Polk R700 - finding a center channel that will match

[tommytinks]

I recently purchased the Polk R700 and I am in search of a above average\good center channel for wide clear dispersion of sound. I am hoping to get a response that will help me find a center that will be in the ballpark of playing well with the Polk R700 towers. I am looking at the Kef R2C, KEF R2 Meta, SVS Prime Center, SVS Prime Evolution Center or the Monolith THX center.
If anyone out in this audio community have a answer or point of direction that will help me choose the best sounding Center to match the Polk R700 I would be very thankful.

I currently have a Sony AZ5000ES receiver using pre-outs to a OSD Nero XA5180 5 channel Power Amplifier for front stage using 3 of the amp channels.

 

[StigErik]

Easy - get an other Polk R700

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

What about the L400, which was the center-channel speaker from the same series? You can find an Audioholics review online.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Oddball]

Yes, R400 center would be logical solution as same series as R700 towers. Only downside is R400 is two-way and R700 three way. From the others, probably the new SVS pinnacle would "closest" 3 way center. Would be good to hear them in the room though.

Most brands have biggest horizontal centre channels that are smaller and less capable than their big towers. Most people seem to have accepted that as well. But as noted, by the book the centre would be similarly capable as the towers. There are big horizontal centres as well, but tend to cost thousands.

 

[flint350]

Polk's only 3 way center that I know of is the Legend series L400, but it costs $1800. That's almost as much as a pair of R700's.

 

[alex-z]

Polk LSi M 704C or 706C. They were the last affordable 3 way centre channels that Polk made.

If you cannot find one on the used market then just get the KEF R2C.

 

[RVG]

Wide dispersion was the design goal for this excellent center channel speaker. A WTMW design using a wide dispersion ribbon tweeter.

The HT Center Channel

philharmonicaudio.com

Great company (USA, parts from US, Europe and Asia). They operate with low overhead, have very reasonable shipping rates (US & foreign) and the cost to quality ratio is excellent. They come in several finishes, if you don’t like what you see ask them in the forum thread I linked below. They often will apply a finish from one of their other products on request. Their piano black is among the best black finishes I’ve seen in person.

By request the manufacturer will rotate the RAAL twetter 90 degrees b/f shipping if you intend to use it standing on the narrower end. You can ask any questions of the designer, Dennis Murphy and his partner enginner, Ken over at AVS in a thread they monitor daily. Link goes to page 1573, the last as of 11/292024

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/philharmonic-audio-dennis-murphy.1348949/page-1573?post_id=63681222#post-63681222

Specifications​

Cabinet	Mirror Ebony, Natural Walnut, Mirror Rosewood (Limited Special)
Tweeter	Proprietary Air Motion
Midrange	ScanSpeak 10f/4424G
Woofer	ScanSpeak 5.25" Revelator
Frequency Response	55 Hz - 20kHz (+ 1.5 / - 3db) Anechoic
Sensitivity	88 dB (2.83v/1M)
Box Alignment	Sealed
Dimensions	20.5" W X 10 7/8" H X 10 7/8" D
Weight	35 lbs
Impedance	4 Ohms
Crossover	Linkwitz-Riley 2nd Order Acoustic at 490 Hz, Linkwitz-Riley 4th Order Acoustic at 3,000 Hz