Short answer: the Perlisten S5c on measured sound quality, the KEF Reference 2 Meta on price. The Perlisten S5c ranks #4 of 131 center channel speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $12,990. The KEF Reference 2 Meta ranks #6, rated 4.4/5, at $5,999.99, $6,990.01 cheaper.
What the Perlisten S5c does well: A smaller center than the Perlisten S7c with the same beryllium DPC array and two 180mm woofers in a sealed cabinet. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The case for the KEF Reference 2 Meta: A three-way sealed center with KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q coaxial driver (25mm aluminium tweeter with MAT inside a 125mm midrange) between two 6.5” bass drivers. Watch for: Bass rolls off at 76.9Hz (-3dB) and about 46Hz (-10dB) in the sealed cabinet, so plan on a subwoofer.
Buy the Perlisten S5c if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the KEF Reference 2 Meta if the price matters more than sound quality.
Worth knowing: the Perlisten S5c has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 4.2 to 4.8, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten S5c | KEF Reference 2 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12,990 per pair | $5,999.99 each |
| Ranked | #4 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #6 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) | about 46.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 3x 28mm beryllium dome tweeters/mids, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD domes, 2x 180mm Textreme woofers (DPC-Array) | Uni-Q: 25mm aluminium dome tweeter with MAT, 125mm aluminium midrange; 2x 165mm (6.5”) aluminium bass units |
| Sensitivity | 88.8dB (manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) | 80Hz-35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 23.5”W x 13.3”D (240 x 596 x 338 mm) | 8.1”H x 24.8”W x 13.2”D (205 x 630 x 335 mm) |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 100-300W RMS recommended | - |
| Enclosure | Acoustic suspension | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 113.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.23 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.84 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Perlisten S5c:
- Perlisten S7c vs Perlisten S5c
- Perlisten S5c vs Perlisten R7c
- KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Perlisten R7c
- KEF Reference 2 Meta vs Paradigm Persona C
- 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Perlisten S5c: $12,990 per pair Estimated The Music Room (TMR Audio) eBay
Same family: the Perlisten S4b (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the Perlisten S5m (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5), the Perlisten S5t (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S7t (larger floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S7c (larger center, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5) and the Perlisten S4s (surround, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A smaller center than the Perlisten S7c with the same beryllium DPC array and two 180mm woofers in a sealed cabinet.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It is sold through specialist dealers.
Full Perlisten S5c review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100-300W RMS recommended |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 23.5”W x 13.3”D (240 x 596 x 338 mm) |
| Drivers | 3x 28mm beryllium dome tweeters/mids, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD domes, 2x 180mm Textreme woofers (DPC-Array) |
| Enclosure | Acoustic suspension |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.8dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF Reference 2 Meta: $5,999.99 each KEF eBay
Same family: the KEF Reference 1 Meta (bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the KEF Reference 3 Meta (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.6/5), the KEF Reference 5 Meta (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.8/5) and the KEF Reference 4 Meta (larger center, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5). See every KEF Reference generation.
Pros: A three-way sealed center with KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q coaxial driver (25mm aluminium tweeter with MAT inside a 125mm midrange) between two 6.5” bass drivers. Measured by Erin’s Audio Corner, the listening window stays within 2.1dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and the coaxial driver spreads sound evenly out to about ±50 degrees, so dialogue sounds the same from every seat on a wide sofa. Preference score 5.23, rising to 7.84 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 76.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off at 76.9Hz (-3dB) and about 46Hz (-10dB) in the sealed cabinet, so plan on a subwoofer. Sensitivity is a modest 86dB and the impedance dips to 3.2 ohms, so it needs a capable amplifier. At $6000 it costs far more than the KEF R2 Meta, which measures nearly as well.
Full KEF Reference 2 Meta review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 46.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1”H x 24.8”W x 13.2”D (205 x 630 x 335 mm) |
| Drivers | Uni-Q: 25mm aluminium dome tweeter with MAT, 125mm aluminium midrange; 2x 165mm (6.5”) aluminium bass units |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 113.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.23 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 |
| Weight | 50.3 lbs (22.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons