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Best Center Channel Speaker For Dialogue

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Getting the best sound balance may not be easy if you are not using the right speaker system in your home theater. This article reviews the top 5 best center channel speakers for dialogue. Dialogue in surround sound means how well the audio is organized and how clear it is. Center channel speakers are very important speakers in any surround sound setup because they do most of the work, including dialogue production. 

1. Best overall: Polk Audio Signature Series S35

This series is considered one of the best options among the best center channel speakers is found in the markets. This is because it has a dual-port technology that leads to a bass port. This bass port then helps cut down any voice distortion, thus boosting dialogue and offering more outstanding bass.

The speaker comes with a compact body hence enabling it to fit anywhere.  

Subsequently, they can connect smoothly with most setups such as 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1.

Polk Audio Signature Series S35 Center Channel...
  • Ultra-Slim 4" tall speaker built to deliver BIG, RELIABLE SURROUND SOUND. Featuring Dynamic Balance acoustic...
  • STRIKINGLY BOLD, DRAMATIC LOOKS and DYNAMIC HEART-THUMPING SOUND — Polk's PATENTED POWER PORT TECHNOLOGY...
  • DESIGNED TO DELIVER – The iconic rounded edges and the detailing are conceptualized from the best acoustic...

Specifications

  • Frequency response is 53- 40,000 Hz
  • Power up to 150 watts
  • Has an impedance of 8-ohm 
  • Sensitivity is at 88 dB
  • Warranty of 5 years
  • Measures 24-7/16 inches in widths by 4-3/16 inches in height by 6-1/8 inches in depth.

Pros

  • Easy connection with a variety of setups such as 5.1 and 9.1 setups.
  • It is pocket friendly
  • Because of compactness, it minimizes space. 
  • Clear and stable dialogue

Cons 

  • At some times, it can have a high bass that can be irritating to the ears

2. Runner Up: Klipsch R-52C Center Channel Home Speaker

The Klipsch R-52C has a Tractrix Horn that helps in dispersing sound equally to improve dialogue.

It is well built and is considerately tiny and slim with a great design coming with a black aluminum chassis that can blend with any living interior. Further, this speaker is relatively cheap. The speaker also has quick connectivity and can automatically detect inputs such as your TV.

Klipsch R-52C Powerful Detailed Center Channel...
  • Dual 5. 25" Spun-copper IMG woofers
  • 1" Aluminum lts tweeter mated to a 90x90 square tractrix Horn
  • 89Hz - 21kHz plus /- 3dB

Specifications

  • Has a frequency response ranging between 89-21khz
  • This speaker’s power of 400w
  • It measures 7 inches in width by 18 inches in height by 7 inches in depth

Pros 

  • This speaker is relatively cheap considering that it comes with two speakers
  • This speaker can fill very well in a small-sized room without sound being distorted
  • This speaker has a high sound quality that provides clear dialogue
  • This speaker has a great design

Cons 

  • There is a feeling that it can become a bit powerful
  • This speaker is not the best for low-frequency response 

3. Top Center Channel From Pioneer: Pioneer Elite SP-EC73

This speaker has a few unique features, such as an aluminum woofer and passive radiator that help achieve great sound quality by eliminating excess air. It also has improved dialogue.

Specifications 

  • Its sensitivity is at 85dB
  • The power supply is at 140w
  • Frequency response ranges between 45- 20 kHz
  • It measures 9 inches in width by 19 inches in height by 7 inches in depth

Pros

  • has several unique features
  • It has a high sound quality

Cons

  • It has a less attractive design

4. Best Price: Cerwin-Vega SL-45C Quad 5 1/4’’ Center Channel Speaker

This is one of the speakers with the best sound quality at a low price. Quad 5 ¼’’ drivers help deliver clear audio, while the general body construction helps to cut down on resonate noise. The speaker integrates perfectly well with a wide variety of different amplifiers.

Cerwin-Vega SL-45C Quad 5 1/4" Center Channel...
  • Quad 5 1/4" drivers for vocal clarity
  • 1" soft dome tweeter for crisp highs
  • Engineered for vocal clarity and intelligibility

Specifications

  • Peak power at 300w
  • It has a sensitivity of 89db
  • Frequency response is between 55- 26khz

Pros

  • It comes with a high-frequency response
  • Has value for money
  • It comes with a clear bass

Cons

  • It has a low match when compared to other speakers.

5. Best Frequency Response: ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 Center Speaker

This Speaker Performs Well In Almost All Audio Due To The Enhanced Frequency Response. It Has Enhanced Dialogue That Comes With Decent Bass Through Its Powerful Woofer. The Speaker Is Powerful And Will Deliver Loud And Crisp Audio Perfectly Well In Both Medium And Large Rooms.

SALE!!
Elac Debut 2.0 C5.2 Center Channel Speaker -...
  • Thick MDF cabinets with a luxurious black ash vinyl finish
  • Gold 5 way binding posts
  • New tweeter with Wide-dispersion waveguide

Specifications

  • Peak Power At 120 W
  • Its Sensitivity Is At 87db
  • Frequency Is Between 55
  • Its Sensitivity Is At 87db
  • Frequency Is Between 55-5 Khz

Pros

  • Best For Use In Large Rooms
  • Enhances Vocals
  • Has A Great Audio Frequency

Cons

  • Has A Fairly Big Built Body

Best Center Channel Speakers Under $500

1. Best overall: Micca MB42-C

The Hong Kong-based electronics company excels in manufacturing speakers, and Micca MB42-C center channel speaker tops the list of center channel speakers best suited for dialogue. It produces excellent sound quality and comes with a host of features. 

It has a balanced woofer built from woven carbon fiber to deliver enhanced transient and impactful bass. The silk dome tweeter ensures that the speaker provides smooth trebles and accurate imaging of the inputs. 

Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker for Home...
  • Balanced woven carbon fiber woofer for enhanced transient and impactful bass
  • High performance silk dome tweeter for smooth treble and accurate imaging
  • Ported enclosure delivers extended bass response with low distortion

Pros 

  • Excellent vocal clarity 
  • Dialogue anchoring 
  • Accurate sound signature 
  • Compact classic design 

Cons 

  • Minor distortion issue

2. Runner Up: Klipsch RP-250C

This speaker has a great modern look and blends with many interior designs. The Tractrix Horn and its horny mouth and throat offer the best frequency response.

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-250C Center Channel...
  • 1" Linear Travel Suspension Titanium Tweeter
  • Dual 5.25" Spun Copper Cerametallic Cone Woofers
  • 90x90 Hybrid Tractrix Horn

Pros

  • It has an attractive design
  • Has removable grilles
  • Has a good frequency response

Cons

  • Not available

3. Best Compact Design: The Micca RB42-C Center Channel Speaker

This speaker comes with two woofers with a magnetic frame. Similarly, it has a tweeter and is curved to fit the drivers. It has a 10 element crossover that creates balance in speech, making it a great performer.

Micca RB42-C Premium Center Channel Bookshelf...
  • The Micca RB42-C is a handsomely styled center channel speaker that delivers a level of performance that...
  • Each of the two 4-inch woofers is built on a truncated heavy steel frame and substantial magnet structure. Its...
  • The tweeter is based on Micca’s popular 0.75-inch silk dome design, using a high-efficiency neodymium magnet...

Pros

  • Great design that fits most home setups
  • It is small hence saving on space
  • It comes with a great sound quality

Cons 

  • There are limited colors to choose from

4. Best Design: The Triangle Borea BRC01 Home Cinema Channel Speakers

This speaker can give clear and natural vocals and comes with 2- way speaker with a tweeter and two midrange transducers. Generally, it has high-quality speakers and offers accurate vocals because of the natural cellulose paper found in the tweeter.

triangle Borea BRC1 100W 2-Way Home Cinema Center...
  • Silk Dome Tweeter
  • Cellulose Midrange
  • Precise Low Frequencies

Pros

  • It has a magnetic grille
  • Great physical design
  • More color options

Cons

  • It cannot perform exceptionally under low-frequency response

5. Best In-wall Speaker: The ELAC Debut in-wall Center Channel Speaker

This speaker can ‘disappear’ on your wall as it can be screwed inside it. This, in a way, improves the sound quality. Most sound experts suggest its use with projection screens.

ELAC - Debut IW-DC51-W Custom in-Wall Center...
  • By legendary audio designer Andrew Jones
  • Jones-designed custom drivers
  • 5.25-inch woven aramid-fiber woofers with oversized magnets and vented pole pieces

Pros

  • Best for use with screen projections
  • Great sound quality
  • It can be buried inside the wall 

Cons 

  • Its wiring is complex and difficult

Center Speaker Dialogue

Center speakers produce a spectrum of sounds to meet the exact requirements of front speakers. Therefore, it must be able to playback dynamic, clear, and distortion-free sound along a broad frequency spectrum.

The main job of center speakers plays out when they reproduce the midrange frequency spectrum. For best results, a good center speaker should be equipped with a 2-way system consisting of a tweeter and a midrange driver.

Best Bookshelf Speakers For Dialogue

Some of the best bookshelf speakers for dialogue include:

1. Edifier S1000MKII

It comes with RCA inputs that are useful for the funs of turntables, plus it gives high-quality sound nonetheless.

Pros

Cons 

  • Unstoppable volume knob making it difficult to know the minimum and maximum volume

2. Klipsch R-51PM

These speakers can be used either alone or combined with a more extensive sound system; this makes them perfect bookshelf speakers for dialogue.

Pros

  • It comes with a high sound quality
  • Can handle a great deal of power
  • Presence of Tractrix Horn

Cons

  • It requires time before it can produce the best bass

3. Polk Audio T15

These speakers are considered the best sound quality as they also have the lowest price tag to them.

Pros

  • Produce very clear sounds of high quality

Can be mounted 

  • onto the wall easily 

Cons

  • These speakers need some time before becoming fully effective

FAQs

1. What does a Center Channel Speaker do?

Center Channel speakers help in creating a balance between left and right speakers. It also provides clear dialogue and speech. Some speakers are compatible with different Center Channel Speakers, while some do not allow that connectivity. 

Center channel speakers are not as expensive as other sound systems. The speakers are generally pocket-friendly.

2. Does dialogue only come from the center speaker?

Yes, it is typical for only the center speaker to emit out your dialogue. It was discovered that shifting dialogue around affects its tone and does nothing in terms of narrative support. As a result, dialogue is almost always placed in the center channel.

3. Can a soundbar work as a Center Channel Speaker?

This is impossible since a soundbar and Center Channel Speaker have completely different duties and functions to perform. So, a soundbar cannot work as a center channel speaker.

4. How do I choose a center channel speaker?

When shopping for a center channel speaker, seek a “three-way design” with a tweeter and vertically aligned midrange. This allows it to operate more like a full-range speaker and provide a more dispersed sound field while allowing the acoustic picture to track precisely over the front stage.

Conclusion

To make the right choice on which is the best center channel speakers for dialogue, ensure you do comprehensive research focusing on pricing, space, and sound quality, among other factors.