Short answer: the Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#29 and #30 of 131 center channel speakers), and the Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 costs $2,300 against $4,998 for the ELAC Vela CC 401.2, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8: The 3-way center of the 1610 series, with a 5” midrange and 28mm tweeter between two 8” woofers (crossovers at 470Hz and 2.9kHz). 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 Arendal’s published measurements of the 1610 Tower 8.
The case for the ELAC Vela CC 401.2: The Vela center, with two 150mm AS-XR woofers around a JET folded ribbon tweeter, rated from 32Hz at 88.5dB. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,698 less than the ELAC Vela CC 401.2.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 3.7 to 4.4; ELAC Vela CC 401.2 3.8 to 4.4). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 | ELAC Vela CC 401.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 each | $4,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #29 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #30 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 5” midrange, 2 x 8” woofers | 1x JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 2x 5.9” AS-XR cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum at 180Hz, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 470Hz, 2.9kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plug included) | - |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 28”W x 11.8”D (265 x 710 x 300 mm) | 7.5”H x 25.7”W x 9.2”D (191 x 653 x 233 mm) |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Enclosure | - | Bass reflex |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8:
- KEF R6 Meta vs Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8
- Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 vs Wharfedale Aura C
- KEF R6 Meta vs ELAC Vela CC 401.2
- ELAC Vela CC 401.2 vs Wharfedale Aura C
- Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8 vs ELAC Vela CC 401.2
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8: $2,300 each Estimated Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 (bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5) and the Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 (floorstanding, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: The 3-way center of the 1610 series, with a 5” midrange and 28mm tweeter between two 8” woofers (crossovers at 470Hz and 2.9kHz). Arendal specifies ±2.5dB from 52Hz to 20kHz, and the dedicated midrange keeps dialogue clear for side seats. Sensitivity is 88.6dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from Arendal’s published measurements of the 1610 Tower 8. It is 710mm wide, 24.2kg and a 4 ohm load.
Full Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2026 (7 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 470Hz, 2.9kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 28”W x 11.8”D (265 x 710 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 5” midrange, 2 x 8” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.6dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plug 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
ELAC Vela CC 401.2: $4,998 per pair Estimated ELAC eBay
Same family: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5), the ELAC Vela BS 404.2 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 407.2 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 (floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5) and the ELAC Vela FS 409.2 (largest floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5). See every ELAC Vela generation.
Pros: The Vela center, with two 150mm AS-XR woofers around a JET folded ribbon tweeter, rated from 32Hz at 88.5dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. A horizontal two-woofer layout narrows dispersion off to the sides compared with a three-way center.
Full ELAC Vela CC 401.2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.5”H x 25.7”W x 9.2”D (191 x 653 x 233 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 2x 5.9” AS-XR cone woofers |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum at 180Hz, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- 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