If what you have been getting when using your home theater system is poor dialogue and clarity, it is either your center channel speaker has issues or you need to get yourself a new one. You might be wondering why it is only dialogue and clarity in movies that are affected and not music, but this is because the minute details, intricate sounds, and other audio contents in movies cannot be reproduced clearly using the regular surround system. Considered as the heart of every home theater setup or surround system, the best center channel speaker under $500 has what it takes to boost your movie watching experience by enhancing audio quality sounds. You can also bank on a $500 center channel speaker to produce detailed audio sound effects when gaming.
There are different speakers that can be used as a center channel speaker, but the best option remains center channel speakers that are horizontal or rectangular in shape. These speaker shapes are best suited for use as center channel speakers compared to other speaker shapes, and this is because horizontal and rectangular speaker shapes can be easily positioned right above your television screen. This takes away the time to worry about shape or space or any other related issue.
The power, value, and importance of a center channel speaker cannot be overemphasized. Take away the fact that center channel speakers provides audio and video satisfaction, the fact that it is not too expensive but affordable makes it a very good investment option. A lot of people must be familiar with the term center channel speakers, especially when talking about a surround system setup. However, most people are still not aware of what its uses are. Just like we mentioned earlier, center channel speakers are responsible for partial or full reproduction of dialogue in your movies, music, and multimedia programs.
The ideal place to position a center channel speaker is close to your television screen’s rear end and at the center of any speaker setup. Bearing all that you have read so far in mind, shopping for a center channel speaker isn’t a jolly ride, and this is because there are so many brands producing so many models. This makes it confusing for anyone to walk into the market and pickup any center channel speaker on the market without having a good background information about center channel speakers. You need to go for a brand you trust, the best center channel speaker you can get at an economical drive, and which center channel speaker has the best features.
You might be wondering how high a center channel speaker should be placed. Well, a center channel speaker shouldn’t be placed more than two feet above the ear level. Another point you should note is center channel speakers might not make so much difference when used for listening to music alone. This is because all songs are generally mixed to play using stereo speakers found on either the right or the left, or the combination of both speakers.
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Best Center Channel Speaker Under $500 – Buying Guide And Recommendation
Features Of Center Channel Speakers
Enhancing dialogue is what center channel speakers are all about, and if you are the type of person that loves listening to voices clearly when watching a movie or you are generally a movie enthusiast, investing in a topnotch center channel speaker will improve your movie experience. You should be able to find several amazing center channel speakers within the five hundred dollar budget, but before you make a payment for any center channel speaker, make sure the speaker has the following features listed below.
Shape And Size
Just like we stated earlier in this guide, the best center channel speakers are the ones that are horizontal or rectangular in shape. These shapes makes placing or positioning center channel speakers more ideal, and the fact that the rectangular center channel speakers are slimmer makes positioning them more convenient.
Sound Quality
It is true that any good speaker should be able to reproduce a good sound quality, and this saying is evident in center channel speakers. This is because center channel speakers are known for delivering clear dialogue and audio sounds, and models with wide frequency range are recommended because of their ability to produce crystal clear sounds. You can figure this out by reading reviews of products online and not following through with what any manufacturer claims.
Compatibility
Now that you know the importance of center channel speakers, there is a very high possibility that you already have a left and right speaker setup in your room. If this is the case, you need to purchase a center channel speaker that will be compatible with the two speakers you already have in your room. If they are not compatible, it will be impossible for sounds to travel evenly between these speakers, and this explains why getting a center channel speaker from the same speaker brand you already have in your room is vital.
Placement
Whatever center channel speaker you settle for should be able to fit the space you have in your room. It doesn’t matter what type of speaker setup you have in your room or the number of speakers you have, but what matters is fitting all of them inside the available space you have in your room. All your speakers should be placed right in front of you, while the center channel speaker should be positioned directly below or above your center channel speaker. This is the best way you can get to enjoy that immersive movie experience you desire.
Design
Sound quality and every other feature we have mentioned in this guide are very important, but then you also have to pay attention to the center channel speaker’s design. Since the center channel speaker will be positioned right in the center of your room, it should have an ugly look. This means whatever center channel speaker model you go for should have a decent look and should also complement your room’s interior decoration.
Best Center Channel Speaker Under $500 Review
1. Klipsch RC42IIBL Center Speaker Black
The Klipsch brand is one of the most famous brands that makes high-quality speakers, and the Klipsch RC42IIBL center channel speaker is another high-quality speaker to come from this brand. This speaker is very compact and that means it would not use too much space anywhere it is kept, and the fact that you do not have to spend so much to purchase these speakers is what makes this speaker one of the best on the market. This means this speaker is very affordable, and it boasts of a solid performance and craftsmanship which makes it stand out from all other center channel speakers on the market. You can count on its highly efficient design to offer more output with minimal energy, while its magnetic shielding prevents television interference.
Specifications
- Brand – Klipsch
- Item Weight – 13.86 Pounds
- Item Color – Color
Key Features
- Magnetic shielding
- High-output woofers
- Horn-loaded tweeters
What We Like
- It delivers optimal sound clarity
- It is very durable
- It fits in a limited space
What We Don’t Like
- None
2. Klipsch RP-250C Center Channel Speaker
This is the second Klipsch brand to make it to this guide, and this tells you that the Klipsch brand is reliable and makes high-quality product alone. Having a compact design means positioning this speaker is very easy, and the fact that it delivers a theater-quality dialogue when watching your movie is another benefit that comes with settling for this speaker. Even if you have limited space, trust this speaker to fit into any space, and you can count on this speaker to deliver that immersive and exceptional audio and cinema experience. If you want to get close to the voice and dialogue in your movies, this is the center channel speaker that you can count on. It also boasts of an ebony color that complements any home interior decoration.
Specifications
- Brand – Klipsch
- Item Weight – 18.37 Pounds
- Item Color – Ebony
Key Features
- Linear travel titanium suspension tweeter
- Hybrid Tactrix horn
- Strong grille
What We Like
- It delivers an incredible sound
- It fills up a lot of space
- It delivers full range sounds
What We Don’t Like
- Its sounds are not directional
3. Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker
The Miccas MB42-C center channel speaker boasts of a carbon fiber woofer that delivers impactful and transient sounds, and interestingly, this center channel speaker comes with silk dome, high performance tweeter that ensures accurate imaging and smooth treble is delivered. What makes this center channel speaker unique is its portable enclosed speaker that delivers a high bass response without little or no distortion, and you can bank on this center channel speaker to deliver accurate and neutral sound with outstanding sound clarity. However, this center channel speaker boasts of a compact classic design that doesn’t only make it easy to place, but also ensures it complements any room where it is stationed.
Specifications
- Brand – Micca
- Item Weight – 5 Pounds
- Item Color – Black
Key Features
- Unique tonal match
- Carbon fiber woofer
What We Like
- It leaves users impressed with its performance
- It enable you hears voice clearly
- It has a smart design
What We Don’t Like
- It doesn’t deliver deep bass
4. ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 Center Speaker
The ELAC debut C6 2.0 center channel speaker might not be from one of the top and high-quality brands you are familiar with, but you can count on this center channel speaker to meet up with all of your sound and dialogue clarity requirements. This is one center channel speaker that is designed to be compatible with stereo amplifiers and AV receivers, and it comes with a powerful soft dome tweeter that guarantees producing smooth extended highs and deep sounding bass to make watching movies pleasurable. You will enjoy flexibility when placing this center channel speaker in any room, thanks to its front firing ports, while having a wide frequency range ensures clear reproduction of sounds. Its thick cabinet bracing helps in preventing unwanted cabinet vibrations.
Specifications
- Brand – ELAC
- Item Weight – 25.4 Pounds
- Item Color – Black
Key Features
- Front firing ports
- 8-Ohm nominal impedance
- MDF cabinet
What We Like
- It produces crystal clear sounds
- It is worth its price tag
- Makes watching movies more enjoyable
What We Don’t Like
- Not as powerful as ELAC bookshelf speakers
5. Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker
The Polk Audio CS10 center channel speaker is the final product we want to show to our readers, and delivering clear and detailed high frequency response is what this speaker is designed to do. You can count on this center channel speaker to produce crystal clear sounds not just when you watch movies, but from instruments and vocals. It comes with lightweight drivers with good damping that results in lower distortion, excellent bass sounds, and high efficiency. It boasts of an MDF enclosure that fights against vibration, and users are bound to enjoy life-like, clearer, and cleaner sound quality. Finally, it boasts of five way binding post connectors which creates a better and secure hook up option.
Specifications
- Brand – Polk Audio
- Item Weight – 16 Pounds
- Item Color – Black
Key Features
- MDF speaker cabinet
- Composite dynamic balance drivers
- Five way binding post connector
What We Like
- Its picks up slack from the left and right speakers
- It boosts voice clarity when watching a movie
- It has a very nice design
- It delivers a world class sound performance
What We Don’t Like
- None
Conclusion
In terms of technology, the world is ascending and there are so many technological advancements with exceptional options flooding the market. There are so many new brands and models finding their way into the market, and irrespective of the product you intend shopping for, it is never easy to find the right type of product with every other product claiming to be the best.
We have listed the best center channel speaker that will fit a five hundred dollar budget in this guide, and you can trust this guide to help you make the right choice whenever you hit the market. Furthermore, these speakers mentioned here are the best in terms of quality, and you can rely on them to produce the right sounds so you can enjoy watching your movie or listening to your favorite songs.
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