Short answer: the Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8. It ranks #28 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $4,199; the Revel C426Be ranks #31, rated 4.0/5, and costs $5,444.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8 is the deeper-bass choice. A 3-way center from the 1528 series with the 5” midrange and 28mm waveguide tweeter of the measured Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 between two 8” woofers (crossovers at 420Hz and 2.8kHz). Its bass reaches about 19Hz before falling 10dB, against 35.2Hz for the Revel C426Be. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Arendal 1528 Monitor 8.
The case for the Revel C426Be: A three-way center with a 1” beryllium tweeter in Revel’s acoustic lens waveguide, a 5.25” midrange and four 6.5” woofers. The catch: The listening window is less even than the best centers here, spanning 3.1dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the directivity index varies more across frequency (3.8dB deviation).
Buy the Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Revel C426Be and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: the Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.7 to 4.4, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8 | Revel C426Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,199 each | $5,444.95 each |
| Ranked | #28 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #31 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) | about 35.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 5” midrange, 2 x 8” woofers | 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 4x 6.5” DCC aluminum woofers |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 38Hz-40kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (manufacturer specified) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz, 2.8kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) | ported (dual rear ports) |
| Dimensions | 11.4”H x 31.8”W x 17.6”D (290 x 808 x 448 mm) | 10.6”H x 38.5”W x 14”D (268 x 977 x 356 mm) |
| Weight | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.96 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8:
- Perlisten R7c vs Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8
- Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8 vs ELAC Vela CC 401.2
- Revel C426Be vs Vandersteen VCC-5
- Revel C426Be vs Paradigm Founder 90C
- KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Revel C426Be
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8: $4,199 each Estimated Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal Sound 1528 Bookshelf 8 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5), the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8 (floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5).
Pros: A 3-way center from the 1528 series with the 5” midrange and 28mm waveguide tweeter of the measured Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 between two 8” woofers (crossovers at 420Hz and 2.8kHz). The dedicated midrange keeps dialogue consistent across a wide seating area, and bass reaches 35Hz (-3dB).
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Arendal 1528 Monitor 8. Sensitivity is 85dB into 4 ohms, and it is 808mm wide and 47kg.
Full Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz, 2.8kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4”H x 31.8”W x 17.6”D (290 x 808 x 448 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 5” midrange, 2 x 8” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Revel C426Be: $5,444.95 each Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the Revel M126Be (bookshelf, rated 4.3/5), the Revel F226Be (smallest floorstanding, rated 4.6/5), the Revel F228Be (floorstanding, rated 4.5/5) and the Revel F328Be (largest floorstanding, rated 4.7/5). See every Revel Performa generation.
Pros: A three-way center with a 1” beryllium tweeter in Revel’s acoustic lens waveguide, a 5.25” midrange and four 6.5” woofers. Erin’s Audio Corner measured a preference score of 5.27 without a subwoofer, behind only the Perlisten and Ascend centers, helped by deep bass of 66.7Hz (-3dB) and about 35Hz (-10dB). Horizontal dispersion is wide (about ±60 degrees), so off-center seats hear the same dialogue balance, and 90dB sensitivity makes it easy to drive. Measured bass extension of 66.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening window is less even than the best centers here, spanning 3.1dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the directivity index varies more across frequency (3.8dB deviation). It is 977mm wide and 32.2kg, and at $5445 it is one of the more expensive centers here.
Full Revel C426Be review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 35.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 38.5”W x 14”D (268 x 977 x 356 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” beryllium dome tweeter with acoustic lens, 5.25” DCC aluminum midrange, 4x 6.5” DCC aluminum woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz-40kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.96 |
| Weight | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (dual rear ports) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons