohms, the speaker will be compatible with most AV receivers when used at moderately loud volumes.

However, you will not find any Bluetooth or Wi-fi enabled feature, and neither is there any scope of integrated amplification. Hence, you will have to purchase a separate amplifier to use the MB42. Otherwise, it is a good speaker at this price range which won’t disappoint both music enthusiasts and audiophiles.

2. POLK AUDIO - BEST SLIM CENTER SPEAKER

The Polk Audio Signature S35 is a sleek-looking center channel speaker that brings you the dynamicity of home theatre quality audio experience into the comfort of your living space. The Polk S35 is a part of the signature line from Polk Audio. The slim and sleek design makes it easy for you to place the speaker in multiple places. It will look well in front of or below a television without blocking the screen.

The speaker is approximately 4.5 inches tall, so you can see why it is so compact. This compactness is one of the reasons why the S35 is one of the best center speaker under 500. The speaker features a high-quality tweeter for a smooth and clear high-frequency response.

With this feature, you will get a detailed and high-end sound from music and movies. The joy of watching your favorite movie or listening to your favorite music in high-definition sound is a whole new level of thrill!

The low distortion ensures that it delivers front row cinema-quality acoustics where each dialogue is clear and audible. On top of that, mounting the speaker is easy, so that will save you the trouble of finding a professional. One problem with this speaker is that it does not have a strong bass response. Otherwise, it is a great speaker if you want a highly durable, resonant, and quality speaker.

3. SONY SSCS8 - BEST CENTER SPEAKER FOR SURROUND SOUND

Sony is one of the biggest giants in sound technology. It is a household name and is, most of the time, the go-to option for audiophiles. The Sony SS-CS8 is designed to be way more than mere home theatre speakers. It is equipped with two woofers and a tweeter. It is a two-way 3-driver center speaker that can handle around 145W of power.

The woofers are built with high-quality materials, where the upper-surface is designed in a way to deliver a supple sound quality while the bottom layer is designed to deliver powerful bass. The crossover network feature minimizes signal loss for a rich vocal response.

The tweeter is specially tailored to deliver a high-frequency audio response. It adds a sense of space to enhance details in sound so that you can become a part of the music that you’re listening to. The Sony SSCS8 also comes with tight and punchy bass, thanks to the precise timing alignment within the frequency range.

On the downside, the speaker is bulky and large, so there might be problems with finding space to install it. But if you are looking for a speaker that offers a realistic and deep sound, then this is one of the best center speaker under 500!

4. KLIPSCH RP-500C - BEST KLIPSCH CENTER SPEAKER

Klipsch provides commercial-grade audio solutions. They are famous for their permanent installation of speakers that are designed to last long. The speaker features Hybrid Tactrix Horn Technology which reduces unwanted reverb.

This ensures that you get a balanced and clear sound while not compromising the details in sound quality. The tweeter diaphragm has a lightweight yet rigid composite, which further enhances sound quality.

The cone is matted to a copper-wound voice coil for impressive conductivity. The RP-500C has its woofers in a stamped-steel basket that is non-resonating. This steel-basket is secured to a large magnet motor which ensures low-distortion and high-efficiency.

The rear Tractrix port of the speaker perfectly matches the cabinet to create near-perfect airflow with minimal turbulence and distortion even when the frequencies are at the lowest.

The transparent and removable black cloth grille is magnetic and thus provides protection while maintaining a sleek aesthetic appearance to compliment your living space. The binding posts are sturdy to ensure a secure connection to multiple connectors and cables.

The angle of the center speaker can be changed easily. The bass is good, but if you want deeper bass, then you can pair it with a Klipsch-powered subwoofer. All-in-all it is a great, if not the best center speaker under 500 for those who want to buy a budget product without compromising the quality.

5. DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY - BEST IN WALL CENTER SPEAKER

The Definitive Technology ProCenter 2000 is one of the largest and best centered in-wall speakers within the line of ProCinema Series. The ProCenter 2000 is designed in a way that it can deliver a powerful audio quality while being compact.

It incorporates cutting-edge technologies that are used in Definitive’s top-of-the-line models. This includes the use of pure aluminum dome tweeters, planar pressure, and BDSS drivers. The bass radiators used in the speaker enhance low-frequency performance to deliver clean and realistic acoustics.

This is amazing since most of the competing budget center channel speakers of this size usually have a lower-midrange response that is weak and flat. You can easily detect this by listening to male vocals on a small traditional satellite speaker. The ProCenter 2000 eradicates this problem by using BDSS technology in the bass radiators that are cleverly placed at each side of the speaker.

This configuration enhances and widens the lower-midrange area of the speaker without making the enclosure size larger or wider. With this, you can enjoy a sound that warm, rich, and full of life. This would have been the ultimate dream speaker, only if it didn’t sound so harsh upon increasing the sound volume.

The speaker is small enough to blend in with your home’s decor and can be easily mounted on a shelf. Otherwise, if you want, you can also mount it on the wall. Overall, it is a great center speaker that won’t break the bank.

6. ELAC DEBUT 2.0 C5.2 CENTER SPEAKER

ELAC has become one of the most well-renowned names in audio electronics. They have been around in the industry longer than most audio companies.

The Debut 2.0 series serves to deliver a full-blown surround system. The Debut 2.0 C5.2 delivers a spectacular soundstage that brings music and movies to life. It is one of the best center speaker under 500. It has an aramid cone with greater stiffness.

This strength allows flexibility in design and therefore delivers an extended low-frequency response. The cabinets are thick with a premium black ash vinyl finish. The tweeter has a good surround which increases frequency response and depth.

The overall sound quality is decent for the price, but it does have a slightly harsh on the high-end. But if you are on a tight budget but need a reliable speaker, then this is the speaker for you. So go ahead and check it out!

7. Q ACOUSTICS 3090CI CENTER SPEAKER

The Q Acoustics 3090Ci is a pretty great entry-level center speaker that has a unique design. The sleek curved edges and chrome-finish bezel make it look futuristic and modern. It has a magnetic black grille and rests on pre-fitted rubber feet so that it does not slip off. Moreover, the speaker grilles can be removed so you can customize the look according to your preference.

The 3090Ci boasts of delivering the ultimate cinematic experience by allowing you to hear every precise detail in a dialogue. It has a decoupled tweeter which ensures that the vibrations from the woofer are isolated to give a purer sound. The typical panel cut-outs of the speaker are absent, giving better structural integrity.

The sound is crisp and does not distort easily. It strikes a perfect balance between self-damping and stability to give accurate imaging. It is on the heavier side, though, but that is probably the only disadvantage.

8. YAMAHA NS-C444 2-WAY CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER

The Yamaha NS-C444 is a real steal considering the price. The speaker is well built with rubber surrounds and a poly cone for stiffness. Once you hook this speaker up, you can hear the depth in its sound. The mids are tight and precise, and the highs are equally impressive.

It also has a good midbass depth. The finish could have been better, but that’s not really a disadvantage. But the actual downside is that it is a huge speaker, so you cannot hide this in a tiny space. Other than these, it is undoubtedly one of the best center speaker under 500.

9. JAMO STUDIO SERIES S 83 CEN-BLK CENTER SPEAKER

The Jamo Studio Series S 83 CEN is a good entry-level choice for those who are building a home theatre system. It has a chic design, perfect for modern environments. It has a beautiful wood grain accent and a matte vinyl finish.

The sound is clear and precise. It may not be as powerful as other speakers of this range, but it is more than enough for first-time buyers. It does require a lot of power to run and has a very limited volume level. It is not the best center speaker under 500, but if you are easily pleased, you might try this one out.

10. KEF T101CWH CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER

The KEF T101C is one of the best center speaker under 500 when it comes to being compact. It is a super-flat speaker with a depth of just 35mm. It can also be wall-mounted, thanks to its keyhole slots. With this, you can easily hang the speaker as a picture.

However, if you want to place your center speaker on a shelf, then a desktop stand will also be provided. It features a high-quality KEF sound which features an ultra-low profile midrange unit. It has a very weak bass, so don’t expect booming lows. However, it is a good choice for those who want a compact and slim speaker.