The 10 Best Center Speaker Under 500, Tested And Researched

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Polk Signature Elite ES35 Slim Center Channel Speaker - Hi-Res Audio
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Polk Signature Elite ES35 Slim Center Channel Speaker - Hi-Res Audio

The Polk Signature Elite ES35 is a slim center channel speaker that delivers powerful and accurate sound, thanks to the patented Polk TruBass port design. It features a 3” voice coil for deeper, more accurate bass and a 1” tweeter for clear highs. The Elite ES35 is designed to fit any décor, with its black glossy finish and three curvaceous grilles; it has a versatile placement options with its multiple mounting brackets. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Klipsch RP-450C Center Channel Speaker - Ebony

Immerse yourself in your music with the Klipsch RP-450C Center Channel Speaker. With a powerful 90x90mm Hybrid Tractrix Horn, linear travel suspension (LTS) titanium tweeter and a spun copper-cerametallic woofer, the RP-450C delivers amazing sound and performance. Feel the power of its strong, flexible removable grille as it easily slides on and off for a sleek, modern look. Read Review

3. Best Connectivity: Fluance Elite High Definition Surround Sound Home Speaker Center

The Fluance Elite High Definition Surround Sound Home Speaker Center is a true audiophile's dream. It has been carefully matched to deliver the emotional highs and lows of your favorite music, while maintaining the excitement and power of your favorite soundtracks or games. The all-new Fluance Elite Series employs a 2-way configuration that delivers an immersive, balanced sound experience. Read Review

4. Best Sound Quality: Klipsch RP-440C Piano Black Center Channel Speaker

You've always wanted a rich, powerful sound from your computer speakers. The Klipsch RP-440C Piano Black Center Channel Speaker has a 1" linear travel Suspension titanium tweeter and Quad 4" spun copper cerametallic Cone woofers to provide significant sound enhancement for any room. Plus, it's highly flexible and removable so you can take it with you on the go or easily store it away when not in use. Read Review

When you’re looking to buy a new home theater system, it can be hard to know what features are important and which ones you can live without. In some cases, that’s okay. You only have so much space in your living room and a tiny budget. Other times, those constraints mean the whole experience feels stifled. Whether you’re just starting or upgrading from an older setup, there are a few things you should keep in mind as you shop for your new home theater system.

If you're on a tight budget but want the absolute best surround sound quality possible, look no further than our list of the Best center speaker under 500. These affordable options will help take your home entertainment setup to the next level at a much lower price than other high-end models and brands in the same niche would cost.

With Polk Signature Elite ES35 Slim Center Channel Speaker - Hi-Res Audio, you will have no difficulty finding anything to meet your needs! To help you find the best fit for your needs, we've put up a purchasing guide and also show other great options for you to consider.

Before finalizing your selection, our staff advises that you look into these additional important resources. They may help narrow down your selection and clarify things to locate the right fit. Look no further than Klipsch RP-450C Center Channel Speaker - Ebony since you're seeking the budget-friendly option. Our top models are equipped with features to meet every requirement. 

Our Top Picks

  • NOT ONLY HEAR, BUT FEEL THE HEART-THUMPING BASS - With Polk's Patented Power Port Technology, the ES35 center channel gives you a dramatic frontal impact and carries almost 75 percent of the audio so you get louder, lower, and cleaner bass, distortion free
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE SLIM CENTER CHANNEL - Polk Signature Elite ES35 features Dynamically Balanced Acoustic Array with Cascading Crossovers, a 1" Terylene Tweeter and (6) 3" Woofers that deliver room-filling, crystal clear sound in a life-like soundstage
  • BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME THEATER - The timbre matched Polk components ensures seamless speaker-to-speaker blending with the Signature Elite series. Combine with pairs of ES60 towers, ES20 bookshelf speakers & any sub for a 5.1 surround setup
  • VERSATILE PLACEMENT OPTIONS - Place the ES35 on a shelf or a speaker stand (sold separately), or wall-mount it below the TV without blocking the IR sensor. Use as left and right channel speakers, in additional to center, and enjoy a cinematic experience
  • LOOKS TO KILL - The Signature Elite series speakers with their bold, modern looks are sure to make heads turn and set feet tapping, no matter where you are sitting in the room. Their elegant and classy style will make a statement with any home décor
  • REALISTIC SOUND REPRODUCTION – ES35's high sensitivity and 4- & 8-Ohm compatibility delivers spacious, enveloping, and true to life music streamed online via Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, Spotify & more and even from the latest Dolby Atmos & DTS:X AVRs
TOP Choice #2 Klipsch RP-450C Center Channel Speaker - Ebony
Our Score:
9.5
Klipsch
  • 1" Linear travel suspension titanium tweeter
  • The Country of origin is China
  • The Reference premiere RP-450C center channel speaker brings movie dialogue and music lyrics to life
  • Full lifetime parts and labor manufacturer's direct warranty with lifetime customer support
  • Expertly timbre matched 5 speaker system that will surround you with every brilliant nuance from the greatest soundtracks that define your life
  • Precision-crafted engineered MDF wood construction for reduced cabinet resonance and reproduction of natural sound
  • Powerful dual 6.5" woofers produce high definition sound and optimal low frequency response (fronts)
  • Premium 1" neodymium balanced silk dome tweeters, ferrofluid cooled for vibrant high-frequency response; 4" poly-coated midrange drivers with butyl rubber surrounds for rich, clear sound performances
  • 1" linear travel Suspension titanium tweeter
  • 90x90 hybrid tractrix Horn
  • Quad 4" spun copper cerametallic Cone woofers
  • Strong, flexible removable grille
  • All New tractrix port
  • All New Tractrix Port
  • 1" Linear Travel Suspension Titanium Tweeter
  • MDF Cabinet with Brushed Polymer Veneer Baffle Finish
  • Quad 5.25" Spun Copper Cerametallic Cone Woofers
  • 90x90 Hybrid Tractrix Horn
  • Connector type: 5-way Binding Post
  • Output wattage: 150.0 watts
  • 4-driver design reduces distortion as the load is spread over multiple drivers.Frequency Response 55Hz-20kHz
  • Include this 3-way center speaker in home theater systems for broad dispersion in both horizontal and vertical planes and more comprehensible and detailed sound throughout the seating area.
  • Housed in a sleek high gloss black enclosure, combine with other NHT C-Series components for an audiophile grade system for home theater.
  • Combining both the previous 2C and 3C centers into a single product, NHT redesigned the cabinet to stand vertically or horizontally to create a powerful front end in a limited-space high output theater system.
  • The C-LCR uses the same 6/5-inch aluminum cone woofers as the C-3 and C-4, as well as the aluminum dome 2-inch midrange and 1-inch tweeter.
  • CREATE A FULL PROCINEMA SYSTEM FOR A THRILLING & IMMERSIVE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE – Pair the ProCenter 2000 center channel with a ProSub 1000 Subwoofer and 4 ProMonitor 1000 satellite speakers for an unbeatable home theater system
  • LONGSTANDING BEST-SELLERS - The ProCenter speakers have been around for quite a while and are just as popular. These precision sound loudspeakers from Definitive Technology are the best sounding speakers to add to your home entertainment system
  • TOP-OF-THE-LINE CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER – ProCenter 2000 is EQUIPPED WITH THE MOST ADVANCED DRIVERS – (2) proprietary 5-1/4" BDSS driver coupled to (2) 5-1/4" bass radiators, & a 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter for DETAILED AUDIO, & DEEP POWERFUL BASS
  • MULTIPLE PLACEMENT OPTIONS – The included pedestal foot helps you safely place the speaker on a shelf or a ProStand (sold separately). For wall/ceiling mounting, use the rear-panel keyhole slot or a 1/4"-20 threaded insert on the back of the speaker
  • THE HEART OF GOOD MUSIC - This compact center channel is designed to handle the most action-packed sound sequences, so you GET EXCEPTIONAL SOUND REPRODUCTIONS WITH NO DISTORTIONS, even at high volume levels
  • Quad 3.5" Spun-Copper IMG Woofers
  • 1" Aluminum LTS tweeter
  • Dimensions: 5.2" x 26" x 6.2"
  • 90x90 Square Tractrix Horn
  • Bass-Reflex via Dual Front-Firing Tractrix Ports
  • Sensitivity: 86dB (2.83V @ 1 meter full-space 300-3kHz)
  • Rated bandwidth: 48Hz - 25kHz (±3dB)
  • Recommended amplifier power: 20 - 200 watts
  • Nominal impedance 8 ohms
  • KEF T301c center Channel speaker - Black (single)
  • Frequency Response-80Hz - 30kHz
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best center speaker under 500?

Some of you may be reluctant to select one of the best center speaker under 500, to be honest. The main reason is that you didn’t study that before. There are pretty lots of factors that must be considered when investing in best center speaker under 500. You are expected to count on our expertise in best center speaker under 500 to make the right choice. 

So now we move on to the significant factors related to best center speaker under 500 you must keep in mind:

Connectivity

It is essential that the speaker has good connectivity. A Bluetooth speaker that supports NFC is a great option for all types of connectivity. This makes it compatible with any device and allows for easy connection, even at low speeds. An additional advantage would be a speaker with a wired connection, in addition to wireless connectivity.
You can connect a speaker via wired or wireless connectivity. An audio system that is wired would connect to the speakers where the sound comes from. A wireless subwoofer, on the other hand, will connect to speakers via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Size And Styling

All of these speakers can be used in a living room, den or bedroom. Our best computer speakers guide will help you find the right speaker for your needs. The speakers we selected were small enough that they could be placed on large shelves or credenzas, but large enough to provide enough bass to operate on their own.

Matching With The Right Components

Match speakers with the correct amplifiers or receivers to get best results. The range of power required to power each unit is usually specified by manufacturers. A speaker might require 30 to 100 watts to function well.
For performance reasons, it is best to stick with one brand of speaker if you are using surround sound or multichannel speakers. You may need to fine tune the mix-and match situation.

Types Of Speakers

You have many options when it comes to speakers. It can be overwhelming to choose from so many options. However, it is possible to narrow down your search by choosing the type of speaker you prefer.
There are many types of speakers, including floor-standing, bookcase, satellite, subwoofers, soundbar, portable and others. While some types, like on-wall speakers can be placed right away, others, such as in-ceiling or in-wall, may need special installations and/or fixtures, and are best plugged in within a few minutes. You have the option of wired or wireless speakers, as well as multi-channel surround sound or a stereo pair. Your personal preference should guide your decision.

Power Handling

The power handling indicates how strong the speaker can withstand without causing damage. A speaker rated as "100W maximum" should not be considered dangerous if it is equipped with a 200-Watt amplifier. You won't likely put this much power in the speakers. A loudspeaker's damage is usually caused by a small amplifier that drives it too high. It is the loud-level distortion that causes the most damage.

Sensitivity

The speaker's sensitivities are a measurement of its effectiveness. Speakers with high sensitivity produce higher volume at given voltages. You can use this information to determine how large an amplifier is needed to power the speakers. The measurement can be expressed in decibels per 2.83V input. Example: "88dB/2.83V." You don't need a huge amplifier to drive speakers, but you do want at least 86dB. 88dB is better.

Sound Quality

The quality of sound is an individual judgment. Every person has different taste preferences, and what is great to one may not be for another. No one speaker is the best, but there are many that appeal to different ears.
Listen to as many speakers models as you can with the music you are familiar with when shopping. To get an idea of the speaker that interests you, bring along CDs and flash drives with digital music.
You can also evaluate speakers by listening to live music. You should find the music to be natural and enjoyable for long periods.

FAQs

How Can You Improve Speaker Quality?

You can improve the quality of your speakers' sound by doing a few things. First, look around at the space where you listen. Moving a chair or couch could improve your listening experience. How about your speakers? You'll need to triangulate the seating arrangement to position you at the middle of the listening area, and your speakers pointed towards you.
Try placing your speakers on the ground. Instead, place them on shelves and speaker stands. Bookshelf speakers can often be matched with your height while seated.

Will Speakers Accept A 3.5mm Input?

Most speakers have a 3.5mm input. Many amplifiers and receivers have an RCA input. However, you can connect a 3.5mm source with an adapter.

Do I Need A Subwoofer With My Speaker Setup? Will It Come With One?

It all depends. It depends on where you live. If not specified, most speakers don't come with subwoofers. However, soundbars usually do.

How Many Watts Is A Good Speaker?

The term "wattage" does not necessarily mean quality. It is simply a measurement of the power that a speaker can produce. A 1,000-watt speaker might be louder that a 100-watt one, but what matters most is how the engineer built the speaker. This includes everything, from the cabinet, drivers and woofers, to the tweeter.

What Features Do The Best Overall Speakers Offer?

This all depends on your needs. Consider a portable, great-sounding speaker. Look for something that is weather-proof and can connect to multiple sources (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi Fi, auxiliary). You will also need plenty of power for times when you can't access a charger. You should consider features such as wattage and resistance. It's not a good idea to have a set of high-end hi-fi speakers which are difficult to blend in with your home.

Do Higher Watt Speakers Sound Better?

Not necessarily. There are some high-wattage speakers out there that sound amazing and pack a lot of power, but the majority of people will be happy with 50-watt bookshelf speakers. These speakers focus on engineering and design more than just pure power.

Will Speakers Work With Any Receiver?

Although technically yes, you will need to match the impedance. You might also want to invest in a bigger, stronger amplifier to support larger speakers. It is better to have more power than less, but you should be cautious to not damage the speakers.

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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.