Short answer: the Arendal Sound 1961 Center. It ranks #48 of 98 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $650. The SVS Prime Center ranks #69, rated 3.4/5, at $449, $201 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Arendal Sound 1961 Center: A sealed two-way center with a 28mm soft dome tweeter in a waveguide between two 5.5” woofers; it is the same speaker as the 1961 Monitor, so it matches 1961 left and right speakers exactly. Watch for: Bass is limited for a speaker this size, rolling off at 101Hz (-3dB) and about 72Hz (-10dB), so it depends on a subwoofer.
The SVS Prime Center is the deeper-bass choice. A three-way center with a 3.5” midrange between the 1” aluminum tweeter and two 5.25” woofers, which avoids the side-to-side cancellation of two-way centers: Erin’s Audio Corner measured the widest horizontal coverage of any center here, about ±75 degrees. Its bass reaches about 71.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 101.1Hz for the Arendal Sound 1961 Center. Watch for: On-axis response is uneven (1.29dB average deviation), and the preference score is 3.34 without a subwoofer and 6.0 with one.
Buy the Arendal Sound 1961 Center. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $201 you would save on the SVS Prime Center does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1961 Center | SVS Prime Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 each | $449.00 each |
| Ranked | #48 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers | #69 of 98 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 2x 5.5” woofers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 3.5” midrange, 2x 5.25” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-20kHz anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 48Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
| Dimensions | 6.4”H x 16.7”W x 5.9”D (163 x 425 x 150 mm) | 7.7”H x 18.6”W x 9.2”D (196 x 472 x 234 mm) |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 101.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 72.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | about 48.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.32 | 3.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.56 | 6.00 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 5, 2026 at 10:21 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 1961 Center: $650 each Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: A sealed two-way center with a 28mm soft dome tweeter in a waveguide between two 5.5” woofers; it is the same speaker as the 1961 Monitor, so it matches 1961 left and right speakers exactly. Audio Science Review measured low on-axis deviation (0.46) and a listening window within 2.7dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and the score rises to 6.56 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 101.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is limited for a speaker this size, rolling off at 101Hz (-3dB) and about 72Hz (-10dB), so it depends on a subwoofer. Its preference score without one is 3.32. It is sold only direct from Arendal.
Full Arendal Sound 1961 Center review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 72.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 101.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 6.4”H x 16.7”W x 5.9”D (163 x 425 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 2x 5.5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-20kHz anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.56 |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
SVS Prime Center: $449.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: A three-way center with a 3.5” midrange between the 1” aluminum tweeter and two 5.25” woofers, which avoids the side-to-side cancellation of two-way centers: Erin’s Audio Corner measured the widest horizontal coverage of any center here, about ±75 degrees. Bass reaches 71.8Hz (-3dB) and about 48Hz (-10dB). Measured bass extension of 71.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is uneven (1.29dB average deviation), and the preference score is 3.34 without a subwoofer and 6.0 with one. Sensitivity is a modest 86dB.
Full SVS Prime Center review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7”H x 18.6”W x 9.2”D (196 x 472 x 234 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 3.5” midrange, 2x 5.25” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz-25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.00 |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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