Short answer: the Perlisten S7c. It ranks #1 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $8,795; the Perlisten S5c ranks #4, rated 4.5/5, and costs $12,990, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Perlisten S7c is the deeper-bass pick. A four-way center built on Perlisten’s DPC array: a 28mm beryllium tweeter flanked by two 28mm Textreme domes that control vertical dispersion, over four 7” Textreme woofers. Its bass reaches about 36.8Hz before falling 10dB, against 42Hz for the Perlisten S5c. Watch for: The only measurements are Perlisten’s own, which spinorama.org rates low quality, so the results have not been independently verified.
The case for the Perlisten S5c: 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.
Buy the Perlisten S7c. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Perlisten S5c and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: the Perlisten S5c’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.2 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten S7c | Perlisten S5c | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,795 each | $12,990 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers | #4 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 28mm beryllium dome tweeter, 2x 28mm Textreme dome DPC array, 4x 180mm (7”) Textreme woofers | 3x 28mm beryllium dome tweeters/mids, 2x 28mm Textreme TPCD domes, 2x 180mm Textreme woofers (DPC-Array) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz ±1.5dB, 38Hz-37kHz -10dB (manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 88.8dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Certification | THX Dominus | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 37.8”W x 11.8”D (240 x 960 x 300 mm) | 9.4”H x 23.5”W x 13.3”D (240 x 596 x 338 mm) |
| Weight | 73.9 lbs (33.5 kg) | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61.7Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 36.8Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.26 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.63 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | - | 100-300W RMS recommended |
| Enclosure | - | Acoustic suspension |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Perlisten S7c:
- Perlisten S7c vs Perlisten R5c
- Perlisten S7c vs KEF Reference 4 Meta
- Perlisten S7c vs Paradigm Persona C
- Perlisten S5c vs Perlisten R7c
- Perlisten S5c vs KEF Reference 2 Meta
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 S7c: $8,795 each Audiolab 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 S5c (smaller center, ranked lower, estimated 4.5/5) and the Perlisten S4s (surround, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A four-way center built on Perlisten’s DPC array: a 28mm beryllium tweeter flanked by two 28mm Textreme domes that control vertical dispersion, over four 7” Textreme woofers. Perlisten’s own measurements hold the listening window within 1.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and give the smoothest predicted in-room response of any center channel here (0.94), for a preference score of 6.26 that reaches 8.63 with an ideal subwoofer, the highest of any center. Bass reaches 61.7Hz (-3dB) and about 37Hz (-10dB), and a 92dB sensitivity with a 117dB peak rating means it keeps up with large rooms.
Cons: The only measurements are Perlisten’s own, which spinorama.org rates low quality, so the results have not been independently verified. At $8795 for one speaker it is among the most expensive center channels ranked here. It is 960mm wide and weighs 33.5kg, so it needs a large, sturdy shelf or its matching stand, and the 3.2 ohm minimum impedance calls for a capable amplifier.
Full Perlisten S7c review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 36.8Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61.7Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Certification | THX Dominus |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4”H x 37.8”W x 11.8”D (240 x 960 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm beryllium dome tweeter, 2x 28mm Textreme dome DPC array, 4x 180mm (7”) Textreme woofers |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz-20kHz ±1.5dB, 38Hz-37kHz -10dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.26 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.63 |
| Weight | 73.9 lbs (33.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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